Overland to Arctic Ocean Ruined My Tonneau Cover (Due to Dust)

[Cybergirl]

I got my Cybertruck back from Tesla today with the recall and tonneau cover repairs completed. In fact, Tesla installed a brand new tonneau cover along with new updated sail top appliques and a matching tailgate applique at no cost to me. The service manager said that the plastic wheels on the tonneau cover wouldn’t turn freely due to being bound up with dust. Why they covered these repairs is not altogether clear to me. Normally this kind of use damage wouldn’t be covered under the vehicle warranty. The fact that the Owner’s Manual doesn’t specifically address the importance of cleaning the tonneau tracks and rollers after driving in dusty conditions may have been a factor, but I doubt it. My sense is that it was a goodwill gesture. Thank you, Tesla.

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[mongo]

I got my Cybertruck back from Tesla today with the recall and tonneau cover repairs completed. In fact, Tesla installed a brand new tonneau cover along with new updated sail top appliques and a matching tailgate applique at no cost to me. The service manager said that the plastic wheels on the tonneau cover wouldn’t turn freely due to being bound up with dust. Why they covered these repairs is not altogether clear to me. Normally this kind of use damage wouldn’t be covered under the vehicle warranty. The fact that the Owner’s Manual doesn’t specifically address the importance of cleaning the tonneau tracks and rollers after driving in dusty conditions may have been a factor, but I doubt it. My sense is that it was a goodwill gesture. Thank you, Tesla.

Any more info on the bent piece you mentioned earlier?

 

[Cybergirl]

Any more info on the bent piece you mentioned earlier?

They didn't mention it again.

 

[Cybergirl]

As I've mentioned in other posts, I plan to explore the beauty of the Arizona desert on extended off-road, dry and dusty trails that generate thick deposits of mud and dust on and within the Cybertruck. I'm looking for ways to minimize the detrimental impact of dust accumulation beyond power wash cleaning of the tonneau cover, tracks, and rollers described above which a Tesla service tech approved of.

Tesla Service found copious amounts of dust beneath the sail appliques when replacing my damaged tonneau cover:

It occurred to me that when I installed the Urander bed rack at the 8 mounting points on the top of the truck, removing the hinged plastic doors covering these mount points enabled dust to find its way into these spaces.

By cutting out a rectangular piece of the plastic door to match the Urander mount bracket and reinstalling the door, the gap that allows dust to get into the space beneath the sail appliques is closed off.

I might also apply a piece of black tape over the mount point to completely seal the opening from dust penetration.

Thoughts?

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

As I've mentioned in other posts, I plan to explore the beauty of the Arizona desert on extended off-road, dry and dusty trails that generate thick deposits of mud and dust on and within the Cybertruck. I'm looking for ways to minimize the detrimental impact of dust accumulation beyond power wash cleaning of the tonneau cover, tracks, and rollers described above which a Tesla service tech approved of.

Tesla Service found copious amounts of dust beneath the sail appliques when replacing my damaged tonneau cover:

It occurred to me that when I installed the Urander bed rack at the 8 mounting points on the top of the truck, removing the hinged plastic doors covering these mount points enabled dust to find its way into these spaces.

By cutting out a rectangular piece of the plastic door to match the Urander mount bracket and reinstalling the door, the gap that allows dust to get into the space beneath the sail appliques is closed off.

I might also apply a piece of black tape over the mount point to completely seal the opening from dust penetration.

Thoughts?

I think it is fantastic. I would carefully choose the type of tape. Some duct tape might have glue that will metastasize in AZ heat into an unsightly grunge that could be difficult to remove. Maybe foil tape or high-quality electrical tape?

 

[Cybergirl]

I think it is fantastic. I would carefully choose the type of tape. Some duct tape might have glue that will metastasize in AZ heat into an unsightly grunge that could be difficult to remove. Maybe foil tape or high-quality electrical tape?

Good point. Foil tape would be best, although it's not black so as to blend with the color of the sail tops.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Good point. Foil tape would be best, although it's not black so as to blend with the color of the sail tops.

But silver foil tape might look like an accent to the stainless steel. I don’t think it would look heinous.

But my inclination is weighted towards functionality over aesthetics…

 

[Cybergirl]

When you say frunk did you open the front frunk area . I suspect that will also be clogged up with dust ( saw another thread regarding front frunk area )

Yes, there was dust under the frunk shell, as well, but not as much as toward the rear of the vehicle:

The cabin filter will have to be replaced ($100+tax). After powering off the truck (Service>Power Off), I used compressed air to blow out as much dust as possible, then I used a wet microfiber cloth to clean the stubborn deposits. I was reluctant to hose down this space, but did so in a couple of places where street water can normally get in. After cleaning (cabin filter removed):

 

[bosshog]

Yes, there was dust under the frunk shell, as well, but not as much as toward the rear of the vehicle:

The cabin filter will have to be replaced ($100+tax). After powering off the truck (Service>Power Off), I used compressed air to blow out as much dust as possible, then I used a wet microfiber cloth to clean the stubborn deposits. I was reluctant to hose down this space, but did so in a couple of places where street water can normally get in. After cleaning (cabin filter removed):

I am suprised even with that amount of dust .

Here in winter conditions with the salty roads all that will get in there. Corrosion never sleeps .
Reality is cybertruck owners are going to have to accept they may need to do their own maintenance in keeping this area clean . It’s not just a simple spray down like in a normal truck . Have to remove covers etc . Wipe and clean and the rear trunk as well .


Perhaps Tesla can answer if that area can be lightly sprayed with water or not ..

In my opinion with an installed cover there could have been better protection against the elements .

 

[Drummerm]

My concern, looking forward, is how to clean out the tonneau tracks after driving a 100 miles on dusty off-road trails in the Arizona desert with Razors flying past at high speed. I'll need to do so before opening the tonneau to set up camp. Water will be in short supply. Compressed air is a possibility, but will consume precious battery or require a separate power source. I don't fully understand how dust and sand is getting into the tracks. Are there openings on the underside of the truck through which road dust and stones can get in? Is it possible to seal off these spaces?

https://egopowerplus.com/power-880-cfm-blower-lb8800/ and https://egopowerplus.com/handheld-blower-short-tube-attachment-ast2000/

 

[bg002h]

I brought my Cybertruck into Tesla Service today because my tonneau cover wouldn't close. I had recently taken an overland trip to the Arctic Ocean on the Dempster Hwy, a 1000 mile trip on gravel roads from Dawson City, YT to Tuktoyaktuk, NT and back. The dust kicked up by my truck and that from other vehicles found its way into every nook and cranny of my truck. It got into the tonneau cover tracks and caused the plastic bearings on the slats to clog up with dust. Several of the bearings seized up preventing the cover from free movement. The initial cost estimate to replace the damaged bearings and repair any other damage is $876. Here are some photos that Tesla sent me:

I'm posting this thread to let people know that driving your Cybertruck on dusty gravel roads for many miles combined with daily opening and closing the tonneau cover (while camping) can damage the cover. Tesla advised that I power wash the tonneau cover tracks after driving in dusty conditions to clean out dust that has accumulated in the bearing tracks. Of course, this is impossible when spending days on a remote overland trip in the Arizona desert, for example, which is something I intend to do.

I removed the vault floor to check on the accumulation of dust on the air suspension components. It covered everything:

Further exploration revealed that dust got under the fender flares, rocker panels, and beneath the frunk, all of which had to be blown or hosed out. Taking the truck through a car wash will do nothing to clean dust-laden interior spaces.

Any ideas how to mitigate this problem other than staying off dusty gravel roads?

It’s clear that the design wasn’t intended for use. And it’s performing as designed, so it’s not a warranty issue. Maybe they’ll come out with a truck having usable design someday. But as mine is getting sticky from living in Arizona, I’m gonna try blowing it out preventatively.

 

[Mini2nut]

The fact that your local SC completely covered the tonneau cover repair is great news. Now run out and buy a lottery ticket as luck seems to be on your side.

 

[desertmarcy]

Thank you for posting about this and possible remedies for dust. I live in dusty southern Arizona and off a dirt road: dust gets into everything. I will have to look into getting a pressure washer. Dust is not something that would have been on my radar of things to worry about on a trip like yours.

 

[CyberGus]

The entire tonneau track, including the cassette, is entirely self-contained:

Nowhere do I see any openings, weep-holes or other egresses for debris (other than the end of the track at the tailgate).

Of course, any opening would also be a path for debris to enter the track, as well as a potential escape hatch for the bearings. It's not easy to get stuff in there, but when contaminated it's not clear how best to get it out.

That said, I think @Cybergirl was definitely testing the extreme-use case

 

[mongo]

The entire tonneau track, including the cassette, is entirely self-contained:

Nowhere do I see any openings, weep-holes or other egresses for debris (other than the end of the track at the tailgate).

Of course, any opening would also be a path for debris to enter the track, as well as a potential escape hatch for the bearings. It's not easy to get stuff in there, but when contaminated it's not clear how best to get it out.

That said, I think @Cybergirl was definitely testing the extreme-use case

The entire surface you are looking at is open, that is an egress. Especially given the draft angle that usually accompanies injection modeling.
Rollers are snap locked onto their axles, I think.

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