truck cap/canopy leaking

[jeffster]

Well, I decided I couldn't live without a cap. My last truck had one and it was invaluable, and it was driving me nuts not having one on the new truck. Let's just say it rains a lot here so having dry storage is nice. So, I ordered a new ARE CX shell about a month or so ago and it came in last week and I had it installed. The guy warned me on the new GM trucks that it likely was going to leak right behind the cab where the bed has a seam on the rail where the metal is folded over. Sure enough, that is where it is leaking, but on the passenger side only. Just wondered if anyone else had this issue, and if so if you were able to resolve it. I was thinking of asking them to pull the cap back off and add more tape in that section. FWIW, I have a Line-x over the rail liner as well. Thoughts?

[buildingup]

Have pictures showing where it leaks? Hard time picturing in my head where its coming from. If its an area where they can add the foam tape add more foam tape and should fix it. Either that or silicon.

[heymccall]

Yes, you need two layers of foam tape across the front header rail.
And, someone offers a kit for all the voids at the stake pockets within the bed.

Here, "trail seal" http://www.realtruck.com/trailseal-t...FUOK4AoduXoAKA

[jeffster]

Thanks guys. I took a quick poor photo, but hope this gives you an idea.

[TOTHEMAX!]

Crawl into the bed and look under that front rail. Even know its sprayed its hard to get every crack and crevice. I bet you can find a seam up from that is exposed. A little black RTV sealant should fix it.

[aka108]

First mistake was using foam tape on the bed rail between it and the cap. Go to "cargogear.com" on your search engine and scroll down to where you see ultra cap gaskets or similar. This is rubber. One for the bed rails and another for the front bed rail. Also gaskets for sealing the tailgate. On my truck, I used silicone sealant on all the areas of the bed where metal was joined by the spot welds. Then I used aluminum tape, the stuff used by air conditioning guys, and closed up the gaps under the bed rails where the stake pockets are. Used the heavy silicone rubber gaskets and the bed is water tight and dust free. If I were a cap vendor I'd never send someone down the road with that foam crapola. If you have a short box, use 3 clamps on each side. Long boxes need 4 clamps on a side. Dealers tend to send customers off with one less on each side. Guess trying to eek a extra 2 or 3 dollars profit on each installation.

[jeffster]

Thanks all. Yeah this is weird, as it is essentially the same canopy and same installers that did the one on my LBZ and it never leaked, even after taking it off and putting it on every year myself (had to have it off to haul hay in the summer). It was just foam tape on it as well, and in fact I just used the cheap replacement tape I found at the local hardware store. I think the bed is just different on the new truck, so will have to pull it off and do some of the things you guys suggested to try and level out those edges/gaps. I'll update this thread once I get a chance to do that. It is snowing out right now, so I think I'll wait for a little better weather.

[jeffster]

Ok, so just an update. I talked to ARE and they pointed out they make a special clamp for GM trucks 2007.5+. It creates a tighter seal and will prevent the leaking. Am attaching a pic of it here if anyone is interested. Probably going to order a set just to see if it helps or not.

[05GMCDURAMAX]

I have a ARE Z series on my truck with no leaks.

[jeffster]

Thanks. I haven't bothered messing with it as it is only a small amount now and I think I'll just pull it at some point and add some more tape and see if that solves it.