Tonneau cover delete?

[steilkurve]

Hey folks. Looking for thoughts on this to help me decide… I have a Gen 2 R1T delivered in January of this year. Two weeks ago, the first slat of my V1.5 tonneau cover got stuck sideways. Service says I’ll get a full tonneau cover replacement and I believe it will be a V2. Parts are not available right now but should be mid-September. So, a bummer but not that a long of a wait if the schedule holds (which I know is a big if)… That said, I’m toying with the idea of simply removing the cover and going with one of the third party manual options. The reason I’m considering this is to avoid future problems given Rivian’s track record in this area. Yes, I’d loose the convenience of a motorized cover but I’d gain reliability. What would you do?

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[Rade]

Well... IMHO - so long as it's covered under warranty (and it sounds like this is), go with the Rivian installed / replaced cover. Once the warranty ends, should it break again, then explore the 3rd party version or nix it all together.

I would be a little apprehensive of poking around with something 3rd party if there is a full warranty on the vehicle. You never know what you may void out for future repairs.

 

[COdogman]

It sounds like v2 has worked much better so far, in comparison to earlier versions. And obviously yours is under warranty, so unless you just don’t feel like dealing with it I would probably keep it since you already had it.

That being said, I was always concerned about the powered cover so I went with the manual cover from the start on my 2023.

 

[wolfsbane]

Agree with Rade. If RIVN is going to replace it for you, let them.

The original motorized tonneau had been discontinued when I ordered my Gen1, and the manual replacement ones were also unavailable/out of stock when I ordered, and had been out on the gear shop for months. I shopped 3rd party manual covers while waiting for my truck to arrive, but then a simple question to one of the dudes at the service center when I picked up my truck resulted in him "finding" a rivian manual tonneau cover for me. I have that and I'm happy with it for the most part, although my tonneau covers on my two previous trucks were pretty much fully water proof and this Rivian manual one is NOT AT ALL- can't speak to the 3rd party ones out there.

 

[Bf3]

While it's still under warranty, I'd definitely have them replace it with the updated PTC. But, it's possible to use a manual cover as well as a back up or "stunt double". I'm pretty biased on this, but if I'm ever able to get my Gen1 R1T retrofitted with a PTC, I would keep using my Interrobang manual cover in conjunction with a powered one. No way I'm heading out offloading or camping and relying on the powered cover given the track record. When the powered tonneau is retracted, you could slide a manual cover in the rails by removing the end caps. Best of both worlds... If you decide you're in the market for something dead simple and reliable, check us out here and use code AKRON50 for $50 off.

 

[Yossarian]

I have the v2 and it's worked well kinda OK since it was installed about 9 months ago. It sounds awful when it cycles, but it has always worked, though in fairness, I don't cycle it much. Just lately, it has stopped closing properly, which in this case means it reaches the end of its travel, stops momentarily, then moves back about a foot. The reset procedure as detailed in the owners manual has not corrected things, so I just stop it when it reaches the tailgate.

As others have said, if it's covered under warranty just put up with the delay. You can change to a 3rd party couple when you're out of warranty.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I have the v2 and it's worked well kinda OK since it was installed about 9 months ago. It sounds awful when it cycles, but it has always worked, though in fairness, I don't cycle it much. Just lately, it has stopped closing properly, which in this case means it reaches the end of its travel, stops momentarily, then moves back about a foot. The reset procedure as detailed in the owners manual has not corrected things, so I just stop it when it reaches the tailgate.

As others have said, if it's covered under warranty just put up with the delay. You can change to a 3rd party couple when you're out of warranty.

V2 would be the one they launched with MY25 CA Dune. That isn't yet available for retrofitting (Rivian citing parts supply based on posts in another thread). If you do not have a gen2, you got what customers are calling V1.5. Based on reports, no visible difference to v1—guessing they only fine tuned spring tension and tolerance stacking.

 

[steilkurve]

Ok. Thanks all. I’ll give V2 a shot. Hopefully it does get installed at some point in September.

 

[zymolysis]

Ok. Thanks all. I’ll give V2 a shot. Hopefully it does get installed at some point in September.

Just don't hold your breath for an install in September.

 

[steilkurve]

Just don't hold your breath for an install in September.

Oh I know. I’m being optimistic but realistic. Having it removed altogether and going with a manual option will be what I go to if this drags on too long.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

Has anybody successfully removed the Rivian PTC? The SC just reached out and delayed my appointment to middle of September, but I need to use my truck bed. Apparently, this is a two-technician job so that rules out mobile. Rivian also will not share the instructions to remove it myself.

I am curious what the steps are to get the PTC slats out.

Mine are jammed up good and can only get to bed through the tailgate until my service appointment.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Has anybody successfully removed the Rivian PTC? The SC just reached out and delayed my appointment to middle of September, but I need to use my truck bed. Apparently, this is a two-technician job so that rules out mobile. Rivian also will not share the instructions to remove it myself.

I am curious what the steps are to get the PTC slats out.

Mine are jammed up good and can only get to bed through the tailgate until my service appointment.

You still have an appointment. Leave it be. Don't let your impatience cause you to do anything that could complicate your appointment and/or warranty coverage.

 

[zymolysis]

Has anybody successfully removed the Rivian PTC?

Search here in the forums. A couple of years ago someone repaired his bound-up PTC, and documented the steps. It was a major job. Since you are only wanting to remove non-functioning slats, to open up the bed, it might not be such a big job.

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

The service center told me to “do what I need to do” to clear the slats since the appointment got delayed and they have pictures of it being bound up… and the entire unit is being replaced.
Here is what I did:
I took a ratchet strap and hooked on to the slat that was off the track. By hand, I couldn’t move it much but the strap gave me just enough leverage to finish pulling the jumped panel completely off.
It turns out this was panel #2 from the bottom of the stack.
At that point, I pushed the rest of the slats straight into the canister and hit the button to retract. It sucked in the rest of the panels.
interestingly, everything works again just missing a panel.

SC appointment is in middle Sept and apparently they will be starting on roll up tonneau retro fits. It’s also going in for its 3rd HVAC (gen 1 wet carpets again).

 

[zymolysis]

The service center told me to “do what I need to do” to clear the slats since the appointment got delayed and they have pictures of it being bound up… and the entire unit is being replaced.
Here is what I did:
I took a ratchet strap and hooked on to the slat that was off the track. By hand, I couldn’t move it much but the strap gave me just enough leverage to finish pulling the jumped panel completely off.
It turns out this was panel #2 from the bottom of the stack.
At that point, I pushed the rest of the slats straight into the canister and hit the button to retract. It sucked in the rest of the panels.
interestingly, everything works again just missing a panel.

SC appointment is in middle Sept and apparently they will be starting on roll up tonneau retro fits. It’s also going in for its 3rd HVAC (gen 1 wet carpets again).

Glad to hear that "the entire unit is being replaced." Finally. Maybe I'll eventually get a working PTC. Maybe.

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