Protect Your Rivian Rear!! DIY rear bumper protector

[NY_Rob]

I kludged together this rear end/bumper protector for my new ride.
The Pintle mount shank is 2" X 10" long solid steel and the plate is 3/8" thick solid steel. The piece weighs 16lbs by itself and is rated for 13,000LBS. The bumpers are solid rubber 2.25" thick and 7" long.

Luckily, the two holes in the bumpers lined up with two holes in the mounting plate, so no drilling or modifications to the bumpers or plate was needed. Holding the bumpers to the plate I used four brass machine screws 1/4"x2.5" long with SS fender washers on the bumper side and 5/16" + 1/4" washers stacked on the mount plate side with a lock nut setup to prevent them coming loose. The hardware I picked up at HD, cost about $10 total.

I needed the 10" long version of the Pintle mount because I wanted it to be at least flush with the spare tire on my Jeep, which by the photos you can see it is. Since Rivian doesn't have a rear mounted spare tire option, you could use the 9" version of the mount so it won't nail anyone's shins if they pass to close to your vehicle. FWIW- I went with the "Save With Used" version of the mount because it was $10 less then the new version, and it was still in new condition, just repackaged by Amazon due to weighing so much and busting up it's original shipping carton. I think the "Save With Used" 9" mount is only $27!

Of course in a very hard rear end hit, this might not do too much (and nothing will), but if some knucklehead creeps up/rolls in to it at a stop light or while backing up in a parking lot it might just save you from replacing your rear bumper & bumper cover which is $$$ to replace.

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[Rivian_Hugh_III]

I’m totally in the market for a Rivian version of this that doesn’t look hideous (this is better than many) and deforms gracefully on impact to protect the Rivian frame. Shouldn’t be too hard for an engineer? For bonus points make it look like a step that matches the aesthetic of the Rivian rear.

 

[COdogman]

They should make novelty versions. Like a baboon ass or 2 teeth.

 

[JackRussellRacing]

I think with enough fake news and bad press about EV explosions or something, we can successfully convince the driving public that even tapping the rear of a Rivian is worse than a Ford Pinto.

As a kid who grew up in a Pinto, we never worried about a rear end collision once the American public was duly scared.





Just sayin...

 

[SPITmadFIRE]

Speaking from experience; you can absolutely guarantee your vehicle will be totaled if you're rear ended at low speed with one of these attached. You're attach a strong, hardened leverage point directly to your frame. Any contact with that hitch attachment will absolutely bend and compress your frame.

 

[NY_Rob]

Speaking from experience; you can absolutely guarantee your vehicle will be totaled if you're rear ended at low speed with one of these attached.

Well, pretty much any modern vehicle will be totaled by a rear end hit nowadays due to all the sensors, harnesses, cameras, air suspension, beauty coverings, etc.. back there.
This is to prevent cosmetic damage occurring as I mentioned "if some knucklehead creeps up/rolls in to it at a stop light or while backing up in a parking lot". Emphasis on the words "creeps up at a stop light and backs in to it in a parking lot".. both walking speed incidents, hardly enough to total a vehicle I hope.

 

[Hereforthesnacks]

Well, pretty much any modern vehicle will be totaled by a rear end hit nowadays due to all the sensors, harnesses, cameras, air suspension, beauty coverings, etc.. back there.

Nah. We’ve had our modern EVs rear ended three times, annoyingly twice while we were at a red light. Repairs were $5k or less and the hits were decent. It’s just a matter of engineering.

 

[windblowlc]

I'd rather repaint/replace my bumper than attaching something this hideous to the Rivian rear.

 

[Zoidz]

Replace the Rubber Bumpers with an explosive impact shaped charge. ?

 

[NY_Rob]

Replace the Rubber Bumpers with an explosive impact shaped charge. ?

Thought crossed my mind ?

 

[NY_Rob]

I'd rather repaint/replace my bumper than attaching something this hideous to the Rivian rear.

Well, you can leave off the rubber bumpers if that's more aesthetically pleasing to you ?

 

[windblowlc]

Well, you can leave off the rubber bumpers if that's more aesthetically pleasing to you ?

That would be like a boxing trainer saying "hit me with your best shot"

 

[Killer95Stang]

Can you suggest one for the front of the Rivian, since some girl backed into ours in her Jeep 4xe. It had all these useless accessories dangling from it, like she was about enter her jeep in that Dakar desert race... but most of her driving time was mostly spent looking for parking at the nearby Cal State school...

 

[zefram47]

That will absolutely bend the frame in an impact. Being in NYC, doesn't having something like that on your bumper just invite people to use it as a feeler gauge when parking?

 

[DayTripping]

This is a pretty good alternative option. I used one before and it was great. It basically has a built in shock absorber.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075KHSKMJ?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0

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