tps5352
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 26, 2020
- Threads
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- 194
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- Location
- California Central Valley
- Vehicles
- 2021 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus (5-seater)
- Thread starter
- #1
Besides functional (and often expensive) accessories (like wheel-tire sets, running boards, etc.), I'm also occasionally interested in purely cosmetic stuff--like brake caliper colors and--of all things--tow hook covers.* One day I saw a photo of a Gen 1 Quad with yellow brake calipers and matching (covered) tow hooks, and it was automobile-accessory love at first sight. (Like "Michael Corleone" hit by the "thunderbolt" in "The Godfather" [terrific 1969 summer-read novel by Mario Puzo, and classic 1972 movie by Francis Ford Coppola].)
Though available in black, red, and florescent green, I've mostly noticed the bright yellow (silicone?) rubber variety, and for good reason. They look great (imo) with the (as I am reminded by readers, not quite) matching yellow brake calipers found on the original Gen 1 Quad and, now, the Gen 2 Tri Max vehicles. Despite the fact that they (allegedly) get lost or stolen, don't fit tightly, or fade in the sun,...I want them!
Normally, I have been a fan of certain online EV-accessory shops. And I gently try to discourage folks from buying no-name discounted items from Amazon, for example, and a certain online auction site. But when I discovered that tow hook cover prices were ~$30 or more from some sources, I wondered (like others) what the cheaper Amazon products were like. Here is a look at three inexpensive alternatives.
Photos
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Assessment
Among these three, there appears to be no difference; they may very well originate from the same factory. So if you just have to buy from Amazon (and believe me, I understand the need/desire to save money), I would recommend choosing the cheapest. But let's dive in a little deeper. What's going on here?
Back to this comparison; I was initially prompted by curiosity. Is the (relatively) wide price range on Amazon valid, or just indicative of the kinds of retail shenanigans (e.g., "product dumping;" "corporate espionage;" "intellectual theft") overseas products are sometimes accused of? Spoiler: The answer (for the lowly tow- hook cover) may be the latter. The big players get all the media attention. But small-ticket, stocking-stuffer items, which cumulatively result in $billions in sales to North America every year, are also subject to these practices.
Additional Notes
After learning about the likely Abstract Ocean role in the development of tow hook covers for Rivians, I pondered what to do. Long story short, I visited the AO site, ordered some stuff (I would have eventually bought anyway) and added a pair of their tow hook covers. (But that's it; no more tow hook covers.
)
SEE ALSO: Post #25 (and subsequent posts) for a larger update containing new information.
* Rivian car colors, also. Trouble is, I like them all.
Declaration: I am not associated with, or receiving any form of compensation from, any business or individual regarding any products or services, including those discussed here. The opinions herein are my own, as are any mistakes.
Though available in black, red, and florescent green, I've mostly noticed the bright yellow (silicone?) rubber variety, and for good reason. They look great (imo) with the (as I am reminded by readers, not quite) matching yellow brake calipers found on the original Gen 1 Quad and, now, the Gen 2 Tri Max vehicles. Despite the fact that they (allegedly) get lost or stolen, don't fit tightly, or fade in the sun,...I want them!
Normally, I have been a fan of certain online EV-accessory shops. And I gently try to discourage folks from buying no-name discounted items from Amazon, for example, and a certain online auction site. But when I discovered that tow hook cover prices were ~$30 or more from some sources, I wondered (like others) what the cheaper Amazon products were like. Here is a look at three inexpensive alternatives.
- Tow Accessories for Rivian R1t/R1s Accessories 2 Pack Tow Hook Covers for Rivian R1T/R1S Accessories, Yellow - $9.98 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Tesmirror.
| - 2 PCS Trailer Hitch Cover, Environmentally Friendly Flexible Silicone Tow Hook Buffer Anti-Collision Parts, Anti-Scratch Shock-Absorbing Protector, Compatible with Rivian R1T/R1S (Yellow) - $12.99 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Irinidig-Auto-US.
| - Tow Hook Covers Compatible with Rivian R1T/R1S Accessories(2 Pack) - $5.80 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Rnigs-U.S.
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$9.98 | $12.99 | $5.80 |
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Outside of mailing bag. | Back of zip-lock bag. | Front of zip-lock bag. |
Assessment
- Color? - All three products appear to be identical.
- Material - Seems identical. (Same "feel" when compressed.)
- Size & Shape - Identical.
- Design - Appears identical
- Packaging - Similar, though slightly different. "Generic" -- i.e., no instructions, soft-packaging, bare-bones.
- Country of Origin - China for all three. (No surprise there. Are there entire container ships full-to-the-brim with these things steaming across the Pacific?)
- Speed of delivery - Very quick, just a few days (as all three were shipped by Amazon, probably from a nearby California warehouse facility).
- Comparison against with expensive products from other sources - Unknown.
Among these three, there appears to be no difference; they may very well originate from the same factory. So if you just have to buy from Amazon (and believe me, I understand the need/desire to save money), I would recommend choosing the cheapest. But let's dive in a little deeper. What's going on here?
I can't yet comment directly about products for sale by the 'big' EV accessory companies. Perhaps folks who have purchased from well-known, reliable accessory suppliers can chime in? Do the (generic) packages and products I received look similar to yours? Probably yes and no. You may have received more attractive, retail packaging with professional-looking graphics and instructions? Here is another product on Amazon that comes in a box (but is not currently available).
I suspect that all the 'cheap' ones (say <$15) are probably made at the same (or similar) facilities in China.
But there are sound reasons to buy American- (or Canadian-) made goods, even if prices are higher. I had very good luck in 2021 when I purchased replacement LED interior light bulbs for a Tesla Model X from Abstract Ocean (AO; located in Texas). Super fast service and an excellent product at that time. (See another AO recommendation here.) Also, it has come to my attention that the idea for tow hook covers for Rivian cars may have originated with AO. Certainly AO stepped up early in supplying the tow-hook cover product. That changes things and is important to me. (I wish I had know that before ordering the three Amazon items. Oh, well. But see the 1/12/25 update, below.)
If you are looking for critical or expensive accessories--for example those that include a safety factor or are electronic (like charging equipment)--I strongly recommend first using as a source the vehicle's manufacturer (in this case Rivian), followed by legitimate online (Rivian) accessory suppliers (like AO). Some products purchased from these sources may still originate in Asia. But if so OEM and other quality suppliers usually require strict quality assurance/control as governed by North American regulations, with solid warranties and customer service to back that up.
But don't stop with just expensive items. Savvy shoppers for all types and prices of products understand that they may pay a little more dealing with North American suppliers, but that they tend to benefit with generally better quality control and customer service.
But don't stop with just expensive items. Savvy shoppers for all types and prices of products understand that they may pay a little more dealing with North American suppliers, but that they tend to benefit with generally better quality control and customer service.
Back to this comparison; I was initially prompted by curiosity. Is the (relatively) wide price range on Amazon valid, or just indicative of the kinds of retail shenanigans (e.g., "product dumping;" "corporate espionage;" "intellectual theft") overseas products are sometimes accused of? Spoiler: The answer (for the lowly tow- hook cover) may be the latter. The big players get all the media attention. But small-ticket, stocking-stuffer items, which cumulatively result in $billions in sales to North America every year, are also subject to these practices.
Additional Notes
- Some posts have mentioned loosing covers. It has occurred to me (and others and here) to fasten some matching yellow zip ties at the ends of the covers around the metal tow hooks (perhaps out of sight, behind the plastic 'curtains' the hooks stick out from). This may help avoid loss (due to air pressure, water-crossings, and car-washes) and may even help deter casual theft (by the neighborhood 'Scut Farkus').
| - As others have noticed, and you can see in photos, the covers are not completely symmetrical because the tow hooks themselves are not.
Bends in the metal hooks at the left and right outside ends are more severe than bends at the inside ends (see photo, below). This may explain, in part, complaints by some of poor cover fit. Covers are appropriately molded to the non-symmetrical shape of Rivian tow hooks. But they are flexible and will easily slide on in either orientation, even if, say, a ~90° curve of a cover is (incorrectly) placed over a 65° bend of a metal hook (leaving a gap). So for best fit, be aware of proper orientation.
- Based on videos, it takes about 5 seconds or less to install one. (Plus another minute or two to position, tighten, and carefully trim any zip ties used, I imagine.)
| - It has not escaped my notice that I have just begun building my own Rivian, piece by piece (sort of like "Radar O'Reilly" ["Mash," 1972] and the Army Jeep). I happen to be starting at the very front. Working backward, the next piece I need to purchase is called a "Tri Max."
After learning about the likely Abstract Ocean role in the development of tow hook covers for Rivians, I pondered what to do. Long story short, I visited the AO site, ordered some stuff (I would have eventually bought anyway) and added a pair of their tow hook covers. (But that's it; no more tow hook covers.
)SEE ALSO: Post #25 (and subsequent posts) for a larger update containing new information.
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From "The Godfather" (1972) | 'Scut Farkus' (Zack Ward); from "A Christmas Story" (1983) | Mailed home to Iowa, piece-by-piece? |
_____* Rivian car colors, also. Trouble is, I like them all.
Declaration: I am not associated with, or receiving any form of compensation from, any business or individual regarding any products or services, including those discussed here. The opinions herein are my own, as are any mistakes.
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