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How to have a dry bed with a topper?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020.

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  1. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:15 PM
    #1
    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I love my Gen 3, but how does anyone have a dry bed while driving in the rain with a topper? The topper doesn't leak, but the beds front corners do, and water works it's way from the rear at the tailgate.
    The front corner is a couple holes. And when you can shut the tail gate and see the driveway through the rear corners, shits gonna leak. And water seems to work its way from (I'm assuming) under the bed rail caps.

    For the tailgate, has anyone ran a weatherstrip around the corners to fill the 1/2" or more gap?
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
    #1
  2. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:17 PM
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    T4RFTMFW

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    T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

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    Bulb seals.
    Silicone.
    Learning in the end they’re not water tight.
     
    T4RFTMFW, Jun 17, 2020
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    bax likes this.
  3. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:20 PM
    #3
    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Where do you get bulb seals? I've thought about canvassing a junkyard and see if something from a car door could be modified or something.
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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  4. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:21 PM
    #4
    Lt. Dangle

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    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    When I had my cap installed, they used a part labelled "Tacoma gasket". I've never had an issue with water.
     
    Lt. Dangle, Jun 17, 2020
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  5. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:21 PM
    #5
    anthony250f

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    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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    This for the front

    comes with “putty” for the corners
    $16 ESI Front Rail Seal 6ft EPDM Rubber
    https://www.amazon.com/Front-Rail-S...eywords=front+rail+seal&qid=1592450371&sr=8-1

    this for the sides
    $29 ESI Super Cap Seal 20 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 20' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps 200 lbs or less
    https://www.amazon.com/Super-Width-...seal&qid=1592450428&sprefix=esi+super+&sr=8-1

    and this for the tailgate
    $29 ESI Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal 10ft for use with Truck Caps and Tonneau Covers
    https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Tai...&keywords=tailgate+seal&qid=1592450489&sr=8-5
     
    anthony250f, Jun 17, 2020
    #5
    CRCs Reality, tonered, BowtechDan[OP] and 1 other person like this.
  6. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:21 PM
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    Flowie

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    Flowie Well-Known Member

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    If we can have 100 gallon glass rectangles in our living rooms that hold water...then you can figger out a way to keep in out.

    Butyl tape and Through the Roof sealant might help.
     
    Flowie, Jun 17, 2020
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  7. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:23 PM
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    T4RFTMFW

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    T4RFTMFW Well-Known Member

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    ^^
     
    T4RFTMFW, Jun 17, 2020
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    BowtechDan[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #8
    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Did it fill the holes in the rear corners? I can see plenty of daylight there. Maybe splash guards help?
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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  9. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:26 PM
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    Lt. Dangle

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    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    Yeah I have no light in mine. I imagine the products the guys have linked are essentially what was done to mine. If you can lift your cap, it seems pretty straight forward to seal, I beat most installers skimp on the details causing issues down the road.
     
    Lt. Dangle, Jun 17, 2020
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  10. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:26 PM
    #10
    apreston1

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    apreston1 Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2015 and have experienced VERY minor leaks and I stick to the mantra “ don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough”
     
    apreston1, Jun 17, 2020
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  11. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #11
    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It's not the cap installation......it's the gap where the tailgate hinges are located.
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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  12. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #12
    Lt. Dangle

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    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    Oh ok, sorry. Most people leak at the front corners. I must've misread your post, sorry.

    reread your post, you have both issues lol, sorry.
     
    Lt. Dangle, Jun 17, 2020
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  13. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:31 PM
    #13
    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, I have a 20 year aviation maintenance background. Half-ass is not an option.:)
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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    T4RFTMFW likes this.
  14. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:33 PM
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    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No you're right. I have some seepage there too and will try some additional weatherstripping too.
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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  15. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:34 PM
    #15
    Lt. Dangle

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    Lt. Dangle RIP @stun gun 2016-2020

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    Anthony up above listed everything you should need to get it straightened out. All of your gaps.
     
    Lt. Dangle, Jun 17, 2020
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    anthony250f and BowtechDan[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  16. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:37 PM
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    BowtechDan

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    BowtechDan [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. :thumbsup:
     
    BowtechDan, Jun 17, 2020
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  17. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:39 PM
    #17
    Taco_Coma

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    Taco_Coma That's a lovely accent you have. New Jersey?

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    you could "whole ass" it
     
    Taco_Coma, Jun 17, 2020
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  18. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:39 PM
    #18
    SpeySquatch

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    SpeySquatch Function over Form

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    Mine is completely bone dry after 3 years and living in Oregon. Seam seal all the seams where the straps are mounted with seam sealer. Get foam and silicone to seal the bed ends
     
    SpeySquatch, Jun 17, 2020
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    BowtechDan[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  19. Jun 17, 2020 at 8:44 PM
    #19
    anthony250f

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    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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    I siliconed under the bed rails, all of the cubbies, behind the bed track rails, ESI ultra seal, front rail seal, tailgate seal, and removed the bed cubbies and sealed them off with aluminum. Pretty much leak free now.
     
    anthony250f, Jun 17, 2020
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    tonered and BowtechDan[OP] like this.
  20. Jun 18, 2020 at 4:29 AM
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    RichVT

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    RichVT Well-Known Member

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    RichVT, Jun 18, 2020
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