Secure & Watertight Tonneau for Super Cab

[TruckNoob]

First time truck owner and first time poster...I am quite literally picking up my 2021 Super Cab (4x4 Lariat) in 5 hours. The main purpose for the purchase was to keep my firefighting gear (bunker gear, halligan, saws [chainsaw, recip and K12]) in the bed and well away from us as we're using the truck -- fires throw off a lot of carcinogens and it's strongly advised that the gear be stored away from people until cleaned. The wife and I also run medical calls, so the back area of the cab will be kept for medical bags and oxygen. I live in a rural area (mostly gravel and dirt roads), so I'd like to keep the dust out (as much as possible) as well as the water. All of that is a lead up to my questions:

1. What Tonneau would you recommend? I know that 100% security and full-waterproofing is really not available with any Tonneau option, but I would like to try and maximize those two things.
   
   
2. Assuming you have (and/or had) the Tonneau you're recommending, would you purchase it again....or explore another option?
   
   
3. Anyone had experience with the Leer 650M -- I may be buying into the marketing, but it looks like a contender to me. That said, I could really only find one post on it in this forum, and it was a less-than-positive review.

Thanks in advance for any comments, guidance and/or recommendations.

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[SOHK_Alumni]

First time truck owner and first time poster...I am quite literally picking up my 2021 Super Cab (4x4 Lariat) in 5 hours. The main purpose for the purchase was to keep my firefighting gear (bunker gear, halligan, saws [chainsaw, recip and K12]) in the bed and well away from us as we're using the truck -- fires throw off a lot of carcinogens and it's strongly advised that the gear be stored away from people until cleaned. The wife and I also run medical calls, so the back area of the cab will be kept for medical bags and oxygen. I live in a rural area (mostly gravel and dirt roads), so I'd like to keep the dust out (as much as possible) as well as the water. All of that is a lead up to my questions:

1. What Tonneau would you recommend? I know that 100% security and full-waterproofing is really not available with any Tonneau option, but I would like to try and maximize those two things.
   
   
2. Assuming you have (and/or had) the Tonneau you're recommending, would you purchase it again....or explore another option?
   
   
3. Anyone had experience with the Leer 650M -- I may be buying into the marketing, but it looks like a contender to me. That said, I could really only find one post on it in this forum, and it was a less-than-positive review.

Thanks in advance for any comments, guidance and/or recommendations.

Diamondback all the way

 

[Tom_C]

I don't have info for the cover, but I will tell you (warn you) that you will struggle to get a good seal around the tailgate, and you'll have issues with dust on the gravel roads getting into the bed. Look at a thread I started about tailgate seals for info, and there are other threads, too.

 

[TruckNoob]

Diamondback all the way

Absolutely. I went with the Diamondback SE and couldn't be happier. I installed it last night and will come back to this thread with pics. Thanks for your help!

 

[TruckNoob]

I don't have info for the cover, but I will tell you (warn you) that you will struggle to get a good seal around the tailgate, and you'll have issues with dust on the gravel roads getting into the bed. Look at a thread I started about tailgate seals for info, and there are other threads, too.

Thanks, Tom. After installing the Diamondback cover last night, I tossed a lit flashlight in the back and was shocked and horrified by the amount of light coming out of the sides of the tailgate. Needless to say, tailgate seal is my next acquisition. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Tom_C]

Thanks, Tom. After installing the Diamondback cover last night, I tossed a lit flashlight in the back and was shocked and horrified by the amount of light coming out of the sides of the tailgate. Needless to say, tailgate seal is my next acquisition. Thanks again for your help!

You bet, and if you find a good solution, please post back in my thread https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/australian-members-do-you-have-ideas-for-gate-seals.13594/

I tried to get a good seal, but haven't ordered any of the AUS seals. Last time I was at my mountain property (dirt roads) I saw plenty of dust in the bed.

 

[HDEO]

Love my diamondback cover. I used this tailgate seal.
https://www.amazon.com/ESI-Ultimate...te+seal&qid=1633017087&sprefix=esi+tai&sr=8-8

Can’t say for sure if it’s waterproof because it hasn’t rained since I installed it in April. Yeah we are in a drought.

 

[TruckNoob]

Love my diamondback cover. I used this tailgate seal.
https://www.amazon.com/ESI-Ultimate...te+seal&qid=1633017087&sprefix=esi+tai&sr=8-8

Can’t say for sure if it’s waterproof because it hasn’t rained since I installed it in April. Yeah we are in a drought.

I just ordered that very product....great minds think alike (I hope).

 

[Tom_C]

I just ordered that very product....great minds think alike (I hope).

A lot of people have that one, or something similar. I don't want to piss in your coffee, but just don't get your hopes up.

 

[TruckNoob]

A lot of people have that one, or something similar. I don't want to piss in your coffee, but just don't get your hopes up.

Yeah, I hear that....I'm not expecting anything close to a 100% solution, but I hope it puts a dent in the "problem". I had heard there was a "gap" in the corners between the bed and the tailgate, but honestly, it looks like almost a half-inch gap on both sides of the tailgate....and I didn't even check the bottom ridge, I'm sure that thing is like the Grand Canyon. I figure I'll start with this stuff and then probably try cobbling something on top of that solution. In the end, I'm expecting it to look like a 5-year old tried to "fix the problem".

 

[Trigganometry]

We have been relentlessly trying to get the Aussies to communicate back with us about their solutions. It’s almost like, screw the yanks, don’t answer them! Eventually we will break through with this though. They do look like a well engineered solution

 

[Tom_C]

Yeah, I hear that....I'm not expecting anything close to a 100% solution, but I hope it puts a dent in the "problem". I had heard there was a "gap" in the corners between the bed and the tailgate, but honestly, it looks like almost a half-inch gap on both sides of the tailgate....and I didn't even check the bottom ridge, I'm sure that thing is like the Grand Canyon. I figure I'll start with this stuff and then probably try cobbling something on top of that solution. In the end, I'm expecting it to look like a 5-year old tried to "fix the problem".

Copy. I think your bigger problem is going to be dust. I think water can be managed and the seals work OK... but dust is another story. It's like my mother used to say about mice, they can get into a sealed mason jar. Dust is the same way. With the air pressure moving over the cover and air moving in all directions, well, dust will get in.

 

[Peragrin]

Dust and water can be controlled. the cover itself depends on your needs.

I would also suggest built right molle panels. load up the back of your truck (several threads on them and what people have done with them) https://www.builtrightind.com/

Both cases I would also suggest lighting. a tonneua cover is great until you need access at night and can't see shit. The ford touch link is the smoothest option but others have done good job. including a couple who tied it directly into the cargo light switch.

 

[TruckNoob]

I would also suggest built right molle panels. load up the back of your truck (several threads on them and what people have done with them) https://www.builtrightind.com/

Both cases I would also suggest lighting. a tonneua cover is great until you need access at night and can't see shit. The ford touch link is the smoothest option but others have done good job. including a couple who tied it directly into the cargo light switch.

I'm looking at those as well. I'd like to get the halligan mounted, and Built Right does have some interesting solutions. As for lighting, I was just perusing the forum to see what others have done.

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