BAKflip MX4...why not drain to front wall?

Has anyone routed the drain tubes through the front wall of the bed? Why wouldn’t that be ideal?

 

I never used the drain tubes. Didn’t let enough water in to feel the need to mess with them

 

Even during a car wash? They must exist for a reason.

 

I guess during a wash it might get a little wet. I usually opened up my cover and cleaned the bed when I washed anyways so I didn’t notice that actually. Also, I had a bed mat and it seemed like any water that did get in ended up going under the mat and finding it’s way out. I have a topper now so I’m perfectly dry

 

I installed my Bakflip MX4 about a month ago. I have yet to install the drain tubes since I'm lowkey scared to drill. My taco is garaged most of the time, but it has still spent several nights out in the rain during car camping trips. Despite not having the tubes installed, I've been very impressed with how little water gets in. It's not bone dry, but very little water, and mostly in the corners near the cab. Just a little standing water, nothing even remotely "soaked". I imagine it'll get even better with the tubes but tbh it seems to be doing fine without them so far.

 

I don't think anyone should drill based on the amount of water that gets in there. I guess if it were to pour for a week straight and you had a bedrug or something that would get wet, it'd be an issue. Other than that I just kept my tubes on and flipped it through the factory tie downs. I'd go and empty it every car wash, but honestly, it's a shot glass worth of water - at most. Normally a few drops. Honestly, you could probably tie a rag with a rubber band at the end of the tubes and you'd be fine depending on the storm. If it doesn't rain much where you're at, I wouldn't drill. If you're worried about it, get a hose and wet your bakflip and look through the tailgate to see the amount of water coming in.

 

Excellent advice. Thanks for the detailed thoughts!

 

There was a guy on here that ran the tubes thru the front wall of the bed. Search and look at the install. On my MX4 I didn't drill either.

 

I went this route. No drilling required. Just a run to home depot. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-tacomas-tundras.402039/page-58#post-11913631

 

I'm in so Cal, it doesn't rain much. I don't have a bed mat, and if i do it won't be of an absorbent material( no carpet or felt) do I really need to install the drain tubes?(I mean i am cool without a bed cover too) I don't want to drill

 

I drilled mine going to the bottom corners. the hoses tend to get in the way when loading the bed. If i was really thinking....i should have kept them short and gone to the forward wall. There is no harm going through the forward wall.

 

I ran mine through the front. I did what another member did and added grommets to make it look a little cleaner. One thing to note, be sure to wear long sleeves and gloves if you drill. I had fiberglass on me for days after drilling.

Max

 

I don't have the Bakflip cover (although I regret not buying it), but I don't think drilling is necessary. There are three drain holes at the near the bulkhead of the bed. I attached a brass nipple fitting to the drain tube and ran it to the drain hole. It's not snug, but has never popped out.