Whenever it rains your thoughts are always going at the back of your cargo bed. There are gaps between your truck’s side panels & the tonneau covers causing leaks. But you can fix it using silicone, caulking strips, rubber strips & vinyl foam tape.
How to Fix a Leaking Tonneau Cover
Here are some steps to follow so that you can fix the leaking problems.
Closing the Cover
You need to close the entire cover to examine where the leaks are coming from. But leave the tailgate open so that you can have a perfect visual of where the leak is.
Get Some Help
You need another person to help you out in the entire process. Any one of you needs to go inside the cargo load with a flashlight. The other person would then simulate the rain using a garden hose.
Finding the Leaks
Cover the cargo bed with the tonneau cover. Then use the garden hose. Use the flashlight to see exactly where the water is seeping through the cover. Mark the spots with a pen or tape to make them visible.
Measuring the Leaks
If the leak is between the tonneau cover & truck side panels, this step applies. You need to measure the leak sizes. You need to work on the tonneau cover afterward to cover the leaky areas.
Fixing the Leaks
Types of leaks determine the efforts to be taken. Let’s consider and cover each-
Fixing Leaks on Sides
Using water pipes is the most standard solution if you have leaks at the sides. You can install these pipes with insulation at the sides. These pipes cover the side gaps & sit due to adhesives.
The rain waters drip on the cover & the pipes. The water then drains at the end of the pipeline. They prevent any sort of excess water to build up. You would find these sorts of pipes in your nearest hardware store as they are very common.
Extra Seals for Minimal Leak
Installing the water pipes is for a major leak at the sides of the truck. But if you have minor leaks then you can patch it up using extra seals. Find the seals that are compatible with your current seal. Install them to the source of the leak.
Bed Seal Kits for Surface Leaks
Pipes or seals can’t cover the leaks if you have a hole at the surface of the bed. The best option to confront this problem is using bed seal kits. This complete kit includes seals, foam blocks & straighteners for your tonneau cover.
They don’t only protect your cargo load from rain. Snow & dust is also kept away from your precious goods. You can find them in any hardware store. They are effortless to install.
Test Out the Fixes
By now you have installed all the fixes to your tonneau cover. Now you have to repeat the whole process to test the fixes. Spray the water hose again to check whether the leaks are gone or not.
If the leak is not sealed then you need to brainstorm the problem again to see what went wrong. Try using other methods such as silicone or duck tape. You can seek professional help if you are not able to fix the leaking issues.
But if the leaks are successfully sealed then congrats to you!!! Now you can leave all your worries behind in any weather.
FAQ
Q: Can a Tonneau cover go through a carwash?
Ans: Most companies assure that their cover can go through a carwash very. Yet the spinning brushes in an automatic car wash may cause problems. Even pressurized water can leak at the back of the cover is loose in any way.
Q: Can duct tape be a solution to the leaks?
Ans: Sometimes you might not have the chance to take the necessary steps for leaking problems. In these situations, you have to take temporary measures. To seal the leaks you need to use a good amount of duct tape. But after that, you need to fix the leaks with a permanent solution.
Conclusion
If you follow the tips to protect the tonneau cover will decrease the possibility of leaking. Water can damage your goods at the back. Fixing the leaks as soon as possible is the best measure you can take. It’s not rocket science so you can do it following the mentioned steps.
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