DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[CharonPDX]

One of the problems of existing tonneaus is that most assume they can mount to the *top* of the bed rails - the Rivian has the crossbar mounts, gear tunnel buttons, tailgate button there.

Sponsored

 

[duessell]

What about PVC siding that is used on homes? I think that has a tongue and groove to help with interlocking the panels...

PVC siding is thin and flimsy but PVC trim board like this could work. Unfortunately, I don't have a good way of cutting this to size.

 

[connoisseurr]

PVC siding is thin and flimsy but PVC trim board like this could work. Unfortunately, I don't have a good way of cutting this to size.

This stuff cuts very easy with a table saw or circular saw. I just used a product like this from HD for staircase risers. No need to paint it, ever

 

[Yellow Buddy]

Yeah, you guys could pick a lot nicer materials.

Criteria #1 -Don't want to spend a lot. A lot is subjective, but I took that to be as little as possible and certainly less than $100.

I have a working cover so I'm just here as an instigator.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I have a working cover so I'm just here as an instigator.

Same.

 

[connoisseurr]

Criteria #1 -Don't want to spend a lot. A lot is subjective, but I took that to be as little as possible and certainly less than $100.

I have a working cover so I'm just here as an instigator.

Same.

This is particularly favorable for those who have opted for a manual tonneau cover and don’t expect Rivian to deliver on on their indicated timeline.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

I've got it. The perfect, temporary cover.

Who's brave enough to rig it up?

https://www.amazon.com/Alrska-High-...ications/dp/B09X4JRK78/ref=asc_df_B09X4JRK78/

 

[Andystroh]

I will probably be rigging something up like this in December, likely just the plywood route, painted black. Missing that covered storage while skiing, and we've got an ice climbing/skiing trip towards the end of the year that we would definitely like to have some more protected space for. I'll post some pictures if I am not too embarassed of the final result.

 

[COdogman]

PVC siding is thin and flimsy but PVC trim board like this could work. Unfortunately, I don't have a good way of cutting this to size.

That's actually perfect. Most Lowes have a big panel cutting saw in the lumber department. I think they are only supposed to give you 1 cut, but if you're nice to them most will do more. Especially if it's just 1 panel.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

Here's mine. It's just an old piece of wood paneling we had out in the shop that happened to be the right size. To slide the panel into the rails, I took a hacksaw to the plastic end-tabs at the tailgate and cut out a rectangle section. This also lets me slide in the end panel of the original tonneau. I had a can of camo-green paint that is a close match to Launch Green that I used to paint the dark wood-colored panel. The black panel at the back is the original end panel of the Rivian tonneau and acts a good support for the wood panel piece. Going into winter, I had to do something to seal up the bed.

 

[connoisseurr]

I've got it. The perfect, temporary cover.

Who's brave enough to rig it up?

https://www.amazon.com/Alrska-High-...ications/dp/B09X4JRK78/ref=asc_df_B09X4JRK78/

HAHAH! I've got a stack of REC 400W panels sitting in my garage. maybe I can rig something up...

 

[connoisseurr]

That's actually perfect. Most Lowes have a big panel cutting saw in the lumber department. I think they are only supposed to give you 1 cut, but if you're nice to them most will do more. Especially if it's just 1 panel.

You get 1 cut for free, and then a small fee for each cut thereafter. Now, I don't know if they will cut PVC trim, as it makes a HUGE mess.

 

[COdogman]

You get 1 cut for free, and then a small fee for each cut thereafter. Now, I don't know if they will cut PVC trim, as it makes a HUGE mess.

They don't like to do it, but I've gotten them to cut FRP panels for me in the past. It is a freakin mess for sure!

 

[Olsonsolar]

[QUOTE="Yellow Buddy, post: 239903, member: 6242"
I have a working cover so I'm just here as an instigator.
[/QUOTE]
At least for now.

 

[NooterIA]

I stopped by Menards today to look at the HDPE panels and they'd no doubt work for this. I'd probably just do 3x panels with maybe weather stripping between each panel. I was moments from buying it and the thought crossed my mind, this truck cost more than my first house and here I am trying to do a homemade tonneau cover....wtf. Anyway, I left without buying it along with a recharged anger for this tonneau situation as a whole.

Sponsored