Prevent Damage to 21" Rims from Aero Covers

[Gully]

Just wanted to share a possible solution for rim damage from the aero covers on the 21" rims.

As suggested by others, I bought the Orbital Rim Protection Kit (https://rimetrix.com/product/orbital-rim-protection-kit/) for Teslas. I took the sheet of foam strips you get and cut the whole thing in half. Each resulting sub section I applied to a ridge on the aero covers, wrapping the small bit of extra length around the ends (see pics ... first one shows one section done, the next a close up, and the third my rims after my trip).

I then put the covers on and made the 5 day, 3,200mls trip from Sacramento CA, to Warwick RI (another post to come), and examined the rims ... as you can see in the last picture, no damage at all and the strips were still in place. (FYI - it was raining when I took the last pic)

Let me know if you have questions.

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[NC-Rivian]

Or ... just take them off. Range hit is negligible and the wheels look killer w/o the aero plastic.

 

[Gully]

Or ... just take them off. Range hit is negligible and the wheels look killer w/o the aero plastic.

It is unclear how negligible it is, particularly when going 3,200 miles.

 

[NC-Rivian]

It is unclear how negligible it is, particularly when going 3,200 miles.

Well ... my T just passed 17,000 miles (in 10 months) @ lifetime 2.57. I took the ugly, destructive covers off right after delivery.

 

[240vPlug]

I did something similar but with Walmart weather stripping. Your foam strips will probably hold up better. Ultimately I wound up doing as other have suggested and just left them off.

 

[moosetags]

I am not sure that aero covers are going to get you enough in the way of range to make it worth keeping them on the truck. They make the truck look frumpy. When removed, the 21's are really nice looking.

 

[240vPlug]

Agree on the range difference being negligible. I also like being able to see the calipers as well.

 

[Gully]

I am not sure that aero covers are going to get you enough in the way of range to make it worth keeping them on the truck. They make the truck look frumpy. When removed, the 21's are really nice looking.

I agree, but was giving Rivian the benefit of the doubt, as they went through the effort to make them. This trip was the first time I put them back on, and I took them off when I got here.

 

[Greg Chick]

What about the possibility of them preventing curb rash! You know when the concrete curb gouges the rim as you part too close?

 

[LevelHeaded]

Am I alone? I don’t think removing them makes the wheel look any better (or even substantially different)!

 

[VNCR1S]

I removed mine and applied black vinyl on the chrome and I really love the way it looks.

 

[Birdowin]

I just used thin strips of gorilla tape.
The wheel covers will not save your rims from curb damage. Believe me I know. Sadly

 

[goldburger]

Am I alone? I don’t think removing them makes the wheel look any better (or even substantially different)!

I prefer them out but I also don’t think they look bad installed. The flower pattern is noticeable either way but more pronounced when the covers are installed. It’s less of an issue with a black wheel or the twraps vinyl.

 

[emoore]

I took mine off day one and never looked back.

 

[johnjackson99]

The wheels get damaged just from leaving them in? I guess they move around when you drive?

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