Tonneau Cover Leaks on 2019 Rams

[Patsy1099]

Sorry for another tonneau cover post. I saw a bunch and some talked about leaks but thought it might be best just to have one specific to covers that leak.

I have read posts about various covers and many seem to leak at the corners. A few here have mentioned that it’s not really the covers but the larger gaps between the tailgate and the bed on the 2019’s. There is a pretty significant gap on the sides where the tailgate meets the bed cap.

I just installed a Truxedo Sentry (for Rambox) today. I can’t say (yet) whether it will leak but I have noticed that Truxedo specifically addresses this issue by providing a small piece of weatherstripping on either side of the tailgate to close that gap. The weatherstripping attaches just below the bed cap and stops at the bed. You have a good seal when the tailgate is closed. They also seem to have well thought out weatherstripping at the bulkhead. Hopefully no leaks. This application should be the same in the non-Rambox versions.

I can take a few pics tomorrow when it’s light out and show the size and placement of the weatherstripping . Bottom line is that anyone who has leaks in the corners of their beds, this might do the trick, regardless of who makes your tonneau.

 

[Patsy1099]

Here are a few pics. There’s one on each side. I’m just showing the left side from a few angles.

 

[Dog Hauler]

What is it that you're using for weatherstripping? The gap is about an inch wide and nothing I've seen so far is that thick. In fact, it looks like your seal is making contact only on the lower inboard corner...or am I wrong on that? Does your piece of weather stripping seal that gap?

 

[JRather]

What is it that you're using for weatherstripping? The gap is about an inch wide and nothing I've seen so far is that thick. In fact, it looks like your seal is making contact only on the lower inboard corner...or am I wrong on that? Does your piece of weather stripping seal that gap?

Here is my solution, an Undercover Elite Hard bed cover (one piece) that extends all the way to the back edge of the tailgate, covering the huge gaps at the top of the tailgate. No leaks, works great.

 

[Dog Hauler]

Here is my solution, an Undercover Elite Hard bed cover (one piece) that extends all the way to the back edge of the tailgate, covering the huge gaps at the top of the tailgate. No leaks, works great.

I wasn't asking about the bed cover. I have a Rambox with Retrax retractable cover. I'm wondering about the piece of weather strip Patsy1099 is using to seal the factory gaps at the outboard positions of the tailgate. What is that? Thanks.

 

[Patsy1099]

I wasn't asking about the bed cover. I have a Rambox with Retrax retractable cover. I'm wondering about the piece of weather strip Patsy1099 is using to seal the factory gaps at the outboard positions of the tailgate. What is that? Thanks.

The weatherstripping came with the Truxedo cover I bought so they are being proactive to fix the gap issue Ram has introduced with this model year. Maybe you can reach out to them and ask?

Another solution could be to make your own. If you find foam or foam board with the desired thickness and then put some 3m adhesive on the back, it should have the same effect. You can even spray paint the foam or plasti dip to your desired paint color.

I am not sure how effective this is yet with the leaks. It has been in the rain and and I can’t hose test because of the low temps here in the northeast. I am having it detailed though and should have an answer shortly.

Yes to you’re other question about the lower right corner of the stripping making contact. Not sure if that’s a good thing or not. I might need to make some adjustments and trim accordingly.

 

[TVANVA]

Patsy, if you think it is ethical, could you provide some measurements of the large block, so those of us who have other brands of covers could get a better seal?

I'm guessing that is a piece of tractor trailer rear door seal.

 

[Patsy1099]

I don’t see why it would be unethical. I am traveling but my detailer has it. I will ask him for the measurements and post back.

 

[Patsy1099]

4.5 long 1.25 tall .5 thick
It’s pretty watertight no noticeable leaks or heavy drips. A few drops by the tailgate area. Pretty solid.

 

[ders0]

4.5 long 1.25 tall .5 thick
It’s pretty watertight no noticeable leaks or heavy drips. A few drops by the tailgate area. Pretty solid.

Still so far so good with the Truxedo Sentry CT and this weather seal at the tailgate? Fairly leak free? I'm debating between this cover and the Lomax now that they make it for Rambox. I do appreciate that Truxedo has at least acknowledged this gap and done something to account for it. I've asked Agricover if they've accounted for this in the Lomax design, but haven't heard back from them yet. I'm kind of leaning towards the Sentry CT.

 

[Patsy1099]

Still so far so good with the Truxedo Sentry CT and this weather seal at the tailgate? Fairly leak free? I'm debating between this cover and the Lomax now that they make it for Rambox. I do appreciate that Truxedo has at least acknowledged this gap and done something to account for it. I've asked Agricover if they've accounted for this in the Lomax design, but haven't heard back from them yet. I'm kind of leaning towards the Sentry CT.

I don’t get any water in. Some drips down when I open the tailgate but you can’t avoid that. I love the sentry so far. Hopefully it holds up to sitting in the sun all day.

 

[YoAdrian]

Still so far so good with the Truxedo Sentry CT and this weather seal at the tailgate? Fairly leak free? I'm debating between this cover and the Lomax now that they make it for Rambox. I do appreciate that Truxedo has at least acknowledged this gap and done something to account for it. I've asked Agricover if they've accounted for this in the Lomax design, but haven't heard back from them yet. I'm kind of leaning towards the Sentry CT.

I’m also using a Sentry CT and it has kept the bed nice and dry, plus I love the canvas and the flat low profile look. *UPDATE: I am getting a bit of water sneaking in at the front corners.* Unfortunately though the rails sit a bit too low using the included clamps, and the rear seal is preventing me from closing the tailgate unless I lift open the tonneau. @Patsy1099 do you have the same problem?

(note: I don’t have the utility rails, and as a result my rails seem to be sagging a tad even after adjustment.)

 

[Patsy1099]

Hmmm I’m not sure about the sagging. I have the Rebel with the rambox so mine has the rails. I would think there clamps should keep things straight and secure. Mine seem a bit angled (intentionally ?) by design by I wouldn’t describe it as sagging. Does it snap shut tightly and roll up like it’s supposed to? Maybe give support a call. They originally sent me the wrong one and I called and they were very helpful.

As far as shutting the tailgate and having the rubber trim “get stuck” on the tailgate. It’s takes a bunch of opening and closing over a couple of weeks to break in the rubber and let it get trained in position. Alternatively you can close the tailgate and then snap the cover afterwards but that always isn’t the most convenient. I still always check it after shutting it because every once in a while the rubber will get caught.

 

[YoAdrian]

Hmmm I’m not sure about the sagging. I have the Rebel with the rambox so mine has the rails. I would think there clamps should keep things straight and secure. Mine seem a bit angled (intentionally ?) by design by I wouldn’t describe it as sagging. Does it snap shut tightly and roll up like it’s supposed to? Maybe give support a call. They originally sent me the wrong one and I called and they were very helpful.

As far as shutting the tailgate and having the rubber trim “get stuck” on the tailgate. It’s takes a bunch of opening and closing over a couple of weeks to break in the rubber and let it get trained in position. Alternatively you can close the tailgate and then snap the cover afterwards but that always isn’t the most convenient. I still always check it after shutting it because every once in a while the rubber will get caught.

Thanks. See my pic, is your rear seal high enough to be above the tailgate, or are you squishing it downward each time you close?
Update: also awaiting a response from Truxedo customer service.

 

[Patsy1099]

Thanks. See my pic, is your rear seal high enough to be above the tailgate, or are you squishing it downward each time you close?
Update: also awaiting a response from Truxedo customer service.
View attachment 19319

Hang on I’m going to go take some pics for you in one min

 

[Patsy1099]

Now I see what part that is. That should NOT be like that. It should sit on top of the tailgate. It does that in the beginning. Once it starts to break in it will do it less and less. I am posting pics from various angles.

 

[JXL118]

For those looking for weatherstripping that's thick enough to block the gap between the ram boxes and the tailgate I found the following at Lowe's that so far is doing a good job.

 

[ders0]

@Patsy1099 @YoAdrian

Maybe you guys can help me with this - installed my sentry CT today. The instructions on installing the tonneau itself on the tracks are crap. Does this gasket on the front of the cover go above the seal on the bulkhead like in my pictures or should I have folded this under?

It was really awkward looking above the bulkhead seal at first but seems to be settling now, so I think this is right?

Looks great otherwise!

 

[Patsy1099]

Does this gasket on the front of the cover go above the seal on the bulkhead like in my pictures or should I have folded this under?

No that piece doesn’t go there. The cover should sit flush. I struggled with that part of the instructions as well. It wasn’t clear to me where that went and why. I am not getting any water leaks though so I guess I did it correctly. When I go out again I’ll take a pic for you but essentially that gasket wraps around the underside of the rails in each corner.

EDIT: looking at your pics again I think I was looking at the wrong piece. Your pic is of the outside looking at the bulkhead which appears correct. I thought you meant underneath. I am including pics of both. Outside from both sides at the bulkhead and also underneath showing one of the rails. Let me know if that’s what you have.

 

[YoAdrian]

@Patsy1099 @YoAdrian

Maybe you guys can help me with this - installed my sentry CT today. The instructions on installing the tonneau itself on the tracks are crap. Does this gasket on the front of the cover go above the seal on the bulkhead like in my pictures or should I have folded this under?

It was really awkward looking above the bulkhead seal at first but seems to be settling now, so I think this is right?

Looks great otherwise!

I don’t have Ramboxes or the utility rails, and it looks like you guys received a thicker seal for the Sentry’s front edge than I did. Since the install kits are different I’m not sure how much help my setup will be, happy to share of course though.

I was only given one seal, which was thinner than yours, ran along the front edge of the bed, and did not wrap under anything. It snugs up against the sides and is supposed to lay against the rubber gasket. The rails and back edge of the tonneau also have rubber gaskets attached to them. I noticed I am currently getting water sneaking in at the front corners and that’s about it. Here you can see the rubber gasket above the thin stick-on seal included with my kit. The gasket takes time to relax flat, it looks better now. I may ask Truxedo for a thicker seal like you guys have... that ~1/2” thick seal was included in your kit @ders0 @Patsy1099 ?