Best Way To Seal Canopy

Hi all, I have a 2011 Tacoma short bed with a A.R.E canopy, here on the West Coast we get lots of rain parts of the year, i have been getting pretty good leakage from front part of canopy where its resting on top of truck bed rails, and im pretty sure its from the old seal thats between top of bed rail and the bottom of canopy since i bought it second hand, whats a good product to replace that seal and maybe one for the tailgate while im at it, trying to make it as water tight as possible

 

I went through this recently when getting my camping setup built inside my shell.

-ESI super cap seal between cap and bed rails. Get the double or triple bulb depending on carrying weight

$33 ESI Super Cap Seal 23 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 23' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps 200 lbs or Less

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C7VU9BA?ie=UTF8
-ESI tailgate seal around the edges and the rok block for the gap at the bottom

$50 ESI ROK Block 4.25" Width Tailgate Gap Cover and Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal 6ft for Sidewalls

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R8KBV9Y?ie=UTF8

You will probably have to also use some pieces leftover or some butyl to really get the front and back corners to seal completely, it takes some effort and trial and error. I'd recommend removing and sealing underneath the plastic bed rail caps as well with butyl or a bunch of thick beads of silicone. The bed boxes and front drain holes are other sources of water and dust coming in.

Also if your bed has the different front rail height from the sides make sure the cap contours down to that height if that makes sense. If the cap doesn't you probably need the other front rail seal spacer thing too.

 

Same recommendation as Peter gave above. When recently refurbishing a new to me tonneau cover I used the double ribbed ESI cap seal on the sides and cab side of the tonneau cover and then used the triple ribbed on the cab side on the bed to fill the gap difference between the two different heights.

 

Thanks guys!

 

Search for ""Butyl Sealant Putty." After you put down the gaskets on the bed rails, use this in the corners to plug anything you can't effectively seal with the gasket.

 

Do you recommend the double or triple bulb seal

 

I went with the double only because thats what was on my cap previously and I don't usually carry much weight on it. I was worried the 3 might not compress enough but I think you would be totally fine either way

 

Looks like i have that recessed gap area in the front bulkhead area of truck bed mentioned in this post, it seems like this is caused by the fact the plastic bed rail caps sit higher than rest of truck bed top rails, has anyone just removed those plastic bed rail caps, seal the tops of bed rails with aluminum tape, then let topper directly rest on top with no plastic bed rails? Seems like it would sit more flush that way

 

That's actually not a bad idea I feel like. I imagine someone must have tried it.

 

I saw videos where they removed rail cap and sealed up all the square holes on top of bed rail with aluminum tape and also silicone sealant to help with dust and possible water intrusion, and then they put the plastic bed rail caps back on but im thinking that plastic bed rail cap is main reason the topper does not want to sit flush, it just pops off pretty easily with no tools

 

I installed KB Voodoo aluminum bed caps and aluminum tape

 

And did this make the topper sit more flush without having to put extra material up at the bulkhead area like most people have to do?

 

I have a GFC. They used double bulb seal. I have had less water intrusion at the front, but I think there will be some.

I have also seen added caulking in the corners.



This video may help you too:
https://youtu.be/LIWht8rxbW8?si=9bXyRab10P_m4JTx

 

Unclamp your cap and lift it up to take a look at the front edge of your cap, it may actually already have the base contoured for the side rails-both caps I've had did. I found a picture that I had that shows it when I had my cap flipped over for carpeting. (Top of picture is the edge that sits on the front of bed along the cab) Its hard to see while looking from the side because the overhanging edge blocks view of it. I did still need to add some butyl where I drew in red on your picture to fully seal it during car washes and stuff.