Thin, weak body panels

[SoCal Rob]

What is oil canning

@NY_Rob answered this 6 posts above your question.

Sponsored

 

[jebinc]

What is oil canning

Oil canning is best defined as a visible wavi- ness in the flat areas of metal roof panels, wall panels or architectural metal flashings. It is char- acterized as a moderate deformation or buckling of the sheet material, particularly common on flat metal sheet surfaces.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Yes the body work feels flimsy to me. Was surprised, too, given how heavy the vehicle is. Really made me impressed with what Ford did with the Lightning.

 

[R1Tom]

Yes the body work feels flimsy to me. Was surprised, too, given how heavy the vehicle is. Really made me impressed with what Ford did with the Lightning.

Let's just hope the aluminum doesn't all start bubbling like many Ford and FCA aluminum vehicles do.

 

[mini2nut]

Some current Jeep Wranglers have an issue with the paint bubbling around the aluminum hinges and aluminum doors and corrosion starting. Yes, even aluminum corrodes.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10183098-9999.pdf

 

[Insight75]

Its a heavy truck. They are reducing weight where they can. The hood movement at faster highway speeds is a bit weird to watch while driving. Drive slower, save juice. lol.

 

[Fade5G]

Do the body panels seem weak to anyone else? Two Rivians in I’ve noticed some slight oil canning but even worse actual subtle impression dents in the doors and door sills. This is on brand new or nearly new builds and in spots where incidental contact isn’t likely.

They definitely don’t hold up well to door dings

 

[R1Tom]

Some current Jeep Wranglers have an issue with the paint bubbling around the aluminum hinges and aluminum doors and corrosion starting. Yes, even aluminum corrodes.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10183098-9999.pdf

Yep....I have one of them. The doors and hood were all repainted at Jeeps expense just short of the 3 year mark as there were bubble around most of the hinges and along hood edges. At least Jeep put me in a Ram Longhorn(I believe it was the dealer who actually did that as I have a good history with them and they treat long term customers very well) while it was at shop for a couple of weeks. Nice to drive a 90k vehicle while your 60k truck is getting fixed. If the Rivian hadn't sucked me in, I probably would have gone with one of those Rams....it drove super nice....but not nearly the fun or low cost of energy as the Rivian.

 

[Prime]

I think this may be a EV thing, with really heavy batteries as others have said they have to reduce weight somewhere. Teslas have notoriously thin panels especially on the hoods (maybe more so on the less expensive Y and 3), Ford likely didn’t go into development of new panels on the lightning because they just took them right off the regular F150, I would bet their new T3 platform truck will have similar panels.

 

[Arky]

They definitely don’t hold up well to door dings

It strikes me as absolutely stupid they make that ridge the most prominent part of the door instead of extending the black cladding to catch a door before it hits there. Every other truck maker figured this out with where they put their sideboards.

 

[srnyoung]

Not exactly the same thing, but I could feel the rear fender give a little when I reached over into the bed. I didn't cause any damage, but I also felt like the amount of pressure I applied was minimal. Leaning against the side of a pickup bed shouldn't be a concern.

I dented mine reaching into the bed. ?

 

[NY_Rob]

It strikes me as absolutely stupid they make that ridge the most prominent part of the door instead of extending the black cladding to catch a door before it hits there. Every other truck maker figured this out with where they put their sideboards.

Rookie designers at work....

Look at the failed dual battery 12V system and failed powered tonneau that have been abandoned after just one year of production.

 

[shap]

The internet doesn't have too many examples of oil canning on new cars, mostly restorations or metal roofs. But, it's a rippling effect seen easily on large flat surfaces.

Does the R1 have weak metal? I'm not sure. I went and compared panels to other cars just a moment ago. It's not obviously weaker. I also remember long panels on my RAM seeming more flimsy. In any case, I have minor oil canning on my doors, especially the fronts.

It is definitely much weaker than BMW X5. I can easily feel it by pressing on it.

 

[evhelphub]

Rookie designers at work....

Look at the failed dual battery 12V system and failed powered tonneau that have been abandoned after just one year of production.

Yeah, figured it would be hard to hit it out of the park on the first go. A lot to take back and fix over the next year or two.

I'll add my vote that the panels feel shockingly thin compared to EVs made by the older OEMs. I babied the gear tunnel doors after seeing someone accidentally dent theirs with their hand.

Another vote for a new coating on the truck bed that's more durable.

 

[NY_Rob]

Yeah, figured it would be hard to hit it out of the park on the first go. A lot to take back and fix over the next year or two.

I'll add my vote that the panels feel shockingly thin compared to EVs made by the older OEMs. I babied the gear tunnel doors after seeing someone accidentally dent theirs with their hand.

Another vote for a new coating on the truck bed that's more durable.

FWIW- I've had quite a few EV's since 2012: A Plug-in-Prius, a Volt, a Bolt, a Model Y, a Model 3, a BMW i3 and the R1T. By far, the R1T has the most fragile body panels of all those vehicles. The most robust IMO are the fiberglass/carbon fiber body panels on the i3.. car doors literally bounce off them with no damage. I would absolutely love for Rivian to use something that strong, durable and lightweight on their vehicles.

One of the main reasons I'm even interested in the CyberTruck is their supposed use of 3mm (1/8") stainless on their body panels. That is massive thickness for automotive use and should be almost dent resistant in normal use (not including Walmart and Home Depot parking lot use).

Sponsored