DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[Bf3]

Hey, @Bf3. I’m really curious to see the video of your tonneau that you posted on the FB Rivian Group, but I don’t have FB. Do you mind posting it here?

File was too large to upload here, so I put it on YouTube.

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[Bf3]

In case anyone is interested in having a cover made. I guess this is turning into a business now.

https://interrobang-automotive.myshopify.com/

 

[seanocono]

Thank you for sharing, @Bf3

Your tonneau looks great, and the strength and security of your design is very appealing. I think this is the best option for everyone who received a truck without a tonneau, and I really can't imagine how Rivian would improve upon this design when they eventually release the manual tonneau. Congrats, and thanks again!

 

[Phatman113]

https://interrobang-automotive.myshopify.com/

Hell yeah man, having just bought the parts, that's a pretty minor markup for the amount of work that would need to be put into it from someone doing it themselves. I hope you get a good system worked out and get a few of these to keep you busy!

 

[mini2nut]

I just discovered this $1k carbon fiber tonneau cover option...

https://tail-lidz.myshopify.com/products/rivian-tonneau-cover

 

[timgradywy]

I wonder if these would work. 1/2" thick according to Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewTech...g-Board-in-Shou-Sugi-Ban-US09-6-SSG/322996074

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewTech...oard-in-Hawaiian-Charcoal-US09-8-CH/304798156

https://versatex.com/pvc-beadboard-tongue-groove/

 

[foxerson]

I wonder if these would work. 1/2" thick according to Home Depot.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewTech...g-Board-in-Shou-Sugi-Ban-US09-6-SSG/322996074

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NewTech...oard-in-Hawaiian-Charcoal-US09-8-CH/304798156

https://versatex.com/pvc-beadboard-tongue-groove/

I have also mulled the idea of various composite materials given that they would be easy to work with. I question whether they will be stable enough though. In my experience composite tends to warp in the sun. I think that is why composite decking requires more supporting joists than traditional wood decking.

 

[mmayur]

I bought a Maverick roll up cover from Amazon and janked it together with straps, seems pretty sturdy.

@brancky3 checkout this rail you can install without straps

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/diy-temporary-tonneau-bed-cover.10300/post-280357

 

[brancky3]

@brancky3 checkout this rail you can install without straps

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/diy-temporary-tonneau-bed-cover.10300/post-280357

I was going to do that but it seems like the clamps for the roll up are different from those for the trifold. The clamps wouldn’t fit with that rail even (I was ready to go buy them at Home Depot but realized it was a non starter)

 

[broc]

Bf3-
That's awesome. Nice work! Definitely the best I've seen. I'm guessing this is as good or better than what Rivian comes up with. In the non-tonneau trucks like I have, It would be cool if that stack of panels could be stored in the empty space cubby where the factory tonneau lived. Your panels are deeper and would probably stick out into the bed some but could have a velcro strap holding them in. I've taken off the panel on the front of the bed to see the empty space. Hate to have an unused storage space.

 

[Jlschoen]

temporary DYI Tonneau
~$150 in materials

12 cedar boards
Cut to 54.5” and planed down to ~ 1/2”
Combined to 3 - 18” width sections using scraps
~$50

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alta-Fo...ed-Cedar-Dog-Ear-Fence-Picket-63035/205757693

Arctic vinyl wrap 54” width
Joann Fabric
~$75

-misc weather stripping and hardware
~$25

fits in gear tonneau

patiently waiting for the permanent Rivian manual tonneau or hard folding aftermarket

 

[Jack Smoke]

temporary DYI Tonneau
~$150 in materials

12 cedar boards
Cut to 54.5” and planed down to ~ 1/2”
Combined to 3 - 18” width sections using scraps
~$50

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alta-Fo...ed-Cedar-Dog-Ear-Fence-Picket-63035/205757693

Arctic vinyl wrap 54” width
Joann Fabric
~$75

-misc weather stripping and hardware
~$25

fits in gear tonneau

patiently waiting for the permanent Rivian manual tonneau or hard folding aftermarket

That’s very nice. Well done sir

 

[kostyaaf]

Has anyone tried the soft rollup version of a Maverick cover? I keep my MTB against the back of the bed and the fold up would be in the way.

 

[Phatman113]

Just a huge shoutout to @Bf3 and @dga965 for the guidance and pointers. I just got the base work done on my DIY build with the fence boards and plastic sliders... It closes solidly, slides super nicely, no rattles or shakes that I can tell. It definitely needs the velcro (or a string of some form) for easy removal, because it's a big pain to climb in and pull them all out without something like that, but that's next... There's some fine-tuning that can be done on the one board that was ripped down lengthwise, I have it up at the front, cab-side, to help hide it mostly, but I think a little filing down will cover the part where my table saw skipped on the fence and made a not-so-smooth chunk. Maybe some paint to cover the raw aluminum parts on the cuts, but for the small amount of time I had, it's pretty awesome.
And my daughter likes standing on it...
Edited to say, cutting this plastic with a table saw is super messy! My garage is COVERED in that stupid plastic fluff now...

 

[Rugbym8t]

Looks awesome @Phatman113 can you link to the weather stripping that you are using at the front and rear of the bed. I am going to attempt this as well. I really need covered storage....

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