A Quick Look at Three 'Inexpensive' Silicone Tow Hook Covers

[tps5352]

01/27/25 Update: I received an email from Matt Homes at BuiltRight Industries about their tow hook front license plate mount. In it, Matt mentions that the tow hook size may have changed in Gen 2 vehicles. If true, that could be another(?) reason why some drivers have complained about (loose) fit of tow hook covers. I'd appreciate feedback specifically from Gen 2 vehicle owners--do tow hook covers fit properly on the newer cars? In contrast, Abstract Ocean indicates that its tow hook covers fit all Rivian models (that have THs) and both generations (1 & 2).

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[MountainBikeDude]

Besides functional (and often expensive) accessories (like wheel-tire sets, running boards, etc.), I'm also occasionally interested in purely cosmetic stuff--like brake caliper colors and--of all things--tow hook covers.* One day I saw a photo of a Gen 1 Quad with yellow brake calipers and matching (covered) tow hooks, and it was automobile-accessory love at first sight. (Like "Michael Corleone" hit by the "thunderbolt" in "The Godfather" [terrific 1969 summer-read novel by Mario Puzo, and classic 1972 movie by Francis Ford Coppola].)

Though available in black, red, and florescent green, I've mostly noticed the bright yellow (silicone?) rubber variety, and for good reason. They look great (imo) with the (as I am reminded by readers, not quite) matching yellow brake calipers found on the original Gen 1 Quad and, now, the Gen 2 Tri Max vehicles. Despite the fact that they (allegedly) get lost or stolen, don't fit tightly, or fade in the sun,...I want them!

Normally, I have been a fan of certain online EV-accessory shops. And I gently try to discourage folks from buying no-name discounted items from Amazon, for example, and a certain online auction site. But when I discovered that tow hook cover prices were ~$30 or more from some sources, I wondered (like others) what the cheaper Amazon products were like. Here is a look at three inexpensive alternatives.

1. Tow Accessories for Rivian R1t/R1s Accessories 2 Pack Tow Hook Covers for Rivian R1T/R1S Accessories, Yellow - $9.98 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Tesmirror.
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2. 2 PCS Trailer Hitch Cover, Environmentally Friendly Flexible Silicone Tow Hook Buffer Anti-Collision Parts, Anti-Scratch Shock-Absorbing Protector, Compatible with Rivian R1T/R1S (Yellow) - $12.99 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Irinidig-Auto-US.
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3. Tow Hook Covers Compatible with Rivian R1T/R1S Accessories(2 Pack) - $5.80 per pair. Ships from Amazon. Sold by Rnigs-U.S.

Photos

$9.98​	$12.99​	$5.80​

Labels

Outside of mailing bag.​	Back of zip-lock bag.​	Front of zip-lock bag.​

Assessment

• Color? - All three products appear to be identical.​
• Material - Seems identical. (Same "feel" when compressed.)​
• Size & Shape - Identical.​
• Design - Appears identical​
• Packaging - Similar, though slightly different. "Generic" -- i.e., no instructions, soft-packaging, bare-bones.​
• Country of Origin - China for all three. (No surprise there. Are there entire container ships full-to-the-brim with these things steaming across the Pacific?)​
• Speed of delivery - Very quick, just a few days (as all three were shipped by Amazon, probably from a nearby USA warehouse facility).​
• Comparison against more expensive products from other sources - Unknown.​

Preliminary Conclusions (more to come)

Among these three, there appears to be no difference. If you are predisposed to buy from Amazon (and believe me, I understand the need/desire to save money), I would recommend choosing the cheapest.

However, I can't yet comment directly about products for sale by the 'big' EV accessory companies. Perhaps folks who have purchased from well-known, reliable accessory suppliers can chime in? Do the (generic) packages and products I received look similar to yours? Probably yes and no. You may have received more attractive, retail packaging with professional-looking graphics and instructions? Here is another product on Amazon that comes in a box (but is not currently available).

I suspect that all the 'cheap' ones (say <$15) are probably made at the same (or similar) facilities in China.

Note: I had very good luck in 2021 when I purchased replacement LED interior light bulbs for a Tesla Model X from Abstract Ocean (AO; located in Texas). Super fast service and an excellent product at that time. (See another AO recommendation here.) Also, it has come to my attention that the idea for tow hook covers for Rivian cars may have originated with AO. That changes things and is important to me. (I wish I had know that before ordering the three Amazon items. Oh, well.) So, see the 1/12/25 update, below. ​

If you are looking for critical or expensive accessories--for example those that include a safety factor or are electronic (like charging equipment)--I still recommend first using as a source the vehicle's manufacturer (in this case Rivian), followed by the good online (Rivian) accessory suppliers. Savvy shoppers understand that they may pay a little more dealing with North American businesses, but that they tend to benefit with generally better quality control and customer service.

Nonetheless I was curious. Is the (relatively) wide price range on Amazon valid? For this review I initially focused on the least expensive ones to save money and to have spares if I did eventually end up losing them.

Additional Notes

• Speaking of loosing the covers, it has occurred to me (and others and here) to fasten some matching yellow zip ties at the ends of the covers around the metal tow hooks (perhaps out of sight, behind the plastic 'curtains' the hooks stick out from). This may help avoid loss (due to wind pressure, stream-crossings, and car-washes) and may even help deter casual theft (by the neighborhood 'Scut Farkus').
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• As others have noticed, and you can see in photos, the covers are not completely symmetrical because the tow hooks themselves are not.

Bends in the metal hooks at the left and right outside ends are more severe than bends in the middle (see photo, below). This may explain, in part, complaints by some of poor cover fit. Covers are appropriately molded to the non-symmetrical shape of Rivian tow hooks. But they are flexible and will easily slide on in either orientation, even if, say, a ~90° curve of a cover is (incorrectly) placed over a 65° bend of a metal hook (leaving a gap). So for tightest fit, try to position covers correctly.​

• Based on videos, it takes about 5 seconds or less to install one. (Plus another minute or two to position, tighten, and carefully trim any zip ties used, I imagine.)
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• It has not escaped my notice that I have just begun building my own Rivian, piece by piece (sort of like "Radar O'Reilly" ["Mash," 1972] and the Army Jeep). I happen to be starting at the very front. Working backward, the next piece I need to purchase is called a "Tri Max."

Update (01/12/25)

After learning about the likely Abstract Ocean role in the development of tow hook covers, I pondered what to do. Long story short, I visited the AO site, ordered some stuff (I would have eventually bought anyway) and added a pair of their tow hook covers. So in a very short time I will be able to comment on the AO product. (But that's it; no more tow hook covers. )

SEE ALSO: Post #25 (and subsequent posts) for larger update containing new information.

From "The Godfather" (1972)​	'Scut Farkus' (Zack Ward); from "A Christmas Story" (1983)​	Mailed home to Iowa, piece-by-piece?​

​

_____
* Rivian car colors, also. Trouble is, I like them all.

Declaration: I am not associated with, or receiving any form of compensation from, any business or individual regarding any products or services, including those discussed here. The opinions herein are my own, as are any mistakes.

I debated for a while, Yellow or Black tow hook covers, and eventually decided on the black, I like the cleaner look. Also I went with Abstract Ocean (@AO_Pete ) despite the price difference, I wanted to support forum sponsors/community members and had a feeling the cheaper ones likely originated from the AO originals.

Not to derail the topic, but Abstract Ocean has a decent little curation of accessories.

 

[AO_Pete]

01/27/25 Update: I received an email from Matt Homes at BuiltRight Industries about their tow hook front license plate mount. In it, Matt mentions that the tow hook size may have changed in Gen 2 vehicles. If true, that could be another(?) reason why some drivers have complained about (loose) fit of tow hook covers. I'd appreciate feedback specifically from Gen 2 vehicle owners--do tow hook covers fit properly on the newer cars? In contrast, Abstract Ocean indicates that its tow hook covers fit all Rivian models (that have THs) and both generations (1 & 2).

Interesting. I'd made an assumption they'd not changed, and they certainly look the same from a distance, but as I think I mentioned, the Gen 1 hooks are extremely robust and weighty...it would make sense that if they're trying to cut cost or weight, they might have had a trim down. That said, we've had no complaints, and I think we would have by now, so suspect they're the same, but happy for any Gen2 owners to chime in. I wish Rivian would publish their parts catalog, makes this sort of thing much easier.

 

[tps5352]

Interesting. I'd made an assumption they'd not changed, and they certainly look the same from a distance, but as I think I mentioned, the Gen 1 hooks are extremely robust and weighty...it would make sense that if they're trying to cut cost or weight, they might have had a trim down. That said, we've had no complaints, and I think we would have by now, so suspect they're the same, but happy for any Gen2 owners to chime in. I wish Rivian would publish their parts catalog, makes this sort of thing much easier.

Yes. Unless someone is lucky enough to have access to both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles for comparison (and I know there are a few fortunate people like that out there), it is difficult to reach conclusions without a detailed and accurate parts catalog.

Tesla--which is obviously ahead of Rivian in number of years 'in the black' (i.e., making a profit)-- has been better able to invest in activities like developing a publicly-available parts catalog. It's amazing what a simple list of parts numbers and names (for each model) can tell you. (Most recently, Tesla started including retail prices and the ability to order certain common replacement parts from within the online catalog. Very convenient.) Presenting a comprehensive online parts catalog to the public may be one sign of becoming a mature automobile manufacturer.

*****​

So in summary, recall that my initial inquiry had nothing to do specifically with tow hook covers. Instead, I had contacted BuiltRight Industries about whether their front license-plate tow-hook mount product fit both Gen 1 and Gen 2 Rivian vehicles. The answer was a cautious 'no,' ostensibly because tow hook size may have changed. (They are not sure, quite yet.)

But to to be fair, I also had similar communication with BrainExploder Merch--another manufacturer of Rivian front license-plate tow-hook mounts--which explained that their reason for limiting the product description just to Gen 1 only was not due to a generational change in the tow hook size, but rather to modification in the plastic Rivian OEM front license plate bracket. (Separately, I've also been informed that the Rivian OEM plastic front license-plate bracket Gen 1 and Gen 2 part numbers are different, though backward compatible.) Phew!

Stay tuned to this station for more exciting developments on, "As the Rotor Spins..."

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

I was gifted a pair of glow in the dark green ones. My truck is LA Silver… at first I put them on just as an experiment but honestly, I kind of like them. Approaching the truck one evening after a drive (without my phone on me) I can see they actually glow. They lasted about 6 months before fading so I just put on a new set last week.
sub $5 on amazon
https://a.co/d/ciPzAPl

 

[tps5352]

I was gifted a pair of glow in the dark green ones. My truck is LA Silver… at first I put them on just as an experiment but honestly, I kind of like them. Approaching the truck one evening after a drive (without my phone on me) I can see they actually glow. They lasted about 6 months before fading so I just put on a new set last week.
sub $5 on amazon
https://a.co/d/ciPzAPl

I think they look good on a silver/gray-colored Rivian (like in the Amazon photo).

 

[tps5352]

Earliest literal mention (04/01/21) of yellow tow hooks in the Rivian Forums?

Earliest photo (04/01/21) of yellow tow hooks in the Rivian Forums (on Rivian test vehicle)?

 

[bigreedlfk]

Has anyone had luck with yellow zip ties to match the tow hook covers?

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