Gap between tailgate and bed: dirt.

[surewin]

I recently purchased and installed a MOPAR four panel folding hardtop cover for my 2021 ram 1500 Laramie 6‘4“ bed The bed functions as advertised however I get a lot of dirt in the very back of the bed at the tailgate and I’m just wondering if there is some kind of fix for covering the gap between the tailgate and the bed. I do not have a drop in liner or the bed mat if I had either one of those do you think that would keep dirt out of the bed? THANKS

 

[bigred2211]

Look for a tailgate gasket. Will not be perfect, but will prevent most dirt/dust. They sell them vehicle specific or universal size, you can cut to size.

 

[surewin]

Thank you that’s a good idea

 

[DB Cooper]

I recently purchased and installed a MOPAR four panel folding hardtop cover for my 2021 ram 1500 Laramie 6‘4“ bed The bed functions as advertised however I get a lot of dirt in the very back of the bed at the tailgate and I’m just wondering if there is some kind of fix for covering the gap between the tailgate and the bed. I do not have a drop in liner or the bed mat if I had either one of those do you think that would keep dirt out of the bed? THANKS

I have new 2022 same size as you, what I've done in the past is buy very thick (wide) squishy weather stripping and install in the gap. Worked great and I'll do the same to this truck as well. Can buy at Home Depot / Lowes

 

[SKS 800]

Depending on what you use your truck for, a bed rug works great. I had two trucks with the bed rug and a topper and it stayed pretty clean in back.

 

[mikeru]

Something like this maybe?...

GapShield Tailgate Gap Cover

GapShield keeps loose debris out of tailgate gap, fits all trucks,

www.ecoological.com

 

[Dean2]

Something like this maybe?...

GapShield Tailgate Gap Cover

GapShield keeps loose debris out of tailgate gap, fits all trucks,

www.ecoological.com

Those work really well as long as you don't slide stuff in and out of the box. If you want something slide friendly mount weather stripping on the vertical edge of the box at the back edge below where the tailgate mates up.

 

[SaintlySins]

I LOVE the Gap Shield Cover, yet it's only part of the solution for me. I reconfigured the way the Gap Shield Cover connects so it can be installed and removed somewhat quickly as I rarely use the bed for small particulates.

As @DB Cooper stated first, get some heavy duty (firm - as the squishy stuff falls apart quickly), wide, weather stripping and apply around the opening of the tailgate enclosure.

My experience is the stock adhesive on the weather stripping will fail in about 2 to 3 months which I'm sure is commensurate with how often you open/close the tailgate. I ended up using Contact Cement to make it stick, going all the way around the frame of the opening the tailgate seats into. It's been almost a year now and no issues.

The one thing to note there will be a little resistance just before the tailgate latches as the weather stripping starts to compress between the opening and the tailgate, so it'll require a firm closing the first dozen or so times.

I know it's a long answer, but I'm a bit of a perfectionist ... yet my bed stays both dirt, dust and almost entirely dry, even through the car wash.

Hope this helps

 

[RAZ175]

I use a universal tailgate seal. Sticks well and keeps the dirt out.

Amazon.com

 

[brian42]

I got a universal tailgate seal with my soft tri-fold. I used some logical creativity to install it. So far it's kept dirt and moisture out.

 

[bigred2211]

Depending on what you use your truck for, a bed rug works great. I had two trucks with the bed rug and a topper and it stayed pretty clean in back.

Have done that in the past...you're right, worked great.

 

[bigred2211]

I got a universal tailgate seal with my soft tri-fold. I used some logical creativity to install it. So far it's kept dirt and moisture out.

View attachment 490625

View attachment 490626

View attachment 490627

Nice...may have to copy this.

 

[brian42]

Nice...may have to copy this.

I burned up some length for "testing" and this was the best solution I could come up with. So far it's been working great.

I flipped the seal along the bottom since it was tough to shut the 'normal' way (gasket edge up). The instructions for mine told me to "flip" the seal for the bottom edge (the thin edge with adhesive on the top and the larger gasket edge down) if the gate is tough to shut.

 

[DB Cooper]

I got a universal tailgate seal with my soft tri-fold. I used some logical creativity to install it. So far it's kept dirt and moisture out.

View attachment 490625

View attachment 490626

View attachment 490627

That looks perfect, I may add this to my 22 as well

 

[tron67j]

I use a tarp, and it lets me pull the last remaining material out instead of shoveling and sweeping. I carry topsoil, 3/8 to 2" rock, branches and leaves and shovel/rake over and into it. Works great for me

 

[SantaCaras]

Duct Tape. Comes in all colors to match now! Probly hundreds!! Back in my day all we had was tha Universal Gray. So to answer your question about the gap…… Duct Tape!!

 

[BlackSheepRebel]

I have new 2022 same size as you, what I've done in the past is buy very thick (wide) squishy weather stripping and install in the gap. Worked great and I'll do the same to this truck as well. Can buy at Home Depot / Lowes

I did the same. 3M “D shape” small gap (up to 1/4”) worked perfectly and you can get 5ft for around $10. I’m sure you can pay less, but trust the 3M adhesive.

I thought the gap would be less of an issue with official cover, but guess that is a hard area to address regardless. It sure seems like the factory should have done a better job at sealing some of these gaps.

 

[TC Retired]

Yes, I was less than impressed with the Truck when I installed my hard topper and seen how big it was. Put the Gasket (that came with my topper) just on the bed. Now that I have used the Truck more wish I would have planned out the install better.

Moral of the story -- don't just stick it to the bed but rather take the suggestions and hide it around the lip of the Tailgate...

 

[David James]

I recently purchased and installed a MOPAR four panel folding hardtop cover for my 2021 ram 1500 Laramie 6‘4“ bed The bed functions as advertised however I get a lot of dirt in the very back of the bed at the tailgate and I’m just wondering if there is some kind of fix for covering the gap between the tailgate and the bed. I do not have a drop in liner or the bed mat if I had either one of those do you think that would keep dirt out of the bed? THANKS

 

[David James]

Recommend a weatherstripping you can buy at a big box or ma and pa. Thick is good. 3M adhesive makes it better. Attach to inside lip of the tailgate near the bottom and wrap it up. You’ll be good to go for less than a sawbuck.