cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Tonneau covers that don’t leak

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
Are there any hard lockable tonneau covers that don’t not leak at all? Other than hard one piece fiberglass covers?
18 REPLIES 18

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Explorer II
I just bought a 2016 Ram 1500 with the 5.7ft bed. I ordered a roll up bedcover off of Amazon called Gator. its been on for about 2 months now and ive only seen a couple drops in a very hard rain which may have come from when I opened the tailgate. there is a weather flap that goes over the tailgate. you leave the back edge popped up, close the tailgate and then push down and the cover locks into place. its held down with velcro along the sides the quality is good and im very happy with it for $215.
Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

JIMNLIN
Explorer
Explorer
I have a UnderCover SE on the wifes 1500 chevy short bed. Nothing get wet in the bed. https://undercoverinfo.com/undercover-se
It weighs just over 50 lbs and is easy to remove. I added a tail gate seal to stop dust and fine snow that can sift in small cracks.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers

'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides

darkmind25
Explorer
Explorer
The Retrax tonneau cover that I got from 4wheelonline doesn't leak.

ronharmless
Explorer
Explorer
BB_TX wrote:
For those who said their covers do not leak, how do they prevent water from getting in around the tailgate since they do not fully overlap the tailgate and the gap between the end of the gate and the bed sides?
I have a Lomax cover. The cover does overlap the front and back of the box. But since it is a between the rails cover it doesn't overlap the sides. But I guess it must have seals or something, I don't know. All i can tell you is I have had it for 2-1/2 years and there has never been water inside the box. My truck has sit outside every minute of it's life (winter, summer, snow rain) and it goes to the car wash at least 30 times a year.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
Sorry, I missed the "hard, lockable" requirement before I responded.
Hopefully someone can give you a review of those.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
BB_TX wrote:
I occasionally carry things in the bed I do not want wet at all. Hunting trips mean duffle bags, sleeping bags, pillows, guns/bows, bags of corn, etc. Or a vacation trip without RV means luggage. I had a full hard fiberglass cover on an earlier truck that overlapped the bed rails and tailgate. No way for any water to leak thru at the top. Only possible place was to blow in the small gap between the side edges of the tail gate and the bed. But I also had a Bed Rug that closed that off.


A few small drips shouldn't be a big deal with those items and shell won't necessarily be much better.

Luggage for example: If you've ever flown on a rainy day, the bags wind up out in the rain as they get loaded...but we've never had an issue with the clothes being wet when we get to our destination.

If there is an item of particular concern, pack it toward the center of the truck bed.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
I occasionally carry things in the bed I do not want wet at all. Hunting trips mean duffle bags, sleeping bags, pillows, guns/bows, bags of corn, etc. Or a vacation trip without RV means luggage. I had a full hard fiberglass cover on an earlier truck that overlapped the bed rails and tailgate. No way for any water to leak thru at the top. Only possible place was to blow in the small gap between the side edges of the tail gate and the bed. But I also had a Bed Rug that closed that off.

Although I rarely ever carry anything higher than the bed rails, that is a problem with the solid cover. I don’t want a camper shell type cover.

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
BB_TX wrote:
When I say doesn't leak at all, I mean no water at all gets into the bed. I have a roll type hard cover but it leaks around the ends of the tailgate/corner of the bed when it rains. And that water runs toward the front of the bed due to the forward tilt of the truck.

For those who said their covers do not leak, how do they prevent water from getting in around the tailgate since they do not fully overlap the tailgate and the gap between the end of the gate and the bed sides?


Idk, I’ve had similar soft, tri fold tonneau covers on the last 4 or 5 trucks. Including the last 10 years here in Wetstern WA. Never had stuff get wet.
Can’t swear that a drip or 3 doesn’t make its way in somehow, but literally never had anything get wet.
I think if you’re that worried about moisture, a SUV maybe a better choice.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Geo_Boy
Explorer II
Explorer II
wing_zealot wrote:
I have a Lomax, hard, trifold, doesn’t leak, cost a lot, worth it to me. YOMV

Unfortunately Lorax only offers a short bed model for GM HD trucks.

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
In 40 yrs of owning pickups, have never had a bed cover until I bought this used 2014 GM 1500 which has a roll up version
As noted, heavier rain and wind seems to be enemy at back two corners. Only thing I can think of to fix, is adding some more, replacing exhisting rubber gaskets with thicker rubber.
After looking a bit ago, something I had not noticed before. The stake holes are basically covered in front. But the rear ones are 75% uncovered. I would have to assume some of the water I've seen in bed is coming via here.
Reality for my usage, the bed is water proof. As I keep very little in the bed, even when covered water will not harm it. If it water WILL harm the item in the bed, it goes in the cab, or when their is no rain, drive thru car washes in the forecast.

Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer

ktmrfs
Explorer
Explorer
my tri fold has a drain tube on each side to catch water that gets through the side edges. But in a heavy rain some water does occasionally get through. Mine seems to seal quite well over the tailgate cover. The tailgate seal does overlap the bed sides. On my previous truck I had a roll up vinyl cover that had velcro on the sides. It rarely leaked.

The trifold is a undercover flex. the vinyl roll up was a Acess roll up cover.

neither is completely waterproof, but both could sit in the oregon winter rain for a week or more with only a few ounces of water getting into the bed.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2015.5 Denali 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison passed on to our Son!

BB_TX
Nomad
Nomad
When I say doesn't leak at all, I mean no water at all gets into the bed. I have a roll type hard cover but it leaks around the ends of the tailgate/corner of the bed when it rains. And that water runs toward the front of the bed due to the forward tilt of the truck.

For those who said their covers do not leak, how do they prevent water from getting in around the tailgate since they do not fully overlap the tailgate and the gap between the end of the gate and the bed sides?

valhalla360
Nomad III
Nomad III
MitchF150 wrote:
What do you mean by "leak" I've got a soft tonneau cover that is the 'flip' style.. So it opens like the hard cover ones, or you can remove it or whatever...

Yes, mine will leak if you spray water on the side between the bed and the cover.. Not much, but water will get in. It'll leak a bit at the front if parked on an incline...

But, in general, it's fine. I also have a Bed Rug and it's been dry for pretty much all of it's time. 2013 F150 since brand new.

Good luck! Mitch


Same here.

Really need to define what you mean by waterproof/leak. I suggest giving us the IP rating you want or at least what you are trying to achieve/protect.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV

SteveAE
Explorer
Explorer
Diamond Back don't leak.
They are a hard cover, but are three sections, two of which open.
Super strong.
Put my side by side on top.