Running boards vs warranty??

[abirozy]

Good evening all

I hope this does not make me sound ignorant or like a newbie, but I have a question on running boards and the warranty. How will getting running boards effect the warranty, and what are peoples opinion on if this will be an issue?

I would really like to get running boards and am close to DCE in Anaheim. I like their product, but all the running boards so far seem to require taking off the plastic panels and covering some, or all of the jacking points. In addition, the DCE ones seemed to leave a lot of the metal exposed when I saw the prototype in person, but in the install video, it seems like the production versions cover a lot more.

I have spoken to the SC a few times and they vary in how they say the running boards would effect the warranty. Basically they all say if they need to remove the boards to get to something, they wont, and if they deem the boards contributed to a problem, it "could" void the warranty.

1). Does it seem like most of the boards available would in some way expose parts of the truck to more damage or expose the underbody unnecessarily?

2). Do you feel that the placement of the boards would get in the way of a lot of things the SC may need to get to?

3). Would the boards get in the way if the truck needed to be put on a lift at the SC? (one person said they thought they would if they attach to the jack points but would need to see pics)

4). What is everyones opinion about installing boards based on what I was told?

Hopefully this does not come across as ignorant. Before I spend close to 2500-3000 I would like to be as informed as possible and this board has been a valuable source of information and opinions by people better versed in this stuff than me.

Best

Adam

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[krockett]

Sounds like the product you are referring to is their rock sliders option. If you want running boards, you can save a fair amount of money (1/3) and get the RMaxx running boards.

That said, I’m not concerned warranty wise, in any of the running board and slider options currently available for the Rivian. The level of effort to install and remove (if needed) is not very high, simple bolt on/off.

Personally, I’m leaning towards the MegaWatt option because I value the kickout of their sliders. Very similar to the sliders on my FJ Cruiser. I’m concerned with the coverage on the DCE and RMaxx sliders where the rocker panel meets the rear wheels. But, these two latter options appear to have beefier installation mount points vs the former, so I’m still undecided. Probably coming down to which one delivers first between RMaxx and MegaWatt.

 

[Dark-Fx]

There's nothing under there that can get damaged just from using running boards. If you get rock sliders and are banging the under side of the truck on things, warranty won't cover that kind of damage either way.

 

[abirozy]

There's nothing under there that can get damaged just from using running boards. If you get rock sliders and are banging the under side of the truck on things, warranty won't cover that kind of damage either way.

1). will taking off the plastic panels to mount the boards expose the underside to potential damage or is negligible since it is just plastic covering it?

2). are there items where service might need to remove panels covered by the boards being mounted?

thanks again

 

[Dark-Fx]

1). will taking off the plastic panels to mount the boards expose the underside to potential damage or is negligible since it is just plastic covering it?

2). are there items where service might need to remove panels covered by the boards being mounted?

thanks again

!) The underside of the truck where the panels are is still fully painted. You're not protecting from rock chips and such anymore if the panels are off, so I suppose there is a potential that it could affect the corrosion warranty in that situation. I think all of the running boards so far on the market still work with the plastic panels if you cut out slots to accommodate the boards.

2) Not for running boards. Only service item would be if they needed to lift the body off the frame, but then all the bolts for the running boards are going to come out anyway. Service told me as long as the boards don't get in the way of the jacking points that they should be able to work around them. I have yet to take my vehicle down there with my rock sliders to verify that's still going to be true, but I plan to soon.

 

[Prime]

Seems like with these rock sliders the truck will be no longer use the jacking points and will use the rock sliders to jack up or have on a lift. That would be my only concern, if Rivian were to say, because the allocated jacking points are covered there may be some sort of damage to the vehicle when jacked / on a lift etc.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Seems like with these rock sliders the truck will be no longer use the jacking points and will use the rock sliders to jack up or have on a lift. That would be my only concern, if Rivian were to say, because the allocated jacking points are covered there may be some sort of damage to the vehicle when jacked / on a lift etc.

It depends on the design. DCE and 1EV both don't allow the use of the OEM jacking points with their sliders. I would not expect Rivian service to be comfortable lifting from an aftermarket device and expect they will likely ask the owners of those to remove them before bringing the vehicle in for service.

Edit*: I was told both of the above still leave the OEM jacking points open

 

[Prime]

It depends on the design. DCE and 1EV both don't allow the use of the OEM jacking points with their sliders. I would not expect Rivian service to be comfortable lifting from an aftermarket device and expect they will likely ask the owners of those to remove them before bringing the vehicle in for service.

Yea this wouldn't be the most fun thing to do.. and agree, thats likely what they'll request.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

I have spoken to the SC a few times and they vary in how they say the running boards would effect the warranty. Basically they all say if they need to remove the boards to get to something, they wont, and if they deem the boards contributed to a problem, it "could" void the warranty.

Surprised to hear SC staff are all a bunch mealy mouthed lawyers too! On the warranty. Is there some possible scenario, in some universe where a WARRANTABLE issue (emphasis warrantable) is denied? Sure. Will it actually happen in this universe, no. It's so unlikely that it really shouldn't be a concern.

As to service, that's another issue. But even is you don't remove them, I have a hard believing any reasonable service manager (or person) wouldn't do it for you.

 

[abirozy]

!) The underside of the truck where the panels are is still fully painted. You're not protecting from rock chips and such anymore if the panels are off, so I suppose there is a potential that it could affect the corrosion warranty in that situation. I think all of the running boards so far on the market still work with the plastic panels if you cut out slots to accommodate the boards.

2) Not for running boards. Only service item would be if they needed to lift the body off the frame, but then all the bolts for the running boards are going to come out anyway. Service told me as long as the boards don't get in the way of the jacking points that they should be able to work around them. I have yet to take my vehicle down there with my rock sliders to verify that's still going to be true, but I plan to soon.

thanks for the response. i would be interested in what service tells you when you do bring them in. what sliders do you have?

 

[Dark-Fx]

thanks for the response. i would be interested in what service tells you when you do bring them in. what sliders do you have?

I'm working with GOAT Fabrication on bringing their product to market. I only have one on my driver's side so far but it'll let me compare usability and other issues with it. So far it seems to be standing up pretty well but I still need to do more testing with it off-road in situations where it'll actually be important to have.

 

[OldGoat]

The answer you recieved is accurate for pretty much any after-market thing you add. If any warranty work requires extra time and effort to remove, work with or work around the addition, you should remove it yourself. In addition, if anything you add can be 'reasonably' linked to an issue, they can certainly deny the warranty claim. So, it all comes down to 1) how hard is it to remove the option 2) how likely is it that the option will cause or be a contributor to some other issue.

 

[electruck4x4]

The Magnuson Moss Act prevents auto manufacturers from voiding a warranty solely based on the grounds of having aftermarket parts installed. The failure needs to be caused by, or contributed to by, the part or modification. That can be stretched or construed in a variety of ways (e.g. your boards added weight, which affected the suspension, etc). In general though, most manufacturers don’t try to weaponize this against their customers unless warranted.

 

[Prime]

The Magnuson Moss Act prevents auto manufacturers from voiding a warranty solely based on the grounds of having aftermarket parts installed. The failure needs to be caused by, or contributed to by, the part or modification. That can be stretched or construed in a variety of ways (e.g. your boards added weight, which affected the suspension, etc). In general though, most manufacturers don’t try to weaponize this against their customers unless warranted.

I would argue most manufacturers would take the opportunity to avoid warranty repairs and blame it on mods. Guess I’m glass half empty, but I’ve had some bad experiences from ICE service centers in general.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

I would argue most manufacturers would take the opportunity to avoid warranty repairs and blame it on mods. Guess I’m glass half empty, but I’ve had some bad experiences from ICE service centers in general.

And I would argue against that based on my own experiences. I also agree with @electruck4x4 that manufacturers aren't prone to weaponizing technicalities to void warranties unless it's completely egregious. It's not in their best interest. Heck, I had a 600HP car that was modified to 800hp...had transmission failure on the track...showed the dealer the video and they STILL covered it.

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