SHAME ON FORD - leaking topper issue

[FX4Offroad]

Yes, this is. Ford issue, not the topper.

I have a 2025 Ranger. I had a A.R.E. topper installed and it leaks in the front, at the bulkhead. For some reason, Ford designed that drone beam with holes in the to, sides and bottom. It's actually a "C" beam, not a solid beam

So, be aware of this if you are planning on installing a topper or even a tonneau cover. It will leak in heavy rain.

I went to a dealer and took pictures of the area to see why the topper place said they couldn't stop the leak.

I also looked at the F-150's and they have a solid beam, no holes.

Pictures enclosed.

Look closely at the holes in the beam. They are in the top, bottom and sides. Look especially in the corners. You can see light coming thru.

Now I have an expensive topper that leaks and there's nothing I can do about it.

Oh, lastly, I've had pickups for ever - including a 2019 Ranger all with toppers that didn't have this issue.

Now it's time to try to figure out how to fix this.

Very frustrated but LOVE THE RANGER with the 2.7 L.

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[Stevedbvik1]

This should be on the 6G forum seeing it’s a 6G issue. Maybe someone on that forum has run into this and has solutions

 

[mrmike7189]

weird...Ive never put a top on any of my pickups. I leave them be as they left the factory so the thought of leaks never occurred to me, but you're right. The tailgate has many leak points too

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Amazon…

Glarks 43Pcs 10 Size Oval and Round Rubber Grommets Set

The sizes are listed so you can measure and see if this kit will work.

 

[NotBudule2]

Its a crappy design, no doubt, BUT, if an aftermarket company claims they make a topper for a specific vehicle, it seems to me it would be up to said aftermarket company to take that into account and design accordingly...

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

Its a crappy design, no doubt, BUT, if an aftermarket company claims they make a topper for a specific vehicle, it seems to me it would be up to said aftermarket company to take that into account and design accordingly...

For tonneaus and toppers, they have a thick foam gasket they use to close the gap created by the headboard being lower than the siderails - weird design on Ford’s part.

A good installer would have attached a strip of the thinner side rail gasket along the top face of that headboard to plug those oval and round holes. An even better installer would have an assortment of grommets on hand. They could make a few bucks on the up charge or simply create some customer loyalty by not charging for them but pointing it out.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

My Truxedo LoPro tonneau cover for my 5G came with all kinds of extra sealing pieces and very detailed instructions on where they went. I agree that this is on the installer/mfg.

 

[a6m5]

I have tonneau cover on mine. Amount of dirt that gets inside is unreal & some water gets in there too. I'm amazed how some camp in the back of the truck with a canopy/topper, I couldn't do it. As for the specific leak points, I think @Stevedbvik1 is correct, as bulkhead & other sheetmetal in the area are different from Gen 5 to Gen 6 Rangers(floor pan's same).

 

[Cabose-1]

I second steve. 6g forum. This is a big issue with 6g trucks. Some fixes there. Duke has the fix. I have a 6g too.
But the company here is better, and i still have some input here having had 2 5g rangers and and 100k miles in both.
Team tailgate strut assist!

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I have tonneau cover on mine. Amount of dirt that gets inside is unreal & some water gets in there too. I'm amazed how some camp in the back of the truck with a canopy/topper, I couldn't do it. As for the specific leak points, I think @Stevedbvik1 is correct, as bulkhead & other sheetmetal in the area are different from Gen 5 to Gen 6 Rangers(floor pan's same).

My tonneau cover really seals good. I spent a lot of time and materials on the tailgate area to get that sealed up. It’s 95% sealed now and I get minimal intrusion now

 

[AzScorpion]

I have tonneau cover on mine. Amount of dirt that gets inside is unreal & some water gets in there too. I'm amazed how some camp in the back of the truck with a canopy/topper, I couldn't do it. As for the specific leak points, I think @Stevedbvik1 is correct, as bulkhead & other sheetmetal in the area are different from Gen 5 to Gen 6 Rangers(floor pan's same).

On my '19 Ranger I had a soft tonneau cover and it didn't leak much (Just a few drops by the bulkhead) it would get super dusty/dirty inside while off road. On my '23 I have a hard cover tonneau and there's still the same small spots of water but virtually no dust. When we were in Sedona last month I did the same trails as I did with my '19 and it was spotless. With my '19 I'd have to go back to the condo and broom all the dust out as it was everywhere leaking around the tailgate.

Here's a good tailgate seal in case you want to try it and several here have used it with good results.

https://extrudedsolutions.com/produ...tailgate-seal-with-taper-seal-6-for-sidewalls

Instal instructions:

https://tailgateseal.com/FordRanger2019.html

 

[a6m5]

My tonneau cover really seals good. I spent a lot of time and materials on the tailgate area to get that sealed up. It’s 95% sealed now and I get minimal intrusion now

I used the universal weatherstripping kit, I think by Truxedo? I'm sure it helps some, but I didn't spend much time with it & that was the only thing I tried.

On my '23 I have a hard cover tonneau and there's still the same small spots of water but virtually no dust.

I do need to clarify. While dust problem is out of control, water leak issue is minimal except when I pressure wash(sorry, I should have mentioned this). On the dust, come to think of it I think there was spot on each side of the bulkhead where there are gaps. I'm going to have to look at it again.

Here's a good tailgate seal in case you want to try it and several here have used it with good results.

https://extrudedsolutions.com/produ...tailgate-seal-with-taper-seal-6-for-sidewalls

Instal instructions:

https://tailgateseal.com/FordRanger2019.html

This kit looks really good. Much more substantial than the universal kit I installed.

 

[AzScorpion]

I used the universal weatherstripping kit, I think by Truxedo? I'm sure it helps some, but I didn't spend much time with it & that was the only thing I tried.




I do need to clarify. While dust problem is out of control, water leak issue is minimal except when I pressure wash(sorry, I should have mentioned this). On the dust, come to think of it I think there was spot on each side of the bulkhead where there are gaps. I'm going to have to look at it again.

This kit looks really good. Much more substantial than the universal kit I installed.

I pressure wash mine (with a foam cannon) 95% of the time and also get a little bit that leaks through that way but not much. I've been through some pretty hard rain storms and thought the bed would be flooded and yet just the same small spots in the back corner and not every time.

The dust was worse in my '19 and I had a drop in liner so luckily it was easy to clean and hose out. My '23 has a spray in liner and everything sticks to the texture, including my knees. That's why I have a rubber bed mat in there otherwise it's like a cheese grater. lol

 

[LaBalbe]

On my '19 Ranger I had a soft tonneau cover and it didn't leak much (Just a few drops by the bulkhead) it would get super dusty/dirty inside while off road. On my '23 I have a hard cover tonneau and there's still the same small spots of water but virtually no dust. When we were in Sedona last month I did the same trails as I did with my '19 and it was spotless. With my '19 I'd have to go back to the condo and broom all the dust out as it was everywhere leaking around the tailgate.

Here's a good tailgate seal in case you want to try it and several here have used it with good results.

https://extrudedsolutions.com/produ...tailgate-seal-with-taper-seal-6-for-sidewalls

Instal instructions:

https://tailgateseal.com/FordRanger2019.html

Thanks for the tip. Just ordered it for mine as well.

 

[AzScorpion]

Thanks for the tip. Just ordered it for mine as well.

Alway glad to help.... others spend their money.

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