Photo: Rivian
Different R1T owners have received confusing messaging from Rivian regarding the possibility of retrofitting the powered tonneau cover to trucks that didn't ship with one. Rivian must do better in clearing up these rumors, as the tonneau cover is probably Rivian's biggest mistake.
The failed powered tonneau cover saga is probably Rivian's biggest blunder as it tries to win the hearts and wallets of American EV buyers. The R1T shipped with a clever cover that retracted in a space between the bed and the cabin. Unfortunately, owners discovered that the powered tonneau cover was more fragile than they imagined. After many complaints, Rivian acknowledged the issue and promised to fix it.
It all went downhill from there, as the promised fix failed to materialize. The EV startup removed the powered tonneau cover and shipped the pickups without one, promising the situation would be corrected once the new, improved part would be available. In the meantime, it encouraged customers to opt for a manual variant instead. Rivian could not deliver the manual cover either, despite being nothing more than four aluminum panels, so owners turned to aftermarket solutions.
After a year of back and forth, Rivian finally announced in September that it would start installing the powered tonneau cover soon. Those who ordered their trucks with such a feature were, as expected, the first to get the new cover. However, Rivian employees also informed some R1T owners that they could retrofit the powered tonneau cover even if they did not order the truck with one.
User u/Little_Passenger_892, who purchased an R1T without a powered tonneau covered from the R1 Shop, was informed by their guide that not only can they install a manual cover, but a powered one will also be available. Owners will be able to purchase both solutions from the Gear Shop by the end of the year. Other R1T owners shared a similar experience, so there must be something.
"The good news is that you'll still be able to purchase a manual tonneau cover from the Gear Shop by the end of the year," wrote the Rivian guide's message. "And, we now are going to be able to install a powered tonneau cover after delivery and plan to have a powered tonneau cover available to purchase from the Gear Shop in 2024."
This message contradicts everything that's been said about retrofitting a power tonneau cover to R1T pickups that did not ship with one. In another message sent just days before the one above, a customer service representative told an R1T owner: "At this time, the guidance that's been shared with us is that powered tonneau covers will not be able to be retrofitted."
These contradicting messages sent to different people show that Rivian hasn't yet coordinated its teams around this issue that has plagued R1T pickups since at least early 2022. If it wants to keep its customers happy and thus entice more to buy a Rivian, the EV startup needs to communicate better.
On the plus side, Rivian announced that it would soon start installing the updated powered tonneau covers later this month. The EV maker will contact owners who placed a service ticket for their defective powered tonneau covers to make service appointments. This will happen on a rolling basis, not all at once, so it might take a while to have all affected customers happy.
It all went downhill from there, as the promised fix failed to materialize. The EV startup removed the powered tonneau cover and shipped the pickups without one, promising the situation would be corrected once the new, improved part would be available. In the meantime, it encouraged customers to opt for a manual variant instead. Rivian could not deliver the manual cover either, despite being nothing more than four aluminum panels, so owners turned to aftermarket solutions.
After a year of back and forth, Rivian finally announced in September that it would start installing the powered tonneau cover soon. Those who ordered their trucks with such a feature were, as expected, the first to get the new cover. However, Rivian employees also informed some R1T owners that they could retrofit the powered tonneau cover even if they did not order the truck with one.
User u/Little_Passenger_892, who purchased an R1T without a powered tonneau covered from the R1 Shop, was informed by their guide that not only can they install a manual cover, but a powered one will also be available. Owners will be able to purchase both solutions from the Gear Shop by the end of the year. Other R1T owners shared a similar experience, so there must be something.
"The good news is that you'll still be able to purchase a manual tonneau cover from the Gear Shop by the end of the year," wrote the Rivian guide's message. "And, we now are going to be able to install a powered tonneau cover after delivery and plan to have a powered tonneau cover available to purchase from the Gear Shop in 2024."
This message contradicts everything that's been said about retrofitting a power tonneau cover to R1T pickups that did not ship with one. In another message sent just days before the one above, a customer service representative told an R1T owner: "At this time, the guidance that's been shared with us is that powered tonneau covers will not be able to be retrofitted."
These contradicting messages sent to different people show that Rivian hasn't yet coordinated its teams around this issue that has plagued R1T pickups since at least early 2022. If it wants to keep its customers happy and thus entice more to buy a Rivian, the EV startup needs to communicate better.
On the plus side, Rivian announced that it would soon start installing the updated powered tonneau covers later this month. The EV maker will contact owners who placed a service ticket for their defective powered tonneau covers to make service appointments. This will happen on a rolling basis, not all at once, so it might take a while to have all affected customers happy.
Exciting news: Rivian has been making great progress with the new powered tonneau cover and has sent out an email to R1T owners that were affected by this.
— RivianTrackr (@RivianSoftware) October 14, 2023
Installation of this new powered tonneau cover will begin later this month!
No action is required from the owner. pic.twitter.com/DkvGNPHrxK
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