Does your cap leak?

Previously checked. Dry as a bone. You certainly did your preparation. I would be pointing finger at the manufacture about the specific model shell.

 

Took the truck/cap back in to the dealer yesterday. They pulled the windows and found that the tape/seals around both windows had gotten rolled up during installation so the window wasn't making contact with the seal all of the way around. They replaced both seals and I was out of there in 45 minutes. Hopefully that solves the problem.

 

Sounds like you have a good dealer that takes care of their customers.

 

It's true. Any one looking for a cap or other truck accessories near southeast PA should check out Carmic.

 

Mine didn't start leaking until recently but it's been on since 2006 so I can't really complain. The rubber is just dry and compressed and needs to be replaced. The windows between the can and shell are dirty and need scrubbing (since my dumb self didn't get the drop down front window). The dealer I bought it from closed down some years back after the old guy who'd owned it since at least the early '70s died and his family didn't want to continue it.

 

Last summer I carefully sliced the rear window gasket away from the shell from the bottom ends up around the top corners where shrinkage had caused the upper corners to pull free and leak. I reglued them and also replaced the rubber flaps at the bottom corners with pieces of mtb inner tube. Next up is pulling the track rails and resealing all of those holes. Probably install either matching tracks or O-track on the inside when I do that. Not sure when the cap was installed but the truck is ~ 8 years old. The front seal really needs to counter flash the front bed rail the same way the cap sides do, it’s a piss poor design.

 

In for pictures of removed window and gasket to cab

 

It's not the shell that leaks, it's the bed. Here is a little salt residue from slush getting kicked up inside the bed sides. I know the installer pulled the back of the bedside cap up to fish the wiring down there. I might need to try to seal around the wiring...

 

I need to replace those rubber flaps on my snugtop. I saw instructions from another member who made a template first... but can't find that post. Do you have a pic of yours? Thanks

 

I’ll take one and post it tonight.

 

All tonneau covers will leak to some degree.

 

On a Tacoma specifically, there's a gap at the front corners. Toyota thoughtfully supplies rubber plugs for the corners, but only when you order a factory tonneau cover. Otherwise, be prepared to shell out $60 for the plugs.

But actually, most water leaks come from below, not from above. That's because on a Tacoma, the bed sides are open at the bottom. Water splashes up between the outer fender and the inner lining. Then it leaks in through the holes under the plastic bed caps. Also water leaks up through the three drain holes at the front of the bed, and the drain holes inside the storage cubbies.

Before installing a camper shell, you need to pull up the bed caps and seal under them. Put sealant inboard of the holes. And put plugs in all the drain holes.

 

Here’s a pic after install. About as much of the flap is covered by the gasket as is sticking out the side. Roughly L-shaped and maybe 3-4” tall. There’s an indent in the shell to receive the sideways part.