Never had a leak at the rear fold. That seems wrong.

 

That sounds worse than the typical small leaks. I think I'd take a shot at a warranty replacement/repair.

 

much worse than a small leak . Dealer and Honda say this is acceptable and will not do any thing. this pick was taken after truck was in the driveway for 1 hour in average rain

 

I was just about to ask how good the OEM cover is…sorry, nothing to add…just subscribing.

 

I don't think it's really reasonable to expect tonneau covers to not leak. I also think it's probably not a good idea to put anything in the back of your truck that will violently react to water. Or that you care about getting wet.

Check the foam along the bottom of the panels. I'd guess it's probably compressed and hardening, so it won't seal as well. Foam breaks down and does this.

 

I don't think it's really reasonable to expect tonneau covers to not leak. I also think it's probably not a good idea to put anything in the back of your truck that will violently react to water. Or that you care about getting wet.

Check the foam along the bottom of the panels. I'd guess it's probably compressed and hardening, so it won't seal as well. Foam breaks down and does this.

Only a few months old, less than 2000 miles on truck, my 2017 never leaked like this

That's not good. I'd take a shot at their corporate CS and see what happens. You don't make any of the shots you don't take. That is much worse than mine.

I tried to cal Honda corporate and felt like they were scolding me for calling

 

Check the foam? What seals the cover to the truck bed? A lining of foam. Has the foam become compressed? Is it stiff and dry? Has it shifted? Are you sure it hasn't?

 

Tarp under tonneau

 

Soft-side cartop carrier under tonneau cover.

 

Funny, I had essentially no leaking with my OEM cover until they just did the safety recall. Still not terrible, and doesn't matter much to me, but I definitely have more leakage now.

 

Safety recall?

Steve

 

There is a recall on the Honda cover. I understand there was a potential issue of a back panel section coming loose & ripping off in wind turbulence at highway speeds. Basically they attach safety straps to the rear section.

 

I never take things in for recalls. Dealership mechanics always make things worse.

The worst dealership mechanics were the ones fixing my Renault Turbo Fuego. While not fixing the tachometer, the mechanics managed to crack the entire instrument panel gauge cluster face. Then they delivered it to me. The big noise you heard in 1983 was me exploding. I made them take the instrument panel out of one of their showroom cars. Or I was going to.

 

The recall happened late 2020. Would probably depend on his mfg date. He can also look to see if his has the safety tethers for the rear most panel.

 

Got it. Thanks Ron!

Steve

 

I had the Honda OEM bed cover on my 2017 BE and then moved it to my 2019 RTLE. Had the recall performed. There was always some minor leaking around the edges of the cover, but basically no leaks in the middle part of the cover. The leaks around the edges were so minor that I would have no problem putting luggage or anything else in the back during rain. My new 2021 RTLE that came with the OEM bed cover from the factory, leaks all over the place NOT just on the edges. It leaks to the point that I would not feel comfortable putting anything in the back during a rain storm. I have it on the list of things for the dealer to check at my first servicing. They obviously changed something in the seams where it folds because the original cover never leaked in those areas.

 

Keep us posted after your appointment with the dealer.

I bought an OEM cover for my 2021 RTL-E. Interested in anything you may find out.

 

I knew the 2017s were going to be the best ones.

 

Thought I'd drop in this note since I trashed the OEM for leaking after the recall fix a few posts above. It struck me the other day to just check the seals under the cover. Apparently whoever re-mounted the cover at the dealer after the fix just threw it on. I took it off, cleaned the "leaf" seals under it and carefully replaced it on the bed. All the new leaks are gone. So I think I learned a lesson to always give good care when re-mounting it on the bed to keep the leaks down. Still not completely water tight, but totally good enough for me.

 

Minimizing Accessory Tonneau Cover Leaks

AFFECTED VEHICLES
2017ꟷ21 Ridgeline

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article revises the one posted in March 2017.

The accessory tonneau cover for the 2017ꟷ21 Ridgeline isn’t waterproof. Water can enter the pickup bed, resulting in wet cargo. We clearly state this in the user’s information manual.
If you get a vehicle in for a leaking tonneau cover, there are several things you can do for your customer that will help minimize leaks:

• Make sure none of the seals are damaged. If any seals are damaged, you’ll need to replace the tonneau cover.
• Make sure the cover is properly seated.
• Make sure the cover is securely fastened.

Customers can also help minimize leaks by following these guidelines, which are included in the user’s information manual:

• Don’t drive the vehicle without the cover securely fastened.
• Don’t place cargo on the cover or sit on it when it’s folded up.
• Be careful not to damage the rear brackets when loading and unloading cargo.

 

What have others done to fill the large channels near the front of the box to keep water out? If I fill those openings, I think my cover will be quite tight.

 

Here you go!

How to Make the G2 Bed More Watertight

Part I It's a truism that no truck cover is entirely watertight. What's not tossed around so much, but is equally valid, is that most cover and truck pairings have an optimal position. Find that spot and water leakage will be reduced. Some covers or truck beds need a little help to do their...

www.ridgelineownersclub.com

 

I have been debating getting the OEM vs a more expensive Diamond Back, which I think is claimed to be water tight. ( I checked, it is. They claim "
DRY GEAR NO MATTER THE WEATHER.".
Interesting to see that Honda flat out says "The accessory tonneau cover for the 2017-21 Ridgeline isn’t waterproof. Water can enter the pickup bed, resulting in wet cargo. We clearly state this in the user’s information manual.".

 

Oh yeah..you get the manual AFTER you buy the tonneau.

 

If I get a tonneau cover, I will probably just get a 25cf soft cartop carrier to put under the tonneau to keep things dry.

 

I put small pieces of foam rubber in the crevices of the bed and lay the OEM tonneau over them. Not really had any big water problems through some very big storms.
I appreciate the ability to remove the tonneau in a few moments more than chasing watertight integrity.

 

It seems the OEM cover on my truck leaks as well. Had my hockey gear under the cover, but out of the bag to air out. Found my skates were soaked when getting dressed for a game the other night. Will have to do some more investigation to try and find the source.

 

It seems the OEM cover on my truck leaks as well.

Most aren’t water tight. They “leak”. My OEM one does. Rain finds its way into the gaps there at the seals by the back window on the rail tops.
But…the thing was never advertised or claimed to be water tight - in my experience anyways.
There’s way to minimize it. Search the forum. There’s a ton of posts with videos and tips. Like this very one in fact.
Or you can buy one that claims to be sealed, like diamond backs. After all, it’s only money, right!?

 

I have the O.E. Before installing I sealed the front corners with strip caulk, & spread a thin film of SHIN-ITSU silicone grease on all the rubber seals contact area. This wasn't meant to create an additional seal, but to allow the rubber seals to lay in the proper position by making them easier to slide into place with out them getting misaligned. There is very little water getting in. Like some have said, it isn't going to be water tight.

 

Thanks for the info. Dont know if the dealer did a proper installation, but one of these days I'll try and tighten it up.

 

Willing to bet they did not position the front seal correctly. I lay in the box with a light under the front of the cover. With the front fasteners loose, lift slightly and slide the cover toward the front, then let it down. You will see the front gasket uniformly compress the full width of the front of the box.

 

That's pretty bad, and why I avoided the OEM and went with a Bakflip 4. It leaks, but mostly when at the car wash and up towards the front.

 

I know of an assistant service manager at a local Honda dealer that went through 3 on his his RL before he had one that wouldn't leak. This was fall/winter of 2021.

 

My $234 North Mountain soft roll-up cover doesn't leak a bit, even in Florida monsoons BUT, water will pool on it, no matter how tight you get it.