# Pick up truck bed question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 25, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554 "2011-09-25T14:50:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/1 "2011-09-25T14:50:26Z")
I have not owned any pickups since 1974, but ave just purchased a new one. I am installing a [back flip](https://www.bakfactoryoutlet.com/bakflip-1/bakflip-g2.html) hard tonneau as well as a “[bed rug](http://www.bedrug.com/products/bedrug.php)”. I’ve also ordered a seal for the tailgate. This should make it pretty well water and dust resistant. I’ll be carrying shooting gear including shotguns etc. so I’d like to keep it as dry as possible. There are seams in the truck bed that are somewhat open, in some cases the ground is visible. I’m thinking of caulking these seams to minimize water spray intrusion. The caulk could always be pulled off if it creates a problem. If water does get in, I can always leave the tonneau open until it dries. Any insight is appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/2 "2011-09-25T17:05:44Z")
Instead of doing the rug and tailgate cover look for a company in your area that does spray-in bed liners. Completely seals your pick up bed. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/3 "2011-09-25T19:58:38Z")
I’ve had experience with those in trucks owned by others. For my purposes they are not so good. Ever crawl around on one with short pants? Or after it’s been sitting in the sun? Not so nice. The bed rug is cushioned and the surface won’t scratch any gun finishes. I did consider that the spray on liners do seal all the seams, so I did caulk the seams on mine about an hour ago. I can always remove the caulk if I need to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/4 "2011-09-25T22:27:02Z")
I’d be afraid of water errosion. The holes were put there for a reason. In your case I’d focus more on some rugged gun cases. Just currious, what did you caulk it with? ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/5 "2011-09-26T00:12:53Z")
That’s a valid observation, but the cover should keep 99% of water out. The caulk was to prevent wheel spray from entering from underneath. I caulked it with DAP 3.0 Advance All-Purpose Sealant. It’s clear, so not at all noticeable, though the bed rug will cover it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/6 "2011-09-27T15:07:36Z")
If you need a sealed storage area, why didn’t you just get an SUV and leave out the 3rd row seating? Would be a lot easier and ensure a dry storage area for your valuable weaponry. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/7 "2011-09-27T15:36:00Z")
I’ve never really seen water splashing up enough to worry about, but if enough gets in to make a puddle, it can take forever to drain out. I would drill drain holes and close them off with hole plugs so they’d be there if needed. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2011, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pick-up-truck-bed-question/597554/8 "2011-09-27T16:12:59Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > If you need a sealed storage area, why didn’t you just get an SUV and leave out the 3rd row seating? Would be a lot easier and ensure a dry storage area for your valuable weaponry. If the OP doesn’t need extra passenger space, an SUV with third row seating is going to cost a lot more than a small pickup.