R1Tmcg
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2022
- Threads
- 4
- Messages
- 99
- Reaction score
- 215
- Location
- Portland, OR
- Vehicles
- Rivian R1T
- Thread starter
- #1
Hello Everyone!
I received my manual tonneau cover today so I wanted to share some (far too many) pictures and details as I went through my install.
Starter details:
Now on to the fun part, let's walk through everything from the initial package receipt to installation:
UPS delivered the package in one piece, with no major damage shown on the box (amazingly).
Initial box opening:
- all looks well and the cover case is in good condition.
-Lots of handles and straps to make carrying easy.
-Well padded.
-Not terribly cumbersome to carry from top strap, but you are just lugging 46lbs around so be prepared.
-Nice embellishments and details across the cover case itself.
-Some odd smudges on the rubberized decal, probably touched something before the decal cooled
-Good texture to the bag overall, nylon type fabric with thin, but adequate cushioning
-Handles just all over this thing, one at the top here, one on each side, front and back (where my grubby mitt is holding) and ones on either end.
-Side handles for pulling out of the gear tunnel:
-Top handle cushion piece has velcro to secure handles together.
-Is not permanently attached and can be removed if desired.
Now let's take it outside to install:
-The Rivian Tonneau Manual states to set the cover across the truck bed, however the slats are of course too wide to fit as the rail slots are wider than the bed.
-The covers and case bump up against the tailgate cables you can see here.
Instead, let's just lay it out at an angle:
Time to install:
- the slats go in very easily. No catching, friction, or difficulty sliding them into the rail slots.
-Be sure you have read the manual and understand the direction and order of the slats.
-Each will have an arrow that points to the front of the truck, and the final panel must be the one with the release handle.
Shot of the reinforced underside of the panels:
-Overall these feel very sturdy, of course the plastic on the ends that goes into the rails themselves is the weak point as others have experienced.
-Continuing to install slats, they easily hook into each other without any need to get up into the truck bed.
-Entire install can be done standing behind the lowered tailgate.
-The gap you see here closed up as I added the remaining panels.
-There is a rubberized seal between each panel as well.
-Now to the final slat, this one MUST be the last one you put in during install.
-You'll notice it has a much more robust rubberized seal at the bottom edge to seal up the connection with the tailgate once it's closed.
-Bottom/underneath this final slat is the nylon pull tab that will disengage the spring clips that hold the final piece in place.
-The nylon wire looks to be attached to a heavy rubber cable with (I'm guessing) a wire core.
These are the latch pins that hold the final slat in place:
-Notice the triangle tabs on the side here.
-When you pull the nylon pull tab down, these retract and allow you to remove the panel.
-FYI, as stated in the manual these latch pins are a "no no zone" and you should not yank on or manually manipulate them.
-Another user did mess with these and broke them, requiring a replacement be sent.
-Be cautious.
Latch pins retracting here:
Fully installed:
Let's take a look at how to get release the latch pins:
- this did take me a few tries and practice to get a technique down.
-Overall, the manual states that you should push the tonneau towards the front of the truck and then pull down on the nylon release cable to be able to pull it out.
- On top of this, I actually found it easiest to use two hands to get enough leverage to pull the strap down and be able to pull it back towards my body at the same time.
-Use the groove inside the latch cable section as a handle to more easily pull back.
With the tonneau installed now, let's take a look at the seals and clearances:
Now to put some pressure on the slats:
- Notice that pushing down with a bit of effort I can start to cause a gap in the panels in the center where the structural support is weakest.
-I would estimate, without any proof or qualifications, that the cover could not support any non-distributed weight greater than perhaps 100lbs and certainly not someone standing on the cover.
In terms of security and keeping a thief out:
- I do think they would need ample time and effort to actually get into the cover if they were trying to smash their way in.
-This cover is more of a deterrent/defense by inconvenience rather than something "bulletproof".
-Unless they knew you have something valuable in here or there was no risk of them being caught for a long, uninterrupted period of time, I do not think a thief would view this as worth the effort.
-You would absolutely have the car alarm go off and be getting mobile app notifications by this time.
Storing the empty case in the Gear Tunnel:
-With the padding I didn't feel like I could roll it up or fold it without it just becoming a big lump blocking the tunnel, so for now it will just flop around in here like this.
I received my manual tonneau cover today so I wanted to share some (far too many) pictures and details as I went through my install.
Starter details:
- R1T Order Date: 12/10/21
- Pre-price increase Tonneau at $800
- R1T Delivery date: 02/11/2023
- Tonneau address confirmation email from Rivian: 7/14/23
- Tonneau delivery to PNW: 9/1/23
- No notification from Rivian on shipping, only notification was from UPS email the day before
Now on to the fun part, let's walk through everything from the initial package receipt to installation:
UPS delivered the package in one piece, with no major damage shown on the box (amazingly).
Initial box opening:
- all looks well and the cover case is in good condition.
-Lots of handles and straps to make carrying easy.
-Well padded.
-Not terribly cumbersome to carry from top strap, but you are just lugging 46lbs around so be prepared.
-Nice embellishments and details across the cover case itself.
-Some odd smudges on the rubberized decal, probably touched something before the decal cooled
-Good texture to the bag overall, nylon type fabric with thin, but adequate cushioning
-Handles just all over this thing, one at the top here, one on each side, front and back (where my grubby mitt is holding) and ones on either end.
-Side handles for pulling out of the gear tunnel:
-Top handle cushion piece has velcro to secure handles together.
-Is not permanently attached and can be removed if desired.
Now let's take it outside to install:
-The Rivian Tonneau Manual states to set the cover across the truck bed, however the slats are of course too wide to fit as the rail slots are wider than the bed.
-The covers and case bump up against the tailgate cables you can see here.
Instead, let's just lay it out at an angle:
Time to install:
- the slats go in very easily. No catching, friction, or difficulty sliding them into the rail slots.
-Be sure you have read the manual and understand the direction and order of the slats.
-Each will have an arrow that points to the front of the truck, and the final panel must be the one with the release handle.
Shot of the reinforced underside of the panels:
-Overall these feel very sturdy, of course the plastic on the ends that goes into the rails themselves is the weak point as others have experienced.
-Continuing to install slats, they easily hook into each other without any need to get up into the truck bed.
-Entire install can be done standing behind the lowered tailgate.
-The gap you see here closed up as I added the remaining panels.
-There is a rubberized seal between each panel as well.
-Now to the final slat, this one MUST be the last one you put in during install.
-You'll notice it has a much more robust rubberized seal at the bottom edge to seal up the connection with the tailgate once it's closed.
-Bottom/underneath this final slat is the nylon pull tab that will disengage the spring clips that hold the final piece in place.
-The nylon wire looks to be attached to a heavy rubber cable with (I'm guessing) a wire core.
These are the latch pins that hold the final slat in place:
-Notice the triangle tabs on the side here.
-When you pull the nylon pull tab down, these retract and allow you to remove the panel.
-FYI, as stated in the manual these latch pins are a "no no zone" and you should not yank on or manually manipulate them.
-Another user did mess with these and broke them, requiring a replacement be sent.
-Be cautious.
Latch pins retracting here:
Fully installed:
Let's take a look at how to get release the latch pins:
- this did take me a few tries and practice to get a technique down.
-Overall, the manual states that you should push the tonneau towards the front of the truck and then pull down on the nylon release cable to be able to pull it out.
- On top of this, I actually found it easiest to use two hands to get enough leverage to pull the strap down and be able to pull it back towards my body at the same time.
-Use the groove inside the latch cable section as a handle to more easily pull back.
With the tonneau installed now, let's take a look at the seals and clearances:
Now to put some pressure on the slats:
- Notice that pushing down with a bit of effort I can start to cause a gap in the panels in the center where the structural support is weakest.
-I would estimate, without any proof or qualifications, that the cover could not support any non-distributed weight greater than perhaps 100lbs and certainly not someone standing on the cover.
In terms of security and keeping a thief out:
- I do think they would need ample time and effort to actually get into the cover if they were trying to smash their way in.
-This cover is more of a deterrent/defense by inconvenience rather than something "bulletproof".
-Unless they knew you have something valuable in here or there was no risk of them being caught for a long, uninterrupted period of time, I do not think a thief would view this as worth the effort.
-You would absolutely have the car alarm go off and be getting mobile app notifications by this time.
Storing the empty case in the Gear Tunnel:
-With the padding I didn't feel like I could roll it up or fold it without it just becoming a big lump blocking the tunnel, so for now it will just flop around in here like this.
Sponsored
Last edited:
I’m also glad I only paid $800 for it.
