Drilling drainage holes advice for (rough Country) tonneau cover

Hey everyone, first post here. Glad that this community exists.

After doing some research I saw guys are drilling the holes through the side of the bed which seems like a much better idea than widening the holes on the base of the bed and running the drain tubes down that way.

I found this Rough Country tonneau cover review and time stamped the part where he goes into drilling a hole for the tube: https://youtu.be/tZosRIyvKKI?t=1090

First off, is he correct that the tube will properly drain from where he drilled it? I'd hate for water to pool between the plastic and the steel of the bed frame somehow.

Additionally, He only goes into drainage on the right side, but that location on the left is directly in front of the gas tank. Is there a similar air gap between the plastic on the left side as the right? I have no problem drilling a hole or anything like that, I just want to be as sure as I can before I do. As you can see from the images I put my screw driver into one of the bed holes to try to get some bearing on where they come out, but couldn't see anything from underneath.

Pics of the inside of my bed with the cover: https://imgur.com/a/KHFANYu

The plastic wheel well cover is also blocking my internal view of where I'd be drilling out the side So I'd be going in blind.

Advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks all.

 

I'm by no stretch a body guy for Tacomas. But, I don't think that is a very good spot for the drain tube. That location will empty into an area of the bed in front of the rear wheel. This area is prone to rust. Does that area have drains that are open at the bottom of the rocker panel?

Frankly, IMHO, I think dropping the drain through the floor of the bed by enlarging one of the existing bed drains is much better. These drains drop straight to the pavement, not inside a body cavity.

Or you could let the tonneau drain into the bed. Then the water will find its way to the bed drains........ So, no drilling = no chance to F'up the truck.

 

A few folks have drilled through the filler neck by not using a drill stop.

 

What is a filler neck?

 

Probably the gas filler neck?

 

I’ve replaced 8 filler necks at work due to this…

 

So I'm guessing the side is not recommended at all then?

 

It happens when people drill where the photo has a screw driver sittin in the bed. Just use a drill stop and your fine.

 

That's crazy. Mods gone wrong.

 

To be fair some of the instructions make no mention of the filler next being right below

 

Some people just want to watch the world burn.

 

Very true. One person's was nicked by a shop. Still though.

 

do you need a drill stop if you just have the bit go in enough to widen the hole? Are the drainage holes just the plastic liner or is there a steel hole underneath that also requires widening?

 

Just be careful and drill through the bed. Don't put a lot of pressure and it wont punch through and hit the neck on the drivers side drain hole. Simple

 

I have this same cover and if you install it well the bed stays 98% dry without the tubes even in Texas downpours. I wouldn't bother with them. Just my take.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. I guess I'll see how it does after a rain.

 

On the short beds, the gas fill neck is less than an inch below the drain hole on the driver side. Trust me I know ….

 

If you have a garden hose.....you could simulate a heavy rain.

 

dang that is not ideal.

 

wish I had read this first

mine is in the shop getting a new filler neck

ugh