Use of the empty space allocated to non existing tonneau cover?

[NorCalRivianFan]

As thrilled new owner of the R1T I wasn't too unhappy about not receiving the automatic tonneau cover given the issues.
But as even the likely Rivian manual cover or any other after market tonneau covers would not use the space planned for tonneau cover 'tiles':

I was hoping I get a few more inches of truck bed, but that is not possible. It should be possible though to use this space as some type of additional secured/dry storage space? There is no easy way to remove the top cover I have found though.

Was wondering whether anyone has figured out a way to take advantage of this space?
I was thinking that several thinner 12 v lithium batteries would fit and this could become a charging/power option for a fridge without having to use the Rivian outlets which require the Rivian to be 'powered on' using much more than just the power drawn from the truck.

Even if just making the top cover removable would provide some storage for smaller items?

Anyone come up with a use?

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[popoga]

It actually seems ridiculous that they didn't retrofit something there after removing the powered cover, even just a drop-in plastic replacement piece that gives a little more bed space.

Maybe it speaks to their commitment to a net-new tonneau cover built in house and delivered in a timely fashion

 

[NorCalRivianFan]

It actually seems ridiculous that they didn't retrofit something there after removing the powered cover, even just a drop-in plastic replacement piece that gives a little more bed space.

Maybe it speaks to their commitment to a net-new tonneau cover built in house and delivered in a timely fashion

I think they were under pressure to longer delivering costly automated covers and for folks who wanted to go manual there was no design in manufacturing to remove this now wasted integrated area. They probably hoped the manual option would also allow the cover to disappear in that compartment. While great idea this auto stacking system causes problems. I just hate wasted space especially with short bed.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I like the idea of some additional small storage. Could be used for storing crossbars, for people trying to over achieve on aero, or miscellaneous stuff like ratchet straps etc.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

If they made the manual cover fit in that space I wouldn’t take issue with it. The fact that you have to take the panels out and store them in the gear tunnel to open the manual cover is unacceptable to me.

If I’m out at the store and I buy something that needs the extra height I do not want to be pulling tonneau panels out in a parking lot. If they don’t fix that and decide on not repairing all the power tonneaus out there I will want a refund instead of my power cover and I’ll figure out something myself to go in that space or fix the power cover myself.

 

[COdogman]

I think Rivian will not be the ones to do something with that space - at least not with this generation of R1Ts. Our best hope will be if the aftermarket gives it a shot, and I doubt many of them will find it worthwhile because it would be a pretty small group looking for that.

If Rivian decides to give up entirely on the idea of a powered tonneau, yet do not want to redesign that part of the truck frame I could see them maybe trying to figure out a manual cover that uses the same space, but I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon.

 

[COdogman]

If they made the manual cover fit in that space I wouldn’t take issue with it. The fact that you have to take the panels out and store them in the gear tunnel to open the manual cover is unacceptable to me.

If I’m out at the store and I buy something that needs the extra height I do not want to be pulling tonneau panels out in a parking lot. If they don’t fix that and decide on not repairing all the power tonneaus out there I will want a refund instead of my power cover and I’ll figure out something myself to go in that space or fix the power cover myself.

I read one description of the mythical new manual cover that said it could be somehow stored/attached to the front wall of the bed. I thought that was a good idea.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I read one description of the mythical new manual cover that said it could be somehow stored/attached to the front wall of the bed. I thought that was a good idea.

That would be acceptable. Ideal would be that it was those small slats and it rolled up to fit into the existing space that the current power one does. I don't care that my tonneau is powered, what I care about is that it fits in that space when not in use. The bed in the R1 is pretty small, so having a tonneau cover that doesn't take up bed real estate is important.

I'm a pretty light duty truck user and the R1 is barely usable for my purposes. Start sticking stuff in the bed and pretty soon there is no point in even having a bed.

 

[Bf3]

Last week, a service tech told me all the wiring was still present in my manual spec R1T. He told me a fix for the previous powered cover wasn’t too far off, and if/when it appears, there’s no reason it couldn’t be installed into the current models without one. Obviously, he’s not making these decisions, but it gave me a small glimmer of hope.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Last week, a service tech told me all the wiring was still present in my manual spec R1T. He told me a fix for the previous powered cover wasn’t too far off, and if/when it appears, there’s no reason it couldn’t be installed into the current models without one. Obviously, he’s not making these decisions, but it gave me a small glimmer of hope.

Wiring might physically be there, but the vehicle firmware might need to be updated to enable it, and that's a lot more complicated if Rivian decides not to support it.

 

[COdogman]

That would be acceptable. Ideal would be that it was those small slats and it rolled up to fit into the existing space that the current power one does. I don't care that my tonneau is powered, what I care about is that it fits in that space when not in use. The bed in the R1 is pretty small, so having a tonneau cover that doesn't take up bed real estate is important.

I'm a pretty light duty truck user and the R1 is barely usable for my purposes. Start sticking stuff in the bed and pretty soon there is no point in even having a bed.

I totally agree. I’ve always wanted the manual cover vs the auto version, but knowing that empty space will just be sitting there unused will bother me. If an option to use it for almost anything is offered, I will do it. Even if it’s not for storing a bed cover.

To be fair, many of the aftermarket tonneaus that people here favor also take up bed space, whether they be the rolled type, the tri-fold type, etc… they all have to take up some space when not in use as a cover.

 

[Bf3]

Wiring might physically be there, but the vehicle firmware might need to be updated to enable it, and that's a lot more complicated if Rivian decides not to support it.

If Rivian doesn’t decide to install it themselves, I don’t think it’s something I’d want to try. I wasn’t even that disappointed about not having a powered cover until I got a loaner with one installed.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I totally agree. I’ve always wanted the manual cover vs the auto version, but knowing that empty space will just be sitting there unused will bother me. If an option to use it for almost anything is offered, I will do it. Even if it’s not for storing a bed cover.

To be fair, many of the aftermarket tonneaus that people here favor also take up bed space, whether they be the rolled type, the tri-fold type, etc… they all have to take up some space when not in use as a cover.

I agree that all designs take up space, but there Is space available now. Also it’s worth noting that something like a trifold is much less cumbersome on a full bed because of the extra space to start with. What I primarily use my truck space for is taking my household garbage to the dump.

My large garbage can wouldn’t fit in the bed if I had a tri fold tonneau taking up space in there. Now I’d be looking at taking the cover completely off at least once a week which would get extremely old and would make me move to a larger truck, pay the 50 bucks a month to get private trash collection or just run without a tonneau at all.

On its face it doesn’t seem like a huge issue, but I bought this specific truck with these things in mind. I also really like the C8 vette. If I was getting trash collection and I just needed to borrow a truck sporadically I could make that work, and a full size truck doesn’t fit in my indoor garage which ads parking as an issue.

Basically this seemingly minor issue with the tonneau cascades into a major pain in my ass and could have potentially lead to me making an entirely different purchasing decision. For example if I didn’t have my truck already with the powered tonneau I would not be taking delivery on a truck devoid of the tonneau.

I love my truck, but I don’t off-road at all. My truck has left sport mode a handful of times since I bought it. The added functionality of the bed for garbage was really the major factor for me going to the R1 over a mid life crisis mobile like a C8 or some other ridiculously limited use performance vehicle.

 

[TimJim]

I read one description of the mythical new manual cover that said it could be somehow stored/attached to the front wall of the bed. I thought that was a good idea.

Based on what my guide told me, this is not going to happen. The manual tonneau cover will be 4 interlocking panels. They will be in the tracks or not attached to the truck at all. There is no way to access the bed of the truck without dropping the tailgate with the manual tonneau cover. There will be no way to use gear guard cables while keeping all 4 panels in place. You can remove one panel and put it in the gear tunnel, but that would leave 1/4 of your truck bed exposed to weather and people. I believe this design to be a mistake and the least innovative solution possible from arguably the most innovative truck on the road, but it is what we are left with until aftermarket options come up. I hope someone comes up with a tonneau that can retract and be secure if slightly open so we can use gear guard cables and have secured storage, but we will see.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Based on what my guide told me, this is not going to happen. The manual tonneau cover will be 4 interlocking panels. They will be in the tracks or not attached to the truck at all. There is no way to access the bed of the truck without dropping the tailgate with the manual tonneau cover. There will be no way to use gear guard cables while keeping all 4 panels in place. You can remove one panel and put it in the gear tunnel, but that would leave 1/4 of your truck bed exposed to weather and people. I believe this design to be a mistake and the least innovative solution possible from arguably the most innovative truck on the road, but it is what we are left with until aftermarket options come up. I hope someone comes up with a tonneau that can retract and be secure if slightly open so we can use gear guard cables and have secured storage, but we will see.

Totally agree. When I can duplicate the functionality of your tonneau solution with a sheet of plywood and a circular saw your solution sucks.

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