DIY: Bulkhead sealing and more, WARNING long and lots of pics

[710-oil-614]

Love the sunset picture. I might have to use it for a painting inspiration.

Those trees are just across my property line but they’ve been slowly falling over the last 5 years since we bought the land. Really opening up our long range views.

I think the soil is too soft or something but they’re falling and giving us a wonderful view,………..

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[chrisofpa]

I bookmarked this, I decided the tailgate area doesn't need to be sealed, I drove through winter in Eastern Pennsylvania and I notice any road salt or other debris getting through my tailgate into the sealed bed, I rather leave it as it is as it makes it easier to wash out my bed.

As for the front, I am still getting some drips through my tonneau cover but I haven't attempted to seal anything, most of the water seems to be coming through those gaps on the left and right side bed rails, I have everything I need to seal it and I will be trying that before I go further with sealing the bulkhead.

 

[Ironhead54]

I have a much quicker solution: If it's raining, we just take the wife's Escape SUV

Seriously though, that was an excellent post. Well thought out, and I'm guessing quite a bit of work involved.. Being in SoCal, we don't get a much rain, but I will keep this fix in mind......

 

[MavStangVa]

Much work and still tweeking. Added some backer rod today in the rail under the fixed part of the cover. I was testing to make sure the drain hoses from the rails were free and flowing. I discovered a couple of things. First the cover when closed has seals on the bottom of each section that fills the channel in the rail and is slightly wider than the channel. This pushes the sides of th rail attached seals down and water if a strong enough stream flows over the sides. Second since the rail is not seal to the bed at the ends if parked on a slope with cab end facing down slope water just runs past the drain hole and off the end of the rail.
After my experience with this Rough Country low profile I would not buy 1 again. I had a Rugged Liner tri-fold that sat on top of the rails on my 2014 F150 from the first month I owned it. It is still on that truck and 95% water tight to this day. I was told it now leaks some at the bulkhead (14 year old rubber) and at the tailgate (also 14 year old rubber).

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

The low profile does look better than the above rail mount.

 

[MavStangVa]

The low profile does look better than the above rail mount.

I agree. And Victoria Principal back in the 70s looked better than my late wife. Like the covers, Victoria cost more and would have been more trouble than my late wife

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