Aftermarket manual tonneau - anyone know of one in the works?

[inconceivable]

Hey all,
Just wondering if anyone knew of any aftermarket manual tonneau covers in the works for the R1T. The one that will eventually ship from the factory seems _okay_ but would love other options. Maybe one that folded or rolled up?

Perhaps some of our site sponsors are working on one?

Sponsored

 

[COdogman]

I’ve not heard of anyone planning to offer one, but when they (site sponsors) ask I have suggested it to each of them. Although I am curious to see what Rivian’s version actually is. There have been very few reports of how it looks, works, stores… Maybe they hit a home run with it?

 

[MXA121]

I emailed retrax - maybe if enough email them they will develop it.

 

[inconceivable]

Perhaps @EV Sportline or @DCE or @electruck4x4 can comment?

 

[EV Sportline]

Perhaps @EV Sportline or @DCE or @electruck4x4 can comment?

....standbye

 

[srnyoung]

I’ve not heard of anyone planning to offer one, but when they (site sponsors) ask I have suggested it to each of them. Although I am curious to see what Rivian’s version actually is. There have been very few reports of how it looks, works, stores… Maybe they hit a home run with it?

I still haven’t heard/seen anyone get a manual tonneau yet. For now, aren’t all trucks being delivered with “naked” tracks that are the same that have been built in from the beginning?

 

[inconceivable]

I still haven’t heard/seen anyone get a manual tonneau yet. For now, aren’t all trucks being delivered with “naked” tracks that are the same that have been built in from the beginning?

Yep.

Am curious what the rivian manual version will be like when it arrives. From the description it sounds like it’ll slide in to the existing tracks, which makes me think it will need to be opened/closed by sliding the whole thing in/out the back by the tailgate. That’s just a guess, though.

That sort of approach will work well to open/close it when you have things over the bed, but wouldn’t be as convenient as a folding/rolling option IMHO. (Considering i don’t plan on having things on top of the bed often)

But again, there’s a lot of assumptions being made with that statement.

 

[MaskedRacerX]

Yep.

Am curious what the rivian manual version will be like when it arrives. From the description it sounds like it’ll slide in to the existing tracks, which makes me think it will need to be opened/closed by sliding the whole thing in/out the back by the tailgate. That’s just a guess, though.

That sort of approach will work well to open/close it when you have things over the bed, but wouldn’t be as convenient as a folding/rolling option IMHO. (Considering i don’t plan on having things on top of the bed often)

But again, there’s a lot of assumptions being made with that statement.

I'm hoping it might be a multi-panel type design, maybe like 4 panels? You'd slide a panel into the tracks, then the next panel would interlock, etc., and something like that would be reasonable to store, or maybe even allow you just to run a couple of panels, so you'd have an open section (which you could put something tall).

Or you could flip each panel over, and up near the cab, have them sort of stacked, with maybe some kind of lock down bracket across the panels (not unlike the cargo bars).

I've got a reservation in, will likely be '24 for delivery, but I've been thinking that even if they do offer a revised automatic tonneau, a manual option might be a better / less prone to failure option, especially for us, where we wouldn't be opening/closing it all that much.

 

[jakef801]

Someone recently posted than tonneau are "worthless". Well, after 30+ years of many expeditions of driving umpteen trucks, I can tell you that they are not worthless. We've all had the need to stop at a Walmart, gas station, etc. I've had many instances where I'm either a) alone, or b) my co-rider has had to stay with the vehicle to guard numerous high value items in the bed of the truck. Neither scenario is optimal. A locked tonneau eliminates this concern unless (see commentary below regarding shells).

Tonneau covers are a beloved luxury for me, a longtime truck owner. I've seen R1T concepts for bed shells and they look quite promessing. I'm not a fan of the shell look on pickups - but I've had them on many trucks and they do serve their purpose. Goes without saying, but shells allow you to lock high value items that won't fin under a tonneau (bikes, etc.)

If (and, when) a quality aftermarket R1T shell becomes available, I will be in the market for one.

 

[jbowen52]

Someone recently posted than tonneau are "worthless". Well, after 30+ years of many expeditions of driving umpteen trucks, I can tell you that they are not worthless. We've all had the need to stop at a Walmart, gas station, etc. I've had many instances where I'm either a) alone, or b) my co-rider has had to stay with the vehicle to guard numerous high value items in the bed of the truck. Neither scenario is optimal. A locked tonneau eliminates this concern unless (see commentary below regarding shells).

Tonneau covers are a beloved luxury for me, a longtime truck owner. I've seen R1T concepts for bed shells and they look quite promessing. I'm not a fan of the shell look on pickups - but I've had them on many trucks and they do serve their purpose. Goes without saying, but shells allow you to lock high value items that won't fin under a tonneau (bikes, etc.)

If (and, when) a quality aftermarket R1T shell becomes available, I will be in the market for one.

Check out the DIY Temporary Tonneau / bed cover thread. A couple guys have tried a trifold cover meant for a Ford Maverick and it looks pretty good to me. I may cancel my manual tonneau order. I have used a trifold for years with a RAM truck. The manual tonneau seems like more work to install and remove than the trifold. It is a lot cheaper as well as a bonus.

 

[jbowen52]

Yep.

Am curious what the rivian manual version will be like when it arrives. From the description it sounds like it’ll slide in to the existing tracks, which makes me think it will need to be opened/closed by sliding the whole thing in/out the back by the tailgate. That’s just a guess, though.

That sort of approach will work well to open/close it when you have things over the bed, but wouldn’t be as convenient as a folding/rolling option IMHO. (Considering i don’t plan on having things on top of the bed often)

But again, there’s a lot of assumptions being made with that statement.

Check out the DIY temporary tonneau/ bed cover thread. A couple guys have used a trifold tonneau meant for a Ford Maverick that seems to be a good option.

 

[Olsonsolar]

Hey all,
Just wondering if anyone knew of any aftermarket manual tonneau covers in the works for the R1T. The one that will eventually ship from the factory seems _okay_ but would love other options. Maybe one that folded or rolled up?

Perhaps some of our site sponsors are working on one?

Wish something would happen soon so I don’t end up buying one then a better more weather proof one comes out. Really want a cover but hate to spend money for an inferior one.

 

[mini2nut]

This would work but wrong thickness…

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Veranda...WrFSHNdbK2kaAu9vEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#overlay

 

[inconceivable]

Wish something would happen soon so I don’t end up buying one then a better more weather proof one comes out. Really want a cover but hate to spend money for an inferior one.

I’m in a similar boat. I’d like to get one, but am only interested in a quality weatherproof/secure (within reason) one that fits right.

I might wait for either the rivian one or see what @EV Sportline teased us about earlier in the thread when they’re ready to reveal more!

 

[EV Sportline]

I’m in a similar boat. I’d like to get one, but am only interested in a quality weatherproof/secure (within reason) one that fits right.

I might wait for either the rivian one or see what @EV Sportline teased us about earlier in the thread when they’re ready to reveal more!

was working on the tonneau today

Sponsored