Canopy/Bed rail

Ok peeps, I need to remove and reseal my ARE canopy with all the proper rubber seals, silicone. I have seen where you can use metal tape to cover the holes making the rail more water resistant. To reattach the caps I would have to puncture the tape, yes? What’s best, use the tape and silicone, or has anyone PERMANENTLY ATTACHED the rail caps. What’s the best way to permanently attach them? Don’t have the cash right now for replacement caps. Just installed ARBs/OME!

 

Just did my ARE shell and the plastic rails never leaked on the sides only the front:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/camper-shell-or-tonneau-seal.654473/

Used a top side rail seal like this - ESI Super Cap Seal 20 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 20' Length) from Amazon like $27.


Amazon ESI Front seal used fills a height gap of .488" to .937" from the sidewalls to the front rail, when mounting a truck cap or camper shell. Adheres with 3M ST1200 tape for $20. Seal it to the truck front rail and be careful putting shell on.

 

I bought this seal for my shell and plan to install it once I figure out how to remove the shell by myself lol

I've only heard good things about it tho

 

DO THIS I went this route and it works really good

 

My biggest issue was the front seal. I found this from another member on here and it worked great.

I used rivets to hold the aluminum angle on.



https://www.uline.com/Product/Detai...6U_FkJ-SxDdc4jwGxlMaAkVwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

something similar to this for under the cap. Had a big rainstorm the other day and everything was dry after driving 60+. Everything beside my tailgate corners that is.

 

If you use the thick one plus the putty for the corners, you should have no issues. Mine only leaks from the cubbies

 

Thanks everyone! Appreciate all the advice. I had already purchased the front rail gasket off Amazon. I was going to use silicone in-between the plastic caps and canopy. What’s the thoughts on that?

 

Use seals definitely not silicone

I used silicone between plastic rails and bedsides though

 

I used Permatex black silicon adhesive bonds well and that front seal needs to cut at 45 degree angle to side rails and heavy sealer applied as well as in the metal bed opening up front and under the front of the side plastic rails to keep water out.
To get the shell on and off cut 4 pieces of 2x4 about 6" long and use to prop up each side near the ends so you can get fingers in and out to lift. When you put the shell on front to rear alignment is critical so the rear windows opens/closes right and the front seal is under the front of the shell. It takes at least 2 people to lift the shell on/off without getting hurt! Once its on the 2x4 blocks 1 person can do the alignment and final fit as I did. Front seal 3M adhesive side applied to the truck front bed rail. Side seals 3M side applied to the shell itself as its a smooth surface (side bed rails are not.