The R1T tailgate trim is not robust enough IMO

[DD4ST]

I’ve had my R1T for about a year now. I really like the truck but am disappointed that the plastic trim at the top of the tailgate is so susceptible to nicks and scratches. Because the R1T bed is short, I often end up carrying items like lumber perched on this trim and then pull them out over this trim. For a truck this is a common area for abuse and it is highly visible outside the truck. So why did Rivian use ordinary plastic here? I know there are pads sold for bikes and such, but I don’t want something I have to prethink to employ. I also know there are bed liner coatings but doing only this piece would look odd with the texture difference. I did a Google search and failed to find this really addressed. For those entrepreneurs out there, can you make a replacement or cover out of a more durable material? In fact, you could improve on it as I understand the stock trim has a tendency to come off on its own.

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[Eeyore]

My son was just asking me about this last weekend when I told him to be careful rubbing 2x3's across the tailgate trim piece. It's not even the original trim piece. The original piece was replaced under warranty after it almost just fell off when I pulled something out of the bed that rubbed against it. It shouldn't have come off so easily.

 

[bfilippo]

I agree, wish it were reinforced.

 

[Killer95Stang]

I was talking to my neighbor about his R1T about this very issue, while rolling some Rivian AT wheels out of the back of my newer F150... I then proceeded to pull the trim off of F150's tailgate as I bounced the wheels out. Definitely needs to be be more robust, but this seems like an industry problem. I'm assuming Rivian copied aspects of other trucks that didn't seem like an issue, but didn't realize how much of a problem it really was.

 

[Animalhouse]

I have piped mine off twice and getting ready to get it repaired again with a mobile appointment. I would like if there was a little more to it than some adhesive and some simple snap on points.

 

[VSG]

Meh. I've had my R1T for almost three years now, and never had a problem with that trim. Sure, I guess some have had problems, but frankly I don't believe it's more than a small minority of users.

And yes, I use my bed a lot. In fact, I operate my OG tonneau cover on average four times a day for the past three years, and it's still functioning properly. I just put my RTT back on the bed this afternoon - going camping again this weekend.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I've said the same thing about my Gen 1 several times. I only mention the Gen because my Gen 2 is an S, not a T.

 

[ciderarchitect]

Mine has been chipped/scratched during events that seemed quite minor so I agree with OP.

 

[SSteveEV]

It's one of the few parts I treat delicately but haven't broken it yet.

Would consider an upgrade if someone made an aftermarket more robust option that screwed down with a heavy rubber lip to give a bit of grip to stuff hanging over. (Assuming similar height so not range killer)

 

[SDB-2025]

100% agree. That was one of my first complaints. Mine seemed loose so I played with it and it slid off easily. Had to come back to it later to reinstall. It’s way too soft for a tailgate cap. Sorry but I’ve owned many trucks—- this is unusually soft and mars with a finger. So yes I would love to have one recast in something much more durable and bolted on. I’m a contractor so it would be especially useful for me, not for most.

 

[Gurule92]

Sounds like a product opportunity @twraps @EVBASE

 

[twraps]

Sounds like a product opportunity @twraps @EVBASE

On todo for next time I rent a R1T as I personally own the R1S and for T related products I have to rent. If anyone in the Bay Area wants to switch my S for their T for a couple of days I am game

 

[RivianRiverRat]

yep - haven't snagged mine bad enough to pull off but it is soft enough to scratch easily

 

[Patrick87]

I agree! Mine is a year old and this part is scratched and gouged like a 10+ year old truck just from sliding garbage cans and light-duty building materials in/out. I believe I could pull it off the tailgate with two fingers if I wanted to, so I've been trying to baby it for fear of pulling the adhesive (or whatever holds it on) loose.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Ah, well see, you bought a truck to do truck stuff, that's where you went wrong.

Mine's probably one of the worst in the entire fleet but it's been held on with two lengths of gorilla tape for the last 1.5 years. It'd likely fly off while driving otherwise.

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