Bed leaking water

Hello Tacoma World. I bought a 2023 Tacoma in August with the intent of using it for truck camping. I pulled the bed rails and sealed the holes before installing the cap. I'm still getting water into the bed because the drivers side rear wheel throws water up between the rear quarter panel and the bed, and water leaks through the light, bolt hole for the u channel, and also there's another pretty good size hole up there that I don't know what it's for. I've attached pics to help explain, but essentially there's no problem on the passenger side because it's blocked by the AC outlet box and the storage box. There's nothing blocking water from splashing up on the driver's side. So that's my question, has anyone installed something up in that area to keep water from splashing up there? I have mud flaps on order and hopefully that will help, but I'm guessing there will still be water splashing up there during extremely wet conditions. I initially considered some type of expanding foam, but have read that's a bad idea and will lead to premature rust.

 

After chasing leaks for a few months I gave up and just accepted you can't truly seal water/dust from getting into the bed.

 

Your truck doesn't have mudflaps?

I have a Leer cap and after putting down a double layer of foam gasket have negligible leaking. Maybe a tablespoon after what feels like weeks of rain. I live in the PNW so there's a bit of rain.

 

Get mudflaps

use sealant on the plastic parts to seal them from more water (shouldn’t have to)

my 05 with mudflaps let’s dirt in, but no leaks with my old ARE tonneau, and no leaks when I used to drive in the rain

 

Thanks all. I'll continue to chase the leaks for a while, but realize I probably won't get it to 100%.

 

i would mount mud flaps underneath the area to direct/divert water away from the area as well.

but in the end, it's still a truck! shoulda gotten a 4runner!

 

or a Ridgeline

 

Hit your squid launcher button on a dark night and you'll easily see every place the box is leaking light!



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Clean the areas you suspect are leaking; cover them with duct tape temporarily. This will help you to find the leaking areas.

Once you determine where the leak is coming from, seal them with silicone.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I received the mud flaps and will be installing this weekend.

 

I popped mine out and used Flex Seal tape on both sides of each hole, where the tape sticks to the cubby and itself. That helped quite a bit. Instead of mud i just get a little dust.