Manual tonneau: something doesn't stack up here ...

[COdogman]

My manual cover that I paid for with my truck purchase back in July was (finally) delivered 12/11. I haven't been home yet to open it, am looking forward to it. Really could have used it a couple months ago.

Mine also came on Monday. It only took 5 minutes to install, even while reading the instructions so I was careful not to break anything. I do like the way if fits and the bag is high quality. The release mechanism seems pretty fragile. Pretty much what I expected??‍

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[CaptRat]

Mine also came on Monday. It only took 5 minutes to install, even while reading the instructions so I was careful not to break anything. I do like the way if fits and the bag is high quality. The release mechanism seems pretty fragile. Pretty much what I expected??‍

The release mechanism is extremely fragile. Even knowing this in advance didn’t help as mine broke on the first cautious attempt at opening. I think the locking pin on the left side was either cracked or had a flaw in it.

It's hard to understand that after months of design for such a simple system they specified brittle, plastic locking pins. The designers have obviously never owned or used a pickup truck and don’t understand the conditions in which they are used.

I have a warranty claim for my tonneau but am considering replacing it with something more practical and durable. It's a wasted $800 and a far cry from the powered tonneau on my original order.

 

[COdogman]

The release mechanism is extremely fragile. Even knowing this in advance didn’t help as mine broke on the first cautious attempt at opening. I think the locking pin on the left side was either cracked or had a flaw in it.

It's hard to understand that after months of design for such a simple system they specified brittle, plastic locking pins. The designers have obviously never owned or used a pickup truck and don’t understand the conditions in which they are used.

I have a warranty claim for my tonneau but am considering replacing it with something more practical and durable. It's a wasted $800 and a far cry from the powered tonneau on my original order.

It was reading your post and a few others about that part that had me also being careful with that step. Even then I hesitated to pull it at all after getting the panels in place

I agree, it’s pretty sad that after all that time this is the best they could do. I didn’t want the powered tonneau but I would be extra disappointed if I had to settle for this after that. I think I can make this one work…

 

[CaptRat]

It was reading your post and a few others about that part that had me also being careful with that step. Even then I hesitated to pull it at all after getting the panels in place

I agree, it’s pretty sad that after all that time this is the best they could do. I didn’t want the powered tonneau but I would be extra disappointed if I had to settle for this after that. I think I can make this one work…

A cold day, a little ice.....how careful can one be?

Also, pulling on the strap horizontally pulls the panels (obviously) which puts more strain on the locking pins as they bind in the track.

I don't often need to lock anything in the bed, but I do remove the tonneau often for oversize loads. I may get a roll-up for general use and switch over to the Rivian manual for the rare trip that requires security.

 

[SDH]

So one of the 'chief guides' calls me yesterday to express his sympathy and reassure me they are on it, which was nice of him. I asked him where they are made, if he has contact with anyone who is responsible for making & shipping them and that's where we hit a blank. He had no idea!

I'm sorry, but in any company you can search your intranet, call around and find the person who has answers, surely that's your job if you work in a customer facing role. Not giving customers answers, just platitudes, is not a solution.

I suggested, no, challenged him, to speak to the lady on the video with RJ (when they were showing off the new tonneaus) and actually get answers. The second a tonneau is made and packaged, it should be out the door, not sat on a shelf.

"yes I agree, I'm as frustrated as you are .." Of course you are.

 

[DTown3011]

I finally received mine last week, ceramic coated it a few days ago and have it installed now. I think it looks great. At some point I might shell out for the powered tonneau retrofit, but for now this seems to work fine. I do agree it could have been engineered a bit better with the plastic locking pieces. Hopefully I won't have to move mine a ton and can just enjoy the tonneau as is.

 

[Singletracker]

OK, I give up. Still waiting for my manual tonneau, but having lots of second thoughts. Can this thing really be as bad as some say? Seems to me, if it is, surely Rivian would have done something about it, right Don’t answer that ?

Anyway, would spraying the latching pin mechanism with some silicon spray help the situation? When the pin breaks, is it repairable with something like Super Glue (yeah, I know, kinda Mickey Mouse, but…)? Is the locking pin actually necessary to have the tonneau be functional? Doesn’t the closed tailgate keep the tonneau secure? If so, why even have a locking pin, to begin with? Anybody have a picture of the broken part? I’m trying to visualize this whole thing.

 

[Dark-Fx]

OK, I give up. Still waiting for my manual tonneau, but having lots of second thoughts. Can this thing really be as bad as some say? Seems to me, if it is, surely Rivian would have done something about it, right Don’t answer that ?

Anyway, would spraying the latching pin mechanism with some silicon spray help the situation? When the pin breaks, is it repairable with something like Super Glue (yeah, I know, kinda Mickey Mouse, but…)? Is the locking pin actually necessary to have the tonneau be functional? Doesn’t the closed tailgate keep the tonneau secure? If so, why even have a locking pin, to begin with?

Would be nice to not have to remove the cover for long loads that don't intrude on it, like wood, kayaks, etc. I don't have the manual cover so can't really comment beyond those assumptions

 

[COdogman]

OK, I give up. Still waiting for my manual tonneau, but having lots of second thoughts. Can this thing really be as bad as some say? Seems to me, if it is, surely Rivian would have done something about it, right Don’t answer that ?

Anyway, would spraying the latching pin mechanism with some silicon spray help the situation? When the pin breaks, is it repairable with something like Super Glue (yeah, I know, kinda Mickey Mouse, but…)? Is the locking pin actually necessary to have the tonneau be functional? Doesn’t the closed tailgate keep the tonneau secure? If so, why even have a locking pin, to begin with? Anybody have a picture of the broken part? I’m trying to visualize this whole thing.

I haven't examined mine closely yet, but I think it would depend on which part broke. At first glance when I was installing it did seem to me it could probably be DIY'd if necessary.

I've only had mine installed for a couple days but it looks really nice and the panels fit together well. I won't need to take it in and out a ton so I also think I will probably keep it until I have a good reason to replace it.

 

[NY_Rob]

Anybody have a picture of the broken part? I’m trying to visualize this whole thing.

Here it is... as you can see, the shaft portion of the locking tang is plastic and too thin for the size of hole required for the clevis pin which makes it very weak around the large clevis pin hole. It snaps at it's weakest point when pulling the unlock cable. No way to glue it back into working condition. For an $800 - $1,600 item, they could have used metal for the unlocking tang/shaft.

 

[HighVoltOverland]

So who is going to be the hero to create a low cost all metal replacement for the locking bits??

I'm thinking some motorcycle brake cable and a lathe can make this problem go away

 

[DTown3011]

I haven't examined mine closely yet, but I think it would depend on which part broke. At first glance when I was installing it did seem to me it could probably be DIY'd if necessary.

I've only had mine installed for a couple days but it looks really nice and the panels fit together well. I won't need to take it in and out a ton so I also think I will probably keep it until I have a good reason to replace it.

This is pretty much where I am at. I'll tell you this - if I do take it in and out, I'll be damn sure to pull that release pin with so much care it will barely open!

 

[Singletracker]

So who is going to be the hero to create a low cost all metal replacement for the locking bits??

I'm thinking some motorcycle brake cable and a lathe can make this problem go away

Exactly. Is the pic that Rob posted pretty much what is happening to others? Is that the weak point or are there other failure points? I’m assuming the whole mechanism is plastic? Jeez, how frickin’ difficult would it have been to make these parts out of metal rods ?

Back to my other question - is the locking pin even necessary?

 

[NY_Rob]

Exactly. Is the pic that Rob posted pretty much what is happening to others? Is that the weak point or are there other failure points? I’m assuming the whole mechanism is plastic? Jeez, how frickin’ difficult would it have been to make these parts out of metal rods ?

Back to my other question - is the locking pin even necessary?

Yes, that is the point where the installed covers are breaking.

The ones that got damaged during shipping broke at the plastic endcaps.

 

[HighVoltOverland]

Exactly. Is the pic that Rob posted pretty much what is happening to others? Is that the weak point or are there other failure points? I’m assuming the whole mechanism is plastic? Jeez, how frickin’ difficult would it have been to make these parts out of metal rods ?

Back to my other question - is the locking pin even necessary?

Short answer would be no, plenty of non-locking tonneau in use or ones that use the tension of closed tailgate to stay in place.
I would imagine the locking pin is useful for bed being open or maybe ensuring a better seal between panels

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