Prepping bed rails for shell before going to dealer

Alright folks, so I'm looking at the ARE V series with windoors for a 2016 truck (not yet in my possession...but soon).

I'll be moving up to the pacific northwest, and I'm going to be sleeping in the back a ton, so waterproofing is my #1 concern. From what it sounds like, it's basically a crap shoot whether your dealer seals out the leaks or not.

So, would anyone recommend prepping the bed rails myself prior to going to dealer? Lifting up plactic rail caps and putting line of silicone, same with the front rail (plus some weatherstripping). I'll also be putting in a 3M tailgate seal.

Anyway, I need it waterproof and am paranoid I'll end up with a leaky one.

 

I have never had a camper shell that was 100% waterproof when first installed. There's always something you overlook or miss. I'd personally not obsess too much, do the obvious things then once you've got it all installed take it to the car wash and hit corners, joints and openings to see what happens. I find the worst happens driving in the rain and that's the best way I could ever come up with to mimic that.

 

So if you find problem areas, do you remove the shell and address the spot, or do you just use some silicone or something of the sort and hit the seam with the cap still on?

 

Depends on what's leaking. I tend to make sure the shell rail to bed rail seal is done well and intact instead of trying to seal with silicone. If a window or something like that is leaking I'll drill out the rivets or unscrew the frame and reinstall it and seal it with something like a 3M Scotch Seal rubber gasket or maybe silicone.

In your case it kind of depends on where, but I'd take into the dealer and have them address leaks first.