Sealing gaps in box bed
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 1
From: Christiansburg, VA
I have a camper top and bedrug so those definitely help. We camp in the truck from time to time so I've been focusing on keeping out water and bugs (mosquitos love me for some reason). I just added the factory tailgate seal recently and that helps a lot too. But there were a couple of areas I haven't yet figured out how to seal. Since the interior bottom corners of the tailgate are rounded, Ford attaches them to the bed with a pair of L-shaped brackets. This leaves a gap between the interior 90° angle of the bracket and the exterior curve of the corner. There's also a gap at the tailgate latch posts since there's no tailgate face to seal to there.
American member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 6,651
Likes: 1,063
From: North of Boston Ma.
I have a camper top and bedrug so those definitely help. We camp in the truck from time to time so I've been focusing on keeping out water and bugs (mosquitos love me for some reason). I just added the factory tailgate seal recently and that helps a lot too. But there were a couple of areas I haven't yet figured out how to seal. Since the interior bottom corners of the tailgate are rounded, Ford attaches them to the bed with a pair of L-shaped brackets. This leaves a gap between the interior 90° angle of the bracket and the exterior curve of the corner. There's also a gap at the tailgate latch posts since there's no tailgate face to seal to there.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Here's a quick video I put together showing how to seal the gaps of your truck bed with silicone sealant and the drain areas to avoid. I also have a seal along the tailgate to prevent additional dust.
How to Seal a Truck Bed
How to Seal a Truck Bed
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 3
I believe I used Truxseal universal tailgate seal from Truxedo. I included a link below to it on Amazon.
Truxseal
Truxseal
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 141
From: Coastal NC
There are noticeable gaps between the bed floor and the sides of my 2016 box. I'd like to seal these up - as I'm getting a ton of dirt & dust in the box because of this.
From what I've gathered, a person can use silicone - as long as it's safe for aluminum and doesn't contain any acid? I've read that the acetic acid generated during curing will cause the aluminum to corrode.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good silicone to use - or any other ideas to seal the box up?
From what I've gathered, a person can use silicone - as long as it's safe for aluminum and doesn't contain any acid? I've read that the acetic acid generated during curing will cause the aluminum to corrode.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a good silicone to use - or any other ideas to seal the box up?
Weathertech bedliner does the trick
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 136
Likes: 55
From: Southeast
I'd stay away from silicone- reason being it leaves a residue that makes resealing very difficult. Silicone won't stick well to silicone.
As for aluminum compatability- you aren't sealing to aluminum- you are sealing to the paint on the aluminum....LOL
As for aluminum compatability- you aren't sealing to aluminum- you are sealing to the paint on the aluminum....LOL
