EVSportline Aero Covers arrived...questions/thoughts

[EV Sportline]

Really like EV Sportline running boards but I just don’t see the purpose of the aero covers. One of the single top selling features of the EV Sportline running board is that they dont interfere with stock jack locations.... then they come out with aero covers that covers that stock jack locations.

You end up paying $400 for reduced functionality over the free oem plastic covers. I dont see why people dont simply cut a small hole in the stock plastic covers and use them.

To be clear:

1. The aero covers bolt-on (no cutting required)

and

2. They absolutely do not interfere with the jack points (covering is not interfering, it's the same purpose as stock covers and what people who want A. no cutting and B. full aero coverage - get)

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[BrayBay]

Thanks @EV Sportline for the engagement. I still have my panels, so I may give it another shot. I will say that the updated instructions a lot better. Hope to see a video soon!

Keep doing what you guys are doing. I know we can be critical and not every product is for every single owner, but you guys are providing great options for accessories to all the owners out there.

 

[EV Sportline]

Thanks @EV Sportline for the engagement. I still have my panels, so I may give it another shot. I will say that the updated instructions a lot better. Hope to see a video soon!

Keep doing what you guys are doing. I know we can be critical and not every product is for every single owner, but you guys are providing great options for accessories to all the owners out there.

Thanks we appreciate the feedback. If you were around back when we launched the running boards and sliders, we took a lot of insight and feedback from customers and much of it turned into reality -- this led to making amazing products, so feedback is welcomed!

Reach out any time, PM me, we'll help you with the install or any issues. We shoot to make everyone happy.

We will keep thinking about ways to make panels better and all too!

 

[ElGuano]

I still think the aero covers are great if you have the running boards and don't want to modify the OEM panels.

1. Cutting the 4" holes seems to cut into one of the jack point covers.

2. Cutting the precise slots seems like SO much work.

3. The aero covers are actually really nice, and the fit is actually very precise. When I put on the passenger side, I'll use the tip provided above to keep the panels loose while tightening the carriage bolts.

4. I am almost certain that the image for the attachment for the rear bracket on the R1T (with the single 13mm bolt) is incorrect, at least for Gen2. The current instructions show to attach to the frame in the middle punch out, but I think it should be the front punch out (like I have in my picture above)?

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

To be clear:

1. The aero covers bolt-on (no cutting required)

and

2. They absolutely do not interfere with the jack points (covering is not interfering, it's the same purpose as stock covers and what people who want A. no cutting and B. full aero coverage - get)

Not sure how you believe covering them isn’t interfering. If you need to remove screws and a portion of the cover to get to the jack point… they are covered.

Not having to figure out where to cut is a nice aspect…. But EV sportline could instead offer big template stickers that you simply stick on the oem aero cover and shows you exactly where to cut. My golf cart headlights came with a template to show you exactly where to cut, so you don’t have to figure it out yourself.

Love your products in general, but I just don’t see the point in this one.

 

[ElGuano]

Not having to figure out where to cut is a nice aspect…. But EV sportline could instead offer big template stickers that you simply stick on the oem aero cover and shows you exactly where to cut.

I think they actually provide these templates. They're not sticker-backed, but you put them against the OEM covers and they show you where to cut.

 

[swflor]

Gang,

As usually, appreciate the feedback!

Couple things to share:

1 - Instructions have been improved / updated (loading now, be live in a few mins)! We will shoot a video (next few days) as well, to give even more help.

2 - Regarding the rear spot; we face limitations because the jack location is directly where the angle panels converge and are welded together. So....dropping a hole / plug is not reasonable viable in that exact spot, thus the access panel solution. And as 'aero' panels, we're working to maintain the 'aero', so messing with that angled section and not messing up the aero is a consideration.

3 -We had a flat surface to install a plug in the front, but since that was not possible in the rear due to the location of the jack point relative to the necessary panel bends, we had to pivot to the next best option. Remove a plug vs remove a small panel?....whelp, I didn't think people had a love for plugs over panels ha ha, but i see that some feel strongly. That's fair, but I actually prefer the panel removal because you can see the jack puck hole easily; anything to make jacking easier / safer is good by me, since It's hard to see any of this stuff for most folks, when they are on their knees. So...small panel removal and preserve the 'shape', was okay to me. Removing this little panel is easy / fast.

4 - Clearances / tight fits. Okay, pro-tip, keep all the button head panel bolts loose while anchoring and tightening the running board brackets. This will make things much easier and allow panels to shift around for clearing tools and bolts. And we added this tip to the update instructions! Once the boards/brackets are tight, you can center up the covers...THEN tighten the cover bolts. Keep in mind, we didn't want sloppy-wide clearances around brackets, as we're serving the customer base that went to extremes to 'tape' and 'seal' the slightest of gaps, cracks, and edges around brackets -- so tight is good!

And as usual, we're here to serve customers and happiness - so it you bought them, and after reading this and getting our help (contact me if you need more personalized help -- happy to spend the time with you), and you want to return them -- no problem! We want happy customers, like we always have That's my promise.

Thanks everyone -
Team EV Sportline

'
@EV Sportline
You make fair and solid points.

I install alot of EVSportline products at my shop....products people buy direct and some I supply. I just recently picked up a batch of Aero Covers and the Rival Skid Plates.

The old directions were a smidge difficult to understand, however, the best way to understand where the brackets go is to put the Aero Panel on the truck/suv and see where the brackets go. It will all click in about 30 seconds and the install takes about 30-45 minutes for both sides.

The product is super solid, looks great and is quiet as a mouse.

Regarding the access points....I do wish there was a hole in the rear panel for a few reasons:

1 - If you have a flat and need to jack, the last thing on your mind is having the tools to take a panel off with traffic wizzing by.
2 - As many people (even recently) have commented, the SCs are not aligned in lifting vehicles with running boards. Richmond, Raleigh and Miami will all do it, but that is not the case in all areas. Also, I am curious if any SC will be willing to remove the rear/access panel....only time will tell.

The idea of the access panel on the R1S is definitely better since it clearly looks like an access panel, but on the T, it looks like nothing is there and how far will the SC go?

I am going to map out and cut a 2 3/4" hole in the rear panel of a set of T covers and see how that goes. I would rather put a rubber grommet in there....its an easier and more SC friendly option I think. This is what I am thinking of putting in....smaller size of the grommet I used to use when drilling the 4" holes.

BTW - The Rival skid plate is pretty slick looking.

 

[ElGuano]

Just wanted to say, the new instructions for the R1T are much, much improved. This alone will help resolve a lot of the frustration. Thanks EVSportline, love the continuous learning attitude.

https://evsportline.com/pages/how-t...nning-board-aero-panel-kit-for-rivian-r1s-r1t

 

[ElGuano]

I installed the passenger side aero covers today. Having gone through the other half of the truck already, I mostly just winged it from memory, but I did take away what I thought was the most important part of the new instructions - after the brackets are tightened down, install the aero cover panels very loosely, and then put the running boards back on. That gave enough space to insert and tighten down the carriage bolts.

There's still very narrow tolerance and this was still by far the longest part of the install - I'd say about half an hour of the entire 1hr time - but I didn't need to push or deform the aero covers to get the bolts tightened. Once the running boards are installed, tightening down the buttonheads holding down the aero covers is simple.

I left the back panel off of the passenger side as well, so all of my jack points are accessible.

Overall, I like these aero covers a lot. They're really well made, the tolerances are damned tight and they look/fit better than the OEM covers IMHO. Installation was a bit more complicated than I expected, which I think the updated instructions will help with.

 

[Cibby]

I’m picking up my R1S tomorrow and interested in installing these running boards. I’m leasing so was also looking at the Aero. I’m curious about two alternatives… 1) what are the risks of not using the Aero or OEM plastic covers? Is there much risk that I could have excessive wear/tear when I turn in my lease? I worry a bit that if I have a service appointment they might note in my record the plastic cover is missing and then down the road look for anything to charge me more 2) Would it be possible to drill the hole in the OEM plastic and then replace them with a new part when I turn it in? I’m not sure what the part is called to see how much the OEM costs. Also seems like I might have the same risk they’d note the drill hole at a svc appointment and then down the road use that to charge more. Any advice is much appreciated. Thx!

 

[NeedSumCoffee]

I’m picking up my R1S tomorrow and interested in installing these running boards. I’m leasing so was also looking at the Aero. I’m curious about two alternatives… 1) what are the risks of not using the Aero or OEM plastic covers? Is there much risk that I could have excessive wear/tear when I turn in my lease? I worry a bit that if I have a service appointment they might note in my record the plastic cover is missing and then down the road look for anything to charge me more 2) Would it be possible to drill the hole in the OEM plastic and then replace them with a new part when I turn it in? I’m not sure what the part is called to see how much the OEM costs. Also seems like I might have the same risk they’d note the drill hole at a svc appointment and then down the road use that to charge more. Any advice is much appreciated. Thx!

There are no risks of running with no covers. Their primary purpose is to provide an aerodynamic surface to help with range. So running without covers just means a tiny hit on your range. The underbody is ecoated and covers do nothing to protect from elements. When you remove the oem plastic covers, youll find them filled with dirt and water already.

You would likely be charged if you return is with the covers missing. On this forum Ive seen several people simply trade their pre-cut covers for someone uncut covers, when selling/trading in their Rivian. As long as you do a good job on the cutting and dont butcher them, you can likely trade them for someones uncut covers later. (I personally did this earlier this year).

 

[ElGuano]

I don't think there's an active "narc squad" marking things as missing when you bring your truck in for service, things like the aero covers aren't worth overthinking, so long as you return your lease with them installed.

If I had a lease, I'd just remove the OEM covers and run without them, and re-install them upon return. As others have mentioned, the dirt your truck acquires on the underside would all be there sandwiched between the aero covers and the body anyways.

 

[Cibby]

I don't think there's an active "narc squad" marking things as missing when you bring your truck in for service, things like the aero covers aren't worth overthinking, so long as you return your lease with them installed.

If I had a lease, I'd just remove the OEM covers and run without them, and re-install them upon return. As others have mentioned, the dirt your truck acquires on the underside would all be there sandwiched between the aero covers and the body anyways.

Thank you for the good info!

 

[Cibby]

I don't think there's an active "narc squad" marking things as missing when you bring your truck in for service, things like the aero covers aren't worth overthinking, so long as you return your lease with them installed.

If I had a lease, I'd just remove the OEM covers and run without them, and re-install them upon return. As others have mentioned, the dirt your truck acquires on the underside would all be there sandwiched between the aero covers and the body anyways.

Thank you

 

[EV Sportline]

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