Is a tailgate seal any use?
 

I've noticed that many Internet stores sell these with a "free" tailgate seal. Obviously this is to keep water out, but is it necessary to get one of these when adding a bed cover? Do they work? Does a lot of water really come up through the tailgate when the bed is covered? I really don't want this, unless there is some compelling reason for it. Thanks.

It depends on what you are going to do with the bed of the truck. If it only carries boxes or other contained items. Then it might work just fine. But if you haul stone, mulch or other heavy items that may way down the seal and damage it. Then I would suggest you do what I did. Give the seal away.

It also seals out dust. Some peeps have pretty fancy toppers, carpeted beds, etc.

As stated earlier,it mostly seals out dust/dirt.I have a Tri-Fold cover,and bedliner on my 07 long box.Im normally maticulos about keeping the bed clean.I have no tailgate seal,and do see some small amounts of grunge near the rear from time to time.:-drink

I have a tailgate seal on my '06 with my roll up tonneau. It does a good job of keeping dust, mist from wet roads, and other road grime from getting into the bed. The bed on my truck serves as a "trunk" when the wife and I travel so it was necessary for me to make sure that her bags and clothes don't get covered in potentially harmful substances. For the $30 I paid for it, it suites me just fine.

EDIT: I did notice that the tailgate closes a little more firmly with the seal, than without. Since it's a tighter fit I also feel like the tailgate doesn't rattle, etc.

Good Post! I was wondering about the tail gate seal. I have a rugged tonneau cover and bed liner so I use my bed more as a trunk. But I also had another 2010 SCAB owner tell me that there are a few sheet metal areas on the bed which could also be silicon to keep out dust and dirt. He also said I should pull the bed mate twice a year and clean out the collection of dirt.

I think you'll be surprised at the number of holes in the bed of your truck. I drive a dusty driveway, and put a seal on mine. But if you look to the front of the bed, you'll find more holes that need to be sealed as well.

You NEED those holes in the bed front. They are the drain holes!

Not if you have a cover and have sealed everything up... But you'd better not let any water in there or you'll have a portable swimming pool riding around with you.

I've wondered about the seals also. Does the seal interfere with using the bed - for example, shoveling out a load of dirt/mulch/whatever, will a shovel snag on the seal, or is it installed clear of the inside of the bed?

Here are pictures of mine. I'll let you determine for yourself. IMO you'd have to get the shovel pretty much wedged in the gap between the gate and the bed to damage the seal. I've had plenty of yard debris in the bed, but no loose gravel at this point (all my gravel was bagged) so I cannot speak to that extent.

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