Warning: Do not close your frunk by hand!

[Riptide]

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

Additionally, I expect all of my adventure/outdoor gear to be above average build quality and durability. This dents easily issue around the Frunk and Gear Tunnel are disappointing. At least reinforce these high use areas.

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[PhatDaddy]

Does anyone else notice the hood skin “flexing” when driving at highway speed? To me, this is both a material strength and poor design issue.

Yes, common issue and one of the general points of this thread. What is the opinion of the group: Could careful, ’artfull’ application/‘injection’ of a layer of some type of expanding foam (typical big box hdwr store ‘Great Stuff’, or Loctite -type product) or a glue-on application of a reasonably thick layer of some type of neoprene or rubber pad on the under surface of the hood (especially in the critical natural ‘hand close’ areas) make a difference in the flexing at speed and the ‘dent-ability’ of the hood? I am still waiting for my R1T Max Pack delivery, so I don’t have a clear visual of the accessibility of the area in question for application of a possible solution. Obviously, any foam applied product could go horribly wrong without due care.