Waterproofing 2016 Taco bed

Hello all,

We are getting ready to take our first vacation in the new Taco! Any suggestions on how to keep the bed dry?

The factory tonneau was leaking so severely, that after having it back to the dealership 3 times, Toyota recommended removing it and installing an aftermarket backflip.

I then noticed water getting thrown up on the underside of the tonneau from the tailgate, so I installed tailgate gasket which seemed to resolve some of that issue.

Next I noticed where each panel was screwed to the bed, including the top was also leaking, so I pulled each one of them off and siliconed them.

I then noticed actual gaps in the front of the bed allowing water in, so I siliconed them too.

I just finished fabricating inserts to silicon in the storage boxes on the top in the bottom to alleviate that point of entry. Ironically, at that time I also noticed that the electical outlet leaks water.... so I siliconed that.

I love project vehicles. I just wasn't predicting a brand new Tacoma would be one of them.

Not sure if anyone else has the same issue, but if so I'd love to hear about your resolution.

Thanks much.

 

Interested on what you fabricated for the storage boxes.. do you have pics?

 

Had similar issues with my hard tonneau cover installed by dealership as well. I just took it off and reinstalled it myself, which is quite heavier than I expected. Mine was very crooked and they put it on way to tight causing one side to lift up off the rail. Rained twice since I've fixed it and zero water in the bed. And if you get a factory bed mat it will keep the water under the mat and not on your items.

 

I have a truck covers usa roll cover. I found up at the front of the bed near the cab their were two spots that needed silicone beads. It is where the back of the bed meets the side. What I did was get in the bed and close it. And have my wife shine a flashlight and we just knocked out all the spots. Also they make a tailgate seal which is great for sealing the tailgate. I still get very small bits of water in there but not enough to damage anything. That is only when I am in the car wash.

 

Bed cubbies weatherproofing - https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-how-to-weatherproofing-the-bed-cubbies.452381/

 

Don't forget the doors that cover up the cubbies fit into open holes. if you have t done it you can just remove the covers to the cubbies and then tape up the holes. Also get some extra wide duct tape or gorilla tape and put it between the tailgate and bed o the bottom. Good luck on waterproofing.

 

Thanks all! I came up with a pretty elegant solution for the cubbies. I cut corregated cable management hoses in half (purchased from Radio Shack for $6.00) and siliconed them in. The 2 leaks in the front I wasn't able to get with silicon, the leaks are still happening. A friend recommended Flex-Seal, but I have to wait for it to get warmer.

Gjr003, I bought the tailgate seal and installed it. It seems to be working! Thanks!

The bed mat is also a good idea. I am going to check that out as well. Thanks all!

 

Something about Toyota telling you to buy a different brand cover does not sound right.......

 

No it doesn't. I was SUPER angry. The dealer tried 3 separate times to fix my factory tonneau with parts sent by Toyota. The first time, Toyota sent them new hinges. The second time Toyota sent them new hinges. The last time Toyota recommended that the dealership charge me to have an aftermarket tonneau installed. I hadn't had the truck for more than three months. The dealer then had my truck for nearly a month. I must say the dealer was fantastic and tried everything that they could to resolve the issue. But as a first time Toyota customer, I was incredibly disappointed.

 

the back cargo area will NEVER be water tight. you must except that, sorry.

 

I am surprised that they even tried to do anything about it since the owners manually states that the tonneau is not water tight. Given that, I applied the 3M thick electrical tape to the top, inward edges of the bed rail, doubling it up where the contours of the tap rail open into the bed. While not completely water tight, this dramatically reduced the amount that leaks in down the sides.

 

Thanks fishcommander and rrentop. I wish the salesperson would have told me that when I was shopping for a truck. They actually told me that no one has problems with the factory tonneau leaking, so it's funny they didn't mention it is irrelevant because the whole bed leaks

rrentrop. You are right. I didn't read the owners manual before I bought the truck, and I have never owned a truck before. A number of buddies have Silverados and F-150s, but I wanted to do something different so I picked up the 2016 Taco Offroad edition assuming that I could use the bed for storage just as they did.
Mistake was totally mine. As much as I love the interior, it's currently useless except for those few occasions where I want to haul my snowmobile or some furniture.

I am giving this waterproofing project one more shot, if it fails, I am going to eat the pile I'll lose on dumping it and pick up a 2017 Raptor.

 

I think it is great that they are trying to "fix" it for you but I don't think that any of the foldable covers are completely water tight.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Both are good trucks.

 

If only I had the money.
How much you think just a low model, (without all the bells and whistles) Raptor goes for?

 

My rugged liner 2 doesn't leak. It's a tri fold hard cover. $850 at the dealership

 

I have an ARE topper that hasn't leaked once since I got it.

 

I have a similar war story. Bought a 2017 Tacoma December 28th 2016. Fully loaded 2017 Limited from Mexico. Had the factory installed tonneau tri fold which leaked from day one. Dealer said to call Texas, Who knew that the cover leaks. They referred to the manual, which I pointed out you do not get until you buy the truck, I also pointed to the fact that the sales brochure did not bring that fact to the buyer attention. If it did nobody would pay for a leaky cover. Then the story was that all covers leak. Corporate is just in it for the money a quality product is not there problem. Bottom line the dealer took the cover back because he needs parts for another truck. Toyota sells it to the dealer in parts and charges them over $1200.00. Then I went and had a Century cap installed which in and of itself is dry, however the front corners where Toyota leaves a gap leak, and that the sides are at a slightly different height than the front wall near the cab are no help. Next I filled in the gaps with a roofing cement and then found out that the metal cap on the front wall still had water creeping under it and then leak into the bed. If you seal the lower edge of that metal piece you will find that at the screws holding that piece to the bed they will then leak as well. Then I sprayed the remaining leaking areas with black "Flex Seal". Finally It is completely dry. I also did additional weather stripping on the tailgate. The bed area can be made dry but you have to work on it. The other side boxes in the walls do leak and are my next project. Toyota engineers should be ashamed of themselves. Many of their customer do not live in a desert. I have been buying Toyota's since 1982 the majority of which were built in Japan. Never seen any thing so poorly done, I did own one of the original 1987 SR5 4Runner's which was a modified truck with a heavy custom fiberglass Cap. That truck out on me at 240,000+ miles in 2001, (the engine a 22R and trans were still fine). The folks in the Michigan design center should be ashamed of their product they need to go back to school and then spend some time in Japan to learn about QC.

 

The sales guy I bought our truck from told me from the start that the cover was not water tight. I also didn't expect it to be.

Guess I'm the only one that didn't have a problem w/ the factory tri-fold. It has worked great for me and water into the bed is minimal in the worst conditions. It is convenient to put small items in the bed and not have to strap them down or be concerned about them bouncing or flying away. Also keeps the bed from filling up with snow and ice in the winter.

 

Who knows who makes the Toyota one. . . Just because Toyota markets and sells a cover of their own doesnt mean it's better than the best brands on the market.

But yea, that's not right. I would say can I get a refund for your cover please?