Rivian Body Design Flaw?

[slawwach]

The OP was talking about a "design flaw" that might cause the paint to "wear down" as if this were something unique to Rivian.

I cannot think of many vehicles with a hole between a tire and painted panels. I see this as a pretty unique 'feature' of a Rivian. Not a big fan of it. I doubt it gives a lot in terms of mileage, otherwise other EV manufacturers would do the same. However it will definitely throw stones at the paint.

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[electruck]

I cannot think of many vehicles with a hole between a tire and painted panels. I see this as a pretty unique 'feature' of a Rivian. Not a big fan of it. I doubt it gives a lot in terms of mileage, otherwise other EV manufacturers would do the same. However it will definitely throw stones at the paint.

Tires throwing mud, rocks, etc up onto the paint is not unique to Rivian. It would happen with or without Rivian's aero optimization. Mud flaps wouldn't have existed for decades prior if this were some new problem caused exclusively by Rivian's so called "design flaw".

 

[GaryL]

It is. They're trying to reduce drag with it.

I’m afraid they created a lot more problems with that opening then they gained in aerodynamics

 

[crashmtb]

I cannot think of many vehicles with a hole between a tire and painted panels. I see this as a pretty unique 'feature' of a Rivian. Not a big fan of it. I doubt it gives a lot in terms of mileage, otherwise other EV manufacturers would do the same. However it will definitely throw stones at the paint.

BMW Air curtain/air breather. on many models since 2013 or so.

 

[SeaGeo]

I’m afraid they created a lot more problems with that opening then they gained in aerodynamics

Hopefully the PPF holds up. ?

 

[Diddy123]

BMW Air curtain/air breather. on many models since 2013 or so.

What do you think BMW is doing differently to prevent the "splashback" that is so prevalent on the Rivian? I've not noticed the same issues on the BMWs with air curtains as I have the Rivians so far.

Maybe the aftermarket can copy BMW's solution, whatever it is.

 

[Craigins]

What do you think BMW is doing differently to prevent the "splashback" that is so prevalent on the Rivian? I've not noticed the same issues on the BMWs with air curtains as I have the Rivians so far.

Maybe the aftermarket can copy BMW's solution, whatever it is.

Not drive it offroad through mud?

Edit: on a more serious note, look at the wheel & well sizes on the vehicles, also the treads. AT tires are going to kick up more and the rivian well is much larger.

 

[Diddy123]

Not drive it offroad through mud?

Ha!
I wish it was that simple. And that's my point. I've seen R1Ts that were clearly just washed, but have mud coming through that hole from simply driving through a small puddle or similar. The rest of the truck remained spotless, as expected.

 

[Craigins]

Ha!
I wish it was that simple. And that's my point. I've seen R1Ts that were clearly just washed, but have mud coming through that hole from simply driving through a small puddle or similar. The rest of the truck remained spotless, as expected.

Ha yeah it was in jest. I edited my reply with what i think is probably the leading factors, mainly tire surface area and wheel well size.

Larger surface area means more debris kicked up.

Larger wheel well means more air pressure through the gap, depending on relative size of the gap between bmw and the rivian.

Potentially even the aerodynamics of the vehicle. BMWs are sleek compared to the boxy rivian.

 

[BigE]

Look at the mud collecting on the ridge of the door and the flare of the rear wheel. Is this going to be a problem long-term? Will the mud act like sandpaper over time, wearing down the paint in these areas?

EDIT: According to AdamsFan1983, below, "There is factory applied ppf in most of not all of the areas your mention."

Yes, it's absolutely intentional as that hole relieves air pressure within the front wheel well and allows the air to stick if you will to the side of the R1T improving aerodynamics. Lots of wind tunnel time was put into this truck.

 

[GaryL]

Hopefully the PPF holds up. ?

Mud and dust aren't my concern, tree limps, corn stalks, steel post and the miscellaneous stuff that those mud and snow tires routinely pick up are my concerns . Anything with any length gets caught in that slot and something is going to give..

 

[slawwach]

BMW Air curtain/air breather. on many models since 2013 or so.

All BMWs I've owned (which admittedly was just 3) either had a screen on the vent or the duct itself was curved/bent to prevent rock chips.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

Wait a minute... Are you telling me there's an open-air slot in the front wheel well? I started this thread thinking the mud was just coming up from the tires outside the body. But it sounds like a few of you are saying there's a large gap in the wheel well right in that spot.

I haven't seen an R1T in person and only joined the forum last September. So perhaps I missed some earlier discussions of this.

I've blown up the photo. Is the hole accurate to how it seems here? Perhaps 6-9 inches and pretty open?

 

[slawwach]

Wait a minute... Are you telling me there's an open-air slot in the front wheel well? I started this thread thinking the mud was just coming up from the tires outside the body. But it sounds like a few of you are saying there's a large gap in the wheel well right in that spot.

I haven't seen an R1T in person and only joined the forum last September. So perhaps I missed some earlier discussions of this.

I've blown up the photo. Is the hole accurate to how it seems here? Perhaps 6-9 inches and pretty open?

Correct. You can see it on the photo bellow. People say there used to be a screen there in preproduction models, but Rivian dropped it for some reason.

 

[Rivian_Hugh_III]

Correct. You can see it on the photo bellow. People say there used to be a screen there in preproduction models, but Rivian dropped it for some reason.

? So there's a massive gap in the wheel well! What in tarnation were they thinking?

Look, if Rivian has installed factory PPF in that area that will hold up for the *lifetime* of the vehicle I guess I'm okay with it. Obviously it'll make a difference for range and it may make the truck look more awesome, as I presume there will *always* be a dirt blast along that part of the body, if only from a mud puddle somewhere.

I suppose we must put our faith in Rivian Central. They've been driving these bad boys for years now in all kinds of conditions. Putting a hole there wouldn't be my first choice, but I'm going to take a deep breath and figure they're on top of it.

But seriously? a hole in the wheel well of an off-road wonder that leads directly to fresh paint across the entire body of the vehicle? ?

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