Tonneau Cover leaks dust

[MojaveMaximus]

Finally got to take my Mojave out on a desert trail this weekend. Super fun. However, I realized when I got back that my tonneau cover apparently leaks dust! I have a factory Mopar hard cover (lifts in 3 sections). It came with the vehicle, new. I mean, the whole back and the chairs I had back there were thickly coated in a layer of dust. Has anyone else had this issue? The whole point is to protect the items back there!

Thanks for any feedback.

Sponsored

 

[TRUKD]

Finally got to take my Mojave out on a desert trail this weekend. Super fun. However, I realized when I got back that my tonneau cover apparently leaks dust! I have a factory Mopar hard cover (lifts in 3 sections). It came with the vehicle, new. I mean, the whole back and the chairs I had back there were thickly coated in a layer of dust. Has anyone else had this issue? The whole point is to protect the items back there!

Thanks for any feedback.

Dust is the hardest thing to keep out of a truck bed, even the best bed covers are not impervious to it.

I'd bet most of the dust came in through the tailgate gaps or other holes in your bed. With lots of effort and gasket you might be able to mitigate it, but your bed will never be 100% dust proof.

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

Yep......majority of that dust comes in past the tailgate, not the cover.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

Thanks guys, this is good to know. So, follow-up question . . . if I were to get a cap or shell on the back, I'm assuming I'm going to have the same issue if it's coming in from more from the tailgate?

 

[TRUKD]

Thanks guys, this is good to know. So, follow-up question . . . if I were to get a cap or shell on the back, I'm assuming I'm going to have the same issue if it's coming in from more from the tailgate?

Yeah, you will have the same issue with a cap.

 

[ConqSoft]

Thanks guys, this is good to know. So, follow-up question . . . if I were to get a cap or shell on the back, I'm assuming I'm going to have the same issue if it's coming in from more from the tailgate?

Yeah, takes some work to seal all the cracks around the tailgate. You can get it to a pretty good point if you spend some time on it.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

Yeah, takes some work to seal all the cracks around the tailgate. You can get it to a pretty good point if you spend some time on it.

Thank you for the feedback. Appreciate it.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

Yeah, you will have the same issue with a cap.

Thank you for the feedback!

 

[Chapol]

I don't own a Smart Cap, but from all I've seen. It has a positive air pressure vent that is supposed to mitigate dust getting in the bed area. I don't know how well it works, but look at threads to see what others have experienced with the Smart Cap in desert riding environments.

 

[Mr._Bill]

This is supposed to help with sealing around the tailgate. There's a post from @ShadowsPapa somewhere on installing it.

https://a.co/d/dgJQ55d

 

[ScottBeach]

Nothing has worked for me. I accept i need to unload and rinse out the bed every once in a while. My gear is in pack boxes which are well sealed.

The biggest intrusion point is actually the tail gate. If you hang cloth inside the tailgate you will see a lot of sand gather between the gate and cloth.

I tried a lot on the last jeep to close the gaps but nothing really worked.

Good news rain doesn't tend to Come in via the tail gate.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

I don't own a Smart Cap, but from all I've seen. It has a positive air pressure vent that is supposed to mitigate dust getting in the bed area. I don't know how well it works, but look at threads to see what others have experienced with the Smart Cap in desert riding environments.

Thank you!

 

[MojaveMaximus]

This is supposed to help with sealing around the tailgate. There's a post from @ShadowsPapa somewhere on installing it.

https://a.co/d/dgJQ55d

Thanks for this.

 

[DBravo]

Finally got to take my Mojave out on a desert trail this weekend. Super fun. However, I realized when I got back that my tonneau cover apparently leaks dust! I have a factory Mopar hard cover (lifts in 3 sections). It came with the vehicle, new. I mean, the whole back and the chairs I had back there were thickly coated in a layer of dust. Has anyone else had this issue? The whole point is to protect the items back there!

Thanks for any feedback.

I have the same Mopar 3 section hard cover (2020 Gladiator dealer installed at purchase) and am very happy with the product. My experience indicates the dust is probably coming through the tailgate/bed gap at the bottom of the tailgate - not around the cover itself. I found that my items near the tailgate were getting wet when driving in heavy rain and realized it was blowing in under the tailgate from the circular push vortex that develops behind the truck when driving. I installed the RealTruck Extang Maxseal truck bed tailgate seal and voila - no water or dust.
My cover was reinstalled after i installed a drop in bedliner and a truck cap seal was added along the front edge as well.
Truck gasket/camper seal: Amazon link: https://a.co/d/5RNm7EB
RealTruck Extang Maxseal Truck Bed Tailgate Seal: https://a.co/d/cH9mt8x

Tailgate seal is installed on the edge of the bed where it meets the tailgate so that it is slightly compressed by the tailgate closing against it. It's been in place for almost three years. Go slow on the install and peel the liner as you check the fit with the tailgate and work your way around the opening.

Pics enclosed.

Good luck

 

[Bjeepz]

I use the thickest foam tape I can find when attempting to seal up truck boxes, it isn't perfect but helps. There are also drain holes towards the front of the box IIRC

Sponsored