DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[Phatman113]

One thing I just found out about the @Bf3 style is that those metal panels get HOT in the sun! We went camping and when the truck sat in the sun those panels were uncomfortable to put your hands on. I think every hard cover is going to have a similar issue, and I don't know why it surprised me, but yeah. Hot aluminum panels!

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[Bf3]

Finally got a tonneau cover and I’m completely amazed by this DIY build. Arrived yesterday and packaged well. As others have stated that it’s not the cheapest route but I absolutely believe it’s worth it. Had a hard tonneau cover on my 04’ Tundra so I definitely had to have one for my R1T. Yes, automatic would of been sweet but I’m satisfied.

Thank you, Bill! You did an amazing job and can’t thank you enough.

Thanks! Wonderful to hear you like it.

 

[Bf3]

One thing I just found out about the @Bf3 style is that those metal panels get HOT in the sun! We went camping and when the truck sat in the sun those panels were uncomfortable to put your hands on. I think every hard cover is going to have a similar issue, and I don't know why it surprised me, but yeah. Hot aluminum panels!

It’s a feature, not a bug. You’ve had a camp kitchen this whole time and didn’t know it. Just cook your steaks on the tonneau. ?

 

[flaky]

Received Bill @Bf3 's cover yesterday and installed immediately.

What I like:

1. Very durable material. Aluminum feels premium. I (160lbs) stand on it during car washing today and feel very confident.
2. Nice craftsmanship. Rounded edges, properly sealed gaps, weather strip at two ends. I can feel that Bill put thoughts into the product. I could DIY but doubt will be close to Bill's level.
3. Packed well. Layered paper between panels. Form at corner and at edges.

What I don't like:

1. Some scratches (see photo). Surely the cover will be abused by me for years to come, but I still hope what I received is brand new.
2. Velcro pad loosened from panel. I pressed it back to panel, hopefully it will stick.

What I hate:

1. There is a granola bar in the package. I got the joke and appreciate the gesture. Unfortunately, the granola bar got crumbled during transportation and leaked everywhere in the package. I spent half an hour to carefully wipe all edges of the panels and vacuum clean the floor. Hopefully no granola residues are left in panels to attract ants.

All in all, it's a very nice product and worth the money. My R1T feels whole now. Though the scratches are like sting in my heart and am trying best to ignore them.

 

[Bf3]

Received Bill @Bf3 's cover yesterday and installed immediately.

What I like:

1. Very durable material. Aluminum feels premium. I (160lbs) stand on it during car washing today and feel very confident.
2. Nice craftsmanship. Rounded edges, properly sealed gaps, weather strip at two ends. I can feel that Bill put thoughts into the product. I could DIY but doubt will be close to Bill's level.
3. Packed well. Layered paper between panels. Form at corner and at edges.

What I don't like:

1. Some scratches (see photo). Surely the cover will be abused by me for years to come, but I still hope what I received is brand new.
2. Velcro pad loosened from panel. I pressed it back to panel, hopefully it will stick.

What I hate:

1. There is a granola bar in the package. I got the joke and appreciate the gesture. Unfortunately, the granola bar got crumbled during transportation and leaked everywhere in the package. I spent half an hour to carefully wipe all edges of the panels and vacuum clean the floor. Hopefully no granola residues are left in panels to attract ants.

All in all, it's a very nice product and worth the money. My R1T feels whole now. Though the scratches are like sting in my heart and am trying best to ignore them.

I’m really sorry about the scratches and the granola. I hadn’t even considered the potential explosions. Send me an email and I’ll get the scratched panels swapped out. I do my best to try and keep a tight QC, but this is certainly a miss. I try to set and scratched or dented panels aside for discounted “B Stock” covers… which I have 2 of if anyone happens to be interested…

 

[cjones1130]

Just received and installed my "B Stock" cover from @Bf3 ; I am absolutely pleased and overly impressed by the product. My Rivian Guide screwed me over on the manual cover (would now cost a ludicrous $1800). I don't have a fancy gun bag for it but it is extremely robust and overly easy to put on/taken off. I'm sure my guide would eventually end up honoring the $800 price point if pressed but I needed something for this summer and didn't want to wait. From the pics/vids that I've seen this cover actually looks to be more durable.

All in all if you aren't able to get the Rivian tonneau for $800 this one is an absolute no brainer!

 

[seanocono]

Looks great. Congrats!

 

[foxerson]

Shout out to @Bf3 for sharing his ingenious solution here and for manufacturing the UHMW slides that looked like they would be really tedious for me to shape by hand.

Honorable mention to @Phatman113 for sharing details of his build with links to all the materials.

I have had the materials for several weeks and finally got a few hours to build it up today. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Personally, I think this is better than OEM. Less complicated, won't jam, and modular construction for easy replacement of an individual slat if one gets bent, dented or scratched. (I bought an extra slat just in case I messed one up. Didn't need it. So, now I have a spare.)

 

[Bf3]

Shout out to @Bf3 for sharing his ingenious solution here and for manufacturing the UHMW slides that looked like they would be really tedious for me to shape by hand.

Honorable mention to @Phatman113 for sharing details of his build with links to all the materials.

I have had the materials for several weeks and finally got a few hours to build it up today. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Personally, I think this is better than OEM. Less complicated, won't jam, and modular construction for easy replacement of an individual slat if one gets bent, dented or scratched. (I bought an extra slat just in case I messed one up. Didn't need it. So, now I have a spare.)

Nicely done!

 

[Rainman]

I just bought an Agri-Cover, but I like yours better Bill; that’s solid work.

 

[Phatman113]

Shout out to @Bf3 for sharing his ingenious solution here and for manufacturing the UHMW slides that looked like they would be really tedious for me to shape by hand.

Honorable mention to @Phatman113 for sharing details of his build with links to all the materials.

I have had the materials for several weeks and finally got a few hours to build it up today. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Personally, I think this is better than OEM. Less complicated, won't jam, and modular construction for easy replacement of an individual slat if one gets bent, dented or scratched. (I bought an extra slat just in case I messed one up. Didn't need it. So, now I have a spare.)

Yeah, it was absolutely about the ease of replacement for me too. I wasn't sure if I was going to drop something on one, or bust it with my kid breakdancing on there or something, but having to buy a full new cover vs just a $60 board is brilliant!

 

[NoGoingBack]

Yeah, it was absolutely about the ease of replacement for me too. I wasn't sure if I was going to drop something on one, or bust it with my kid breakdancing on there or something, but having to buy a full new cover vs just a $60 board is brilliant!

Yeah now that I have my Rivian OEM manual cover I wish I had gotten the @Bf3 cover.

 

[CO-rayman]

Shout out to @Bf3 for sharing his ingenious solution here and for manufacturing the UHMW slides that looked like they would be really tedious for me to shape by hand.

Honorable mention to @Phatman113 for sharing details of his build with links to all the materials.

I have had the materials for several weeks and finally got a few hours to build it up today. I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Personally, I think this is better than OEM. Less complicated, won't jam, and modular construction for easy replacement of an individual slat if one gets bent, dented or scratched. (I bought an extra slat just in case I messed one up. Didn't need it. So, now I have a spare.)

Looks fantastic!

I am thinking of tackling this project now that I know the Rivian manual cover is going to cost me $1,800 (my guide told me on Friday that there is only one price). I very much like the serviceability and plan to get a spare panel as you suggested.

A couple of questions:

1. what tool did you use to cut the panels?
2. did you end up using any sealant? I plan to get the UHMW from BF3 also and my understanding is that using BF3's UHMW, you don't really need sealant since they friction fit.

 

[foxerson]

Looks fantastic!

I am thinking of tackling this project now that I know the Rivian manual cover is going to cost me $1,800 (my guide told me on Friday that there is only one price). I very much like the serviceability and plan to get a spare panel as you suggested.

A couple of questions:

1. what tool did you use to cut the panels?
2. did you end up using any sealant? I plan to get the UHMW from BF3 also and my understanding is that using BF3's UHMW, you don't really need sealant since they friction fit.

I used my 14” chop saw with an aluminum cutting blade to cut down each panel to the correct length.

For the one panel at the cab that needs to be ripped lengthwise I used an aluminum cutting blade in my 7-1/4” circular saw. Doing it freehand with the circular saw was a bit tricky but I just took it slow and was careful to follow the line I drew. A table saw would likely be easier.

The UHMW pieces are a tight fit in the aluminum panels. I used a hammer with a plastic head to tap them into place without deforming the plastic. I don’t see any need for adhesive or sealant.

The rubber weatherstripping is a bit loose on the narrow panel at the cab. I ordered some VHB tape to secure it better.

 

[CO-rayman]

I used my 14” chop saw with an aluminum cutting blade to cut down each panel to the correct length.

For the one panel at the cab that needs to be ripped lengthwise I used an aluminum cutting blade in my 7-1/4” circular saw. Doing it freehand with the circular saw was a bit tricky but I just took it slow and was careful to follow the line I drew. A table saw would likely be easier.

The UHMW pieces are a tight fit in the aluminum panels. I used a hammer with a plastic head to tap them into place without deforming the plastic. I don’t see any need for adhesive or sealant.

The rubber weatherstripping is a bit loose on the narrow panel at the cab. I ordered some VHB tape to secure it better.

Thank you!!! Great info.

Regarding the rubber weatherstripping at the cab, if you used this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4S1C6NT/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3FOSOQ6FBSYGB&psc=1, can't you just bend the metal teeth a bit? I have done that when installing the same type of strip on one of my cars when I needed to adjust for the edge thickness but I am not sure if it would also apply to these panels.

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