Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has at last commenced the shipment of its much-anticipated manual Tonneau covers for the R1T pickup truck. This development comes after a substantial delay and a series of issues encountered with the original automatic Tonneau covers provided in early R1T models.
In an effort to address these problems, Rivian temporarily removed the option to order the cover from their website and assured affected customers that a solution would be found. After several months of waiting, Rivian presented two choices to customers: they could opt for the manual cover, priced at $1,800, or receive no cover at all.
Fortunately for those who selected the manual cover, Rivian has now followed through on its promise and begun shipping the long-awaited product. Thanks to a vigilant R1T owner on Reddit, we have gained our initial insights into the cover’s appearance and functionality, aligning with the description provided by RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s CEO, just a few weeks ago.
The cover arrives in the form of a zipper case, weighing 42 pounds, which conveniently fits into the truck’s gear tunnel. Comprised of four interlocking aluminum panels featuring plastic end pieces, the entire cover is designed for ease of use and durability.
Thus far, reports from Reddit posters indicate positive outcomes, suggesting that the Tonneau cover is effectively performing its intended function. The owner mentioned that the “rubber gasket on the last panel seems to have a good fit against the tailgate,” indicating a satisfactory seal.
However, it is worth noting that the Rivian Tonneau cover comes at a hefty price of $1,800. Given that aftermarket covers offering similar aesthetics and quality are available for approximately $600, customers understandably expect superior performance and added value from the Rivian variant.
