Just noticed a few spots along the rocker panels that have bubbled up. I poked a hole in a few with my knife and water came out. Any ideas how this water could be getting underneath the paint? It's a 2012 extended cab, which I didn't think had rusting issues at the cab corners (usually only happens in crew cabs). I plan on applying a coat of bed liner along the rockers this summer when I get some time but would like to address the bubbles first.

 

Clean out the inside of your rockers. Chances are you have a small sandbox going on in there which is holding in moisture.

 

Makes sense...must be so full of junk that the moisture can't make it's way back out.

 

I'm not sure exactly what the rockers look like on the Extended Cabs, but on the Screws there is adhesive tape covering holes that you can flush out with water. Once you do that you'll see how much sand and crap is coming out.

 

I'm not sure I want to see how bad it is I'll take a look this afternoon.

 

if you have water pockets that are captured and entering from behind the paint, it's going to be ugly

 

It is what it is now. I'll do my best to fix it and move on. I haven't found any soft spots. It almost seems like water was trapped under the paint when it was applied (although I know this can't be true). I've noticed some small bubbles along the top of the rocker panel where you would step up into the truck where the rear door latches, and there are a few other spots along the rear cab corners at the bottom. I tried forcing a knife through the corner of the cab to see if it's rusted all the way through but all I accomplished was "bursting the bubble". Water came out but I couldn't force the knife through the sheet metal. I have no clue why all these small bubbles are showing up.

Any ideas on the best way to address the repair?

 

Scratch that. Rockers are shot. Pushed my finger through the passenger side today. Didn't really expect that on a 2012.

 

A buddy of mine had his rockers go in his 2011 Screw last year. He lives down a dirt road and goes off roading often so his rockers were most likely filled with dirt. You're probably looking at $1500 give or take to get them taken care of. I also doubt it's covered under your warranty.

 

$1500 doesn't sound terrible. And I know it's a long shot but I'm still going to have the dealer look at it (they have a body shop). I found a few soft spots but most of it is solid. I traded in a 2006 extended cab FX4 last year and the rockers were solid as hell in that. I just can't believe it's happened in a truck that is only 5 years old, although the previous owner probably never cleaned them out or cleaned under the truck. There are no spots rusted all the way through, just a few soft spots. I'm wondering if I should have them fixed now or wait another year.