BAKFlip tonneau covers: Drill drain holes?

I'm going crazy trying to reconcile apparently contradictory information online about whether the BAKFlip tonneau covers require drilling holes through the front (cab) end of the bottom of the bed.

FYI: Here is the line of covers I'm referring to: http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Tonneau-Covers/F1-vs-G2-vs-HD-vs-Fibermax

On one hand, this link (http://www.bakfliptonneaucover.com/installation5) says: "Are any holes drilled in the truck? Absolutely NOT! This is a completely 'Drill-Less' installation. No drilling required. Period!" Then, to "drill" the point home further (ha), they published this short installation video. https://youtu.be/fAZPW3EmuE4 Check the 2:00 mark...you see the guy slide on clear drain tubes but don't see where he puts the other end.

On the other hand, there are a ton of threads on TW complaining about BAKFlip requiring drain tubes through the bed and needing drilling (absent some metal coupling idea).

So I'm confused. Anyone out there that can clarify this apparent discrepancy for me?

 

I have a Bakflip and yes, the installation required the existing holes in the front of the bed be enlarged to accommodate the drain lines. At first I didn't want to do it! But finally gave in. Probably not a big deal....

 

You can drill holes if you want but what I did was just let the tubes drain under my bed Matt and out the holes in the bed!!!

 

It dose but not necessarily! The 2 drain tube has to go in 2 of the 3 drain holes in the back of the truck! The tubes are bigger than the holes back there u can drill them to a larger diameter or use a bras/plastic fitting

 

I used reducer type brass fittings one side for the tube to slide over and the other end small enough to slide into the existing sized bed drain holes. Have had no issues with water in the bed.

 

Drilled mine...didn't seem like that big of a deal.

 

drilled mine as well. It's really no big deal at all. If you decide later on as I have that a hard tonneau is not your thing a bed mat will cover the holes from view. Worst case your bed drains faster. noone on the resale end will ever notice a thing

 

OP here. Yeah, I guess the only risks of drilling out those holes are crash crumple behavior changes (but on a frame truck this area probably isn't very relevant) and OEM warranty implications (although I don't expect the bed to be the subject of a warranted defect claim).

I guess a devil's advocate would wonder if this would void any potential rusty frame recall since the water drain holes would be bigger, but I can't see how that would matter since water is supposed to drain through those holes anyway.

I guess the only thing that bothers me here in the end is that BAK makes a big deal about this being a "no drill" solution, but that seems totally disingenuous if not outright fraudulent. This is a bed cover intended to help keep things dry. Letting the hoses hang down haphazardly in the bed would seem to defeat the purpose.

I'll probably go the brass fitting route.

In other news, Luke at Truck Alterations is still treating us at TW to great reduced prices on these tonneaus. I just checked with him, and I'm putting an order in now. Any interested buyers would do well to check there first!

 

Well I can't imagine there being any structural ramifications from enlarging the holes

First off your going from a 3/8ths hole to a 5/8 hole if memory serves me, if that 1/4 inch makes it or breaks it Toyota's engineers need to be put on trial, secondly it's a composit bed, so any structure derived from it is minimal in comparison to the frame and bodywork surrounding it. If it helps you sleep better the brass fittings are a good call, but I'll bet you dollars to nickels they did it this way to help pass any debris that might pass through i.e. Pine needles,sand,etc. any sort of fitting will impact this process to an extent.

You'll love the cover, they are easy to install and easier to use

 

Here is how mine look like 4$ a peice at home depot! Cover looks great locks good I added a pop a lock for the tailgate definitely recommend that! Love it but font expect it to be waterproof water definitely leaks on the side walls bed matt keeps everything dry. Got it from Morie from tonneau factory outlet gave me a great deal and awesome service

 

Any idea what sizes for each end of the brass fitting (or a part no.)? If not, ok. It would be nice to go ahead and pick them up from the hardware store prior to receiving my BAKFlip so I can install everything just once and be done with it. Thanks in advance.

 

Don't remember exactly it's 1/4 on one side either 3/8th or 5/8th

 

here is what you need. No Drilling. Found at Home Depot
Post #1143
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-tacomas-tundras.402039/page-58#post-11913631

 

Thanks man!

 

There should already be a factory hole in the front of the bed, maybe a Y tube fitting would work for you?
Cheers!

 

Just installed my BAKFlip. Those aluminum brackets are terrible! Not nearly enough tolerance to slide through the rails. Otherwise, it looks fantastic, and I look forward to water testing it.

 

Yup they are a bit hard to get to position

 

can anyone tell me if the 2016 short bed can use the same tonneau cover as 2005-15? I know the body style has changed but the bed looks the exact same

 

Not a BAKFlip but I added the brass fitting for my Switchblade.