Warning: Do not close your frunk by hand!

[michaelcasto]

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

I use my truck as a primary work truck hauling my dump trailer and flatbed trailer with my bobcat loaded on it and have quite a few dents and scratches. Yes I agree with you the Aluminum does in fact dent very easily.

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[elektrode]

Just told wife about this thread. I think she may have injured her neck performing an eye roll.

 

[Nsblifer]

Well this is all very disappointing.

 

[txtravwill]

All the exterior sheet metal seems to be very thin (or weak?) and dents very easily. No way can I ever see the R1T being considered a "work truck" and I'm not saying Rivian is selling it as a "work truck", but even as a regular everyday vehicle it could use thicker/stronger sheet metal.

Last night I brushed up against our Honda Pilot with the lawnmower handle as I passed by it. It left a small scratch in the clear coat that easily buffed out this morning but more importantly.. no dent in the fender! I instantly thought that if this had been my Rivian, it would have $1,000 in damage

Rivian does seem to have very thin panels. The hood seems super thin as when driving on the freeway you can see the front hood, where you would manually close it likely if had to, moving in the wind a bit/shaking/moving some in the metal.

The doors seem thin too of course. Mine is in the shop for a little door ding that was in it at delivery. So FYI, they dent really easily and be careful who ya park next to ;-)

 

[Franksmartin]

And yet the doors are so damn thick?! I was trying to figure out why the Rivian was wider on the exterior yet had less second row hip room than our 2015 Pilot. Turn out the doors are much thicker.

 

[R1TruKaLa]

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

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[R1TruKaLa]

I have PPF and it did not save my metal from the slight bump I mentioned. It probably protected it from scratching, but this was the result of a very, very light touch.

???

 

[Tahoe Man]

yup, concur that the exterior is thin and weak. im afraid to lean on the vehicle in just about any spot for fear of denting it. i get nervous washing the front hood because i can feel it flex.

i get trying to keep the weight down but come on, too thin is just too thin. and how much impactful weight would they add by making it stronger? its already 7000lbs.

Probably a cost issue too, but it's insane regardless if you can't reasonable close the hood without denting it.

Explains why the windshield breaks easily too.

 

[Whale Blubber]

I occassionally close the frunk by hand. You don't need to slam it, just lower it until it takes over itself.

I confess I didn't realize there was a close button anywhere and have only closed it by hand. Oops.

 

[Rob O]

I confess I didn't realize there was a close button anywhere and have only closed it by hand. Oops.

How have you been opening it then? Or did you simply not realize the open button also closed it?

 

[CrazyOne]

2 weeks into ownership and am noticing the R1T's skin is very flimsy compared to my 10 yro X5. More akin to Japanese & Korean models who use light skin to save weight and boost MPG.

If you use manual force to close things, you need to be very conscious of how you do it and where—palms instead of fingers/knuckles (to spread the load out) and on parts of the car where there is structural bracing behind it.

Things have changed in the last 10 years. Acura and Lexus are heavy weights now. BMW is light weight with better mpg. Atleast, the 3/4 series is.

 

[RivAW]

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

With due respect, the owners manual lists the ways (4 of them) to open/close the frunk. “By hand”’ is not one of them.
It’s unbelievable how many people acquire a ~90k first generation vehicle and don’t bother to familiarize the themselves with “the directions”. Even Tesla specifies specific hand placement for their “non powered” frunks…

 

[iansriv]

If it's weight savings Rivian is after-they should focus on the battery. So far we have flimsy/soft frunk, windshield and roof glass. Not off to a good start Rivian.

 

[Ozmt]

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

When I had a tesla s model, there were many warnings about closing the manual frunk. Place 2 hands far apart and close gently. The model s hood is way more fragile than my r1t. Good luck!

 

[siress]

So the other day I closed my R1T frunc by hand because either the frunc sensor didn't detect the frunc latch, or perhaps the computer timed out and shut off the frunc auto-close sensor (kind of like how the tailgate and gear tunnel buttons turn themselves off), so I closed the frunc by hand for the first time. BAD idea! I applied what I would best describe as light to average pressure, the same amount of pressure that I would apply to any trunk of any car to close one, and my hood is now DENTED in two places! I'm super bummed because I love this truck, but it is just so delicate!

Has anyone else experienced this? The dents are subtle, but they are there and now I can't unsee them. Perhaps I pressed in the wrong location? They are just to the left about 3" of the Rivian logo. I already have a service appointment in about a week so I'm going to see what they say, but I'm not holding my breath. Needless to say I'm pretty astonished at how paper thin the aluminum hood is...Learn from me and do not close your frunc by hand!

there are great vendors who can remove micro dents using suction cups, mirrors, and some light pressure. I am not sure where you are, but look for Dent doctors on yelp, and pick the company with the highest reviews. I have had stuff like that happen on my Tesla Model X and Model 3, I think it is a feature of EV's weight matters. - hope this helps

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