Truck Covers USA

[TheWolf]

I also installed the drain hose differently than the instructions or videos show. For the front canister drains, I went out through the plastic bed plugs. If you install them by drilling the bed out up higher, then you will be directing water against the cab vents. Going through lower puts the tubes below the cab vents.

For the rail drains in the rear, I had to go out high to avoid the Swing Case toolboxes, but decided to pull the taillights and run the full length of tube all the way down so it doesn't drain water into the bed cavity.
The cover only ships with two 25-inch tubes that you are supposed to cut in half for the four drains. I called TCUSA and they sent me two more drain tubes. I first tried to find similar tubing on Amazon but they are a weird ID/OD combination. The TCUSA customer service was top notch.

 

[BigBlock]

Another way to install the rear drain tubes:

 

[jkscuba]

Another way to install the rear drain tubes:

Looks like you replaced the supplied hose with some corrugated tubing? Or did you put the tubing over the hose to protect it or something?

Thanks

 

[TheWolf]

Previous versions came with the corrugated tubing. I did not think that method of installation was the best as it dumps the water on the back of the taillight and wiring. May not be a huge issue but I figured better safe than sorry.

 

[BigBlock]

Looks like you replaced the supplied hose with some corrugated tubing? Or did you put the tubing over the hose to protect it or something?

Thanks

TCUSA has changed the tubing a couple of times. Mine is the old type, yours is the new type. The way I installed the tubing, the tube in just below the floor of the stake pocket floor and water drains along the same path as water that enters the stake pockets.

 

[jkscuba]

TCUSA has changed the tubing a couple of times. Mine is the old type, yours is the new type. The way I installed the tubing, the tube in just below the floor of the stake pocket floor and water drains along the same path as water that enters the stake pockets.

Makes since. I have the same boxes as Wolf has so it looks like I have a couple of good options for the tubing once I get a few free hours to put the dang thing on. Thanks for posting up this info guys, really helps seeing it before you install it yourself.

 

[TheWolf]

Makes since. I have the same boxes as Wolf has so it looks like I have a couple of good options for the tubing once I get a few free hours to put the dang thing on. Thanks for posting up this info guys, really helps seeing it before you install it yourself.

Comparing the two photos, it looks to me that the rail drain fittings on mine are farther back than BigBlock's. They may have changed the design a little. I first tried to line mine up like he did but the hose did not make the bend. You will have to go out high like me to clear the Swing Case. Be very careful drilling so you don't hit the back of the body panel. If you do it like I did, take the taillights off. This will also help with getting the grommets installed. Also, the first time I went to shove the hose through it took the grommet with it. I used a little silicon grease on the grommet and hose to make it easier.

 

[jkscuba]

Comparing the two photos, it looks to me that the rail drain fittings on mine are farther back than BigBlock's. They may have changed the design a little. I first tried to line mine up like he did but the hose did not make the bend. You will have to go out high like me to clear the Swing Case. Be very careful drilling so you don't hit the back of the body panel. If you do it like I did, take the taillights off. This will also help with getting the grommets installed. Also, the first time I went to shove the hose through it took the grommet with it. I used a little silicon grease on the grommet and hose to make it easier.

Yeah I was planning on taking the lights off. Was going to take them off to backstrap the boxes anyway so I'll plan on installing them and the cover at the same time. I figure I will probably end up using the same locations you did since they work with the boxes. Appreciate all the tips!

 

[TheWolf]

Installed the tailgate weather-strip after cleaning the jamb with isopropyl alcohol. I got the American Tailgate Seal from TCUSA and also MaxSeal from Extang. The TCUSA one is fatter and it fit better on the bottom but when I put it on the sides it made the tailgate too hard to close. I switched to the Extang on the sides and it worked better. I added another piece of 3M VHB tape to both, just to make sure they don't come off. The bottom weather-strip needed some trimming in a few places, as shown in the pics.

 

[Raptor_man]

I also installed the drain hose differently than the instructions or videos show. For the front canister drains, I went out through the plastic bed plugs. If you install them by drilling the bed out up higher, then you will be directing water against the cab vents. Going through lower puts the tubes below the cab vents.

For the rail drains in the rear, I had to go out high to avoid the Swing Case toolboxes, but decided to pull the taillights and run the full length of tube all the way down so it doesn't drain water into the bed cavity.
The cover only ships with two 25-inch tubes that you are supposed to cut in half for the four drains. I called TCUSA and they sent me two more drain tubes. I first tried to find similar tubing on Amazon but they are a weird ID/OD combination. The TCUSA customer service was top notch.

Mr. Wolf,

I plan on running both front and rear drain tubes to the front of the bed through the plastic bed plugs (combining the hoses near the bed plug). I just don't want to cut into my bed. Do you think this will work out?