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Tonneau cover drain tubes

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by Sleddog, Jul 1, 2020.

  1. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:07 AM
    #1
    Sleddog

    Sleddog [OP] New Member

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    I just purchased a bakflip mx4 tonneau cover for my 2019 tundra dbl cab. I haven't received it yet, but while watching the installation video, I noticed the installer removed a plastic cap on the front of the bed in order to drill/install the drain hose for the tonneau cover. My bed has a factory spray-in bedliner that covers the plastic caps at the front of the bed, so I'm wondering how to remove the plastic cap being that it's covered with the spray-in liner? Or, am I able to just drill through the spray-in liner and plastic cap and route the drain line through it without removing it? I don't know what is on the other side of the plastic cap so I'm a little concerned about damaging the bed beyond the plastic cap.
     
  2. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:23 AM
    #2
    Jota21

    Jota21 New Member

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    i'm in the same boat, so i'll be watching this. I suspect the answer is just to drill through the bedliner/cap, but i've been hesitant to do that. For what it's worth, i get almost no water in the bed even without the drains. The only water i notice is by the tailgate, which i've seen others solve with adding weatherstripping, etc.
     
    RitcheyRch and Sleddog[OP] like this.
  3. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #3
    xJuice

    xJuice This guy...

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    If you must remove it, a good utility knife around the outside of the plug should do it. Otherwise drilling straight through should work as well
     
    Sleddog[OP] likes this.
  4. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #4
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    Like @xJuice stated, carefully cut around the cap/plug with a sharp blade to cut the spray-in liner.
    There is nothing behind the plug, you can see it if you look down between the bed and the cab.
    The spray liner came loose on one plug, since I wanted to keep everything uniform, I glued it back on.

    I used some lawn sprinkler fittings and made these 'exits' for the drain tubes.
    I also used a better, clearer, and more pliable 5/8" OD / 1/2" ID tubing than what came with my cover.
    I ultimately ended up putting hose clamps on all 4 ends of the drain tubes.

    If I was to do it over, I would probably put the drains on the upper half of the cap/plug instead of the lower half.
    Would not need to take as much caution when loading 4X8 foot sheets of whatever into the bed.

    E355DC48-7966-4544-ADAD-18E9F2EFB8F2_zps_5e54deb64156590ed109b74b8241c27b5e2a8d79.jpg
    C53E03AA-7462-4102-9DC9-BA6292984014_zps_c4e7923321540122c84857588e9558f840ecf86d.jpg 5131B7D8-52A8-485B-AAEA-B6F0FE8F5E20_zps_0d89603e56fc67ca59daebe56d257a14bdfa07f0.jpg
    45DD71E3-56FA-4AC4-865A-5F78C4F7FBFE_zps_ed01cb99a0e2f837bb97b3ec2e1f92fc418f18ae.jpg

    From the back..
    E7CD8E3E-AEF1-433C-B495-EC0FB09F2937_zps_d2226e9fdb90399164619a355f7bdba0f2da41c7.jpg

    Welcome to the forum.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:50 AM
    #5
    LHTundraFan

    LHTundraFan New Member

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    Mine runs into that small hole on the side of the bed above the tie down anchor
     
    RitcheyRch and Sleddog[OP] like this.
  6. Jul 1, 2020 at 7:56 AM
    #6
    Jota21

    Jota21 New Member

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    i had that thought as well. i haven't drilled through the caps for the aforementioned concern of losing bed-floor space. Did you have to enlarge that hole? Use a reducer to a smaller hose??
     
  7. Jul 1, 2020 at 8:15 AM
    #7
    Sleddog

    Sleddog [OP] New Member

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    Thank you all for the replies, pictures, and advice on the drain hole issue! It is greatly appreciated.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2020 at 8:51 AM
    #8
    LHTundraFan

    LHTundraFan New Member

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    I have a Bakflip MX also and had it installed at a shop. They didn't drill the hole, the drain hose is just pushed into it
     
  9. Jul 1, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #9
    Jota21

    Jota21 New Member

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    any chance we could get you to snap a pic when you get free time?
     
  10. Jul 1, 2020 at 12:27 PM
    #10
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    I was planning to do this, but if you had a close up pic it would sure help for planning! My cover (Undercover ArmorFlex) is supposed to be delivered tomorrow.
     
  11. Jul 1, 2020 at 12:35 PM
    #11
    ZETA’S_TUNDRA

    ZETA’S_TUNDRA New Member

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    Center console organizer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K6GZRP9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share GenY Hitch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EV17J44?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Magnum Steps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B010JIIRXE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Pop & Lock Tailgate lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LST3022?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share K&N Cold Air Intake https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZE8VRC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Plastidipped the chrome cup holder surround BAKFlip MX4 Folding tonneau cover https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071G585GQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Mini antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NALK2FC?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Replaced all non LED lights https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L45QV88?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Added some ‘Merica valve caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SFM8S4Q?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share 20% window tint all around and clear UV on the front (Formula One Stratos, UV blocking and infrared absorbing) https://northamerica.llumar.com/automotive-film/types-of-automotive-film/infrared-rejecting-window-tint/formulaone-stratos-window-tint Ceramic paint protection https://usa.gtechniq.com/products/auto/crystal-serum-ultra#content Debadged! KMC 544 Mesa Black Satin wheels - 18x9, +25 offset Nitto Ridge Grapplers - 295/70/R18 Icon Stage 2 lift kit
    Sir, this is brilliant. :bowdown:
     
    1lowlife[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jul 1, 2020 at 6:59 PM
    #12
    LHTundraFan

    LHTundraFan New Member

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    well I guess I never looked close haha. They did appear to make it larger.

    99DFF790-703D-4CCB-97D2-08A7E0444C18.jpg
     
  13. Jul 2, 2020 at 5:15 AM
    #13
    RitcheyRch

    RitcheyRch New Member

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    That's exactly what I would do to if I had a cover with drain tubes.


     
  14. Jul 2, 2020 at 5:45 AM
    #14
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    I have my drain tubes running to the floor and just let them drain out the factory bed drains. Truthfully I am very disappointed cause when it rains my MX4 leaks at the front, back, sides, and along the seams. It’s so bad I have to load everything in 5 gallon containers with lids to keep anything dry. And Bakflip is of very little help after sending pictures and complaining.

    When I first installed I was concerned about running those tubes out the front of the bed. I didn’t want a steady flow of water drips hitting any of the drivetrain components or frame. Hence why I was willing to live with some water in the bed. But I have so much water in the bed when it rains that it’s really a moot point.

    Yes clearly I am very negative about the Bakflip MX4 but in all honesty I don’t want to see others get the short end of the stick like me. I am starting to research new covers already but will try to hold off on spending another 900 bucks for now...
     
  15. Jul 2, 2020 at 5:56 AM
    #15
    ZETA’S_TUNDRA

    ZETA’S_TUNDRA New Member

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    I wonder if it’s a 2020 issue. I have the MX4 on my 2019 and while it is not 100% waterproof, it’s pretty close. Even after power washing the truck, the bed is almost completely dry.
     
    Sleddog[OP] likes this.
  16. Jul 2, 2020 at 6:06 AM
    #16
    DvilleMafia

    DvilleMafia New Member

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    mine is the same if it pours I see water on all four corners and front near cab. I ran it a year without using drain tubes and I almost think it’s worse now after installing...?
     
    Sleddog[OP] and Oey12[QUOTED] like this.
  17. Jul 2, 2020 at 6:11 AM
    #17
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    It’s possible, I had a lot of issues installing it. It required rubber spacers to even get the clamps to properly mount. I had to play around with it for about 4 hours to get it satisfactory. My last ditch effort will be to get a rubber adhesive strip and run it the entire length of the bed.
     
    Sleddog[OP] likes this.
  18. Jul 4, 2020 at 11:44 AM
    #18
    Bakershack

    Bakershack Critical of Noncritical Thinkers

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    I am not happy that the Armor Flex I ordered SPECIFICALLY for my Tundra didn't have drain tubes that would fit through these holes without any modification. I'm going to find some tubing that will fit. I don't want to remove the bedliner material from those holes.
     
  19. Mar 17, 2022 at 6:00 AM
    #19
    Jrichardson79

    Jrichardson79 New Member

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    Can someone help me with how to prevent water running in at the tailgate? Water runs out of the rails at the tailgate end, and then gets into the bed from there. Appreciate any help!

    0C742AF0-DC92-45D5-B9C9-E581ECED9562.jpg
     
  20. Mar 17, 2022 at 6:15 AM
    #20
    Oey12

    Oey12 New Member

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    Sell it…LOL

    Sorry, don’t mind my jokes…

    I have the same problem and I have readjusted multiple times. Nothing has seemed to work because mine leaks terribly. I never excepted it to be water tight but I have to open mine and dry my bed out after a rain storm in which I never even drove in (the truck sits in the driveway M-F). I have 7 totes in the bed…this was unfortunately the only method that works to keep anything remotely dry. However truth be told mine cover leaks from the rubber seals in between the panels from the day I installed mine.
     
  21. Jun 15, 2022 at 4:54 PM
    #21
    KY_TundraPro

    KY_TundraPro New Member

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    New member here. Please forgive my question, but I did not see this suggestion. Couldn't you just flip the plugs over and then the drains would be in the "upper half"?
     
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  22. Jun 15, 2022 at 5:03 PM
    #22
    1lowlife

    1lowlife Toxic prick and pavement princess..

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    Actually, your suggestion is in my post..

    Yes, if I had it to do over I would have done that.
    Given I rarely haul much in my bed, certainly not many 4X8 sheets of anything.
    That is really the only time I'd need it switched.
    It isn't a priority to swap it around.

    I could still do it and cut a little off the tube.
    But I haven't seen my truck in 211 days.
    It has been at the dealership waiting on cat parts.


    Welcome to the forum.:D
     
  23. Jun 15, 2022 at 5:58 PM
    #23
    KY_TundraPro

    KY_TundraPro New Member

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    I am sorry I didn't read the post closely enough. Oops!!!

    That stinks! We had cats stolen off a work van not to long ago...$2,500 later!!!
     
    1lowlife[QUOTED] likes this.

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