DIY: Rivian R1T home-made tonneau cover

wildlife R1T · 2025-04-03T14:11:49+00:00

I have previously used the streaming capability back when it first came out as well as the hotspot since before Connect+ was a thing. I am trying to get the streaming working again but it seems to have been hidden fully behind the paywall. (Not looking to argue the merits of that system here) I recall after Connect+ came out being able to still use the Hotspot while tethering with my phone, and losing it isn't a big deal other than needing to update my wife's wifi, but I think I remember needing to be on the Hotspot to do casting. My question is, did Rivian remove both of these features to fully behind the connect+ paywall? I thought that if you used phone tethering or if you were connected to WIFI you could use most all of the usual streaming like features of the Rivian? If anyone can recommend how to stream while using tethering I'm sure myself and others without Connect+ would appreciate it.

Vincent

Active Wheeler

Dec 12, 2024

Unlike like many of us, there are a few people I know that have been waiting on a manual tonneau cover. With a ski trip coming up, a friend of mine wanted the space in the back of his truck to be able to lock and store skis. So he went ahead and made one. Yeah, be decided to make a tonneau cover for himself.

It's an home-made tonneau cover and he got all the materials he neededl from Home Depot:

-1/2” sandeply, 2 4x8 sheets
-36”x1.5”x1/8” aluminum bar
-stainless screws
-9/16” weather stripping
-exterior paint

It cost him about $200 in materials and 2.5 hours work. He seems happy with it for now at least. It’s probably not waterproof but should at least be water resistant and is pretty secure. It’s a bit flexy, to improve it I think he could add some square aluminum bars underneath or something (would pitch that idea to him). It’s 3 panels, so it does fit In the gear tunnel, but takes most of the space in there.