Hitch cover DIY mod. Ditch the screwdriver!

[Eeyore]

Why is everyone trying to use a screw driver? You all dont have spare change in your vehicle?? Pennies, quarters, dimes and nickels all do the trick just fine

No such thing as "spare" change in my life. Only change that hasn't made it's way into the bowl on the dresser.

Leatherman FTW! My EDC:

Now that I think about it, every R1T should come with one.

Sponsored

 

[The_Frog]

PSA: I was about to buy 4 (reducing the odds of me messing up more than 2...) and total w/ shipping came to $18.18.

A pair of similar ones (no cut required) is $14.12 w/shipping here: https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair

And yes:

1- This is still way overpriced for 2 (or 4) little bits of plastic, but they solve a *critical* first-world problem
2- I am cheap

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

PSA: I was about to buy 4 (reducing the odds of me messing up more than 2...) and total w/ shipping came to $18.18.

A pair of similar ones (no cut required) is $14.12 w/shipping here: https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair

And yes:

1- This is still way overpriced for 2 (or 4) little bits of plastic, but they solve a *critical* first-world problem
2- I am cheap

1 - I helped RWerkssman find those to put in his store. He orders them in bulk to push down the price and he's definitely not making a killing by any means.

2 - Nothing wrong with that!

 

[RWerksman]

PSA: I was about to buy 4 (reducing the odds of me messing up more than 2...) and total w/ shipping came to $18.18.

A pair of similar ones (no cut required) is $14.12 w/shipping here: https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair

And yes:

1- This is still way overpriced for 2 (or 4) little bits of plastic, but they solve a *critical* first-world problem
2- I am cheap

To be upfront about this - the last order of these was nearly $1 more expensive per bolt than the first order that I did, despite ordering way more. That means that my total profit per pair is just over a buck. These, unfortunately, aren't sold by McMaster -- they are a call-in-to-order deal only, and sort of priced accordingly, which I agree totally sucks. They are however made in the USA, which I appreciate.

Shipping on OpenSourceEV is a function of how far you are from me and weight. I've seen charges under $4 for folks who live rather close to me. It's USPS commercial base + $0.75 for my shipping supplies and whatnot. My guess is that you could add a few more items in your cart and have the exact same shipping charge.

I am also cheap, and I absolutely hear where you're coming from. If there was more I could, I really would.

 

[The_Frog]

@RWerksman I was in no way questioning your pricing/margin rationale. In fact, you're cheaper than the other guy

My "overpriced" comment was more based on the items themselves (ie "two tiny bits of plastic") and not so much on the all-in cost for the buyer. I am running an online store on the side myself and things do add up really quickly by the time it gets to the buyer, esp. for items at that price point.

 

[SSteveEV]

I was planning on purchasing these until I realized my key fob was the perfect tool/thickness to undo the stock ones. Will buy them if I stop carrying that around though.

 

[Wing]

I just designed my own with a larger handle so it is easier to turn the knob.

 

[SANZC02]

I was planning on purchasing these until I realized my key fob was the perfect tool/thickness to undo the stock ones. Will buy them if I stop carrying that around though.

A penny works just fine to undo mine.

 

[RWerksman]

@RWerksman I was in no way questioning your pricing/margin rationale. In fact, you're cheaper than the other guy

My "overpriced" comment was more based on the items themselves (ie "two tiny bits of plastic") and not so much on the all-in cost for the buyer. I am running an online store on the side myself and things do add up really quickly by the time it gets to the buyer, esp. for items at that price point.

I actually have some slight good news here - I'm trying to pull the per unit price down somewhat. If I can pull it off, it'll be in the next newsletter, hopefully mid next week.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

I took my cover off the first time I needed to use the hitch months ago and haven't put it back on since. Not even sure where I set it.

Ha! I'm looking for mine now after 2 years....

 

[NeedyTortellini]

Ha! I'm looking for mine now after 2 years....

Lucky.... I just bought my R1T (third party) a couple of weeks ago and my hitch cover fell off going down the highway. Working with Rivian service to get a replacement.

 

[RWerksman]

I actually have some slight good news here - I'm trying to pull the per unit price down somewhat. If I can pull it off, it'll be in the next newsletter, hopefully mid next week.

After a bit of back and forth, I've been able to secure a large amount of the injection molded thumbscrews and at more favorable terms. They are once again available to ship, now for a buck or two less -- $6.95 for a pair.

Available here: https://opensourceev.com/products/hitch-cover-thumbscrew-v2-pair

 

[Wing]

Posted a video an ability to purchase if interested.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/169...a7f07d958%3A1699444608&organic_search_click=1

Sponsored