If you own a truck with a tonneau cover, you likely know how important drainage tubes are. These tubes allow water to drain out of the tonneau cover, preventing pooling and damage. But what do you do when your drainage tubes get clogged or need replacing? Where exactly can you buy new drainage tubes for your tonneau cover?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through all the options for purchasing replacement drainage tubes for any brand of tonneau cover.
Let’s dive in and explore where you can get the right drainage tubes to keep your tonneau cover functioning properly!
Why Drainage Tubes Are Essential for Tonneau Covers
Before we discuss where to buy replacement drainage tubes, let’s review why they’re so important for tonneau covers in the first place.
Tonneau covers are designed to protect the truck bed and any cargo inside. Solid or hard tonneau covers are made of aluminum, fiberglass, or heavy-duty vinyl. These create an enclosed space over the bed.
Without drainage tubes, any rain or melting snow would simply pool inside the tonneau cover. This pooled water can cause:
- Corrosion and rust damage to the truck bed from moisture sitting inside the enclosed tonneau space.
- Mold and mildew buildup from the standing water, ruining your tonneau cover and creating foul odors.
- Warping or degradation of the tonneau cover over time from constant exposure to moisture.
- Excess weight stress on the tonneau cover from the weight of standing water.
To prevent these problems, tonneau covers have built-in drain tubes or grommets that allow water to exit. The tubes channel the water out of interior spaces and off the back end of the truck bed.
If your drain tubes get clogged with debris or damaged, replacement is crucial. Letting water pool inside your tonneau cover can quickly lead to expensive repairs or full replacement of the cover. Investing in new drainage tubes is well worth it!
Where to Buy Drainage Tubes for Major Tonneau Cover Brands
If you know the brand of your tonneau cover, going directly to the manufacturer is typically the best way to get proper fitting replacement drainage tubes. Here are some of the top options:
Retrax
Retrax is one of the biggest names in hard folding tonneau covers. Their covers open along hinged panels that fold accordion-style.
To get replacement drainage tubes for Retrax covers, check out their plastic drain tube kit. This kit contains everything you need:
- Two 18″ drain tubes
- Two washers
- Two nuts
- Two plugs
This complete kit allows you to fully replace the drainage system on any Retrax tonneau cover. The tubes route water out of the canister and outside the truck bed. Retrax also sells all the pieces individually if you only need specific parts.
BAK Industries
BAK is another leading brand for hard folding and retractable tonneau covers. Check their site for replacement drain tubes and valves for all BAK covers.
You can purchase drain tube kits or individual tubes, with various size options. BAK’s drainage tubes are designed specifically to fit their cover models for hassle-free installation.
Roll-N-Lock
Roll-N-Lock makes retractable tonneau covers with vinyl cover material that rolls up into an aluminum housing canister.
To drain this style of cover, Roll-N-Lock has drain tube kits and individual replacement drain tubes. The complete kit contains pairs of tubes, fittings, and mounting hardware for full drainage system replacement. The individual tubes let you swap out any problem tubes as needed.
Extang
Extang is a trusted brand for vinyl snap-on tonneau covers. They recommend replacing drain tubes every 3 years or whenever you notice clogging.
While Extang doesn’t sell drain tubes directly, you can purchase compatible replacements from retailers like RealTruck. Make sure to get tubes specifically designed for your Extang cover model.
Undercover
Undercover makes flush-fit hard tonneau covers that sit inside the bed rails. Check their site for drain tube kits or individual tubes for all Undercover tonneaus.
These factory parts are designed to properly fit in the drainage channels around the cover perimeter. Undercover covers require 1-2 kits for full drainage.
Truxedo
Truxedo soft roll-up tonneau covers use inner U-shaped bows to maintain their shape.
To replace the drain tubes, check Truxedo’s parts store. They carry exact-fit drain tubes for models like the TruXport, Lo Pro, and others.
Lund
Lund International makes hard folding tonneaus, snap covers, and roll-up styles. They have drain tube kits that come with 4 corner drain tubes, washers, lock nuts, and plugs. These universal kits fit most Lund tonneau covers.
Advantage
Advantage Truck Accessories offers vinyl and aluminum hard covers. They recommend replacing the drain tubes every 2-3 years.
Although Advantage doesn’t sell drain tubes directly, you can find compatible replacements at retailers like RealTruck.
Access
Access makes roll-up covers with aluminum slats for a hard tonneau look. Check their site for exact replacement drain tubes for Access roll-up models.
SnugTop
SnugTop builds fiberglass and aluminum truck toppers and tonneau covers. To replace drain system parts on their covers, check the SnugTop parts catalog. Search for your specific cover to find compatible drain tubes, grommets, washers, and related accessories.
Leer
Leer is a major manufacturer of fiberglass pick-up truck caps and tonneau covers. Contact Leer or visit a dealer to get Leer-branded drain tubes designed for your exact tonneau model.
ARE
ARE makes aluminum and fiberglass camper shells and tonneau covers. To replace drain tubes and grommets, search the ARE replacement parts catalog.
Input your ARE cover details to find and order the right drain components. ARE also has printable instructions on their site for replacing drain tubes on various models.
Buying Universal Replacement Drain Tubes
If you’re unsure of your tonneau cover brand, you can also purchase generic or “universal” replacement drain tubes. These are made to fit a range of models.
Popular places to buy universal drain tubes include:
- etrailer.com – This site has a full selection of tonneau drain tubes, tubes, caps, seals, and related parts. They also have helpful DIY repair videos.
- RealTruck – RealTruck carries universal drain tube kits and individual tubes from brands like Lund, Advantage, Undercover, and more.
- AutoAnything – AutoAnything has universal-fit drainage tube kits, with tubes, washers, plugs and mounting hardware.
- TonnoPro – As a tonneau cover manufacturer, TonnoPro sells compatible universal drain tubes and drain seals.
- Amazon – Search Amazon for universal replacement drain tubes for tonneau covers, sold individually or in full kits. Check reviews and sizing.
When buying universal replacement drain tubes, carefully check the sizing options to get tubes that will fit your existing drainage channels. Measure the length and diameter needed.
DIY Options for Drainage Tubes
If you’re handy, you can also make DIY tonneau cover drain tubes using basic hardware and tubing. Here are some DIY ideas:
- Use PVC pipe or flexible tubing from a hardware store. Attach to existing drain holes using washers and wire.
- Repurpose heavy-duty garden hose or vinyl tubing. Affix with hose clamps or zip ties.
- Insert sections of copper or PVC pipe. Seal with rubber grommets or waterproof putty.
- Cut pool noodles lengthwise to make soft drainage tubes. Secure with duct tape.
- Attach flexible automotive heater hose using the original drain hardware.
Make sure any DIY drain tubes are properly secured and sealed to avoid leaks. Direct them out of the tonneau cover cavity so water can escape.
Final Considerations When Buying Drainage Tubes
When it’s time to replace your tonneau cover’s drainage tubes, keep these final tips in mind:
- Carefully measure your original drain tubes or drainage holes to get the right replacement size.
- Buy tubes specifically designed for your cover brand and model for a guaranteed fit.
- If using universal tubes, read reviews and size charts closely to match your needs.
- Consider getting a full drain tube replacement kit with all hardware included.
- Check drainage tubes yearly and replace if clogged or damaged, before problems occur.
- Follow manufacturer instructions for proper, leak-free installation.
- Buy quality drainage materials made for tonneau covers, for durability.
With the right drainage tubes kept in working order, your tonneau cover can provide many years of reliable protection and function. Investing in new tubes or tube kits is highly worthwhile to keep your cover clear of damaging moisture buildup.
Using this guide, you now know exactly where to purchase compatible new drainage tubes for any make and model of tonneau cover. Just find the tubes designed for your specific cover, or shop for universal replacements.
With just a bit of regular maintenance, your tonneau drainage system will keep rain and melting snow flowing out of the truck bed instead of pooling inside your cover. Keep your truck bed dry and protected from the elements for the long haul!
