Current Thinking - Manual vs. Powered Tonneau Cover

[Billofaustin2]

Manual great for all reasons mentioned. Love mine.

Sponsored

 

[Scottm]

I have the manual but I would really prefer to have the PTC. I have never had the option order it though. It was supposed to be available in the gear shop this summer/fall/2025/s00n. I also had to pay $1800 for the manual. I think I would be much more satisfied with it if I only paid $500.

 

[Indy avocado]

Absolutely baffled by all the praise of the manual cover. I am extremely disappointed by it. While it's not *difficult* to use, it is far less useful than the power cover or roll- and fold-up cover designs. Why?

• Want to partially cover the bed?
  • The panels are going to be loose and just slide around.
• Have something on the hitch and want to get into the bed?
  • Have fun wiggling the panels out while holding the tailgate 1/4 open.
• Full truck but need to make room for something tall?
  • Time to re-arrange everything to fit the cover.
• Forgot the bag?
  • Don't worry, the slats will immediately scratch each other if stacked (ask me how I know).
• Want to set them down on end?
  • Better be extremely careful or you'll break the plastic ends

All that and you still have a big empty cavity in the back of the truck you can't use.

While I use mine, and it's better/more secure than nothing, I hate what I paid for this cover, and feel I would have been just as happy with the $100 Home Depot version.

 

[CaptRat]

Absolutely baffled by all the praise of the manual cover. I am extremely disappointed by it. While it's not *difficult* to use, it is far less useful than the power cover or roll- and fold-up cover designs. Why?

• Want to partially cover the bed?
  • The panels are going to be loose and just slide around.
• Have something on the hitch and want to get into the bed?
  • Have fun wiggling the panels out while holding the tailgate 1/4 open.
• Full truck but need to make room for something tall?
  • Time to re-arrange everything to fit the cover.
• Forgot the bag?
  • Don't worry, the slats will immediately scratch each other if stacked (ask me how I know).
• Want to set them down on end?
  • Better be extremely careful or you'll break the plastic ends

All that and you still have a big empty cavity in the back of the truck you can't use.

While I use mine, and it's better/more secure than nothing, I hate what I paid for this cover, and feel I would have been just as happy with the $100 Home Depot version.

What he said.?

 

[RivAW]

What's the current thinking - wait out the power tonneau cover installation or go manual? I've had my PTC install pushed off multiple times now and need something in place before things start getting colder & wetter.

I don't expect to be opening/closing it all that often (it would mostly be closed) so I'm not sure the manual would be too much of a downgrade?

Am I thinking about this correctly?

I bought a manual soft cover (for about 1/3 the price) and couldn't be happier with it. It serves the purpose I got it for (keeps rain/snow out), is easy to operate and remains mostly closed. It is extremely unlikely to "malfunction". The one issue I have is that the rails you have to install to install the cover, do block the trunk storage lid from opening fully, so if you actually use that for a spare, I'm not sure whether that would prohibit the spare being able to be installed/removed from the storage area...

 

[RivianRiverRat]

• Want to partially cover the bed?
  • The panels are going to be loose and just slide around.
• Have something on the hitch and want to get into the bed?
  • Have fun wiggling the panels out while holding the tailgate 1/4 open.
• Full truck but need to make room for something tall?
  • Time to re-arrange everything to fit the cover.
• Forgot the bag?
  • Don't worry, the slats will immediately scratch each other if stacked (ask me how I know).
• Want to set them down on end?
  • Better be extremely careful or you'll break the plastic ends

All that and you still have a big empty cavity in the back of the truck you can't use.

While I use mine, and it's better/more secure than nothing, I hate what I paid for this cover, and feel I would have been just as happy with the $100 Home Depot version.

Yep - it's not perfect by any means
1. you can partially cover the bed but it is limited - remove any or all the first 3 panels and then re-install the last locking panel - there are lock points at each panel - only works toward the cab (i.e. opening toward tailgate)
2. absolutely a pain when you can't lower the tailgate for any reason
3. I keep a cargo net and tarp - more equipment in the gear tunnel
4. only once - bag stays in the truck
5. learned the hard way - if they come off - they go in the bag

My idea (haven't seen one exactly like this but ....) for a cover is the narrow slats (so it doesn't cover much of the rear window) of the PTC that are hinged so it folds up accordion "Z" style from the tailgate to the cab. Has lock points at each panel width and it stays attached to the bed slots and can be opened without dropping the tailgate.

 

[M3_R2]

Who makes the PTC? I had a Retrax manual roll-up cover in my truck years ago and it was great and would lock itself in place anywhere along its travel. I see they also have electric models out now as well but are not listing Rivian as an option.

Sponsored