2023 Roof Channels

[sarnold247]

Hey guys new 2023 F150 XLT owner here. While at the self service car wash today, I noticed that the roof channels that run the length of the cab from windshield to the trim caps in the backs of the cab don’t have anything in them. They’re just open channels/ditches. Is this normal?

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[12Lariat21]

Yeah, those are empty, except for a rubber strap in the back. They provide a channel to catch water from the roof and redirect it away from the door/window, while stationary.

 

[sarnold247]

So these are supposed to be empty intentionally and not a factory mistake? Please forgive the ignorance as I’m already dealing with ford trying to get a body shop to readjust my driver door since the b pillar trim is not flush w the rear door up top and has a lot of push play in it

 

[HammaMan]

Yes, they're water gutters that direct water down the side of the windshield when stationary, as well as trying to direct water displaced from the windshield wipers. You may have had a vehicle where it'd sling whatever was on the windshield down the driver's door/window. Just some of the little details you don't really notice until you do.

 

[sarnold247]

Yes, they're water gutters that direct water down the side of the windshield when stationary, as well as trying to direct water displaced from the windshield wipers. You may have had a vehicle where it'd sling whatever was on the windshield down the driver's door/window. Just some of the little details you don't really notice until you do.

I came from a Jeep gladiator back to this f150 about 3 weeks ago. Prior to that was a 2011 super duty. I guess I never noticed the channels before today and thought shit should’ve been there like on cars. Maybe they do that for cosmetic reasons idk. Glad I’m not missing that so I can cross that off my list of potential issues

 

[HammaMan]

I've had vehicles with some type of cover, but usually what ends up happening is junk builds up under them that will then find its way to streaking the rear window in some fashion, then after a few years they'll weather/dry out and then go missing or break.

You don't have sunroof, but if you did, the whole water channeling thing would make much more sense.

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