Updated Powered Tonneau & Manual Tonneau Bed Covers Coming Mid-Summer! RJ Shows Off in First-Look Video

[goldburger]

As happy as I'll be to get my manual cover when it's finally released, I do hope there's some chance they'll offer the new powered cover as a retrofit.

This not being a thing has been one of the most consistent things ever to come from Rivian comms.

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[TAZ]

Love it!
Bravo Rivian for quickly solving a troubling design issue. Can't wait for them to ship the manual one to me.

Quickly? It's been an issue prerelease, mine has been broken from day one which is 11 months ago!

 

[Hepatightass]

They've said they'd repair failed tonneaus under warranty... That doesn't mean everyone gets the new design.

https://rivian.com/support/article/why-will-some-r1t-powered-tonneau-covers-be-replaced

" As part of that solution, we’re also working on a process for replacing existing tonneau covers. Right now, no customer action is required. We simply want existing R1T owners to know that we’re working hard on this"

Doesn't specify that only failed tonneaus will get the retrofit. The following paragraph in that article refers to the interim solution they had at the time for those who already had a failed tonneau, which was either leaving it opened or closed until the retrofit was available. They also sent this as an email to all existing R1T owners back in 09/22.

 

[Brian Goodwin]

Great updates. My original order was manual cover and I reluctantly took a powered one to get the vehicle without a longer delay. I have kept the powered unit working but it makes a lot of noise and is slow, etc.

 

[Foobar]

Well that looks pretty great. Sure would hate to be a guy that bought way too many tools to make basically the same thing… oh…wait… crap. ?

To be fair, your solution looks a bit more robust and comes in at a lower price point. I'm glad to see Rivian has a solution and I'm envious of the carrying bag, but I will not be replacing my Interrobang aftermarket solution with Rivian's manual tonneau.

Now if they offer a path towards the powered one for those of us with no Tonneaus, I'd be very interested in having that discussion...

 

[goldburger]

Finally! I don't want to be a negative nelly, but all the talk is about getting the powered cover 'back into the production line'. I'm almost sure that also means replacing all the dud ones in the field, but it's not explicitly mentioned. The question was asked a couple of times in the comments, but no replies from Rivian.

 

[AllInev]

Finally! I don't want to be a negative nelly, but all the talk is about getting the powered cover 'back into the production line'. I'm almost sure that also means replacing all the dud ones in the field, but it's not explicitly mentioned. The question was asked a couple of times in the comments, but no replies from Rivian.

I have no insight, but I'm guessing the powered covers will get replaced with the improved design only after a failure.

 

[jeeden]

Honest question: if they are able to get a reliable automatic cover working that's durable long term, why would anyone want the manual cover? Is it cost only or for other reasons?

I never understood why you would want a cover at all for a pickup truck. I know so many people that buy pickup trucks and they count the seconds to get a cover or cap or similar on the back. that limits what you can put in the bed. Then I see people driving down the road with giant bed covers tied half way down over something they are hauling. Seems like the worst of both worlds, but I'm not really a pickup truck guy.

Glad all the R1T people will be getting these though, it seems like the number 1 compliant on a lot of social media.

 

[R1Tom]

They've said they'd repair failed tonneaus under warranty... That doesn't mean everyone gets the new design.

I wonder how many will fail as they get close to being 5 years old or have 60k miles on them.

 

[SANZC02]

I never understood why you would want a cover at all for a pickup truck. I know so many people that buy pickup trucks and they count the seconds to get a cover or cap or similar on the back. that limits what you can put in the bed. Then I see people driving down the road with giant bed covers tied half way down over something they are hauling. Seems like the worst of both worlds, but I'm not really a pickup truck guy.

Glad all the R1T people will be getting these though, it seems like the number 1 compliant on a lot of social media.

If you live with a pickup for anytime you will soon realize for most people carrying large items is rare but carrying smaller things you want protected from the weather and prying eyes happens frequently.

The old one piece covers that you lifted up was a pain but these modular or power covers really give you the best of everything.

 

[Craigins]

I never understood why you would want a cover at all for a pickup truck. I know so many people that buy pickup trucks and they count the seconds to get a cover or cap or similar on the back. that limits what you can put in the bed. Then I see people driving down the road with giant bed covers tied half way down over something they are hauling. Seems like the worst of both worlds, but I'm not really a pickup truck guy.

Glad all the R1T people will be getting these though, it seems like the number 1 compliant on a lot of social media.

Large amount of lockable, weather resistant storage. Then you have the ability to remove the cover to transport large objects.

Like on road trips, all luggage, coolers, etc can go in the bed, leaving the cabin open to passengers. Granted the frunk helps with this in the R1T.

 

[srnyoung]

Definitely won’t change. The trucks produced without the powered tonneau don’t even have the button for it, so would make any retrofit that much more complicated and the last thing they need right now is to tie up the service centers even more.

Anyways, very pleased with the manual cover - it looks great and easy to add/remove/store.

I'd add a friendly amendment - they won't be available for upgrade anytime soon. I expect there will come a time when they aren't production/supply chain/service center constrained and they may want to make $$ off of selling accessories.

THEN we may be able to upgrade. I'll still have my truck and maybe be interested...

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I never understood why you would want a cover at all for a pickup truck. I know so many people that buy pickup trucks and they count the seconds to get a cover or cap or similar on the back. that limits what you can put in the bed. Then I see people driving down the road with giant bed covers tied half way down over something they are hauling. Seems like the worst of both worlds, but I'm not really a pickup truck guy.

Glad all the R1T people will be getting these though, it seems like the number 1 compliant on a lot of social media.

I've owned several pickup trucks. I've never had a tonneau until my R1T. I always thought they were stupid. The Rivian powered tonneau was the first cover that actually makes sense, to me. I can use the truck bed for large items when I need to -- and I don't have to remove anything or store anything. And I can close the cover quickly and easily when I want more secure storage the rest of the time.

If they can make it reliable, it will be perfect.

 

[Gavinmcc]

YES. That is all.

 

[jbronkoR1T]

This not being a thing has been one of the most consistent things ever to come from Rivian comms.

So what will my options be? I got mine in 12/22. I had ordered a powered, but then I selected no tonneau in the gear shop earlier than initial delivery window. My truck arrived with no tonneau but it does have the power button on the side rail, and it has the compartment into which the powered would retract. So I wonder if it would be possible to add the powered? I bet it won't be
I also just don't like the idea of dealing with 4 pieces. I would much prefer a manual retracting tonneau like on the Santa Cruz.

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