Tonneau cover - winter use question

[Yossarian]

For those R1T owners with a powered tonneau cover who live in places where there is regular snowfall and sub-freezing temps, do you keep the bed open or close the PTC?

For those who leave it closed, what do you do about clearing the snow off the cover and out of the guide rails? I can never seem to get enough off to not have to worry about the residual impeding the operation of cover that even in the best conditions, sounds like it is on its last legs. And how do you deal with the ice buildup that is often an issue due to the freeze-thaw cycle?

Obviously, the solution is to leave the PTC open, but that means clearing snow out of the bed. Even then. it still seems to be a crap shoot operating the cover as it's tough to get the snow and ice out of the guide rails. And while we're at it, snow seems to be an issue for the door handles (and the charge port door). It is a bit easier to clear the snow out - or at least most of it - in those locations, but more than once, I've had a door handle not close flush because of snow that I couldn't get to in the recess.

I can't be the only one who's anxiety level gets raised over these things - or can I?

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[bfilippo]

It happens to me all the time here. But I keep my PTC closed unless actively using the bed in winter. Not dealing with snow removal. When PTC gets ice on it beneath the snow, I just scrape it off/out until it can move readily with a standard plastic ice scraper. Definitely an indelicate process when it happens, but it’s a relatively hearty vehicle from my experience.

 

[kewlasu]

I keep mine closed up here in Maine. I once used a cordless hair dryer I keep in the truck when there's ice buildup around the door handles and charge port door. I haven't had to use it for the tonneau cover since I try not to open it as much this winter.

 

[rtobrien63]

In Maine, too. Keep it closed all winter. Snow is not an issue, just sweep it off, but our recent freezing rain would make me pause before asking it to open if ice on the deck. Luckily have a heated garage, so just wait an overnight cycle to charge and thaw.

 

[bfilippo]

I keep mine closed up here in Maine. I once used a cordless hair dryer I keep in the truck when there's ice buildup around the door handles and charge port door. I haven't had to use it for the tonneau cover since I try not to open it as much this winter.

In Maine, too. Keep it closed all winter. Snow is not an issue, just sweep it off, but our recent freezing rain would make me pause before asking it to open if ice on the deck. Luckily have a heated garage, so just wait an overnight cycle to charge and thaw.

There are more of us on here than I imagined! Mainer Rivian owners unite. I have heard whispers of a possible SC in the Freeport area in the nearish future...

 

[Weck]

I leave mine closed, and when it does get snow covered, it's snow brush and/or leaf blower to clear it, followed by parking in the sun (if it comes out, I'm in WI). The truck lives outside, so sometimes I'm just stuck waiting for it to thaw.

More annoying issue I been having is the tonneau rear seal freezing to the tailgate, so you can't even get the tailgate open. I think I finally solved that issue using some glide wax for cross-country skis applied to the seal, keeps ice from sticking.

That being said, I did order up a flated capper and I may just leave that installed for the winter, rather than be at the mercy of the weather on whether I can use the full bed.

 

[Nixapatfan]

I leave mine closed unless I know the weather is going to stay below freezing for weeks and I think I may have a need to use it during that time. Usually the little snow/ice remaining on top thaws out quickly as long as it is sunny due to the black color. If I'm stuck with ice on the cover I usually just try to avoid using the bed for those couple days than risking opening that cover or park it in the garage to let it thaw.

 

[Yossarian]

Appreciate the responses and a bit surprised to see several from Mainers. The surprise is not that snow is potential issue for those Down East, but that there's more than few Rivians there.

Like @Weck my R1T also lives outside, and I nearly always have the cover closed, winter or summer. Based on this small sample, it looks like most R1T owners also leave the cover closed. It also seems that there really is no easy solution for snow and ice impeding things. Thankfully, I rarely have a pressing need to open up the bed, so it usually doesn't matter that residual snow, or more typically ice, prevents me doing so anyway.

This season, I started carrying an old hair dryer (and an extension cord) in the truck. The dryer is really for freeing the charge port door in case it freezes shut and I thankfully haven't yet had to use it. In theory, the dryer could help free an iced-in PTC, but other than accessing the spare tire if I had a flat, it's hard to imagine a scenario where it would be essential for me to open the cover.

Again, thanks to all for the replies.

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