Replacing bed rail cap

I have a ARE fiberglass tonneau cover on my 2019 PRO. Im removing and selling it tomorow. Im replacing it with a Diamonback HD. My problem is this. The ARE cover I assume wasnt aligned correctly by the previous owner and it was rubbing the body right where the plastic bed rail and tailgate caps meet the body. Now it has multiple wear spots right down to the bare steel. I was looking to replace the bed rail and tailgate caps with something that will extend down the body an inch or so to cover the wear spots. Then I was considering having a spray in liner place remove the caps and sprayline just over the edge to cover the wear spots. Anyone have this issue or any advice?? Im open to all suggestions. Thanks guys

 

Pictures will help get you a better solution. What you proposed sounds good without seeing it.

 

Will post pics in a bit. Finishing up at work then go out in the rain

 

I used to buy some bed rail cap material on a roll from jc Whitney years ago. I think Amazon has similar stuff. Just google rubber bed rail cap material or similar.

 

My personal solution would be to take the plastic caps off, go have the area linexed just beyond where the paint has rubbed through. Then install your old caps or get some new ones and snap them down on top of it. Probably hardly notice it. I actually wish I had removed my caps when I got my bed sprayed so they could do an over the rail lining job. Then put my caps back on.

 

Thank you all for the advice. There is definitely no rust yet. The last pic looks like it but its the lighting and the reflection of my shirt. I think im going to Linex it and then reinstall the plastic caps. Thanks again

 

Is there an aftermarket bed rail + tailgate cap? I've looked but haven't found one.

 

Nothing i saw either. So im just gonna do the Linex and pht the old bed rails back on

 

I’m in the same boat but can’t find any aftermarket rail covers that would hide it.
Please let us know how the caps fit back on after lineX.

I’m worried the caps won’t snap back on with the thickness of the lineX.

 

Did this wind up working?! I have the same issue and a linex shop said they wouldn’t recommend doing it because the oem
Bed rail cap clips wouldn’t fit back in the holes properly since you’re effectively adding a few millimeters height.
Thanks!

 

I honestly cant tell you. I have never used the OEM clamps. They are still in the factory packaging

 

But did you line x and put bed rail caps back on? If so how did you secure the bed rails? Do you have any photos of your solution? Sorry for all the questions; Would love to see how you did this.

I’m not familiar with the clamps. All I know is that the oem bed rails have tiny plastic clips Built in. Are those the same ones you’re referring to.

 

Line x is probably the most realistic and cheapest solution.

 

Yeah I agree! But my only concern with that is the bed rail caps going back on properly after line x is put on. There are clips on that plastic bed rail cap and slots on the metal bed rail … the thickness of the line x may interfere with it going back on right.

or are you saying just use line x and forget about putting the bed rail caps back on entirely?

 

You have a point, I dont think you can do away with the bed rail caps if you are using the diamondback. I have it too and dont see a way for it to seal up properly without the caps.

 

I have a diamondback and you definitely need to re-install the bed rail caps. I didn’t go the Linex route. I used some Raptor liner from a previous project. I went with two light coats. I pulled the tape immediately after spraying and then let it dry. I then used a few 1/2 copper fitting brushes to clean out the slots and holes for the plastic clips on the underside of the bed rails. I also bought new bed rail caps because a few of the plastic clips broke during removal. Sorry no pics of the job in progress but I will take a few of the completed job tomorow in the light.

 

thanks man! Much appreciated. ideally I take a similar route. Would love to see how it turned out whenever you have time to send pics.

yeah definitely want to use the bed rail caps again. I’ll buy new ones. I’m getting a GoFastCamper in a few weeks and it lines up / seals nicely flush on top of the bed rail caps.

 

Where are you all getting new bed rail caps? I have a 20121 Tundra double cab 6.5" bed and cannot find them anywhere. Any help is appreciated. They ar going under a Super Pacific. Thanks.

 

Ebay has for 2.5 gen less than 100$ for pair ,not as perfect as Oem but close enough compared to oe price $175 each

 

I had a diamondback hd on my 2020 for a couple years and the weight and/or clamping force of the cover combined with the movement of the bed sides when you hit bumps causes it to flex. Eventually the paint under the plastic bed rail caps where they sit on top of the bed sides will also wear through.

Removing the plastic caps and doing linex or similar is definitely a good option. You should also run a bead of silicone under the caps before putting them back on, especially at the front corners near the cab. This is the main water entry point with a diamondback cover.

 

When I took my bed rail caps off for installation of my DiamondBack SE, I placed PPF underneath them to protect the paint on the bed rails. You can trim the PPF right up to the bed rail caps and you can't even see it. The shims that DiamondBack includes with the tonneau cover kit keep the bed rail caps from compressing/deforming when you bolt down the DiamondBack center section. I placed some 40 lbs. bags of bird seed on the 4 corners of the cover before I adjusted the locking rods and don't have any leaks.

 

BradleyBB, I have a 2011 Tundra. Do you 9or does anyone) know if the Gen 2.5 cap will fit on a Gen 2?

 

No

 

No it won't fit? Or no you don't know? If you know that it won't fit I'm curious if you know the difference between those two versions. I asked because I just bought a super Pacific that they say fits on all Gen 2 tundras, but if there's a difference between them it would be good to know. Thanks again for your help.

 

I hate to drag this old thread back up, but I’m having the same issue as this guy. I have a 2012 with a 6.5 bed. I want to take the bed rail caps off and clean out underneath them, but I’m afraid the clips will break and I’ll be SOL. There are countless bed rail caps for sale on eBay, but they are all labeled for 2014-19. Anyone know if those have the same clip positions as the 2012?

 

I ripped mine off thinking I was going to replace them because they were pretty beat up. I ended up putting them back on because it's out of budget at the moment. I ripped maybe 2-3 clips off, total (both sides). It all went back on w/o a problem and stays where it should be.

 

Thanks, that makes me feel better about pulling them. I went to the dealership after exhausting eBay and parts websites and they quoted me $199 per side

 

I also broke a few clips when I removed mine a few years ago, and it hasn't been an issue. I would still like to swap them for something other than the plastic ones due to the fact that they compress so much when clamped...