ARE Cap Leaks on my 2020 TRD Off Road

Many of us are aware of the structural issue with the front bed rail and the leaks that come with all truck caps on our 2016+ Tacoma’s. I’m wondering if any of you guys have heard of a better fix than stuffing the void full of silicone and hoping for the best. I have a CX ARE and live in central KY. Any of you guys know a dealer who is aware of the problem and maybe has come up with a solution?

 

Silicone alone won’t work. There are typically two foam blocks that are needed to fill the larger holes. Did they put those foam blocks in the front corners?

 

The place I bought my topper from used

$31 3M Strip Calk, 08578, Black Color, Soft Butyl Rubber, Paintable Immediately, 1 ft Strips, 60/Carton

3M Strip Calk to deal with the gaps left by the differing heights between side and front bed rail caps. It's got some mechanic slang name that I can't remember. Butyl rubber strips that can be molded like silly putty. Waterproof, doesn't shrink, removable, and doesn't leave a residue like silicone.

They also removed the front rail cap and sealed from underneath. It's why I ended up with a Leer instead of an ARE. The Leer dealer knew all about this issue and was up front that there would be a small labor charge to do the sealing right. The local ARE dealer claimed that no sealing was needed with Tacomas.

 

The dealer used those strips you reference and the bed is dry everywhere except the two front corners. Foam blocks...? Interesting. That would work, but they did not use them. First I’ve heard of them actually. Can you elaborate further...?
Have you experienced the same leak that was fixed with foam blocks? I sure like the concept better than a tube of silicone in each corner!

 

Toyota part nos. 6254104010 and 6254204010. About $32 each.

 

My ARE was installed with a "Toyota gasket kit" and hasn't leaked in 4 years. Sounds like your installer skipped a step.

 

Sounds like that's a standard bulb gasket for the underside of the shell, that sits on top of the bed rails. Most installers won't remove the bed rails to seal underneath them. But, that's precisely where the leakage comes from. (Water is splashed up through the hollow fenders, and finds its way through the rail clip holes.) The task the owner has to do, before having the shell installed, is to seal the front corners of the bed, and underneath all 3 bed rails.

 

Thanks guys. I’ll take a look at the kit and blocks. Parked level or on an incline, two puddles can be found after every rain harder than a sprinkle. If anyone knows of a dealer familiar with this problem please pass it along. At this point, I’m not above driving several hours for a reseal that solves the problem.