⛔️ Powered Tonneau cover removed from R1T production until further notice on all future deliveries

[mabowden]

Well, it's not like we weren't strongly suggesting exactly that every chance we had... unfortunately Rivian looks at forums for their business decisions. Too bad though... it's going to cost them (and us stockholders) a fortune to replace 13,000 tonneau covers

Its also going to clog up service center capacity significantly for all owners.

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[dp351]

I am also amazed no one has done hardcore testing of the range impact of the tonneau. All of the old studies and mythbusters are 1000% irrelevant to the R1T, which has completely different airflow characteristics, and a spoiler that literally directs air into the bed.

All of the questions about if/how much the tonneau effects range could be easily answered if one of the R1T owners would conduct a back to back test, like they’ve done with the wheels. Any volunteers?

 

[SoCal Rob]

I don’t have my Rivian yet, and we need an SUV so when I do it there won’t be a tonneau. However, I like tinkering and problem solving.

So, I wonder how many of the issues are a result of sharp edges at the ends of the panels gouging the plastic channel which retains the tonneau panels. Once the track is gouged or, worse, has bits protruding, it seems like the next pass is even more likely to get caught and make the situation worse.

I went back to the Sandy Munro Tonneau video and, while not the best detail shot, it looks like the ends are straight cut.

If this is a major contributor to the problem then maybe the dry lube preventive maintenance reduces the chance of things getting caught and guging. If that’s what’s going on maybe rounding those 90-degree corners slightly would prevent the
panels from digging into the channel in the first place.

This is probably too basic of a solution and it may not address all problems contributing to broken tonneaus, but I figured I’d see if folks with bad tonneaus have checked the condition of the channels. If so are there places where it appears that the corner of a tonneau panel has damaged the channel?

It could be that there are different issues which and in play and no single major change to the design can fix the problem but several smaller changes can contribute to a solution.

edit: typo

 

[dp351]

I agree with this statement. I think Rivian was trying to offer something different by doing the auto tonneau, and it was a heavily advertised feature.

This is one of the things that happens with new automakers- they get ambitious and think things are easy. Now Rivian is dealing with that pain. They'd be in a world of hurt if it weren't for all the cash from the IPO.

Bingo - ambition is the difference between Rivian and the old Detroit truck makers.

Ambition is the reason Rivian has built the world’s first 4 motor vehicle, with 800hp and all the other amazing things that have earned it Truck of the Year and countless other praise. None of the old companies would dare do any of this, which is why they suck. The only reason they’re now starting to build exciting EV’s is because Rivian (and Tesla) have forced them to.

So although the old Detroit OEM’s can enjoy Rivian’s struggles with the tonneau & a few other things, they’re still playing catch up with this ambitious startup. All things considered, I’m still excited to buy the Rivian (although I never wanted a tonneau cover on mine).

 

[Dark-Fx]

Ford, GM, Dodge have never offered factory-installed tonneau covers. That's because it's a stupid idea. Tonneau are best left to after marketeers.

Brian

My Hummer EV disagrees with you? The dealer had to install it, but Rivian doesn't have dealers.

 

[OffRoad987]

I feel so fortunate to have the beta Tonneau cover that originally came with the car at release.

I keep it clean and wash every week.
Lube with KY. ?

 

[jebinc]

MythBusters did a show on this; the bed being open doesn’t hurt range. If I remember correctly their explanation was a bubble of air “settles” in the truck bed and acts in a way similar to having an actual cover.

More like a bubble of BS. People with regular PU‘s drive with the tailgate down trying to improve gas mileage. Tailgate acts like a drag wall.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

More like a bubble of BS. People with regular PU‘s drive with the tailgate down trying to improve gas mileage. Tailgate acts like a drag wall.

Studies have not been consistent in concluding whether a tonneau provides appreciable gains over an uncovered bed with the tailgate UP, however I believe the studies are consistent in concluding that tailgate DOWN is measurably less-efficient.

 

[NY_Rob]

Its also going to clog up service center capacity significantly for all owners.

Well they made their bed (couldn't help myself there ?) and now they have to sleep in it. Amazing that soooo many forum members though it was a terrible decision to keep pumping out trucks with known bad/expensive to replace parts (and when there were confirmed orders for trucks with no tonneau covers clamoring for vehicles)... but the brains at Rivian just keep pumping them out regardless.
Makes me wonder it there's a "don't shoot the messenger" type culture at Rivian where YOU don't want to be the one to mention a problem?

 

[zefram47]

More like a bubble of BS. People with regular PU‘s drive with the tailgate down trying to improve gas mileage. Tailgate acts like a drag wall.

Tailgate up is more efficient. Bubble hypothesis is proven.

 

[crashmtb]

a spoiler that literally directs air into the bed.

from the CFD/wind tunnel videos I’ve seen, it looks like the spoiler aims airflow at the lip of the tailgate, which is what you want in a pickup

 

[md11phlyer]

Fun news to get while my truck is "in transit" with the power cover. Seems like half of you would be stoked and the other half would not take delivery. I have not completed 8 steps for this very reason and am on the fence of whether to go manual or take what I'm getting.

 

[bd5400]

Fun news to get while my truck is "in transit" with the power cover. Seems like half of you would be stoked and the other half would not take delivery. I have not completed 8 steps for this very reason and am on the fence of whether to go manual or take what I'm getting.

Take what you are getting. Best case scenario you get a free upgraded powered unit in the future, even if you don’t have any issues with yours. Worst case, they never find a way to fix it and end up removing it from your truck. In that unlikely scenario, you should still be able to get a manual cover and use it, so you’re no worse off than getting the manual now.

 

[Taiga]

Who’s going to be the first to post photos of the manual tonneau?

Might not be out yet but I’ve been anxiously waiting to get in idea of how it functions and fits with the look of the truck. If they’re not delivering trucks with power tonneau anymore then somebody’s getting a manual any day now. Whoever you are, please post!

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Who’s going to be the first to post photos of the manual tonneau?

Might not be out yet but I’ve been anxiously waiting to get in idea of how it functions and fits with the look of the truck. If they’re not delivering trucks with power tonneau anymore then somebody’s getting a manual any day now. Whoever you are, please post!

Rivian said they won't actually deliver the panels until some time in 2023, iirc.

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