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Gator sfx installation question

Bj517

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I have a gator sfx trifold and initially tried to install it so if was "centered" in the bed - about a one inch gap between the cover and the back window glass. However, I get a significant amount of water leaking in from the back cab-side of the bed.

I'm going to stick a small bit of that tailgate weather stripping in the joint between the body piece that's up against the rear glass and the bed rails, and also install the cover so it's flush against the glass and see if that helps.

Does anyone else have any tips or tricks for the gator cover to help make it more water resistant?
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Pudakis

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Do you have pictures, it should fit nicely. We just had a huge storm and I have no water. Here are some pictures.

Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question E3E8D617-8AFE-48CF-B5F4-3ED5E2D02770


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question 7F6EC64A-3241-4C1F-84FF-A32A3CE8C849


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question B31ABC69-568B-4754-9FDD-5F2EC5ECB112
 

BeardedK

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I've got the Rough Country soft fold and it seems to be the older Gator model, only difference is the latching mechanism near the tailgate. I've moved it around a few times and now have it about 1/2" down on that ledge and it works pretty well. Still have some slight leakage, but nothing like it was when I originally installed it.

I've had soft tonneaus before and, especially on the more cost effective ones, they have a tendency to let water in.
 
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Bj517

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Do you have pictures, it should fit nicely. We just had a huge storm and I have no water. Here are some pictures.

E3E8D617-8AFE-48CF-B5F4-3ED5E2D02770.jpeg


7F6EC64A-3241-4C1F-84FF-A32A3CE8C849.jpeg


B31ABC69-568B-4754-9FDD-5F2EC5ECB112.jpeg
Thanks, I'll reinstall tonight and take pictures. I think if I installed mine as close to the cab as you have there, it wouldn't go quite so far back on the tailgate as in your pictures, but I could be wrong
 

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Pudakis

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Thanks, I'll reinstall tonight and take pictures. I think if I installed mine as close to the cab as you have there, it wouldn't go quite so far back on the tailgate as in your pictures, but I could be wrong
Let me know!
 
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Bj517

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Let me know!
So I snugged it up against the back window and gave it a good soak with the hose and still got leaks. Mostly in those back corners as well as where the pieces of plastic bed rail trim come together. I even tried installing pieces of leftover tailgate seal in the corners which seemed to help a little but not a ton.

Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220504_223540861


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220504_234332916.MP


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220504_234324099.MP


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220504_234302031


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220504_234245368
 
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Pickles

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I have a gator sfx trifold and initially tried to install it so if was "centered" in the bed - about a one inch gap between the cover and the back window glass. However, I get a significant amount of water leaking in from the back cab-side of the bed.

I'm going to stick a small bit of that tailgate weather stripping in the joint between the body piece that's up against the rear glass and the bed rails, and also install the cover so it's flush against the glass and see if that helps.

Does anyone else have any tips or tricks for the gator cover to help make it more water resistant?
Hopefully within 3 weeks i’ll have my truck and this same cover that i ordered so i’ll be able to help. @ me if i forget to come back here. Personally i have no need for it to be 100% water tight… but i’ll give it a soak for ya if it helps
 
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Bj517

Bj517

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Hopefully within 3 weeks i’ll have my truck and this same cover that i ordered so i’ll be able to help. @ me if i forget to come back here. Personally i have no need for it to be 100% water tight… but i’ll give it a soak for ya if it helps
Yeah, I don't expect complete water tightness. And soaking it with the hose is putting a whole lot of water down in one place at one time - a lot more than most normal rain storms I would think. But, people have commented that they've taken this cover through a high pressure car wash and haven't had a drop in the bed, so I just want to make sure mine's not defective or that I'm not installing it wrong
 

Pudakis

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So I snugged it up against the back window and gave it a good soak with the hose and still got leaks. Mostly in those back corners as well as where the pieces of plastic bed rail trim come together. I even tried installing pieces of leftover tailgate seal in the corners which seemed to help a little but not a ton.

PXL_20220504_223540861.jpg


PXL_20220504_234332916.MP.jpg


PXL_20220504_234324099.MP.jpg


PXL_20220504_234302031.jpg


PXL_20220504_234245368.jpg
Get rid of that tailgate seal in the corner that’s just going to cause more of a gap🤦🏻‍♂️ Just install it normally some drops of water are going to happen, I would even suggest taking it somewhere to get it installed correctly. Also don’t put it all the way against the window leave a little gap.
 
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Bj517

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I took those off and replaced them with a couple much smaller cut down pieces of tailgate seal, and did the same in the gaps in the plastic bed rail caps. Also put some extra seal on the hinge portions of the cover itself. The truck sat through a torrential storm this afternoon, and the bed was pretty much completely dry. I may try to post photos of what I added later
 
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Bj517

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Get rid of that tailgate seal in the corner that’s just going to cause more of a gap🤦🏻‍♂️ Just install it normally some drops of water are going to happen, I would even suggest taking it somewhere to get it installed correctly. Also don’t put it all the way against the window leave a little gap.
Here's what I've added, which again seemed to work really well today in a storm.

Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220506_223115144


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220506_223123859


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220506_223352523


Ford Maverick Gator sfx installation question PXL_20220506_223831010
 
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Bj517

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Update after another day of rain. Some water gets in, runs down the sides, and drains out the seams, but the floor of the bed stayed bone dry. Should be good enough for luggage and such on road trips
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