DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[agame32]

As a temporary solution I think it’ll work. Long term I could see the vinyl fading or delaminating. Are they waterproof planks?

Thanks @Bf3! Yes, they’re waterproof and I’m aiming for the dark ash wood look. I’ve looked into maybe finding some sort of UV protectant and/or if they can periodically be re-darkened over time via some sort of “staining” process. I think I can do this for about $200 total.

Any structural concerns?

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[Bf3]

Thanks @Bf3! Yes, they’re waterproof and I’m aiming for the dark ash wood look. I’ve looked into maybe finding some sort of UV protectant and/or if they can periodically be re-darkened over time via some sort of “staining” process. I think I can do this for about $200 total.

Any structural concerns?

Try Turtle wax’s graphene trim restorer. It’s colored black and protects against UV. I’ve been using it on my covers and it works pretty well.

 

[agame32]

Try Turtle wax’s graphene trim restorer. It’s colored black and protects against UV. I’ve been using it on my covers and it works pretty well.

Thanks again for sharing! These are the vinyl planks I’ve ordered going for the dark ash wood look. I see this as a temporary solution until I receive my $800 Rivian cover, although if it comes out nice and I feel it has longer term viability, I’ll sell the Rivian cover and keep this (perhaps replacing it every X years). I could probably make 3-4 sets before I hit $800.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dekorma...nk-Flooring-22-4-sqft-case-DKMXL802/317174962

 

[obfuscurity]

I received @Bf3's tonneau cover today. Impressively robust design. Heavier than I expected, but not excessively so. A few installation tips to anyone who follows...

• The small piece goes in first, weatherstripping facing the cab. Try to get it seated evenly so that the final closing pushes it into place smoothly.
• Make sure your next piece is the one with the hook piece of velcro. This will be the one you start attaching the "grab" length of velcro to.
• Save your last piece to be the one with the remaining strip of weatherstripping. This will push up against the tailgate.

Even with a few mistakes in sequence I had it installed in about 10 minutes. You can have it fully unboxed and installed in less than 5 minutes if you take care of the tips above.

 

[Bf3]

I received @Bf3's tonneau cover today. Impressively robust design. Heavier than I expected, but not excessively so. A few installation tips to anyone who follows...

• The small piece goes in first, weatherstripping facing the cab. Try to get it seated evenly so that the final closing pushes it into place smoothly.
• Make sure your next piece is the one with the hook piece of velcro. This will be the one you start attaching the "grab" length of velcro to.
• Save your last piece to be the one with the remaining strip of weatherstripping. This will push up against the tailgate.

Even with a few mistakes in sequence I had it installed in about 10 minutes. You can have it fully unboxed and installed in less than 5 minutes if you take care of the tips above.

Would it be helpful to label or number the pieces for a more straightforward first install? I could get some easily removable stickers or something.

 

[Phatman113]

Would it be helpful to label or number the pieces for a more straightforward first install? I could get some easily removable stickers or something.

I accidentally put my velcro slightly angled, but now it helps me keep my plates in order...

 

[obfuscurity]

Would it be helpful to label or number the pieces for a more straightforward first install? I could get some easily removable stickers or something.

I think it'd be helpful to include the tips in your printout, but I'm not sure stickers are really needed.

 

[Bf3]

I think it'd be helpful to include the tips in your printout, but I'm not sure stickers are really needed.

Ok, thanks. That’s a great suggestion. I always appreciate hearing feedback like this.

 

[the_mace]

I went with the EV Sportline cover early on but not liking the sagging it does with wind/rain. The rollup is nice since no extra storage is needed but its hard to roll under the bars. Thinking of switching. I like the concept of no velcro Rivian has on their cover for the interlocking panels, just not sure when it would be available and i'd want to see reviews etc.

Anyone have pictures of this one with heavy rain on it?

How much does the whole set weigh when removed? I need to make sure my wife can move it.

Also saw the question above about a cooler and partial removal, is it all or nothing for removing it? We do partial unrolls of the EV Sportline one now when we need to fit hay/etc.

 

[agame32]

Thanks again for sharing! These are the vinyl planks I’ve ordered going for the dark ash wood look. I see this as a temporary solution until I receive my $800 Rivian cover, although if it comes out nice and I feel it has longer term viability, I’ll sell the Rivian cover and keep this (perhaps replacing it every X years). I could probably make 3-4 sets before I hit $800.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dekorma...nk-Flooring-22-4-sqft-case-DKMXL802/317174962

I got my dark ash wood styled tonneau done today and just created a new thread for this specific build, in case anyone is interested.

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-tonneau-plus-camp-table-for-under-350.17359/

 

[Puttyandnapalm]

I went the really cheap route with a Lowe’s fence panel. About $100 for the panel, some extra wood support, duct tape, and a few nuts and bolts
It’s functional, but can’t say I’d recommend anyone else do it ?

 

[HighVoltOverland]

anyone using a @Bf3 style solution tried to add pins that use the existing locking points in the rails?

 

[Phatman113]

anyone using a @Bf3 style solution tried to add pins that use the existing locking points in the rails?

What's the purpose of the pins?

 

[Sgt Beavis]

I went the really cheap route with a Lowe’s fence panel. About $100 for the panel, some extra wood support, duct tape, and a few nuts and bolts
It’s functional, but can’t say I’d recommend anyone else do it ?

 

[racekarl]

What's the purpose of the pins?

They allow you to lock the manual tonneau cover in a partially open position by only inserting some of the panels. The pins on the last panel can engage multiple holes cut into the rail along its length, so you can, for example, load in just one other panel, then the "last" one and set your tonneau cover halfway open.

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