Leer shell leaking! Input?

pissed!
Brand new leer shell installed last weekend. Leaking from all 4 corners, front folding window, left side window and from where the shell mates to the bed. Leaving town for 2 weeks and can’t get this handled until I get back. I’m thinking both poor install by shop and poor quality on leers part. Silicone looks like shit and the bed seal I paid extra for looks like it was thrown on in 2 seconds.

Anyone else have leaks? Can I return this thing and get my money back? Should I try to get dealer to fix?

 

Take it back. If they can't fix, get a refund.

 

If the windows on the shell itself are leaking, that's a problem. Leaking where the shell meets the bed rails is normal, it can be fixed by lifting it off and using putty or rubber sheeting to form a good seal.

Mine leaks a wee bit in the corners near the cab. But not enough to be a problem.

 

Yeah there’s a small leak by the shell window on one spot, but the worst is the corners by the cab and the corners by the rear window. The corner (by back rear window where the shell meets the glass rear window) is the worst, the carpet headliner is totally soaked

 

Try using a good rubber double bead seal. All of them will leak a little bit, just the nature of the beast. I added a third set of clamps and that helped with the front leaks quite a bit.

 

That's pathetic, take it back. The windows should not leak, period. Their problem.

Seal against the top of the bedrail depends what they used. It should be a double bulb seal, not foam tape crap.

The other thing that can happen is leaking under the plastic bed rail caps. That is not the Leer dealer's problem, but you can run a bead of caulk or some weatherstripping uner the cap to stop that.

The other thing is gaps at the top of the bed's front rail.

I just had a new Leer installed on my second gen, and it's been fine, but I did a little extra prep work. The bedrail caps in general are a little different than 3rd gen, but same concepts and issues to look into.

Where the bed front wall and side walls meet, caulk the gap:



Weatherstripping under bedrail caps:

 

Unfortunately this would have had to have been done before the install. Had I known it would leak I would have done this. Kind of frustrating paying over 2k for a shell and the first drizzle it leaks. Very frustrating. I decided to call off tomorrow and go down there. If he can’t fix it tomorrow or gives me some BS I’m going to gladly tell him to take it off and give me my money back. I’ll go elsewhere and pay them extra to
Do all this stuff you’re recommending

 

Unfortunately its very common with many truck caps. Our trucks have there own unique challenges to seal a cap. Drain holes near front of bed and slits near rear. Storage compartments can leak too ! But some good advice above me. Ive done it all and still not 100%. Good luck !

 

I chose an ARE over the others, but 3rd gens have 3 areas that have to be addressed before install. The forward upper bed corners, the forward center rail cap and the tailgate. Any windows or rear door are manufacture issues. The bed prep is on the installer if you tell then you want waterproof. While I found quality lacking on all the caps, the biggest problem I found was the installers. I have no leaks...as in zero.

 

Had all of the same leaks from a brand new Leer 100XR I had bought right after getting the truck in '16. Buddy has had nearly identical results with his ARE. Have talked to people that had the same thing with Snugtops.

Either cover everything in insane amounts of sealants, or live with it, or get rid of the junk and get yourself an AluCab.

 

First thing to understand is water will always win and it won’t be 100% leak free. But there are plenty things you can do to help minimize it. It’s not so much the cap but the truck and the dealer installs them pretty much all the same from truck to truck with foam tape. I’m sure some dealers/installers are better than others but that’s why I opt to install myself.

I bought my own seal rather than used the provided foam tape- esi super cap seal xl (triple bulb) for the sides and super cap seal (double bulb) for the header. Are provided a square piece of foam tape for the sides of the header rail but I plan on plugging those holes with the factory tonneau cover “plugs” as well instead of caulk or silicone. Then the tailgate will be an issue. I bought esi ultimate tailgate seal with taper seal that I will use for the tailgate itself.

Window leaks absolutely get fixed by the dealer/manufacturer

 

There’s still a hole under there (the inside bed rail) that I’ll cut/install the plugs used for the factory tonneau cover

Triple bulb on the sides and double on the header (side note the double bulb, I should of put closer to the outer edge rather than the inner edge) I’ll redo it all next time I remove it.

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I went back to the installer today and showed him all the leaking spots, and he was very patient despite my dictator-like demeanor (I was angry lol). Pulled the whole shell off, added some extra foam tape, siliconed the shite out of the bed, extended the tail gate seal, and added some extra sealant everywhere I felt it was lacking. Only space I can see now that water will get through is where the rear leer door closes- there’s a 3 inch long by .5 inch wide gap (Toyota’s design flaw, not on leer) behind the door. I’m going to get creative when I get back from my road trip and add some extra stuff there to hopefully seal it up.

As others have said, I know water will get in, but I’m not OK with it coming in on the side of the bed, or the front corners by the cab. Should not be getting any leaking there period. Some moisture by the tailgate is a given and I’ll adjust accordingly.

 

So what about the gaps in between the shell and the rear door? See photos- this is where I’m assuming I’m going to get most moisture after the recent fix today.

Is this a manufacture error or is this how they are designed? Sorry the photos got separated but you get the idea

 

Mine looks the same. There's a rubber "flap" at the bottom of the leer glass in the back?

Pickup beds/tailgates aren't designed to be water tight. The bed is open to the elements by design.

You can see daylight through the same spot on mine but it doesn't get wet at all.

 

Okay thanks for the input, I’m hoping mine stays dry. I am trying everything to be able to seal that area but it might just be something that I need to deal with. Me and my lady will definitely be sleeping in here 2 or 3 times a year and I hope we don’t get wet, or get any mildew after rains

 

I've slept in mine in many a rainstorm. You'll get wet based simply on the fact the tailgate has to be open to crawl in. Tailgate gets wet and the water rolls in when you shut it. The lift gate also funnels water in when it's open. That's the biggest issue IMHO

 

I tried as hard as I could, it’s a pick-up, not a 4Runner. I am not hating and I don’t want to be that guy but keep your expectations realistic. Weather tight is not possible.

 

Black silicone, caulk gun, flashlight. I did it, let it dry, then piled more on. Still have some water get it, but a LOT less, just need to do a bit more silicone. But, it works like a champ. Hope this helps.

 

Totally understandable. I think if I can get it down to HALF of what it was before I started sealing, I’d be fine sleeping in it