Time for a Lube Party... Dry Lube = answer to the tonneau cover issues

[Acoustic71]

I could not find WD-40 dry lube in the stores but Blaster brand dry lube also works.
Somehow that sounds dirty.

Like the Marines used to say, "Clean Mind, Clean Body. Take your pick."

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[skunn]

My R1T is 98XX, so right around that 10K point.

I havent had any problems yet, have lubed the track with CRC dry lube. It seems to operate the same as other videos I've seen.

Doesn't stop me from holding my breath each time I touch the button, hoping today is not the day it gets stuck...

 

[Bttrylfe]

Another anecdote that doesn't prove a damn thing... I'd also read in the forums some rumors that a new tonneau design was implemented somewhere around VIN 8k or 9k. Mine being 85xx, I was hopeful.

When I picked up my truck, tonneau was dead from the start. It's closed and won't budge and the delivery specialist was surprised I was never informed. I mentioned the rumor I heard and how I hoped mine hit the cut-off, she said in her experience, VINs 10k and up are where she's seeing more functional tonneaus. Curious how it is for forum members, if those with VINs 10k and higher are having more success with their covers.

I am in the late 9900's and it's still working, granted I have been trying to minimize its use. It did start making some grinding sounds but after I joined the lube party that seemed to help.

 

[SASSquatch]

It did start making some grinding sounds but after I joined the lube party that seemed to help.

This is a PSA to come to the Lube Side. It is your destiny...if you want a smoothly operating tonneau cover that is.

 

[BT6434]

FWIW- My VIN is just shy of 11,000; not a redesign though and the employee wouldn’t confirm/deny a redesign but said mine was an original build.

 

[Acoustic71]

We've known for a few months now that CRC dry graphite lube is helpful/recommended on the rails of the tonneau. I had a can on the shelf when my truck was delivered and applied it shortly after the Rivian delivery guy left. Takes maybe two minutes to apply, stays where you apply it, and doesn't seem to attract dust. I have no expectation of it being a magic bullet but I am nearing 6 weeks with the truck and no issue to date. I cycled the tonneau about ten times yesterday between delivery of my spare and then doing other truck things.

Serious question (if there is such a thing in a Lube Party). Are you applying just on the side rails, or are you going full Forest Gump and spraying each panel at the seams (top and bottom) as well? Maybe I will eat my words in the future, but the guy in the video seems so intense.

In a clean world I do like the idea of the Black Magic Tire Wet. Just have to wonder how must grime that stuff will attract.

 

[SASSquatch]

Serious question (if there is such a thing in a Lube Party). Are you applying just on the side rails, or are you going full Forest Gump and spraying each panel at the seams (top and bottom) as well? Maybe I will eat my words in the future, but the guy in the video seems so intense.

In a clean world I do like the idea of the Black Magic Tire Wet. Just have to wonder how must grime that stuff will attract.

I might regret saying this later, but I think using that much lube is probably excessive. The goal is to keep things moving and spraying lube up/down and all around might just turn the tonneau into a slip and slide...

 

[mstealth22]

I haven't done jack shit for my tonneau cover since delivery in March and have no issues now. Clearly doing nothing is the magic bullet. I don't even clean stuff off the top to retract it.

This^

I've done nothing since March and no issues. Dust, dirt, rain, mud, those little flying seed pods. I figured if it breaks I'll lube it then.

I've had other issues but this isn't one of them.

 

[rodhx]

Serious question (if there is such a thing in a Lube Party). Are you applying just on the side rails, or are you going full Forest Gump and spraying each panel at the seams (top and bottom) as well? Maybe I will eat my words in the future, but the guy in the video seems so intense.

In a clean world I do like the idea of the Black Magic Tire Wet. Just have to wonder how must grime that stuff will attract.

Just the side rails. So far I've only had one tonneau issue and that was a failure to open due to thermal expansion after sitting at the race track for hours. It would only open at 6". I poured water over the cover, waited a bit, and then it operated correctly.

 

[elektrode]

Always use protection with yer lube:

i asked about overspray of the CRC stuff. Glad I practiced a bit and masked off.

 

[SASSquatch]

Always use protection with yer lube:

i asked about overspray of the CRC stuff. Glad I practiced a bit and masked off.

The golden rule is you always use protection when you are using lube.

Stay safe out there!

 

[CGM55082]

I use Finish Line dry lube for cleat and pedals. It's a dry ceramic-based lube. Use my tonneau all the time and no problems yet (as I knock on wood).

http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/specialty-products/pedal-and-cleat-lubricant

 

[SuperFan86]

Just coming across this thread. We took delivery in March. In early April had service out for some minor things and they suggested I perform this same procedure as preventative.

Hate to break it to you folks, but it does not resolve the issue. It may help, but over time the problem just gets worse and worse until the cover is inoperable even with monthly lubrication. I use the cover at least daily, sometimes multiple times per day, so YMMV on duration of fix, but just temper your expectations.

Only the second time in my life time in lube has failed and made my wife really mad.

 

[the long way downunder]

A dry lube party, that is.

Looks like the answer to the tonneau cover issues is regular maintenance using WD-40 dry lube.

I am going to be keeping my vehicle outside so lots of potential for stuff to get into my cracks.

There has got to be a better solution here. I think we need an aftermarket cover for our tonneau cover. Something that is soft but blocks water and debris that can fit over the existing locking cover to provide protection because having to lube this thing every month is a nonstarter.

Ugh. WD is great stuff. But this marketing push to use youtuber influencers as shills brings them down in my eyes.
Anyway, a good garage door lube (dry silicon lithium whatever) is probably harmless.

 

[gombater]

Another anecdote that doesn't prove a damn thing... I'd also read in the forums some rumors that a new tonneau design was implemented somewhere around VIN 8k or 9k. Mine being 85xx, I was hopeful.

When I picked up my truck, tonneau was dead from the start. It's closed and won't budge and the delivery specialist was surprised I was never informed. I mentioned the rumor I heard and how I hoped mine hit the cut-off, she said in her experience, VINs 10k and up are where she's seeing more functional tonneaus. Curious how it is for forum members, if those with VINs 10k and higher are having more success with their covers.

My VIN is just above 10xxx and no problems so far, but I also cycle it as little as possible. On delivery held my breath and checked if it worked... pretty loud [clacky] as each panel rotated in but worked fine. Went out and got the WD40 dry lube and sprayed the rails only - closed it up and left it alone. a week later had to open and no more 'clacking' as each panel rotated in.

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