Powered Tonneau Curveball

[kylealden]

I’m not sure that anyone knows for sure

I don't know why we're pretending that this is some secret. Rivian has been consistent here that the appearance and functionality are the same, and it's visibly hard slats in the new photos. Whatever design changes there are, they're under the hood. It's definitely not fabric or a rollup or some similar major change.

https://rivian.com/support/article/why-will-some-r1t-powered-tonneau-covers-be-replaced

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[bike123.com]

I’m not sure that anyone knows for sure

the teaser photos look like fabric on a roll maybe something like sailcloth

 

[R1Tom]

"...honoring the existing warrant is reasonable..."
No it isn't. I am 20% of the way through the current warranty, and expect that I'll probably be 25% to 40% of the way through the current warranty before they get around to replacing it. Mind you I paid upfront for this PTC, and it has never worked - the SC opened it and locked it out before I ever received it. On top of that, I have spent hundreds of dollars and a fair amount of my time installing a stop-gap manual work around (not to mention the hassle of using a manual home-brew cover), just to get me by until Rivian could, finally, release an upgrade.
"...existing warranty" is not reasonable or acceptable.

I agree 100% with this. Anything less is substandard behavior on Rivians part. Hopefully they will change their position on this. Many are in your boat....and if Rivian is so confident that not 100% need to be replaced....where is the cost to cover to an extended period? Should be pretty low if the existing units like some say they have are solid...shouldn't be failing at 55k...65k....75k... or several extra years, etc...Plus it would help us all on the resale value of these trucks. Reduce unknown for a subsequent buyer that would know they have an extended period to shake it out regardless if it was swapped to a new and improved design or if it still has the original substandard design.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

I don't know why we're pretending that this is some secret. Rivian has been consistent here that the appearance and functionality are the same, and it's visibly hard slats in the new photos. Whatever design changes there are, they're under the hood. It's definitely not fabric or a rollup or some similar major change.

https://rivian.com/support/article/why-will-some-r1t-powered-tonneau-covers-be-replaced

I sit corrected.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

the teaser photos look like fabric on a roll maybe something like sailcloth

May just be poor resolution on the video.

 

[dleepnw]

"...honoring the existing warrant is reasonable..."
No it isn't. I am 20% of the way through the current warranty, and expect that I'll probably be 25% to 40% of the way through the current warranty before they get around to replacing it. Mind you I paid upfront for this PTC, and it has never worked - the SC opened it and locked it out before I ever received it. On top of that, I have spent hundreds of dollars and a fair amount of my time installing a stop-gap manual work around (not to mention the hassle of using a manual home-brew cover), just to get me by until Rivian could, finally, release an upgrade.
"...existing warranty" is not reasonable or acceptable.

like i said, it would be a nice gesture on their part but i dont think Rivian is under obligation to do so whether you think its reasonable or acceptable. they can't keep bleeding costs to make every single customer happy. id rather have a company thats actually around in a few years than 100% customer satisfaction and bankrupt.

but maybe what you want will end up happening. they seem to be bending over backwards on a lot of things.

 

[CaseyH]

Tony Caravano was asked a relevant question on the Reddit AMA today and his response gives some hope that they will be replacing "working" Tonneaus as well. Specially he stated "... we’ll be prioritizing appointments for owners that are actively experiencing issues with their powered tonneau."

Full Response:

For those reading at home, this question comes from an R1T owner with an existing powered tonneau. Our previous communication mentioned that if your powered tonneau isn't functioning as intended, you should reach out to our Service Support team at 855-748-4265, or through the chat feature in your Rivian app. This is still the path for those experiencing issues with their tonneau.

It’s important to remember that we’ll be prioritizing appointments for owners that are actively experiencing issues with their powered tonneau. If your service request is already in, there’s no further action you need to take – and we’ll follow up with you once we’re ready to schedule your install. These appointments will be offered on a rolling basis, not all at once.

We will be sure to clear up any confusion on this topic internally.

 

[R1Tom]

like i said, it would be a nice gesture on their part but i dont think Rivian is under obligation to do so whether you think its reasonable or acceptable. they can't keep bleeding costs to make every single customer happy. id rather have a company thats actually around in a few years than 100% customer satisfaction and bankrupt.

but maybe what you want will end up happening. they seem to be bending over backwards on a lot of things.

It be one thing if we were talking unreasonable customers, but people have had locked out covers for over a year...and you think that reasonable customer service is to do nothing more that simply fix it sometime in the future? How about in 3 more years...that still ok? Curious where you draw the line on customers having non-functioning product they paid for with zero compensation (in the form of an extended warranty.....that again....should have virtually no cost if these things are up to task)?

 

[R1Tom]

Tony Caravano was asked a relevant question on the Reddit AMA today and his response gives some hope that they will be replacing "working" Tonneaus as well. Specially he stated "... we’ll be prioritizing appointments for owners that are actively experiencing issues with their powered tonneau."

Full Response:

That response does seem to indicate they all get replaced. Let's cross fingers that messaging is accurate!

 

[evhelphub]

Rivian should absolutely fix every single original automatic tonneau cover they sold. It is a flawed design and the durability/reliability of it is not going to last anywhere near the life of the vehicle.

I'd personally prioritize original delivery dates, so those who have suffered the longest can be made right the quickest. Just because some chose not to use theirs because they don't want it to break doesn't mean they should have to wait forever.

I expect a somewhat slow rollout because the cost isn't going to be cheap and service centers are swamped. They probably want to spread it out over 6 - 9 months at least.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I simply take this as challenge to break it within the warranty period.

From the sound mine makes it shouldn't be too difficult of a task.

 

[BourboNole]

Breaking them doesn't require any bashing or even serious force. As I understand it, the mode of failure for most was due to unequal torque being applied to each side gear leading the sides to become out of sync and get stuck at an angle within the track. Therefore anything that causes one side to drag will likely lead to an early demise.

 

[R1Tom]

Breaking them doesn't require any bashing or even serious force. As I understand it, the mode of failure for most was due to unequal torque being applied to each side gear leading the sides to become out of sync and get stuck at an angle within the track. Therefore anything that causes one side to drag will likely lead to an early demise.

This is another reason I suggested extended warranties. Not just for good customer relations, but to reduce people doing this, and live with the original cover longer.

I am not saying you are wrong in anyway....in fact very right. Just that Rivian should be extending original warranties for original covers....which is in their best interest....on both fronts....

 

[BourboNole]

This is another reason I suggested extended warranties. Not just for good customer relations, but to reduce people doing this, and live with the original cover longer.

I am not saying you are wrong in anyway....in fact very right. Just that Rivian should be extending original warranties for original covers....which is in their best interest....on both fronts....

Yeah, I am in agreement with you about extending the warranty, although with only 7k miles in 14 months I'm not in any imminent danger of mine running out. But like you and many others mine has been inoperable for a year (actually will be 1 year on Halloween). I have had several times (including a road trip to the mountains) I was forced to take a different vehicle because mine was broken and I have let my guide know on several occasions I expect compensation for the extended loss of use of a integral feature I paid for. I'm sure many on here will strongly disagree with me there, but I intend to keep pushing for at least something nominal like store credit to compensate for the loss of use.

 

[Rick K]

I’m glad to hear that you actually have a bed cover. I’m waiting for the redesign manual cover since January 1. Poor excuses ( breaking during shipping) for not meeting their obligations. STILL WAITING!

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