water leaks into my Maverick bed

[robbyrob]

First of all I am a dummy

I have a 23 hybrid with a Ford tri-fold over the back bed
Whenever I go through the car wash I get water in the bed
Enough water that I have to towel soak it up
I know stop going through power car washes or get a one piece bed cover that fits snug and tight
Am I correct or are there other options?
Thank you

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[Hot Runr Guy]

Get a friend and go to the (many) quarter car wash (or use a pressure washer if you have one), climb in the bed with a flashlight, and see where the leaks are coming from. Honestly, IMO, it's almost impossible to keep it water tight.

When I get home from the car wash, I just open the last section and let it air dry.

HRG

 

[Ryom]

You can try adjusting the clamps that hold the cover to the bed near the areas you're getting water in. Look for any area of the cover seals not sitting flush and take a heat gun or hair dryer and a roller and see if you can flatten them out. Water will still come in around the tailgate unless you add weather stripping to it even if the tonneau is perfect.

 

[ZABSMAV]

First of all I am a dummy

I have a 23 hybrid with a Ford tri-fold over the back bed
Whenever I go through the car wash I get water in the bed
Enough water that I have to towel soak it up
I know stop going through power car washes or get a one piece bed cover that fits snug and tight
Am I correct or are there other options?
Thank you

Is your trifold the Ford Advantage Backflip folding tonneau cover? If it is, I can absolutely guarantee that it is not adjusted properly where it sits on the top of the sides. Ours in our 2023 Lariat does not leak into the bed one drop of water, whether through a car wash, or in a heavy rainstorm. It is all about adjusting it front to rear so it'll overlap properly.

 

[HoiToid]

Has a lot to do with the unibody design and the trim on the bedrails causing leaks. My 2002 Ranger never leaked, but it wasn't unibody construction

 

[betlouboo]

I have the same problem with mine...its coming in at the back tailgate area

 

[Joe Strummer]

I have the same Tonneau Cover and mine does not leak. As ZABSMAV says, look at how it is fitted. All Tonneau Covers will leak some water (its not a perfect watertight seal). The question is how much is too much?

 

[Bob The Builder]

I've never had a tonneau cover that did not leak a bit when washing the truck, but then again I never purchased the 4 figure ones either. I'm sure the high end ones are more water proof.

 

[mcc10403]

Had exactly the same problem with the dealer-installed Ford Bakflip on my new 26 last month. Check adjustment as ZABSMAV says. Mine was installed too far forward…move it back as far as possible without the frame interfering with the tailgate…that gets the back weatherstrip engaged a little tighter on the sloped tailgate rim. The left rear of mine was also popped up a little…loosen the clamp and press down flat while reclamping.
Finally, at least on my 26, that leaves two 1/2” gaps on the rear corners that I filled with neoprene strip from my previous Tundra Bakflip install (see pic).
Went from about a pint of water in the car wash to bone dry.
Good luck!

 

[RyuRonin1977]

Had exactly the same problem with the dealer-installed Ford Bakflip on my new 26 last month. Check adjustment as ZABSMAV says. Mine was installed too far forward…move it back as far as possible without the frame interfering with the tailgate…that gets the back weatherstrip engaged a little tighter on the sloped tailgate rim. The left rear of mine was also popped up a little…loosen the clamp and press down flat while reclamping.
Finally, at least on my 26, that leaves two 1/2” gaps on the rear corners that I filled with neoprene strip from my previous Tundra Bakflip install (see pic).
Went from about a pint of water in the car wash to bone dry.
Good luck!

I did the exact same thing a month after getting my25. Lol. No bed is 100% waterproof with a cover but these little pieces cut it down to wiping up the water with a napkin.

 

[deanobc]

First of all I am a dummy

I have a 23 hybrid with a Ford tri-fold over the back bed
Whenever I go through the car wash I get water in the bed
Enough water that I have to towel soak it up
I know stop going through power car washes or get a one piece bed cover that fits snug and tight
Am I correct or are there other options?
Thank you

Even if your tonneau is properly aligned and installed, they are not water tight. When I was factory ordering my 25 Maverick back in 24, my salesman made that clear when we got to ordering a factory tonneau. Btw, I went roll-up, not tri-fold.

 

[robbyrob]

Had exactly the same problem with the dealer-installed Ford Bakflip on my new 26 last month. Check adjustment as ZABSMAV says. Mine was installed too far forward…move it back as far as possible without the frame interfering with the tailgate…that gets the back weatherstrip engaged a little tighter on the sloped tailgate rim. The left rear of mine was also popped up a little…loosen the clamp and press down flat while reclamping.
Finally, at least on my 26, that leaves two 1/2” gaps on the rear corners that I filled with neoprene strip from my previous Tundra Bakflip install (see pic).
Went from about a pint of water in the car wash to bone dry.
Good luck!

would you possibly have a link to those strips you installed? thank you

 

[robbyrob]

related/unrelated question what is this moveable item for ?
ty

 

[robbyrob]

I did the exact same thing a month after getting my25. Lol. No bed is 100% waterproof with a cover but these little pieces cut it down to wiping up the water with a napkin.

how do you move it? I tried it seems to be 'set in place'? thank you

 

[Ryom]

related/unrelated question what is this moveable item for ?
ty

There should be prop rods on the side that unclip and go in to hold the cover up, you can lock them in place with that. Put the prop rod in and unscrew, slid down on top, and screw it tight so it doesn't move.

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