Sealing the Bed.. with pics.

I recently replaced all my bedrail bolts with SS and a dab of antiseize. I used an Allen head instead of torx, and had to use a washer to replicate the OE head dia.

 

@OmniBot - how did this project work out for you? Any lessons learned or updates? Would you have done anything differently?

I’m getting my contour next week and am about to embark on the same journey.

 

So we picked up the canopy on Friday up in FT. Worth. CB Adventure Supply did a really good job installing it. On the way back to Austin we hit a Monsoon of a rainstorm, So things got fully tested. Here are my observations.

1. Bed Rail caps seemed to be really well sealed. I didn't notice any water coming from under the side caps.
2. Outlet / Cubby box also well sealed... no issues here.
3. There was a little intrusion in the front corners where the front bed rail and the side caps meet.. to be honest I was expecting this as it is such a crazy area to try and seal up. I will have another go at it at some point.
4. I have the bed lights and wasn't expecting water to come in from around those... It wasn't much just a little trickle but something I can probably run a small piece of bed-it around and have it be fine.
5. Most of the water intrusion came from the tailgate. Where the back door on the shell meets the tailgate in the corners there is seal but it isn't super tight... Not sure if there is much that can be done with this.
6. Also a little water leaked in from the positive pressure vent.

Overall we were driving 70mph for 3hrs in a heavy soaker with rain coming at us from multiple directions (a real torture test as it were) and the amount of water that got in was minimal. Enough to notice but not really enough to be an issue at all. We had some boxes in the back of other stuff we bought from CBAS and they were fine aside from one corner on one box that had slid up near the front and got the tiniest bit of water on it (didn't even soak through the cardboard). I think if it were just sitting parked in rain the interior would be bone dry.. I think the heavy driving / multiple direction rain is where the tiny "failures" happened. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for these pictures and descriptions!

I have some minor rear fender damage that I'm taking to the shop tomorrow for repair. I mentioned I'd have my tonneau off in advance, and they said if I wanted to remove the rail cap on that side as well it would save a bit of book time and prevent them having to keep up with the parts (I think he thought the bed rail had to come out too)

Anyway, I'm pleased to say that using a putty knife wrapped in cloth worked well, and after 11 years in the Florida sun I also managed not to break any clips!

 

@OmniBot hey just checking in to see how this is holding up. I don't have a Tacoma yet but I have my heart set on one (looking at 2016-2021). I would be using it to haul whatever (and camp in) but I would want it sealed/waterproofed for when I occasionally carry electronic music equipment (synthesizers, amps). It sounds like what you have set seems pretty darn good, but I just wanted to check. Obviously anyone else can chime in here, but I thought I'd ask you specifically because your post is somewhat recent and goes pretty into detail about waterproofing everything.

 

@OmniBot how did you go about sealing the sides of the tailgate when in the closed position? I've noticed there is significant gaps there on mine, and have tried a few things such as foam, but wasn't able to do it without making the ability to close the tailgate securely pretty difficult.

 

I did this the other day. Used to get lots of water intrusion only in the back around the tailgate. I also have the ESI Ultimate tailgate seal. It rained yesterday and there wasn’t a drop inside.

 

What's the name of the product that you stuck on the side of the glass?

@OmniBot

 

Sorry I have been away for so darn long. Been deep into other hobbies (Vintage VW's) as well as just general life rat race stuff. Cacoker, If you look on Amazon for ESI Ultimate Tailgate seal and ESI Rock Block... those are what I used to seal the gaps in the tailgate... Just simple 3m peel and stick application stuff. As far as how it is all holding up.... After sealing the tailgate I get almost no water in the bed, the only time I see anything is when it is raining cats and dogs and I am driving 70 down the highway, and even then it is very little (mostly from the drain holes in the front which I have thought about making little removeable plugs for). But overall still really happy with everything.

 

The squishy foam ear plugs make great temporary plugs for those holes

 

@OmniBot

Thank you for explaining your process to keep the water out with the tools/methods you have tried. How does your method do with mitigating the dust intrusion? I am having my Contour Canopy installed on my 23’ DCSB next month (February 25’.)

thank you!

 

Haven't seen any rust issues at all. As far as dust goes I still have an area that leaks ever so little behind one of my track rails, but it is so minor that it doesn't really concern me. What I did seems to take care of 90% of the issues. Haven't really dealt with a TON of dust yet say from Southwest style fine silt just the normal stuff from dusty dirt roads and it seems to work just fine for that. Hope this helps.

 

Good to hear. I've got my bedrails all done up with RTV and bed it tape, just like you have done. The RTV donuts are just under 1/2" tall. My bedrail caps won't click and lock back down, but they still basically are even with the front rail (height-wise) when I squeeze them down. I doubt the fact that they won't click/lock down will affect anything once the Alu Cab Contour canopy is installed and clamped down? What are your thoughts there? Also, the two gaps on either side of my front rail are sizeable.. like almost 1" wide each. I have the stock endcaps on the front rail, so I don't think I am missing any parts. Are there any aftermarket parts that can plug these huge gaps?

 

I just got a used shell so been going through the process for about a week. After removing and sealing front n side rails like u guys, for big front gaps, I used little bathtub caulk backer tube to fill in some followed by black silicone caulk and rubber glove to really push in and smooth. Only done outside so far. Also as experiment cut about 4x4 inch squares from bike tube. Stuck w little silicone half over front rail n half on side rail which drapes forward over problem area. Now sealed under shell. No idea if will help, but we’ll see. Still working on some things. Need to replace 3rd brake light n one windoor is leaking.