This cover is going to leak like crazy

I just installed an undercover flex armor. Probably going to return it. Two big issues:

1. I can almost guarantee it is going to leak like crazy based on the gasket at the cab. The first picture shoes it the best. As you can see the gasket lifts up off the rail as it gets to the side of the truck.


2. It specifically mentions that it is compatible with the rail system that I have in my truck. However, once installed the tie downs that came with the rail system will not go on.

Overall I’m a little disappointed in the cover. Install was pretty easy. However, overall quality isn’t what I expected. Tons of metal shavings all over the cover. Glue ozone out in spots and looks bad. Can probably pick at it and pull it off but shouldn’t have to do that with a $1,100 cover.

 

You need to scoot it more towards the cab then use a heat gun to form the gaskets better.
There are numerous cleats out there that will work just fine.
The OEM ones are insanely large for what they do.
I have an Undercover Flex which is the same as the Gator EFX. I get no leaking what so ever at the cab end. I get a couple of drips at the tailgate corners but nothing bad at all.
They sure have jumped in price. I paid $575 2 years ago.

 

Oh yeah, and the drain tubes are like a ribbed plastic tube that is about 3/4” in diameter. Every other cover looks like it has rubber tubes.

 

Sounds like you are trying to talk yourself into returning it.
I am very happy with it for the $575 I paid 2 years ago.
$1,100 probably not so much. I spend a couple hundred more and go with this style.
https://gatorcovers.com/p/gator-mt-tonneau-cover/v/toyota/tundra/2022/

 

I’m not trying to talk myself into returning it. Given that this truck is a brand new year model I don’t think it’s fair to say that since yours fits well and doesn’t leak means my should as well. Unless you have a 22 year model as well.

 

I do not like flushmount covers. I had one for years. They look great but If the seals don't lay flat and stay in perfect shape you're screwed.

 

I think it absolutely should seal well that is the point of the product.
If it does not you/the product has an issue. Our bed dimensions and construction are nearly identical.
I agree installed as in your picture it is going to leak a ton. But you need to push it more towards the cab and massage the seals a bit.

 

The biggest issue is that the sides of the truck bed seem to be about a 1/4 inch above the front rail of the truck bed. Does anyone else with a 22 year model have this issue? If that is the case with all trucks then I would say there is a design flaw with this cover when used on a 22 tundra. If that is not the case with other tundras then there is an issue with the bed of my truck.

I may be able to slide it towards the cab slightly but my fear is that will impact the seal at the tailgate area. I will play around with it a little bit this weekend and see. But given the difference in height of the sides and the front rail I don't see how sliding it forward 1/4 inch will have any significant impact.

 

My man! Slow down, take a breath, there is nothing wrong with your cover or your truck. It is designed that way.

The reason moving it forward just slightly (have the rubber front seal flush with the front lip of the bed) makes a difference is because when you move it toward the cab the water will run off between the bed and the cab. The cab itself blocks water from coming the front. The only water you need to worry about is that on the cover and when the truck is sloped towards the cab that water running forward and getting in.
Line that rubber gasket up on the lip or even a little bit over it and you are golden.



It is the same way with our 2022 and the OEM trifold (not sure who makes it). It’s not here at the moment or I’d snap a picture of it too.
If it makes you feel a little better you can add a little bit of your own weatherstrip on the inside of the bed for a little more protection.
The place you will get a few and I mean a few drips will be at either side of the tailgate.

 

I've had a gap/leaking in that same spot with every cover I've owned on any truck. I squirt a little black caulk in the gaps and done....can't see it and no leaks. I've been bashed on here previously for saying I use caulk on my tonneaus, but whatever, they don't leak!

I currently have a Retrax on my 22 and it's my 4th cover on this truck. The other 3 had miss drilled holes, metal shavings, one had two partial cuts in the rails where clearly they started to cut in the wrong place and stopped, and one was assembled wrong at the factory making install absurdly frustrating until I figured this out.. The quality of products now in general from almost every company is ridiculous. I will say the Retrax had a quality finish out of the box, not a single issue observed.

 

I have that exact cover. It hasn’t leaked in the 2 years I’ve been using it. Might want to reinstall and have someone assist (I admit I needed an extra pair of hands).

I ordered some plastic tubing from Lowe’s or maybe Amazon to use in place of that cheap stuff they included. Makes for a decently secure bed when traveling with lots of luggage, coolers, guns, etc.

also, put the cover in the sun and it will level out the seals.

 

Mine looks like the OP's pic and it doesn't leak.
There should be an additional seal that goes on the front wall between the bed and the cover.



If it does leak, Undercover has great customer service.
They warranted my first Flex and sent a new one when the middle panel leaked.
They also sent me free clamps when I bought the OEM rail system..
The original bed clamps, as seen in the pic below, sucked.



As far as the drain tubes, I'd think they all come with cheap stuff.
It isn't that hard to get some quality clear tubing and a few lawn sprinkler parts and make your own.
I don't know if the 2022 has the rubber plugs in the front wall like the Gen 2.5.
I should have put the fitting in the top of the plug instead of the bottom.
But I'm too lazy to cut the hose and flip them..

 

There was definitely not an additional seal that came with it. Haven’t had a chance to adjust it yet but I do plan on buying some different tubing and probably some weather stripping or something to put there like the weathertech cover has. Just disappointing that I need to spend more money. Live and learn.

 

So I tried to adjust the cover. I was able to move it back some but not as much as folks have suggested. The tie down rail on the front of the bed prevents the tonneau rail from moving back any further and if I don’t move the rail back I can’t move the cover back any farther because the cleat that clamps the cover down is blocked by the drain hole.

 

Love you drain tube modification. Care to share exactly what parts you used to install? Just ordered my undercover armor flex for my 2.5 gen. Thanks!

 

I used some lawn irrigation fittings and clear tubing from Lowes, not exactly which ones.
If I had it to do over again, I'd put it on the top half of the wall plug.





For anyone looking for them, if found some Undercover Tonneau prop rod clips on Esty.
Mine broke after a couple of years of use.
Undercover probably would have sent me some, but I wanted more than 2.

Undercover Tonneau Prop Rod Clip pack of 5 updated - Etsy

 

Awesome, thanks. So you just made a hole in the plug and put the fitting through? I’ll do it on the top like you recommend. Seems easier than a grommet.

 

I have the same cover on my 2023 tundra, and same issue. If you climb inside and lock the tailgate you can actually see two spots where the light comes beaming in from the outside, in the corners. As you mentioned, you can only move it so far towards the cab of the truck. Doesnt come with an additional seal like it did for the previous generation models. I also paid $11xx for it. so kinda pissed off but. spring time comes maybe will try to mod it somehow

 

I have the Undercover Armorflex installed on my Tundra in August 2023. I noticed those holes under the seal at the cab end. What I did was plug them with some black open cell foam tape. I also noticed that the drip rails are also open ended at the tailgate end. I sealed those off as well with exterior silicone chaulking. This way any water collecting in the rails will be forced to drain towards the front where the drain tubes are. After I did that I had no water inside the bed of the truck.

Here is a picture I took with the seal flipped back showing the foam plug I put in at each corner.

 

Thanks for the info. I appreciate. So my front foam strip that goes along the bulkhead rail already pulled off when I tried to adjust it. Does not want to stick to the spray-in-liner. I’ll have to try something else.

 

Compared to an OEM....it doesnt look big enough?? Like it is bare minimum to cover the box

 

No. Compared to what I’ve seen the Undercover Armor flex look like on other tundras. Mine does not cover over the bed rails and tailgate as much as others that I’ve seen. Not by a lot (1/4-1/2 in on each side and front to back).

 

A little late here…just installed a “new” version MX4…got it nib fairly reasonable. Really disappointed that I can’t use the cleats on the bed rail/track system! Stupid. maybe there are more low profile cleats? I removed and put that in my son’s truck.

Anyway, about to drill for the drain tubes…would this hole work? What’s it for? Would it just drain into the fender?

 

There should be 4 holes on the flat floor just under the front of your bedmat along the cab side (very tiny).
You should only need to open up the 2 outer ones a bit and run your accordion tubes through the bottom.

Have those MX4’s also…I purchased these for my bed rails
https://www.extremeterrain.com/charvonia-design-tundra-rail-tie-down-anchors-red-rtd-05-red.html