Took delivery on an R1T yesterday without the tonneau

[crashmtb]

Apparently they did send an email, and included the tidbit that orders with no tonneau will come with the current bed design until early 2023 when they will start being delivered with a bed with no rails. That seems silly to me. Those people can’t upgrade if they do that. ??‍

i can see retrofitting the manual cover but not the powered one - wiring won’t be there.

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[COdogman]

i can see retrofitting the manual cover but not the powered one - wiring won’t be there.

That was my first thought too, just based on where it installs and what would need to be done. I was surprised to see that email. And in one of the other threads on the topic people claim CS chats are saying it cannot actually be retrofitted. I wanted the manual all along so this doesn’t affect me, but lots of people who have been waiting still wanted that powered version.

 

[JohnnyRocker]

I just confirmed my config today and received the purchase steps email. I also didn't have the auto tonneau cover. I messaged Rivian and they said I can add the manual tonneau cover without affecting my delivery. I need to talk with my guide Monday.

 

[crashmtb]

That was my first thought too, just based on where it installs and what would need to be done. I was surprised to see that email. And in one of the other threads on the topic people claim CS chats are saying it cannot actually be retrofitted. I wanted the manual all along so this doesn’t affect me, but lots of people who have been waiting still wanted that powered version.

https://rivian.com/support/article/why-will-some-r1t-powered-tonneau-covers-be-replaced

There’s also this…

 

[R1Tom]

For me the powered is awesome. I love being able to keep it closed mostly, but when stop somewhere on way home, etc...quick button press and have it open. Luckily mine has worked too...so far...

 

[COdogman]

https://rivian.com/support/article/why-will-some-r1t-powered-tonneau-covers-be-replaced

There’s also this…

If that is accurate (big IF), Rivian would be able to resume powered builds in early 2023 as well. This might be another example of Rivian stepping on a rake they could have easily missed.

 

[loudog3114]

My powered one delivered pre-broken for me, so consider yourself lucky.

 

[crashmtb]

If that is accurate (big IF), Rivian would be able to resume powered builds in early 2023 as well. This might be another example of Rivian stepping on a rake they could have easily missed.

On the other hand it could be they’re just applying a bandaid to current ones

 

[COdogman]

On the other hand it could be they’re just applying a bandaid to current ones

Entirely possible. It gets exhausting trying to figure out Rivian’s strategy

 

[Bigeasy70075]

I think the can't be retrofitted statement is total BS because what are they going to do with the 12,000 trucks that have been promised to get the updated version when available

 

[NY_Rob]

Unfortunately this all goes back to that extremely dubious "employee sales" program they rolled out prior to deliveries to retail customers. It was touted as "a way to weed out any issues before customer deliveries". Problem was the employee owners were all under gag order NDA's and only leaked great things about the product. I guess they also withheld issues from Rivian corporate too because with all the employee sales they made there's no way they didn't encounter the tonneau issue, the CV-Joint/half-shaft "Tok" issue, the leaning issue, shaking steering wheel issue, etc... etc... That whole program was suspect from day one and I guess it has proved to be a poor choice to make given all the problems that Rivian is facing right now.

 

[Bborden]

Unfortunately this all goes back to that extremely dubious "employee sales" program they rolled out prior to deliveries to retail customers. It was touted as "a way to weed out any issues before customer deliveries". Problem was the employee owners were all under gag order NDA's and only leaked great things about the product. I guess they also withheld issues from Rivian corporate too because with all the employee sales they made there's no way they didn't encounter the tonneau issue, the CV-Joint/half-shaft "Tok" issue, the leaning issue, shaking steering wheel issue, etc... etc... That whole program was suspect from day one and I guess it has proved to be a poor choice to make given all the problems that Rivian is facing right now.

Interesting point… this was all happening leading up to IPO if i recall correctly. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, but this isn’t a great look for Rivian

 

[jebinc]

It would’ve made sense for the tonneau cover cavity to have been turned into accessible storage for sure.

I wonder what the actual failure rate on the powered tonneau is.

100%. The only variable is time/when it will fail.

 

[ads75]

Unfortunately this all goes back to that extremely dubious "employee sales" program they rolled out prior to deliveries to retail customers. It was touted as "a way to weed out any issues before customer deliveries". Problem was the employee owners were all under gag order NDA's and only leaked great things about the product. I guess they also withheld issues from Rivian corporate too because with all the employee sales they made there's no way they didn't encounter the tonneau issue, the CV-Joint/half-shaft "Tok" issue, the leaning issue, shaking steering wheel issue, etc... etc... That whole program was suspect from day one and I guess it has proved to be a poor choice to make given all the problems that Rivian is facing right now.

The employees may have had those problems, and reported them to Rivian. But at a certain point, Rivian needs to actually produce and deliver to customers. It would be a bad look if they delayed again. They probably believe they can fix those problems down the road. It’s also possible they weren’t seeming some of those issues since they were building so few vehicles, so much more time could be devoted to each vehicle.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

The employees may have had those problems, and reported them to Rivian. But at a certain point, Rivian needs to actually produce and deliver to customers. It would be a bad look if they delayed again. They probably believe they can fix those problems down the road. It’s also possible they weren’t seeming some of those issues since they were building so few vehicles, so much more time could be devoted to each vehicle.

They knew. The covers were almost all either broken or disabled during first mile events and at press events.

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