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Kuro-Rivian

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[UPDATED 9/26/22]

While I don't tow everyday, it seems like I hitch something up to the R1T at least once a week. The cover is nice and I like to remove the hitch and replace the cover when I'm not towing. But it's a PIA to have to grab a screwdriver anytime it is removed and installed. That little screw thing is called a Quarter Turn Fastener. I went to McMaster-Carr and came up with a simple, cheap, thumb-turned quarter turn fastener fix.

Step 1. Go to McMaster-Carr and buy TWO of these. Not two of each...but two of either/or. The preferred part is 94188A210, it is the exact same length as the fastener you are replacing. 94188A220 is slightly longer and requires you to use a washer (see step 3). I listed both because availability could vary and both work perfectly.
Step 2. Discard the female part of the new fastener. All you need is the retainer clip and the male part. Cut the ears off the new fastener to the first line as indicated in the pics.

Step 3: If you bought part # 94188A210...you're done! Put it all back together reattach the cover.

IF YOU BOUGHT PART # 94188A220. Use BOTH the old plastic retainer/washer and the new one. One as a washer, and the other as retainer. The reason you need the old washer in addition to the new washer is that the shaft of the new fastener is very slightly longer than the old one. Without the additional washer on the outside to reduce the effective length, it won't hold as well.

Step 4. Done. Now you have a thumb(able) quarter turn fastener and you can ditch the screw driver.


Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 20220920_190831 (1) copy

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 20220920_191830 copy

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 20220920_191931 copy

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 20220920_192001 copy

Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 20220920_192041 copy
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Jafresh

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I like this! I tow a lot and already the screwdriver has tore up the existing plastic screw.
 

atebit

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McMaster-Carr FTW!
 

Dark-Fx

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I took my cover off the first time I needed to use the hitch months ago and haven't put it back on since. Not even sure where I set it.
 

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Zoidz

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crashmtb

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If McMaster-Carr doesn't have it, you don't really need it. 😆
even bicycles!
Rivian R1T R1S Hitch cover DIY mod.  Ditch the screwdriver! 1663766275727



I did a job once where the customer engineer spec’d McMaster Carr PNs for everything. even a piece of schedule pipe. Threaded rod. The sheet metal. All of it McMaster.

I think I did end up getting the pipe from them, as it was a funny wall thickness and stainless, and only needed a foot of it.
 

Zoidz

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even bicycles!
1663766275727.png



I did a job once where the customer engineer spec’d McMaster Carr PNs for everything. even a piece of schedule pipe. Threaded rod. The sheet metal. All of it McMaster.

I think I did end up getting the pipe from them, as it was a funny wall thickness and stainless, and only needed a foot of it.
I don't think I've ever not found what I was looking for in the inventory, and there is a warehouse about 50 miles from us, so we order by 3 PM and have it at 9 AM the next day.

A few weeks ago I needed a 6mm pneumatic speed control valve for our bottle filler. That's a pretty obscure, low demand product and size. They had several different designs, all in stock.
 

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frostbit3

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I took my cover off the first time I needed to use the hitch months ago and haven't put it back on since. Not even sure where I set it.
Same, It's a truck and has a hitch opening. Not sure why I would need to cover that, it's more of a pain taking it on and off.
 

yizzung

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Same, It's a truck and has a hitch opening. Not sure why I would need to cover that, it's more of a pain taking it on and off.
It’s only there to reduce drag. Or maybe to keep squirrels out of there… 🐿
 

CharonPDX

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I took my cover off the first time I needed to use the hitch months ago and haven't put it back on since. Not even sure where I set it.
Mine's in the "under the flap" part of the frunk, along with the portable charge cable, a bed cargo net, a bottle jack, some bungee cords, a couple ratchet straps, and two different hitches. (One drop hitch, one "3 ball" in case I ever rent a U-haul trailer or similar and my big ball on the drop hitch won't work.)
 

IRun

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How does this affect the efficiency? Can you tell us what kind of range loss you're getting with the increased drag?
 

CharonPDX

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No clue. I took the hitch cover off immediately upon delivery (to inspect and plug in to the trailer wire plug and make sure it worked) and haven't put it back on.

And with only a smidge over 1000 miles on the odometer, nearly half of that towing, I have no good "baseline" yet for range/efficiency. (And this weekend I'll be towing again, further "wrecking" my long-term efficiency.) Most of the non-towing driving has been "in town," with only sporadic in-town-freeway highway driving.

If I am going to go on a longer mostly-highway road trip when not towing, I'll put the cover back on and see what difference it makes.
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