I found this in the 2004-2008 forum but thought I'd ask here as well. I have a couple questions regarding routing the drain tubes into the stake pockets.

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first truck...a 2010 FX4 Luxury Screw. I plan on getting the Bakflip HD cover and Line X. I would really like to route the drain tubes through the stake pockets as shown in the above post, I would just like to know if this poses any potential issues? Do the stake pockets just drain right through to the bottom of the bed?

Also, should I drill the holes before or after I get the Line X installed? Is one way any better than the other?

Thanks in advance for any help and I look forward to joining the community here!

 

If my memory serves me there are several threads that show exactly where those drain hoses go. I myself have them going through the two small back wall access plates. They are drilled and yes if you can have these holes drilled first then the Lynx applied do it. Otherwise you should have a backup plan to coat the metal if you can. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the reply. I have read every post I can find regarding this and I understand that the instructions indicate they should go through the plugs in the front of the box. My main concern is whether it would pose any problem to drill a hole in the stake pocket and run them there.

My main reason for wanting to do this is purely for looks. I just don't like the look of the tubes running to the bottom of the box if it can be avoided.

 

FYI I have a '10 with a 5.5 bed and I don't have stake pockets (where you can remove a cap in the rail cover at least). The inside of the bed looks similar but looks like you would have to drill that hole.

 

you would think the stake pockets should be open at the bottom to allow any water to drain out. maybe try looking up from underneath the truck. I would drill first, spray some primer on it or something to help prevent rusting as an extra precaution, then apply the line-x.

I have a contact for Bakflip covers, many on here have bought from him and got a great price, email me directly if you want his info.

 

I simply stuffed a rag in the downspouts, then wrapped the bottom in a plastic baggie and rubber-banded it up. I get a very little water in the front, but otherwise the bed stays dry. By 'little' I mean after a car wash I maybe have a couple of cups of water in the front of the bed.

 

I ran the front drain tubes thru the plastic plugs in the bed. With this arrangement the only holes that had to be drilled were in an easlily replaceable part. Not pretty but it is functional. Drilling large holes in the bed of a brand new truck is permanent and can not be undone if you change your mind or decide to get rid of the bakflip. Not to mention the potential for rust. Given the quality of the bakflip, you definitely will not have it as long as you have the truck.

The bigger issue will be what to do with the rear drain lines. Bak industries did not provide a solution for disposing of the water that comes out of the back tubes, unless you consider draining them into the bed a solution. A cover that drains water into the bed is not much of a cover.

 

Thanks for the feedback. What "back tubes" are you referring to?? My understanding is that the only drain tubes are at the front of the bed and all of the water in the side rails is supposed to be channeled to the front and out the tubes.

I'll really have to think about whether I want to drill into the stake pockets. I prefer the look but like you said, if i change the cover down the road I'm stuck with permanent holes and the possibility of rust.

 

some of the longer beds may have the back drain tubes, but my 5.5 foot cover just has the front tubes. I guess if there was back ones then you'd have to drill into the rear stake pockets. You could probably find a rubber plug for the holes if ever needed.

 

I have been looking into this myself. I have the 6.5' bed. I looked through the stake pockets and they are open straight down to the ground. I don't see and issue to draining the water out through them. Mine also already has holes into the stake pockets so no need to drill.

 

Understand your concern about the tubes. I worried a lot about how it would look as well. After having the Bakflip for almost a year now, to be honest, I don't even notice them. I hardly ever have the top completely open, so almost never see them. Make a clean hole in the drain cap, and it'll look fine.

If it was me, I'd start with putting them in the drain caps. If you really don't like the look, then go to Plan B and drill the holes.

 

Perfect, that's the info I was looking for! I'm also getting the 6.5' bed but I guess I'll have to wait and see if it already has the holes as yours does.

Does anyone else have a 2010 FX4 6.5' that has these holes already there??

 

I ran mine behind my bedrug and drilled wholes in the plastic/rubber thingy so it cant be seen. otherwise i might have done this ^.

 

The older bakflip rails had drain lines only in the front. When the truck was pointed uphill, the water would run to the back & overflow the rails into the truck bed. The newer rails have drain tubes at the front & back. Unfortunately, you would have to drill holes in the bed to route the discharge from the rear tubes out of the bed. While I applaud bakflip for recognizing that drains were required at both ends of the rails, providing half of a solution by draing the water into the bed is just plain unacceptable & short sighted.
By the way I have a 5.5' bed and rear drains, so this is not just on the 6.5' beds.

 

Hi guys,

The natural stance of any ford truck is to be higher at the tailgate end and lower at the front of the truck. Water, always finding it's lowest level, will therefore naturally flow forward towards the cab when it gets into the bakflip rails. When the truck is parked up a hill, water will then flow backwards towards the tailgate and simply out the back of the bed. It's for this reason that BAK includes drain tubes in the front corners and never included drains at the rear end of the truck.

With this all said, the OEM Ford BakFlip's do indeed have OPTIONAL drain tubes in the rear corners that drain out of the pre-existing hole in the side wall of the truck. This is usually where a bed extender would fit. When a bed extender is present, then the drain tubes just tuck behind the 2 attachment points where the tailgate meets the floor of the bed. This allows the water to drain out the back of the tailgate as well.

In my opinion it's a bit redundant. It's certainly not that BAK skimped on the inclusion of a rear drain tube, it's just that we don't agree that it's a necessity.

I am open to suggestions though. It's what keeps us moving forward and making great products.

All the best,

Julian Maimin
BAK