DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[kozak79]

Here's the build, cellular PVC. Sorry for the night pictures.

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[mini2nut]

I like it. Total cost for materials?

 

[kozak79]

I like it. Total cost for materials?

About $300. Page 7 of this thread has my Home Depot shopping cart. I did have to add 1/2" wood screws, the screws that came with the hinges are too long.

 

[krockett]

Looks great, have you had a chance to test for water leaking through the panels?

 

[krockett]

Wonder how this low-pro one might fit - https://www.amazon.com/TruXedo-TruXport-Tonneau-294701-Maverick/dp/B09CV8HG1V?th=1&psc=1

 

[kozak79]

Looks great, have you had a chance to test for water leaking through the panels?

I ordered 1/2" x 1/16" insulation tape that I'll add between the panels. Should be water resistant after that.

 

[kozak79]

I used this foam tape between the panels and it made the seam very stiff. Here are some pictures of the final result. Feels stiff and very snug front to back due to the foam.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4PKBC5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[NY_Rob]

Amazing how DIY'ers can get it done on a Saturday and it's been a few months since Rivian announced their simple 4-panel factory manual tonneau with still no finished product (or even photos of the production version) yet.

 

[Prime]

Amazing how DIY'ers can get it done on a Saturday and it's been a few months since Rivian announced their simple 4-panel factory manual tonneau with still no finished product (or even photos of the production version) yet.

Agreed I find this really unusual especially since I’d heard a SC rep on a YouTube video mention the manual cover design months ago before it was announced. It can’t be this hard to have a demonstration worthy prototype.

 

[dp351]

Amazing how DIY'ers can get it done on a Saturday and it's been a few months since Rivian announced their simple 4-panel factory manual tonneau with still no finished product (or even photos of the production version) yet.

I’m not going to criticize Rivian for taking extra time to test this prior to talking about it, because I wish they’d done that for their original tonneau.

I love the garage innovators, but we can’t compare their solutions to what’s expected from an OEM product. Keep in mind that Rivian has to consider people obsessing over fractions of a millimeter variations in panel gaps and Wall Street analysts downgrading the company over a bolt tightening recall. Not exactly the same level of scrutiny.

 

[obfuscurity]

I’m not going to criticize Rivian for taking extra time to test this prior to talking about it, because I wish they’d done that for their original tonneau.

I love the garage innovators, but we can’t compare their solutions to what’s expected from an OEM product. Keep in mind that Rivian has to consider people obsessing over fractions of a millimeter variations in panel gaps and Wall Street analysts downgrading the company over a bolt tightening recall. Not exactly the same level of scrutiny.

Not to mention supply chain issues.

 

[dp351]

Not to mention supply chain issues.

Good point! I might be able to build a pretty nice one once. But making 10,000+ at a reasonable cost might be tricky.

 

[kozak79]

I used this foam tape between the panels and it made the seam very stiff. Here are some pictures of the final result. Feels stiff and very snug front to back due to the foam.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4PKBC5?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Had Rain for the past 2 days. The DIY cover didn't leak. Nice and dry inside.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

Ya all know there's some aftermarket alternatives that apparently work? Someone posted this in the "Rivian Tech" FB group a few days ago. For whatever reason I can't share the post link. But here is the group and the product. He made it work with a few wing nuts and some ingenuity.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/821700742402686

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3MGFX2Z

 

[krockett]

Decided I’m going to go with a temp Maverick Tonneau cover too, but going to try a different soft-top model as this one is a bit cheaper, arriving today - https://www.amazon.com/TIPTOP-Roll-...ver+maverick&qid=1673026968&sr=8-3&th=1&psc=1. Will report results.

This is a stopgap until the manual Rivian cover comes…and then hopefully some day soon there will an aftermarket for a powered tonneau or hardtop shell.

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