Truck Bed Canopy Dust Proofing

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Been working on dustproofing the bed/canopy and had my Snugtop's "dust flap" adhesive melt off in the eastern WA/OR summer heat. Might just warranty replace it but wondering if there are any better options out there.

I installed the ESI ROK Block gasketing to help with the seams in the tailgate. Anyone ever tried a gasket like that instead of a flap?

Dust flap in question.



Glamour shot from last night.

 

[yfarm]

Reinstall with black 3m 5200 won’t ever come off. Bulb seal all 3 sides of the tailgate.
Best dust control is positive pressure inside the topper ala Caravan Camper Shells of Reno NV. Have considered installing 4” solar powered marine vent in the forward roof of mine to duplicate what Caravan does or remove the rear cab window and forward shell window and use the truck hvac to produce the pressure.

 

[Justin Crossley]

The vent in my RSI Smartcap keeps most the dust out of my truck and I havent even sealed the tailgate gaps.

 

[Wheels]

There are so many holes in the truck bed that’s it’s almost impossible to seal it off.

 

[go4thegusto]

I worked on this years ago. The cab vent on the truck is typically between the cab and box. If you look in there with fan on high and not recirculate you will see, hear, the air blowing out. Earlier Chevy I did had about a 10X3 vent with louvers that pop open.
I cut a picture frame of high density 3 inch foam and worked it in between box and cab. Pain in butt but managed to do it from below with assistance from above using push sticks like broom handle, 1X2 etc.
I found some pop in plastic round vents and drilled holes with a hole saw in box to "pressurize" the box. I would put fan on high when I transition to gravel. Put positive pressure in box. Worked fabulously! Should have patented it. LOL
Was also going to experiment with wheelbarrow class tube and inflate in place. Never got around to that one.
The key is positive pressure in box. I have heard of putting a fan on topper front to do same. Would need rain louver.

 

[ODB]

I use that gray insulating tubing you can find at Lowe’s. I stuff it in the tailgate cracks from the inside. I have thought about a small fan to create positive pressure - testing in the sliding window first then a Permanent mount if satisfied.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

The fiberglass canopy companies need to get on board with the positive pressure vents.

 

[RS_Non-Res]

Can any owners here confirm that the RSI Smartcap has a passive air scoop just in front of the rear cross bar? or is there a fan in there? I gotta look for aftermarket accessories. Maybe marine? +1 @SteveAndTheCrigBoys

 

[Backyard]

A tube of clear silicone for the seam all around the bed inside. And a roll of tailgate weatherstrip sealed mine real well. And it was far cheaper than $3,500-4,000 for an RSI.


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[GreenNDark Timber]

- Silicone around perimeter of bed
- Zip tape over any holes in bed
- Amazon kit that includes EPDM rubber seal for bottom of tailgate to bed and bulb seals for up each side of tailgate to bed
- Rubber seal at top of bed rails where camper sits

I did the above and eliminated 95% of dust from getting in my shell, all for about $50

 

[wapitibob]

Very little dust gets in when I have the tonneau cover on the truck. I remove the cover and bedrug when hauling the atv.

 

[BULLBLASTER]

Just leave the slider on the front of the canopy open.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Just leave the slider on the front of the canopy open.

I’ll have to try that next time.

 

[TSAMP]

Just leave the slider on the front of the canopy open.

I do this on mine nearly 24/7. I did it in a nasty t storm this summer and didn't want to stop to close it. My dogs were inside and when we got through I stopped and they were dry as can be. Couldn't believe how little water got through.

 

[SteveAndTheCrigBoys]

Just leave the slider on the front of the canopy open.

This has worked far better than I thought it would. No longer pursuing any further dust-proofing methods. You can see the amount of positive airflow getting in there thanks to my sleeping bag floating above 40mph.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Just leave the slider on the front of the canopy open.

Is it better to just crack it open or full blast?


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[BULLBLASTER]

It doesnt matter how much. Just eliminating the negative pressure.