Headliners and Leaky Leer Toppers

Hey everyone,

I have been experiencing a small leak where the bolts keep down the topper on my leer 180. I've tried working with the dealer to solve the leak, but have not come up with a solution yet

While I'd prefer to fix the leak and still have some things i'm going to try, i am curious of people's experience with the headliner fabric on leers when it gets wet.


I have the factory installed headliner covering the entirety of the inside of the topper. When it rains (which is often here in the PNW) that area around the bolt is more or less constantly wet. It does not get to the point where it even drips or anything, but for sure quite wet.

What is everyone experience with the headliner material? Have people experienced mold or mildew buildup, etc? I can love with the wetness to be honest, but am concerned about mildew and mold growth, particularly because of how often I sleep back there when camping/fishing/ etc.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

Leak or possible condensation?

 

Don't think it is condensation. It is only on one side and only seems to happen when it rains.

 

Try contacting Leer directly to explain the situation.

 

I have a Leer 100 without a liner so I'm not sure which bolt(s) you're talking about?

My topper has C-clamps that hold it down.

I have drilled 4 holes in the top and have attached e-Trak brackets using rubber washers under the brackets on the outside. I haven't experienced water intrusion.

 

If its anything like mine, its a flaw in the design where the rear hatch window channels water down in the inside of the topper. I made a rubber redirect skirt that sticks under the topper.

 

picture post #2
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leer-100xr-water-leaks.604089/#post-20371626

 

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Lunabird which piece did you add/ what did you use? I'll post a picture when i'm back at my truck. This seems like a good theory, but I did put some puddy to block water from going in that area, because that was my initial thought too.

How about headliner? Does anybody have any experience with the headliner getting moldy or anything like that?

 

I used pond liner, I'm sure you can find something at a craft store that is made of rubber.

 

Below is what that current area looks like right now. The Leer guys put some puddy there to redirect water but it is very much not working. I suppose it’s doing nothing so maybe I’ll take it out and try to come up with something like your solution.

 

Now starting to think that maybe it is coming in from the other end. Raining today and is now super wet. This is what that end looks like and there is a pretty solid puddle on that corner of the topper (it’s also the low point of the bed with how it is parked on the street).

Does this seem like a normal gap to have on this part of the cap?

 

Try putting some butyl tape for roofing in the front.

 

I think the likely spots have been identified already. Water can also seep in from beneath the rail caps and front cap, and from the cubbies. I pulled the rail and front ("bulkhead"?) cap and sealed underneath them with RTV. Plugged the front corner gaps with butyl tape, and installed the cubby seal kit, all before topper install.

 

This is all good information. Thank you everyone for the thoughts and advice. It is much appreciated.

I got some of the black puddy i am going to try to use to seal up the front near the cab and go from there. Seems like the butyl tape is a little harder to work with, so will try that if the puddy does not work.

 

Here's the leer procedure for the front bed corners, it's the most leaky spot on 3rd gen beds. Then around the tailgate is next. Underneath the bedrail toppers doesn't seem to be as much of a problem as it was on the second gens.

 

Thanks for posting that. I believe I have the gasket in that area with the tape over it. My truck initially came with a factory tonneau cover, so the gasket has always been there.

My theory right now is that water is pouring in the existing gap between the bedrail cover and the canopy, and then traveling to where the c clamps are and spreading onto the carpet and making the whole area wet. Where those clamps are is where the wetness is originating, so I just think moisture is getting up there and being deposited where there is a space for it to go.