R.I.P Manual Tonneau Cover?

[Ironcitijc]

While I was looking through the gear shop to see if we can order a drawer to replace the camp speaker (apparently the standard on lower trim Gen 2 vehicles) I noticed a couple items in the gear shop are "compatible with Gen 1 vehicles only". My biggest surprise was the manual tonneau cover. I know a PTC is now a $1,500 option so I guess the channels on the side of the bed will no longer be there on Gen 2 vehicles if you don't select the PTC? I know many folks on here are not huge fans of the current manual tonneau cover - especially at the current price of $1,800 - but I for one liked the option of having the channels on the side of the bed even for an aftermarket option. Oh well, thought it was interesting.

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[COdogman]

Quite awhile back I recall we heard that Rivian would eventually be offering 3 choices: PTC/ MTC/ and no cover, with the no cover option not getting the rails in the bed at all. Then we didn’t hear anything else for a long time.

You might be right and they are just trying to simplify even further. Personally I think they should only offer the manual cover or no cover but make every bed with the rails.

 

[madgrey]

I think loosing the manual tonneau is a good decision, mounting channel and all. Those that don't want the powered one get a clean slate (no constraints due to Rivian's channel implementation) which would open the market up to BAKFlip and all the others to make it the way they see fit.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I have a love hate relationship with the manual tonneau.

- Love the bag it came with, I can store my tailgate pad and a pair of maxtrax in it.
- Love the fact tonneau is trapped in place when the tailgate is up, I can store things in the rear without fear of someone busting a lock to get in.

And now the things I hate
- hate that I had a PTC configured for 4 years only to get stuck with the manual as my only option
- hate the fact that I have to pull panels out to get to things at the cab side of the bed.
- hate the latch mechanism. I feel like its going to go at any point.
- I hate trying to find a place to gently place the panels so the don't chip or break the plastic ends while I get something out of the bed, only to put it back in moments later.

 

[lslick23]

I have a love hate relationship with the manual tonneau.

- Love the bag it came with, I can store my tailgate pad and a pair of maxtrax in it.
- Love the fact tonneau is trapped in place when the tailgate is up, I can store things in the rear without fear of someone busting a lock to get in.

And now the things I hate
- hate that I had a PTC configured for 4 years only to get stuck with the manual as my only option
- hate the fact that I have to pull panels out to get to things at the cab side of the bed.
- hate the latch mechanism. I feel like its going to go at any point.
- I hate trying to find a place to gently place the panels so the don't chip or break the plastic ends while I get something out of the bed, only to put it back in moments later.

Get a boat hook and leave it in the truck bed. Using that you will rarely need to take the cover panels off if ever.

 

[-0-coach-0-]

I have a love hate relationship with the manual tonneau.

- Love the bag it came with, I can store my tailgate pad and a pair of maxtrax in it.
- Love the fact tonneau is trapped in place when the tailgate is up, I can store things in the rear without fear of someone busting a lock to get in.

And now the things I hate
- hate that I had a PTC configured for 4 years only to get stuck with the manual as my only option
- hate the fact that I have to pull panels out to get to things at the cab side of the bed.
- hate the latch mechanism. I feel like its going to go at any point.
- I hate trying to find a place to gently place the panels so the don't chip or break the plastic ends while I get something out of the bed, only to put it back in moments later.

I agree with you. I find I can open the cover just enough without taking out the first panel to push items back to the front of the truck bed.

 

[mini2nut]

The Gen 2 powered tonneau cover for $1500 looks like the way to go.

 

[Ralph]

The Gen 2 powered tonneau cover for $1500 looks like the way to go.

I've had a member here tell me that the Dallas service center has actually sold a retrofit. But of course we can't contact service centers.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

Same boat as most
The PTC was a really big deal for me
I received the “discontinuing the PTC” email a few weeks before receiving my notice of pending delivery back in late 2022
At that time IIRC Rivian said if you configured for MTC you could eventually get the PTC retro fit
I’m still waiting on “eventually “
That’s my only beef with the vehicle/company

 

[Noplacelikeloam]

I've had a member here tell me that the Dallas service center has actually sold a retrofit. But of course we can't contact service centers.

where have you seen this?

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Same boat as most
The PTC was a really big deal for me
I received the “discontinuing the PTC” email a few weeks before receiving my notice of pending delivery back in late 2022
At that time IIRC Rivian said if you configured for MTC you could eventually get the PTC retro fit
I’m still waiting on “eventually “
That’s my only beef with the vehicle/company

My wife is less quick to want to spend money on things (in other words, she's cheap) but even she said when the powered retrofit is available, we should get it. She has yet to remove the tonneau for fear shes going to be the one to break it, and will sooner crawl inside the bed over pulling a panel.

 

[Ralph]

where have you seen this?

This message/thread. I'd love to buy an PTC. Rivian is now charging $1500 at the factory. People have shown 4 hours to install. At $200 and hour we are looking at perhaps $2500? I'd buy it today.

 

[RivianRiverRat]

All
Thanks for the info and thread link
The last comment is by Noplaclelikeloam is the money quote
“Aftermarket install available when shown in gear shop”
My question is this -why $3000 when new builds are $800 if my original build was supposedly able to accept the retrofit
EDIT Also see “No power tonneau in configuration” thread by rbrak29

 

[Ralph]

All
Thanks for the info and thread link
The last comment is by Noplaclelikeloam is the money quote
“Aftermarket install available when shown in gear shop”
My question is this -why $3000 when new builds are $800 if my original build was supposedly able to accept the retrofit
EDIT Also see “No power tonneau in configuration” thread by rbrak29

Oh, I agree that charging customers who tried to spec a PTC but were forced to remove it $3k is, shall we say, "not right".

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

All
Thanks for the info and thread link
The last comment is by Noplaclelikeloam is the money quote
“Aftermarket install available when shown in gear shop”
My question is this -why $3000 when new builds are $800 if my original build was supposedly able to accept the retrofit
EDIT Also see “No power tonneau in configuration” thread by rbrak29

Think about the build process at assembly line and think about the steps required for retrofitting. You’ll come to understand why retrofitting cost more.

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