Leaky ARE truck caps?

I just recently got the ARE M.X on my 2017 tacoma double cab, and i had to take mine off and they repaired the leaks towards the cab side corners and middle, but i've taken it in again for the bed rug carpet on the back right and left side of the truck getting wet... i think it's coming from the little gap shell and soaking into the bed rug... because it doesn't leak anywhere in the bed just soaks the bed rug by the windows. I might try and take it again or e-mail them to see if there is any other ideas, but yeah i built a bed back there and i can't have it leaking - i haven't even gone through any bad rains yet.. this is just 2 little rains so far.

 

The problem isn't with the caps. It is with the bed rail design of the Tacoma. I have had a Leer on mine since new in 2007. It is near impossible to seal everything at the front of the bed. It leaks no where else. It isn't huge deal for me. I only get a few drops and I've never had anything get wet. The corrugated bed keeps cargo above the water which stays in the lower channels until it dries.

I have the same cap on my 2014 F-150. NEVER a single drop of water. The bed rails are much better thought out and allows for a watertight fit.

 

I understand the design issues can’t be perfect for every truck. But does anyone have any ideas to fill in the back sides where the bedrug overlaps? It’s getting soaked even in mild rain along the bedrug up towards the sliding windows. and already taken it in twice.

 

Got any pictures of what you're talking about?

I pulled my sleeping setup out of the back about a month ago and I finally had some leaking where the weather stripping is coming loose. Until I can get some help removing it I shoved some thinner foam in there and re-tightened the clamps which had started to get loose on the left side. I also noticed that the bulb seal for the back window has gotten compressed and isn't sealing as well and the rubber flap that goes below the hard plastic flap has also hardened and starting to rip. One of the sliding window felts has hardened and is starting to droop so I'm going to try a heat gun and some weather stripping adhesive on that; it doesn't leak so it's not too big of a deal, just unattractive.

I guess I really can't complain about the seals since it's been on there since 2006/7 time frame; the back of my cab and the front of the shell are filthy and need cleaning anyways.


ETA- for the person asking about sealing the openings in the cubbies, they're pretty easy to remedy. The openings are where the tabs and the locking tab go into it so you need to be able to cover them yet still allow the tabs and locking bar to function. I cut pieces out of an old mtn bike tire then used contact cement to loosely fit them over the outsides of the openings. By doing them with a little give it's still easy to insert the doors and use the latch and it's not like you can see them unless you're under the truck anyways.

 

I'm going to investigate a little more.. it sounds like the flaps by the corners of the tailgate are having water run through and it's transfering onto the back corners of the bed rug and soaking further and further along. I might try and put a little of the black tailgate foam i used in the cracks along the tailgate up near the corners to see if i can possibly get some water to stop going into there as much...

 

Wanted a truck cap. Guess I’ll use that money for a RTT.

 

My cx leaks a little on my 2017, but it keeps the rain out for the most part

 

Has anyone figured out a way to funnel the water out from the tailgate holes in the corners on the ARE topper? If i'm parked at even a slight angle forward it builds water up on the bed rail in those corners and then flows along the bed rug soaking it - any type of funnels or bedrail channels that can cover / push the water away? I've been trying to do more research but haven't found much. Thanks

 

Just got my new ARE top installed and 1st rain the inside under the side windows soaked with water along the backwall. The installer is 1hr away so I guess this is on me.

 

I have the ARE Z series on my Ranger and a CX on my Tacoma and F150. I never noticed any leaks at all.

 

I am in the market for a cap but am concerned about leaking, it seems alot of you dont have leaking but alot do see some leaking. At this point if there is a chance I will get some leaking than I will probably not buy a truck cap.

 

Toyota used a retarded bed design and it's harder to get a good seal than on older trucks. Most of the problems with any of the different shells/caps can be traced to the installation, especially if the weather seals are not installed correctly or sufficiently thick, mainly along the front. Definitely get a shell that goes over the edge. Inspect it before you leave the dealer's lot, preferably by hosing it down if possible.

All of them with the possible exception of Snugtop seem to have occasional QC issues which they definitely shouldn't given the costs, some are much worse than others though. Just like anything vehicle related, you have to do some occasional maintenance. Expect to have to tighten clamps and screws occasionally as well as replace the gas struts and weatherstripping every so often. You just have to decide if one fits your needs.

 

Update: I just washed my Tacoma and my CX canopy does leak! Both side windows. So I pulled them both out and reinstalled them using silicon. I'm pretty sure this will fix it.

 

I have a 2018 Off Road and purchased an ARE cap recently. The front corners at the bulkhead do leak under certain circumstances. I used butyl on the inside of the bulkhead to create a path that channels water away from the corners and toward the center allowing it to run down and drain out the holes in the floor and keeping it off the flat side sections. Its a good cap but obviously Toyota was not concerned with sealing issues for cap owners. I have a bed mat so the water stays under my cargo and eventually exits the drain holes in the floor. Not a perfect solution but what else can you do.

 

Could you post a picture of the "skirts" he made and what kind of colored tape was used. I am having a terrible time keeping water out. Next I have to reseal the window frames. ARE's are horrible toppers.

 

Just so everyone knows, it is not just the Tacoma or Toyota who has leaking issues with the ARE toppers. I have a 2014 Dodge Ram 2500 that has the same issues. Windows, rail, little holes in back. I have a TW series. This is a design issue with ARE and could easily be remedied if they would do it. I camp out of mine and need it DRY. They should warn us of this before purchased.

 

I understand that you didn't take pictures of the install, But what is stopping you from taking your phone or camera out and taking pictures of the installed 'skirt". and posting it here. That would give us a spot to start. Thanks.

 

He says they can't be seen so pictures would show nothing.

 

Do you have any pics of the channels you made?

 

This. The bed designs on the Tacos is designed to take on and drain water. It's not impossible to get them 100% leak proof. But it is very very difficult. With a cap it will leak a tad bit. But if you're still finding a soaking wet bed then you should have your installer take a look at it.