LOGIN
1800 769 577
How to make your tub dust proof
Posted on 24 February 2023 by Utemaster
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your favourite camping destination only to find the gear in your tub is covered in dust. This can add unnecessary stress to your trip and damage your gear. To avoid situations like this, it's crucial to ensure that your ute tub is properly sealed.
Where does dust come into the tub?
1) Gaps in the tailgate
2) Factory holes at the front of the tub
3) Lack of sealing on your Ute tub accessory
In this article, we'll take a look at the best ways to seal your tub so you don’t have to worry about your next adventure.
How is the dust getting in my tailgate?
Ute tubs come standard with gaps in the tailgate which are designed to
prevent the tub from filling up with water.
However, these gaps allow dust to enter the tub when driving due to the flow
of air as shown in the diagram below.
Without positive air pressure in the tub, the gaps mentioned above allow dust to enter through the tailgate. This is why it's important to seal the tub using a “tailgate seal kit” which prevents the vacuum effect where air is drawn into the tub.
A tailgate seal kit is made from rubber material and is designed to fill the gaps in the side of the tailgate and along the bottom.
Here are some things to consider when purchasing a tailgate seal kit:
• Check that the tailgate sealing kit is compatible with your vehicle's make and model.
• Some tailgate seal kits are only compatible with tub liners.
• Make sure you install a tailgate seal along the bottom in addition to the two
vertical tailgate sealers to cover all possible entry paths for dust.
Factory Holes
Some models of the Next Gen Ranger such as the Raptor do not come standard with a plastic liner, this leaves large gaps exposed at the front of the tub which allows water and dust to enter the tub if not sealed properly.
Utemaster have a spray liner seal kit designed to work with their products, it prevents dust and water from entering the tub. The diagram below shows where this is placed:
Sealing your Ute Tub Accessory
Tub accessories that are not tailor-made for specific ute models often have gaps or do not seal perfectly to the vehicle.
To ensure that your ute tub remains dust-proof, it's essential to ensure that any accessory you plan to use is designed for your specific model of ute. It's also important to do some research into the weatherproofing systems of your tub accessory.
Load-Lid Weatherproofing Methods
The Load-Lid is designed with a high-quality automotive bulb seal that provides a seal between the tub of your ute and the lid. This helps to prevent dust from coming in. The Load-Lid is also model specific so the shape and form of the hard lid fits perfectly with the tub.
Centurion Canopy Weatherproofing Methods
The Centurion Canopy also features an automotive bulb seal.
In addition, each canopy is designed to fit the unique dimensions of each ute model, so the canopy's shape seamlessly matches the tub.
Conclusion
A good adventure should be hastle free!
With the right combination of tailgate seal kit and ute tub accessory you can
effectively prevent dust from entering your tub.
To find out more on Utemasters products head to the link below: