Water leak after topper installed

[Pam53]

We had an ARE brand cap installed on our 2022 last week. The water is leaking into the bed on both front corners. The water is coming under the moldings on the sides and front of the bed. I'm thinking the solution is to remove the cap and the moldings, install silicone under the moldings and reinstall. I wonder how the factory handles that with a factory cap?

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[The Weatherman]

There is small channel near the front of the bed on both sides. A small piece of weather stripping cut and installed in those channels can reduce the leaking there.

I noticed it after installing our tonneau covers.

 

[Pam53]

There is small channel near the front of the bed on both sides. A small piece of weather stripping cut and installed in those channels can reduce the leaking there.

I noticed it after installing our tonneau covers.

Can you send a picture?

 

[Joe Kelly]

There is small channel near the front of the bed on both sides. A small piece of weather stripping cut and installed in those channels can reduce the leaking there.

I noticed it after installing our tonneau covers.

I have the same problem and I went to a third party camper business yesterday and he recommended clear silicone behind the black trim and try a piece of foam in the weld joint. The other issues is the seal bubbles out into the bed. According to him the seal should lay flat toward the rear window. Today I am going to lay a beed of clear caulk under the black trim on the left and right. I don’t want it too thick sow the shell will crush it down. His final statement was manufacturers do not guarantee a water tight fit. The cover is limited protection only. I am going to try but he was not very positive I would be able to seal it 100%. Because of tolerances on the truck.

 

[The Weatherman]

Can you send a picture?

Will do shortly.

 

[Shay]

Given the way the truck is designed with the bed and cab attached, sides bordered by multi-piece plastic trims (not water tight), I am not sure how a topper or tonneau cover could ever be truly water tight.

Even if sealed up super good, you will always have water collecting between the rear window and the topper/tonneau with no place to go. There is no drainage path such as on a truck with a separated cargo box.

 

[The Weatherman]

Can you send a picture?

This is the type and size of stripping I used. It was put down before the rail was set so that it could be fully compressed and concealed.

 

[Joe Kelly]

I put some rubber seal in the weld joint and the gap in the bed cover trim (see pictures). I decided against the silicone calk. I was afraid all I would do is trap the water and cause a bigger problem with rust later on the water that drips in now seems to run out through the drain holes under the bed pad on the floor. I have some gasket material to place on the bed rail and tail gate that I was given to by the camper shell place I visited yesterday. He basically told me no cover is fully water tight. I am going to live with the dribble I have now because it is much better than before. Good luck because some times you just have to live with what it is. I have spent two weeks trying to get leak proof and I give up.

As a note picture two is showing 2 of 12 Maverick XlT’s at the camper shop having shell’s installed. I saw 6 at a ford dealer two weeks ago some one is getting deliveries in the fleet busines. I didn’t think to look if they were hybrids.

 

[PeteSJCA]

I installed a Truxedo Sentry CT cover yesterday. I doubt it's watertight, but hey it's a truck and it sure looks purdy.

 

[Maverick2023]

I installed a Truxedo Sentry CT cover yesterday. I doubt it's watertight, but hey it's a truck and it sure looks purdy.

how much and where did you buy it?

 

[PeteSJCA]

how much and where did you buy it?

I bought it from
TonneauCovered.com
and it was $ 929.99, no sales tax or shipping charge to N. California.

• 1 x 1594716 - Truxedo Sentry CT - Fits 2022 Ford Maverick 4' 6" Bed for $929.99 each

Subtotal : $929.99 USD

Here's another pic i took today.

 

[A Dodge that drives Fords]

I had quite a bit of water at the beginning right after picked up my Maverick (pictures are one week after picking it up) I loosen the cover from the rails and adjusted it a little better. And now there's hardly any rain in the bed. I also think the Sun helped soften the rubber and helped it lie a little flatter.

 

[Pam53]

I installed a Truxedo Sentry CT cover yesterday. I doubt it's watertight, but hey it's a truck and it sure looks purdy.

Yes it does!

 

[FischAutoTechGarten]

Might be something to get used to.

I'm a bit spoiled with how bone dry the bed of my Nissan Frontier stays with it's ARE topper. No water intrusion at all even during a gully washer (provided I keep all of the windows closed).

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