DIY temporary tonneau / bed cover?

[Joel]

Yeah now that I have my Rivian OEM manual cover I wish I had gotten the @Bf3 cover.

Would you explain why you feel this way please and thank you.

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[foxerson]

Thank you!!! Great info.

Regarding the rubber weatherstripping at the cab, if you used this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4S1C6NT/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3FOSOQ6FBSYGB&psc=1, can't you just bend the metal teeth a bit? I have done that when installing the same type of strip on one of my cars when I needed to adjust for the edge thickness but I am not sure if it would also apply to these panels.

Yep, that's the stuff. I made a halfhearted effort to bend the metal outwards but found that it is pretty stiff. Maybe I just need to try harder. ?

 

[Phatman113]

A couple of questions:

1. what tool did you use to cut the panels?
2. did you end up using any sealant? I plan to get the UHMW from BF3 also and my understanding is that using BF3's UHMW, you don't really need sealant since they friction fit.

I have a tablesaw that I used, the blade is just my normal wood cutting blade, though it does have carbide teeth.
I have not used any sealant, though I do get a little bit of water intrusion at the edges... it's not enough that I worry about it though.

The UHMW pieces are a tight fit in the aluminum panels. I used a hammer with a plastic head to tap them into place without deforming the plastic. I don’t see any need for adhesive or sealant.

The rubber weatherstripping is a bit loose on the narrow panel at the cab. I ordered some VHB tape to secure it better.

Same, I used a rubber mallet to put the plastic ends in. One or two of them *can* be removed if I pull on them, though that's kinda nice because it allows me to show how it's made when I get questions about it. There's no way they'll fall out on their own though.

I have a similar issue with the weather stripping and the narrow panel

Yep, that's the stuff. I made a halfhearted effort to bend the metal outwards but found that it is pretty stiff. Maybe I just need to try harder. ?

I've got 4 little spots where it's bent, but it's REALLY stiff to bend and difficult to get it to retain the bent size. I'll probably just clean the channel it sits in (it's gotten really dirty in there from some offroading) and then put in a bunch of silicon sealant and then jam the weatherstrippping back in.

 

[foxerson]

I have a similar issue with the weather stripping and the narrow panel

I've got 4 little spots where it's bent, but it's REALLY stiff to bend and difficult to get it to retain the bent size. I'll probably just clean the channel it sits in (it's gotten really dirty in there from some offroading) and then put in a bunch of silicon sealant and then jam the weatherstrippping back in.

I made a more concerted effort and was able to bend the metal outwards using a painters 5-in-1 tool and glazing tool. Basically, a pair of rigid putty knives. Now it fits more snugly in the gap of the last panel.

 

[netjack]

Out of curiousity, how much would I be saving going DIY vs BF3's route? Trying to figure out the cost/benefit equation of getting something top notch (BF3's) vs me (first attempt).

 

[Phatman113]

Out of curiousity, how much would I be saving going DIY vs BF3's route? Trying to figure out the cost/benefit equation of getting something top notch (BF3's) vs me (first attempt).

When I made mine, materials alone were a little over 800, you can see my BOM in an earlier post with links to help you price it out. That doesn't count any tools you might need if you don't have them. I had the table saw and other little bits that I needed, so there was no additional cost there for me.

 

[netjack]

Thank you Phatman!

 

[ashnazg]

Can any recent receivers of Bf3's kit roughly gauge the current order-to-receipt timeframe? Not being impatient ?, just looking for a rough idea.

 

[GRtruck]

Can any recent receivers of Bf3's kit roughly gauge the current order-to-receipt timeframe? Not being impatient ?, just looking for a rough idea.

I ordered the slide pieces from Bf3 on the 26th. I've been anxiously awaiting shipping. I keep telling myself to be patient. A big thank you to Bf3 for selling the slide pieces in the first place.

 

[Bf3]

I ordered the slide pieces from Bf3 on the 26th. I've been anxiously awaiting shipping. I keep telling myself to be patient. A big thank you to Bf3 for selling the slide pieces in the first place.

Sorry for the delay. They shipped today!

 

[Bf3]

Can any recent receivers of Bf3's kit roughly gauge the current order-to-receipt timeframe? Not being impatient ?, just looking for a rough idea.

Orders for slide pieces will ship later in the week, new orders for tonneaus will likely ship the third or forth week of July.

 

[obfuscurity]

Repeatedly kicking myself every time a new @Bf3 -built shipment goes out while I continue to hem and haw and wait for my Rivian manual tonneau cover.

 

[ashnazg]

Orders for slide pieces will ship later in the week, new orders for tonneaus will likely ship the third or forth week of July.

Gotcha... ordered mine the 19th. This helps me know not to drag my gonna-keep-it-under-tonneau stuff out of storage just yet ?

 

[Bf3]

Gotcha... ordered mine the 19th. This helps me know not to drag my gonna-keep-it-under-tonneau stuff out of storage just yet ?

Just checked the orders, yours is about finished and will be shipping this week.

 

[zymolysis]

Out of curiousity, how much would I be saving going DIY vs BF3's route? Trying to figure out the cost/benefit equation of getting something top notch (BF3's) vs me (first attempt).

Depends on your how high your standards are, and your DIY design. A couple of sheets of 1/2" plywood and some paint would be less than $100 (or free if you've got materials lying around that you could reuse or repurpose). BF3's design and materials look top notch to me, as well as light and strong.

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