Rivian R1T tailgate pad installed review: it's a winner (with a caveat)

[mikehmb]

*Edit (the caveat): the down tube clips loosen on their own after limited driving, and needs to be addressed. I am demoting this from “a winner” to “a reasonable pad that perfectly fits the truck’s tailgate but with one major flaw” … planning to modify the downtube clips to a simple double-ring strap when I get a minute.

I ordered the tailgate pad when it popped up in the gear shop last Friday. It arrived a couple of days ago, but I hadn’t had time to install it until today.

Relatively short review:

1) Quality seems decent. It’s not felt-covered like my Fox pads were, but it does appear to be relatively well made and has enough protection to keep the tailgate paint from being scratched. 10/10 for the money, for sure.​

2) Fit is perfect. Once it’s strapped down, it’s very clear it was designed for the Rivian and not just a knockoff of an existing pad.​

3) First installation is easy, 2nd installation is stupid-simple. It has 4 clips for quick-release, and re-installs in just a couple minutes. Very pleased here.​

4) Hold-downs are thoughtfully designed, with a quick-release clip and a velcro hold for the strap to keep it from backing off.​

Overall, super pleased. Much better than loading up the Kuat every time for sure (though that’s sticking around for trips and the e-Bike).

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[COdogman]

Is that mesh see through for the light bar enough protection if a fork or something was rubbing on that spot? That was only concern about this design. Looks great though!

 

[mikehmb]

The thickness of the pad seems to keep anything that would possibly hit the brake light bar off the surface. I haven’t driven around with it yet to test, but will later this week and report back.

 

[Andystroh]

We’ve been using ours this weekend and it seems rock solid. Very satisfied

 

[SASSquatch]

@mikehmb thanks for the awesome review and for posting pictures! The lack of felt (or a softer material) is the only weakness that I see here. What is on the backside? Is it the same material as the front?

The only other thing is I don't see how you fit 4 bikes with the amount of space each front wheel of the bike takes up on the tailgate - but the fit looks so much better than more expensive tailgate pads that are universally sized.

 

[mikehmb]

@mikehmb thanks for the awesome review and for posting pictures! The lack of felt (or a softer material) is the only weakness that I see here. What is on the backside? Is it the same material as the front?

The only other thing is I don't see how you fit 4 bikes with the amount of space each front wheel of the bike takes up on the tailgate - but the fit looks so much better than more expensive tailgate pads that are universally sized.

The material that faces the paint is a soft nylon or acrylic-adjacent thing glued to the foam. It’s not velour or felt-like in any way. Hard for me to describe as I lack a vocabulary for textiles.

It’s not the most durable looking material, but if it’s in solid contact with the tailgate (which it was when installed) we shouldn’t have any issues. But if there’s a lot of friction, I can see it degrading fairly quickly.

 

[Harvest]

A couple of questions about the padding. How thick is the padding? And is the entire thing padded (minus the mesh areas) including both sides of the tailgate or just a portion of it? Just wondering how much cushioning it really provides between the bike and the Rivian surfaces.

 

[mikehmb]

A couple of questions about the padding. How thick is the padding? And is the entire thing padded (minus the mesh areas) including both sides of the tailgate or just a portion of it? Just wondering how much cushioning it really provides between the bike and the Rivian surfaces.

I can try to measure it later, but it’s plenty thick to avoid damaging the tailgate or bike.

 

[DuoRivian]

Never any doubt Rivian would make another great accessory. Good to see confirmation.

 

[RCBUKnowMe]

Innagural rides with the new tailgate pad. As reported, well built, smart design. Added a photo to show that the wheels snug up on the pad below the light bar mesh. The pad above and below the mesh keep the bikes from touching the light bar.

 

[derekmw]

What about the paint underneath? Would this still move ever so slightly back and forth on the paint surface while driving and over time put micro scratches on the tailgate? I'm really curious about this.

 

[R1Thor]

For anyone using this, is the Gear Guard cable that came with our R1T sufficient, or should I also order the extended length gear guard cable?

...assuming these come back into stock in the foreseeable future

 

[DTown3011]

Just got mine as well. Very impressed overall and looks/fits great. My only “complaint” if I had one was that I was surprised to see the backer is not an ultra soft micro fiber type fabric, but more of an EVA soft foam. I think it will stay cleaner and not trap dirt, but it doesn’t seem as soft as some others I have seen.

What about the paint underneath? Would this still move ever so slightly back and forth on the paint surface while driving and over time put micro scratches on the tailgate? I'm really curious about this.

if you are concerned about this either PPF your tailgate or the tailgate pad isn’t for you and you should get a bike rack.

For anyone using this, is the Gear Guard cable that came with our R1T sufficient, or should I also order the extended length gear guard cable?

...assuming these come back into stock in the foreseeable future

stock cable is sufficient.

 

[AllInev]

As of 9/5/2023, Tailgate Pad is not available for purchase in the Gear Shop -see photo. Looks like OP got a sneak peek purchase?

 

[Aonach]

How much was it? Don't see any price in the Gear Shop as it's currently Unavailable...

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