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Bakflip F1 leak

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Old Aug 7, 2010 | 09:38 AM
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Question Bakflip F1 leak

Hi all - first post.

I own a 2010 Ram 2500 Mega Diesel and installed the Bakflip F1.

It's a great looking cover - but it's got a leak and I cannot determine where it's coming from.

I installed it with the shims (did a lot of research on this forum before I purchased it) and the leak appears to be occurring just aft of the left wheel hump - looks like it's the most rear left hinge area. Also have a smaller leak by the most rear right hinge area.

I bought it from www.bakfactoryoutlet.com and I'm not sure if it's my install, or a defective hinge - or could it be the side rail is a little messed up?

Not looking for a "this is better than that" discussion, or a "you should have bought a ______" discussion.

Just want to see what others have done to shore up any leaks. Thanks!

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2010 Ram 2500 4x4 / Bakflip F1
 

Last edited by Herkbubba; Aug 7, 2010 at 09:53 AM.
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Old Aug 7, 2010 | 09:46 AM
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Don't have any leaks in mine, or any shims for that matter. Make sure that the side rails got installed square, if you just lean on the clamps when you bolt them on, the rails will be mounted at a slight angle - which screws up the sealing to the bed rails.
 
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Old Aug 7, 2010 | 07:20 PM
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I don't have any leaks in mine either, also no shims. Like "oldjeep" said check your side rails and make sure that they are on square.
 
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Old Aug 8, 2010 | 11:20 PM
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I had a leak on mine after the first install. I determined that the rail had a slight cant to the inside which allowed the water to go over the side of the channel.

I re-installed it using shims and was extremely careful on the positioning of the rails. No more leaks. The F-1 is a great cover!

Just be sure the rails are solidly clamped and level and you shouldn't have any leaks.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 03:51 PM
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I had a leak on mine and was asked to try all kinds of things, including new shims, weather stripping, silicone, different rails, etc. The leak was obvious - always coming from the hinge. BAK sent out a replacement and it had a leak in the same spot. Ultimately, I went back and forth for months with them before they offered me a partial refund because the unit was used. Sorta crappy if you ask me since the product didn't deliver on its primary goal - to protect the contents of my bed.

Best advice, get ahold of your retailer and get it swapped out for another unit. Don't let them go through the song-and-dance about trying this or trying that. They'll make it sound like you're the only person this has ever happened to but stick to your guns.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 07:58 PM
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BAK always has been and always will be JUNK. Thats my opinion from my dealings with them.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2010 | 08:07 PM
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^^^ I think he covered that...

Originally Posted by Herkbubba

Not looking for a "this is better than that" discussion, or a "you should have bought a ______" discussion.
 
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Old Aug 25, 2010 | 11:32 AM
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SKING>>> Sorry you had problems but I'm happy with mine.

HERKBUBBA>>> What was the outcome? Were you able to solve the leak problem?
 
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Old Aug 25, 2010 | 12:32 PM
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Default How to fix a bakflip leak

This is right up my alley

The Bakflips are great covers, especially the new fiberglass top F1. the only problem "IF" you have leaking is that the provided solution "Shims" are plastic, and obviously don't form a seal. Here's what you need to do

Try this, I had a leak and after carefully going through these tests I fixed it.

You should have less than a 1/4" of play in between the rail where the cover is and the cover itself. Lamens terms, when the cover is shut, open the tailgate and if those plastic white tabs just barely click in the rails, its too far away = water penetration.

If this is the case, the plastic shims are okay, but if the rails are even the least bit off the rail caps/bed caps, water gets under there and will leak.

Instead of the shims, try electricians rubber tape if the cover is pretty much on the money in terms of spacing

OR

if the cover does require shims, instead go to your hardware store, buy 3/16" outdoor window/door seal.. kind of like they give you in the parts for the back of the cab seal. Run this/tape this on the rail <Try one side at a time> tighten to the bed rails, test against water leakage. Try one side at a time, you can unscrew the back part and move the cover from one side to another to get the proper spacing.

Hope this helps, my cover leaked, i tried this and tested against a LOT of direct sprays, lots of rainstorms, and I'm 100% leak free and happy with my cover.

hope this gets you going
 
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Old Aug 26, 2010 | 05:06 PM
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my cover tends to rattle when going over bumps.
ill even see it moving in my mirror when driving on the highway.
sounds like i need to shim it, huh?
 
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