Steel Tonneau Cover

[MOT]

I'm a little bummed that Rivian (nicely) told me to pound sand when I asked for an automatic tonneau cover for my 2023 R1T, but our family is going on a road trip, so I needed a cover for the luggage in the truck bed.
I didn't want to pay $1000+ for a manual tonneau cover so....

It's three sections of 18" x 52" 16-gauge steel with 1" x 1" x 1/8" angle bar for bracing and 2" x 1/2" bars for the rails.

It's a tight fit.

The panels fit well together, but are not yet waterproof.

Eventually, I'll paint them and put some gasket material between the panels, but for now, they will do.

Sponsored

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Was there supposed to be pictures with this post? Is it just me or are they not loading?

 

[thrill]

Was there supposed to be pictures with this post? Is it just me or are they not loading?

I've seen other posts with image problems. I think the site upgrade is still having teething pains.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I'm a little bummed that Rivian (nicely) told me to pound sand when I asked for an automatic tonneau cover for my 2023 R1T, but our family is going on a road trip, so I needed a cover for the luggage in the truck bed.
I didn't want to pay $1000+ for a manual tonneau cover so....

View attachment 138216
It's three sections of 18" x 52" 16-gauge steel with 1" x 1" x 1/8" angle bar for bracing and 2" x 1/2" bars for the rails.

View attachment 138217
It's a tight fit.

View attachment 138218
The panels fit well together, but are not yet waterproof.

Eventually, I'll paint them and put some gasket material between the panels, but for now, they will do.

Where are you pulling this info from? Steel... not a great material for this application. Too heavy and rust-prone if not treated, painted, or powder coated correctly.

There are many other aftermarket alternatives discussed already. Use forum search.

1. EV Sportline's soft roll-up cover, which is just another brand's product that they are selling as their own. I forget which brand/manufacturer.
2. Lomax/Agri-Cover 3-section hard cover, which is resold by WeatherTech as their own. Available plain or diamond plate plattern and of different materials including carbon.
3. Interrobang, one of two homegrown manual covers that is similar to the factory manual cover (but without the spring loaded pins at each side to keep panels from sliding when the tailgate is down.
4. Tail Lidz, second of two homegrown manual covers. Same downside as Interrobang.

The first two have one downside in common. You have to install their aftermarket rails, which will reduce top width of your bed. The spare compartment hatch can still open to retrieve the spare. You just can't open it past the rails. Further, if you have cargo large enough to require more than 2/3 of the bed's length, you're gonna have to remove the cover entirely and leave it somewhere.

 

[Sara@Interrobang]

@MOT, bummed the pics aren’t showing up. We'd love to see what you put together as we’re always curious how folks are solving this stuff on their own.

Appreciate the shout from @UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan, too, letting the folks know we're around for their aftermarket tonneau needs. Thanks!

Since cost came up, just a heads up that we’ve got a DIY kit available now for anyone who's in need of a tonneau cover and wants to skip the full price tag by building it yourself. Tools and aluminum panels are up to you, other than that it's the same gear we use, just in kit form. If you’re already handy, it’s a fun middle ground.

 

[MOT]

I received an email from the admin stating that they had fixed the issue, and I was able to upload the pictures. (see above)

The road trip went well, and I sealed gaps with aluminum tape. At one point, we drove through a rainstorm that was almost a complete whiteout, but no water got into the bed.

Sponsored