SNUG TOP "HI LINER"... a.k.a. WATER SIEVE?

Hi All,

New member here; just signed up. Bought my new Hi Liner from a local San Diego County outfit about 6 weeks ago for my 2003 Toyota Tacoma SR5 extended cab. I really like the room that it gives me for storing my emergency PPG's and such. We had our first rain [3/8"] two weeks ago and the whole bed inside got wet and water stained. [see photos]

When dealers install shells, don't these folks think of running a "leak down test" to see if the shell has seated, before returning it to the customer? Glad I didn't have my gear inside(!) Bed has a "Rhino Lining" on it, as you can see.

There are 3 "j" clips on both sides of the shell---none at the front [drop-down] window where [cab and shell] windows meet.

The truck's going back to the dealer tomorrow.

Didn't even think to look at the gasket when the shell was being put on the truck. I should have been there and watched every aspect of the install...big mistake.

Anyone else have trouble with water leaks? How did you correct them to your satisfaction?

I figure if it leaks like this when the truck is parked in the driveway, what's it going to do while I'm driving down the freeway at 65 MPH!?

Many thanks for taking the time to respond!

 

I don't have the same truck or topper but mine leaks between the lift gate and the liftgate frame. BTW, it leaks less while moving down the road than when sitting still in the rain. Good luck.

 

I have had a Snugtop on for the last year with no leaking at all. We get lots of rain so it has been put to the test. I did pull it off for about 1 month over the summer and readjusted the gasket on the bed lip below the cab window before I put it back on. No problems since either. It sounds like a bad install unless there is a crack or a leak in a window. Either way the dealer should make it right.
Hope you get it figured out.

 

I too have a snugtop on my 02 DC(not sure what model) but whenever we get a really hard rain it will get damp around the rails on the side but nothing crazy.

Hope you get everything worked out!

 

Check the weather stripping on the bottom of the shell. It's also possible that you're getting water in through the rear window around the frame. You can also get water in through the seam of the tailgate. There is no weather stripping there so if there's a lot of rain you can get water in there.

But to me it looks like the top might be missing the weather stripping between the top and the bed, or that it's not sealed correctly.

 

Probably just bad weather stripping. I don't see any other way of it leaking unless the weather stripping around the side/front windows are bad.

 

first. Welcome to TW!

this. i’m going to say it’s a seal on the side(s) looks like their is a water line on the wheel wells and i don’t think that would happen if it leaked around the tail gate unless it filled the hole bed with water.

 

I currently have the exact same problem with my '03. I have a Leer shell but it leaks in the exact spots as your camper. I noticed with mine the camper does not line up to the end of the rail so it lets water in there. Also from the corners water leaks through the seam where the bed panels meet, I ran a bead of silicone to stop some water leakage.

 

I have an Astro topper and it's always leaked from all four corners. The rear corners have gapping holes between the tailgate and topper.

I brought it back to reputable topper retailer and they tried their best to redo the weather stripping, to no avail.

I am going to try and do it myself with beefier weatherstripping.

For the rear corners try this:

http://www.bajataco.com/camper/camper_seal/index.htm

 

I have a leer, and it leaked when I first got it. What I did was camp out in the shell the next time we had a good rain and made note of all the places it was leaking. Turns out the dealer installed the windows without using sealant in my case.

Good Luck!

 

Do you still have your camper shell?

 

Do you still have your shell?

 

I have replied to many of these same issues. It's not the shell it's the bed design as I am having same issue and just returned yesterday from my 3rd dealer visit to resolve issue. I have an ARE and it's happening to all brands. Most of the problems come from cab side bed rail cap that meets the shell. It's removable and when water test is done water will pour in underneath it. Dealer just pulled it off yesterday and ran a bead of silicone then replaced rail cap. Has helped eliminate 70% but still trying to find the rest. Good luck

 

Hey, brand new here. I’m trying to tell my snug top for my 1996 Tacoma. It’s forest green and is in really good condition. Where would you all post it for sale?

 

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp. That way you can keep it relatively local.

 

A cap I had when it would rain medium to hard, the drains in the sliding side window track could not keep up and the water would back up then run under the sliding glass. Nothing I did could fix it. Guy I sold it to changed the windows to a one piece push out and it went away.