Flated camper shell - a question for owners

I wanted a quick method to keep items dry and safe while in transport of my bed, wihtout adding a ton of weight or inconvenience. Saw an ad for the Flated air topper and decided to give it a shot.
Install was simple and easy, AND something I can do by myself. So, after use, I can take it off, deflate it, and store til next time. Exactly what I wanted.
But..
The seal on the front of the camper shell - right behind the truck rear window, isn't. There substantial gaps that will, no doubt, allow water in when traveling in rain.
I was wondering if anyone else has the Flated shell have you solved this issue? Is there something I can use to reduce that gap?

PS I am not complaining about this thing at all. It's impossible to make one item that would fit every truck bed, and other than fitment there is nothing to complain about with this. It's tough, rugged, light, easy to work with, and convenient.

 

@Swalters

 

The actual manufacturer name is 'Flated'

 

Any photos?

 

Couldn't you add a flap across the front that would simply slip between the cab and the bed. Maybe have it drop down in there 5" or so. Thinking maybe just a strip of rubber roofing material could be glued on there. No?

Another option: Ask the manufacturer if they could supply you with a scrap of material and some adhesive or suggest sources for such.

 

Chiming in here. New 2021 Tundra owner, but coming from and still having the Tacoma in my avatar. Before buying the Tundra, I bought a Flated shell used that popped up locally, for my Tacoma. My thought was to reduce the weight of my Taco enough to tow our RPod more easily, but I went ahead and bought the Tundra. I looked into what others have done to make it more water tight. As others suggested, try creating your own flap or varying up widths and styles of bulb seals. Also, loosening one corner might allow you to seal that corner better. I’m not sure if Flated has a forum, but I jumped on chat one morning, and I think it was the owner that was answering my questions. Good luck, and let us know how it works out.

 

https://youtu.be/p7isG6kF_0g
Here's the shell install. You can see the gaps up front I was talking about. There are a couple other youtube vids on it out there as well.
I'm gonna try some rubber hoses for gaskets and see how they do.

 

Pipe insulation over the front bed rail might work.

 

If this contraption is a forever headache, you might want to look at a Soft Topper brand folding unit as a replacement option. Pretty decent!

 

I haven't had a single issue with mine leaking or allowing water inside. I just camped with it at glamis with heavy winds and only had a small amount of sand get in at the corners above the tailgate. I thought about adding a velcro strip to the back door flap and the tailgate if it was bad. But I've traveled with it in pouring rain and my bed was dry. Do a hose test and see if it actually leaks or if you're just assuming.

 

This is probably the best photo I have of the back. It zips on both sides and there's velcro on both sides to secure it to the camper itself.

 

I saw one of these in person recently and was pretty impressed with how stout and sturdy it looked.

 

I think it has its place, but as with other soft tops, cargo might be a knife slit away from easy reach. Just something to consider.

 

To remove mine the other day, I literally stood in the bed, lifted up and threw it to the ground. The CEOs river raft with theirs and they've drug one behind a quad before. It's like inflatable paddle board matieral.

 

Yes, but realistically the cargo in my nice secure hard tonneau is probably only a large screwdriver away from easy reach.

"Security" is an illusion that only keeps honest people honest.

The locked shell on my old truck used to pop open from the wind vortex when towing my trailer.

 

I have an inflatable SUP and it's crazy how rigid that thing is with just 15 psi in it.

What PSI do you inflate the shell to?

 

I totally agree. However, imagine stopping by somewhere while traveling and come out to find your topper slashed and half of your stuff still in the truck and it's starting to rain heavily. Maybe not horrific if close to home and a short trip, but if the first night on a fifteen day trip with the family to Yosemite or something similar I'd rather deal with a popped lock. Just my .02.

 

Like 6-8 psi. They recommend 5-8 and it's pretty solid at the 8psi.

 

I would like to see the product keep evolving. They have some very cool videos out of the durability of the tops. Sure, someone could slice into it, just as easily as a soft top. I’m not sure how much more secure regular topper glass is to breakage, but if a thief wants in, they will get in. That being said, it might not be the right choice for a permanent expo truck, but to be able to put it up on a shelf when not in use and install it by yourself if you need the covered cargo area is a niche. Flated should make “base plates” for different trucks and take the guess work out of making it water tight. Just an idea.

 

Installed it because it's supposed to rain tomorrow

 

100% That's why my last one had this



And my new one has this



I actually feel a little better about the tonneau just 'cuz they can't look in a window and see what's in there.

 

"Oh baby, you got me so 'flated!"

(Not you... her.)

 

This

 

These definitely have some pros. Lighter weight, storable.

Is the insulation value a major pro? I’m assuming these are pretty insulated, and this helps with cold weather camping.

 

Felt awesome in 40 degree temps, it doesn't get too cold here in Arizona haha I know the Flated employees live up north somewhere and camp out of theirs in freezing temps. I still need more time with it for a true review but so far it's amazing. I can remove it myself (I'm a 115lb tiny female), it's nice that I can deflate it to store it, I love the fully removable windows, the tint on the windows is nice so others can't see in and it has some mesh pockets inside to store my small stuff. I don't regret it at all. And it fits both my 1st and 2nd gen and my 1st gen has fiberglass bedsides.

 

The one I bought for my Tacoma is stored on the top shelf of one my garage shelving units, not having to hang it from the ceiling joists.

 

I read your post again and now my brain comprehends that you're concerned about the cab seal. So, it's really hard to see in my photo, but that seal actually rests between my bed and cab. I have to go inside and use my fingers to stuff it behind the bed if that makes sense. It's just been parked at work but it's pouring here and I have zero leaking with no water in my bed at all. Not sure how yours fits since mine is a 2011. It fits my 2004 the same in between the cab and bed.