Photo: @ChargeGoGroup via Twitter
The tonneau cover issues plaguing Rivian owners remain unresolved, even after the EV startup delivered the promised manual covers. Those who received the coveted accessories were disappointed with the quality, especially considering the $1,800 price.
The Rivian R1T was the first electric pickup sold in the US, and it proved so good that it put the EV startup on track to becoming a fully-fledged carmaker. Customers who bought it and journalists who drove it testified that the R1T offers impressive build quality and innovative features. In many ways, it was as good, if not better, than most pickups sold by established carmakers. Of course, there were some teething issues, which was expected, considering it was the first product of a new carmaker.
One of those issues became apparent a few months after the first deliveries. The powered tonneau cover, one of the truck's most popular features, proved less reliable than expected. The cover had a complicated mechanism, prone to jamming and sometimes breaking apart. The issues were so widespread that Rivian removed the option from the configurator while working on a better replacement. In the meantime, the startup advised owners to configure the truck with a manual cover, which was more likely to arrive earlier.
It took the best part of 2022 to figure out a solution, and Rivian promised the manual tonneau cover would ship this summer. In May, the company's CEO, RJ Scaringe, surprised everyone with a video showing off both the manual and powered variants. The first owners received their manual covers in June, while the powered tonneau cover is still unavailable to order. I don't know how many owners got their promised accessories in the mail. Probably not that many because very few people offered feedback on social media.
Two months later, we can see people complaining about the build quality of the manual cover. This could be either because more covers were sent to R1T owners or because Rivian skimped on quality. The manual tonneau cover comprises four interlocking aluminum panels with plastic end pieces that slide into the guides on the sides of the bed. The last one comes with a rubber gasket that seals against the tailgate. Still, some owners reported that the panels were made of "incredibly thin material" and felt like they could break at any time.
In fact, at least one owner received their cover with the plastic bits already broken from shipment. This is disappointing, considering Rivian said before starting R1T production that the covers could double as a camp table. Of course, those who paid $1,800 are even more disappointed, considering that the best aftermarket covers retail for about $600. Not to mention that a DIY cover made of ACM panels could cost half of that.
Even those that secured the manual cover option for $800 before the price hikes are now disappointed. Some are trying to convince Rivian to refund them, although this is not guaranteed. It's a pity to see an otherwise awesome truck ruined by a mundane feature comprising four rigid panels.
One of those issues became apparent a few months after the first deliveries. The powered tonneau cover, one of the truck's most popular features, proved less reliable than expected. The cover had a complicated mechanism, prone to jamming and sometimes breaking apart. The issues were so widespread that Rivian removed the option from the configurator while working on a better replacement. In the meantime, the startup advised owners to configure the truck with a manual cover, which was more likely to arrive earlier.
It took the best part of 2022 to figure out a solution, and Rivian promised the manual tonneau cover would ship this summer. In May, the company's CEO, RJ Scaringe, surprised everyone with a video showing off both the manual and powered variants. The first owners received their manual covers in June, while the powered tonneau cover is still unavailable to order. I don't know how many owners got their promised accessories in the mail. Probably not that many because very few people offered feedback on social media.
Two months later, we can see people complaining about the build quality of the manual cover. This could be either because more covers were sent to R1T owners or because Rivian skimped on quality. The manual tonneau cover comprises four interlocking aluminum panels with plastic end pieces that slide into the guides on the sides of the bed. The last one comes with a rubber gasket that seals against the tailgate. Still, some owners reported that the panels were made of "incredibly thin material" and felt like they could break at any time.
In fact, at least one owner received their cover with the plastic bits already broken from shipment. This is disappointing, considering Rivian said before starting R1T production that the covers could double as a camp table. Of course, those who paid $1,800 are even more disappointed, considering that the best aftermarket covers retail for about $600. Not to mention that a DIY cover made of ACM panels could cost half of that.
Even those that secured the manual cover option for $800 before the price hikes are now disappointed. Some are trying to convince Rivian to refund them, although this is not guaranteed. It's a pity to see an otherwise awesome truck ruined by a mundane feature comprising four rigid panels.
Our Rivian’s manual tonneau cover came with this piece chipped off ???? pic.twitter.com/kjhpXHHWNw
— ChargeGo (@ChargeGoGroup) August 9, 2023
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