Manual tonneau cover blues

[MountainBikeDude]

But maybe, just maybe, it will be a hyundai santa cruz style cover that fits where the old powered cover used to be?

A man can dream...

Someone is bound to come up with a 3rd party solution that integrates into that unused space, but the manual cover won't be it unfortunately.

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[TheLTrain]

When i (was forced to) switch to the manual cover, I was envisioning that it would be just like the powered cover and you could manually slide it open/closed like a roll top desk. I have a feeling I'm going to wish I just didn't order a cover once I actually see this 4 panel -> gear tunnel monstrosity. What are the odds they'll let us cancel after they show us what this looks like?

Opening the tailgate to remove a panel is pretty bad, requiring the side space to fit it into the gear tunnel is even worse, and maybe having to climb into the bed to remove the 2nd 3rd and 4th panels is just terrible. If we just put two panels in, will they slide forwards and backwards as we accelerate and brake like a plastic guillotine? I just can't imagine something that follows the descriptions I've heard that won't make people point and laugh at the crappy engineering for a very critical component of a truck.

Agreed, hope we can cancel if we don’t like how it turns out. On an unrelated note, was chatting with the service rep when I brought the truck to SJ service center and he was saying he expects the new powered tonneau design to be compatible for a retrofit. Seems to contradict what I heard from my guide last year.

 

[mabowden]

Someone is bound to come up with a 3rd party solution that integrates into that unused space, but the manual cover won't be it unfortunately.

Dream big, my friend.

 

[mabowden]

I really don’t like the look of any of the modded covers that sit on top of the bed. Using the rails = a cleaner OEM look IMO.

None of them look great except the one guy who spent like $300 on plastic and hinges. I'll wait a few months for the manual one to come in...

 

[Tucker74]

Likely your plate...or a gift...I would be super duper surprised if it was the manual cover.

I know … but can dream. s00n ?

 

[Gavinmcc]

Agreed, hope we can cancel if we don’t like how it turns out. On an unrelated note, was chatting with the service rep when I brought the truck to SJ service center and he was saying he expects the new powered tonneau design to be compatible for a retrofit. Seems to contradict what I heard from my guide last year.

retrofit the R1Ts that have the old powered cover, not us manual cover people…but I’ll love it if that’s so.

Mine won’t have the outside “open/close” button, but if you can open from the phone app or the touch screen I’d be fine with that. Just don’t see it happening for the “donut hole” people of Jan, Feb, March 2023 that missed the broken cover, but too soon for the version 2.0

 

[Gavinmcc]

I know … but can dream. s00n ?

My plate came from Ohio and overnight delivery, so if yours is overnight and from Ohio…

 

[steelwheels]

I mean we all know currently what it consists of. Four interlocking panels that can be stored in the gear tunnel. It slides in the bed rails and will require the tailgate to be open to remove.

I'm assuming each panel will have a rubber gasket along the leading edges to ensure water tight fitment. I just hope they aren't too fiddly to put in and take out. Also I hope the latch together as you put them in, so when you pull the rear most panel, the other panels come toward you for easier removal.

At one point the design was still 4 panels, but they could be coupled together to make a camp table which I'm still hoping is the "surprise" hold up with the design

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of how to make this work. Maybe they need to hire you to get this thing going.
I remember reading about it potentially turning in to a table also, but you’re the first person to mention it. I was starting to think I had dreamed it. was a huge selling point for me. Hopefully that’s still the plan.

 

[swaggner]

I imagine the manual cover will be pretty nice once it arrives…given the new configurator price is $1800.

 

[TheLTrain]

I imagine the manual cover will be pretty nice once it arrives…given the new configurator price is $1800.

Wow a $1k price increase! Guess inflation’s really hitting eggs and tonneau covers

 

[Ryan1T]

I was waiting to see how it played out to decide if I was going to order one...$1000 ago. That may just make me look 3rd party.

 

[bmcenaney]

Got a UPS notification Rivian was sending me something, the only item I haven’t received is the manual tonneau (got charger & mats). Could it be? Will keep you posted, was just the generated label so can’t read much info into until it actually ships.

That was the TX registration sticker when I got my truck. Printed a label almost immediately after I picked up my truck, but sat at waiting to be picked up for a month.

 

[SDH]

Agreed, hope we can cancel if we don’t like how it turns out. On an unrelated note, was chatting with the service rep when I brought the truck to SJ service center and he was saying he expects the new powered tonneau design to be compatible for a retrofit. Seems to contradict what I heard from my guide last year.

In my experience the folks on the ground at the SC's seem to know more (or at least be in the loop better on technical stuff) than the guides. Not saying this particular rumour about the cover is correct, just that I know who I'd rather get my updates from.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Sounds like you have a pretty good idea of how to make this work. Maybe they need to hire you to get this thing going.
I remember reading about it potentially turning in to a table also, but you’re the first person to mention it. I was starting to think I had dreamed it. was a huge selling point for me. Hopefully that’s still the plan.

Older evidence of the original manual tonneaus intent and functionality. It's been neat watching the evolution of the products on offer since Rivians unveiling both from Rivian and others, but as with many plans, not everything makes sense going into production unfortunately.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/r1t-bed-and-tonneau-cover-concerns.854/post-15960

https://www.greencarreports.com/new...ore-about-pricing-range-specs-ahead-of-orders

And a quote from Teslatari
"Unlike the Adventure Package, the tonneau cover of the Explore Package is manual. Although, the tonneau cover’s panels are designed to lock together to double as a camp table. Rivian will start delivering its Explore Package trim will on January 2022"

 

[Prime]

Older evidence of the original manual tonneaus intent and functionality. It's been neat watching the evolution of the products on offer since Rivians unveiling both from Rivian and others, but as with many plans, not everything makes sense going into production unfortunately.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/r1t-bed-and-tonneau-cover-concerns.854/post-15960

https://www.greencarreports.com/new...ore-about-pricing-range-specs-ahead-of-orders

And a quote from Teslatari
"Unlike the Adventure Package, the tonneau cover of the Explore Package is manual. Although, the tonneau cover’s panels are designed to lock together to double as a camp table. Rivian will start delivering its Explore Package trim will on January 2022"

I remember this reporting. With the number of cuts already, I doubt they’ll put any financial resources towards the design/ production of a dual function tonneau. So long to that like the gear shuttle and camp kitchen.

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