Keeping stuff dry in the truck bed

[richguy82]

I just noticed how bad my Retrax cover is leaking. I think it’s mostly coming from the rear where the cover meets the top of the tailgate. I have a couple of long trips planned over the next few months and was hoping to take my truck. It’s entirely possible that it’s not installed correctly, as my local Ford accessories department doesn’t seem to know what they are doing. I already had them replace under warranty then make two more attempts to install the new one. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for keeping luggage and such dry on long trips. Maybe I need to also just give up and get a different tonneau cover elsewhere.

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[RickLightning]

Wrap stuff in tarp. Keep it away from tailgate.

Or, get a Diamondback.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

Big black trash bag will certainly keep things dry, and for super cheap.

 

[Athrun88]

You could apply a strip of foam weatherstripping to the underside of the cover where it meets the top of the tailgate. The folding tonneau cover I have has rubber ribs that create a decent seal when secured down.

 

[21st Century Truck]

Understanding the "sunk costs" after-purchase factor, I want to share that am completely happy with my Decked Drawers version 2.0. My Decked Drawers are full of tools and camping gear and everything stayed dry through two snowstorms and many many downpours since installation last Fall.

In addition to the dry and organized storage, with the Decked Drawers I gained eight strong tie-down points on my raised bed i.e. the top of the Decked system (I bought four additional tie down points - the Decked system comes with four already).

 

[Henry Ford]

Put stuff that can't get wet in the middle and stuff that can get wet along the edge.

 

[BabyDoc1012]

I’ve always used a soft roll up tonneau on all my trucks and not quite sure how the retrax installs exactly. I know when I considered one for my lighting there is a drainage tube on each side. Those may be clogged and could be allowing the water in. Also if there is a gap at the tailgate, the tonneau could be to far forward against the bed wall. You may need to loosen it and slide it forward a bit. I know my covers all have a rubber flap that sits on the edge of the bed wall to cover that gap and allow for a good fit against the tailgate.

 

[Ricks Lightning]

Either put someone with a good flashlight in the bed and use a Garden hose spraying indirectly or a drive thru car wash. Unless the cover itself leaks, it's either an adjustment or weather stripping at the tailgate that needs to be fixed.

Rick

 

[Mal106]

The roll up that I use, (super cheap) is easily adjustable fore and aft. When I transferred it from my previous 150, I had to adjust it further aft to prevent leaks. I just had to hit a fine balance between a good seal at the front of the bed and the tailgate. The front seemed more tolerant of position than the rear.

 

[TacomaWAJim]

This is what we have been using for the last 2 years. Everything inside has stayed dry.

https://a.co/d/dPBbpmi

 

[Nikos]

I just noticed how bad my Retrax cover is leaking. I think it’s mostly coming from the rear where the cover meets the top of the tailgate. I have a couple of long trips planned over the next few months and was hoping to take my truck. It’s entirely possible that it’s not installed correctly, as my local Ford accessories department doesn’t seem to know what they are doing. I already had them replace under warranty then make two more attempts to install the new one. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for keeping luggage and such dry on long trips. Maybe I need to also just give up and get a different tonneau cover elsewhere.

I have the Retrax system also on my Lightning. It is the composite one.
The roll up cover will leak some. I installed it myself. The Retrax system allows me to use the T rail system to mount racks that use T bolts for attachment. The rollup cover will allow water to come thru but it is minimal.
Keeping your stuff dry, you going to have to purchase a big dry bag. They come in different sizes and fit the bed of the truck. For oversized loads, I will look at at thick HD tarp, at least 40mil, 10*10 or 12*12 with a net to keep the tarp from flying away. I use the tarp to cover my E bikes and other gear while towing my camper to my vacation coastal spots in the SE.

 

[richguy82]

Big black trash bag will certainly keep things dry, and for super cheap.

This is a real head smacker. Thanks!

 

[richguy82]

Thanks all for the tips! Ideally the dang cover would work better, but it sounds like a combo of dry/garbage bags should do the trick. Seems embarrassingly obvious to me now.

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