Rivian has finally found a fix to the long-standing complaints about its R1T powered tonneau covers. The redesigned solution, however, is coming at a steep cost.
The bed cover, now in its third iteration, is available on the Gear Shop.
Rivian has had a troubled history with the powered tonneau cover. Some of the early 2022 R1T units shipped with covers that broke only with a few hundred miles on the odometer. They were loud to operate and jammed when closing or opening, making it difficult to access the bed.
Rivian responded with an upgraded version. However, the second run also encountered problems, and complaints soon flooded in, prompting Rivian to abandon it.
Now, two years after the second generation, it seems the third time is the charm. According to Rivian, improvements include enhanced water resistance and smooth, noiseless operation. The automaker increased the number of slats from eight to 36 and added a spring system that maintains the reinforced panels in alignment. It also included a cleaning mechanism to keep dirt out.
Rivian, however, is charging customers $3,300 for the new tonneau cover. The cost covers the part itself and installation at a Rivian Service Center.
While some owners may bristle at the rather significant price, the redesigned cover will not fit on all R1Ts. Some units with manual tonneaus will not be compatible because of wire harness limitations.
