Can someone please convince me tailgate seals really work?

[Xchevyguy]

Looked at the ESI and Ford tailgate seals and just can't imagine they are going to seal up some of the HUGE gaps I see from inside the bed with the gate closed. Particularily the gaps at the lower left corner where the inside surface of the gate is rounded but the box is not, and near the striker bolts, where the gap is large enough to insert my finger to the first knuckle. Ford's installation instructions look overly simplified, and ESI has you cobbling pieces as required. Not what I would expect. In the meantime, I'll keep using 2" A/C foam when I close the gate, like I did on my last truck. Laugh if you want, but it really does work. Still looking for a solution to the gap where the liftglass meets the tailgate. Suggestions appreciated.

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[Calson]

On dirt roads I used to put masking tape over the gaps or the rear of the truck would fill with dust that was sucked in by the movement of the vehicle. I added a rear seal and it reduced the dust by 99% on the truck. This has worked on Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Silverado truck beds.

I have not tried it on my F-150 as the designs for the aftermarket seals are not impressive. They may be better than nothing.

 

[lynskynbnd]

I'm planning to use some stick on weather stripping like I've been using on my YJ Wrangler with a CJ7 hardtop for a decade now.

 

[ldsavow]

In the winter I SUCK IN SNOW
In the Summer I SUCK IN DUST.

They do NOT SEAL at all!!

 

[Jloyd98]

I haven't had any luck with the bed seal. I tried adding extra weatherstripping in the bigger gaps, but still sucks in dust with the tonneau cover closed. If I must go on gravel, I just try to remember to roll back the tarp.

 

[Xchevyguy]

So far I'm mostly hearing what I expected. I have someting that works 100%. It's just not permanent.

 

[Calson]

I used to use masking tape on my trucks when heading out where I expected dirt roads and it was OK but temporary. I used an aftermarket gasket made for tailgates on my last pickup and it was 95% effective in reducing dirt sucked in to the bed of the truck.

With each tailgate being slightly different no gasket is going to be 100% effective but it is a cheap addition with no downsides.

 

[780]

I installed the Ford parts one late this summer. I'll find out in a while if it stops snow from getting in.

 

[12Lariat21]

I can recommend the Rok-Blok (https://extrudedsolutions.com/collections/rok-block-rok-block-xl-1) it covers the gap between the bed floor and the tailgate, works really well so far, we'll see if survives MN winter, it doesn't help with sealing the sides though, you're stuck with what you have there, I have the bulb-seal weather striping on mine, and it helps, but certainly still allows some dust to get in, plus I did notice on my truck there are a lot of gaps along the floor to bed sides as well, so unless you get in there and silicon the entire bed perimeter, you'll always have some gaps for dust to get in.

 

[Eldon]

Looked at the ESI and Ford tailgate seals and just can't imagine they are going to seal up some of the HUGE gaps I see from inside the bed with the gate closed. Particularily the gaps at the lower left corner where the inside surface of the gate is rounded but the box is not, and near the striker bolts, where the gap is large enough to insert my finger to the first knuckle. Ford's installation instructions look overly simplified, and ESI has you cobbling pieces as required. Not what I would expect. In the meantime, I'll keep using 2" A/C foam when I close the gate, like I did on my last truck. Laugh if you want, but it really does work. Still looking for a solution to the gap where the liftglass meets the tailgate. Suggestions appreciated.

I like this idea. I had a Chevy Silverado that had a pretty good gap as well, and I had a bed rug installed, that helped some. I plan on getting a bed rug when I get my new truck, but I will also look at adding some foam rubber to help seal. Thanks for your solution.

 

[BLWNBYU]

I used to work at an accessory shop. Yes, the rubber stick on "tailgate seal" will stop 95% of dust and moisture from entering if applied properly.

 

[Xchevyguy]

It's the 5% that is the problem. Travelling thru the SW and Baja months at a time is a LOT of dust and dirt. Thought of just installing the lower seal from a kit and sticking with the foam on the sides, but already on the road. Also used 3M black weatherstrip adhesive to seal all the gaps in the sheet metal. Worked really well and looks good with a spray in liner as long as you have patience and go slow. Also used caulking backer rod where the floor meets the front of the box. Easliy removed when you want to hose it out and let it drain.

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