Leaky A.R.E Z series Shell

Has anyone recently purchased a Z series shell and noticed any leaking? I have had this shell for 2 months on my 17 Taco and it leaks especially around the back half of the shell where the factory installed carpet ends. Directly under the windows. I had the fixed windows that it normally comes switched to sliders with pet screens. I searched previous threads regarding this and I have sealed the corners where the gaps are near the cab end but the carpet gets soaked. I have been back to the dealer 3 times and they finally stated that the shell needs to come off so they can remove the cab end of the bed rail to lay down a bead of silicone along the whole back bed rail then mount the cap back on. Not sure if this is the answer or if anyone else had this problem? The image shows where its getting wet. Obviously you can't see the water but the picture shows carpet I'm talking about. The whole bottom ledge gets saturated. Any thoughts?

 

Are you positive it isn't the windows that are leaking? I've read that can be an issue. I have a 2nd gen so I'm not exactly familiar with the bed setup on the 3rd gen. Just trying to spitball ideas. My snugtop is water tight though with just the gasket around the bottom, and so was the ARE Z series I had before it. Is your tailgate sealed? Are there any drain holes in the bed that could throw water up while you are driving? Sorry I can't be more help.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-shell.13598/page-255
@sorgon82 discusses how he sealed his in this thread. He didn't take the side rails off though.

 

When I was at the dealer they water tested it and held the hose near the cab end of the shell and it was pouring in near the rails. I have minimal water coming up near the tailgate where you can see some gaps but its minimal. The windows were fine as well.

 

I'd have them check the gasket on the bedrail for damage or to make sure it is seated properly. Silicone on a gasket seems redundant. The front bedrail seems to be a common culprit but it doesn't sound like you are having the leaks there. And you already addressed the front corners. You might want to post up in the 3rd gen section and see if they can help you. Or maybe post in that shell thread that I linked. Someone with a 3rd gen will probably be more help.

 

I have a Z Series on my 3rd gen. Leaked a bit when I first got, but I seemed to solve it by sealing the bed around the front upper corners. Then I removed the shell for a few months, and when I reinstalled it I used a new double-bulb gasket, just because that seemed like the right thing to do. And now it's leaking again ... not sure if it's my installation, or if there's something new, but like the OP it's saturating the carpet, right side only, then pooling on the side.

 

Is the leaking a common thing on the AREs? Currently in the market for one..

 

I have had a z series since November and I live in upstate NY. I had lots of leaking during the winter months and none so far during the summer months with all the rain we have had. I would have to say most of the leaking during the winter was probably due to snow melt finding its way in. But with that said, you need to pull the cab side rail cap off and seal it real good before the install and that should help significantly. Since doing that it, it has minimized the leaking a lot but not 100%. But so far during the warmer months I have had none. I the love the cap and the leaking bothers me especially for all the money you spend on these damn things but since I've run into others with different manufacturer caps, I have found they all leak due to the engineering of the Tacoma beds. Hope that helps.

 

I guess its back to the drawing board. Reason for the purchase is to protect my things from the snow.

 

Don't get me wrong. Its not like a hose coming into the bed, its just a little water near the front and back of cab and not all of the time. Trust me, it angers me but I bought for the same reasons and I still love it. Just thought I'd share my opinion.