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

[Cybergirl]

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?

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[gtgarner]

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?

You aren't the only vehicle that got destroyed over there. Thousands have.

Not an issue specific to a CT.

I know that doesn't make your situation better, however for some - its sometimes better to know that you aren't the only one.

 

[Cybergirl]

You aren't the only vehicle that got destroyed over there.

What do you mean by "over there"?

 

[gtgarner]

What do you mean by "over there"?

On the roads from Dawson City, YT to Tuktoyaktuk, NT.

There was a YouTuber group that crossed Canada about 5 years ago and destroyed their Model 3's in that area.

A few of the Treckers had their rear bumper fall off from the weight of the dust and rocks they accumulated.

 

[WormtownKris]

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?

Sorry that happened. That's quite a stretch of road. If you decide to do it again in the winter, maybe you'll turn up on Ice Road Truckers! Cheers.

 

[Cybergirl]

On the roads from Dawson City, YT to Tuktoyaktuk, NT.

There was a YouTuber group that crossed Canada about 5 years ago and destroyed their Model 3's in that area.

I can see how that could happen. My Cybertruck handled the rough road conditions surprisingly well, but I wasn't prepared to deal with the dust.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

I brought my Cybertruck into Tesla Service today because my tonneau cover wouldn't close…

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

Thank you for alerting everyone about this! I’m going to try squirting some WD-40 Dry Lube into the track channel while opening and closing in an attempt to mitigate.

It would be interesting to know if any individual plastic bearing seized or if the repeated sand/dust exposure ground them down to where they were no longer “round” enough to roll properly.

 

[Cybergirl]

Thank you for alerting everyone about this! I’m going to try squirting some WD-40 Dry Lube into the track channel while opening and closing in an attempt to mitigate.

It would be interesting to know if any individual plastic bearing seized or if the repeated sand/dust exposure ground them down to where they were no longer “round” enough to roll properly.

What's interesting is that the tonneau cover would open without issue, but closing was a problem. At Watson Lake, I was able to close the tonneau by pressing the close button multiple times. Each press closed the tonneau about one slat's width. When I got home, at tried opening the cover. It opened all the way with one press of the open button. Then, when I tried to close it, it would move about 6" and stop. It would go back down, but I couldn't get it to close more than 6". It seemed like something was blocking it. Tesla said they found small rocks in the tracks along with a lot of dust. I suspect that a small stone was caught in the track preventing the movement of the cover when attempting to close it. Tesla did say that several plastic wheels were worn. I don't know if that meant they were out of round, or the inner bearing surface was worn.

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

What's interesting is that the tonneau cover would open without issue, but closing was a problem. At Watson Lake, I was able to close the tonneau by pressing the close button multiple times. … I don't know if that meant they were out of round, or the inner bearing surface was worn.

With the tonneau having difficulty (“biased”) in a single direction it sounds like a rock was caught beneath a wheel and as the tonneau is slanted “upward” the wheels jammed trying to push the little rock(s) uphill. I wonder if there is any field-expeditious manner of removing tiny rocks from the track…

 

[gtgarner]

What's interesting is that the tonneau cover would open without issue, but closing was a problem. At Watson Lake, I was able to close the tonneau by pressing the close button multiple times. Each press closed the tonneau about one slat's width. When I got home, at tried opening the cover. It opened all the way with one press of the open button. Then, when I tried to close it, it would move about 6" and stop. It would go back down, but I couldn't get it to close more than 6". It seemed like something was blocking it. Tesla said they found small rocks in the tracks along with a lot of dust. I suspect that a small stone was caught in the track preventing the movement of the cover when attempting to close it. Tesla did say that several plastic wheels were worn. I don't know if that meant they were out of round, or the inner bearing surface was worn.

When that happens to me - I ALWAYS hose it down while its fully closed. Especially the tracks. Then as its closing I spray as much water down the tracks where it disappears below.

Remember the place where it rests has a track that winds in a circular fashion as the tonneau rolls up like a roll of tissue. I spray a ton of water down there.

Look at part number 2 in this pic. Any rocks or buildup of sand in that lower circle can stop it from operating properly.

Also notice part numbers 20 and 21. Those are the motors that fit inside of part number 2 on the left and its matching part on the right side. If those motors get clogged with sand and rocks - they can cause similar failures to open and close.

Anytime this type of condition happens - Hose everything down thoroughly BEFORE trying to open or close the tonneau.

Or - sometimes - I even go through the car wash 2 or 3 times adding the undercarriage wash before I hose it down (pressure washer) myself.

The ultimate best cleaning in this situation is driving for 30+ minutes in a rain storm.

The ultimate best way to avoid the issue altogether is to avoid the area altogether.

 

[kpanda17]

What's interesting is that the tonneau cover would open without issue, but closing was a problem. At Watson Lake, I was able to close the tonneau by pressing the close button multiple times. Each press closed the tonneau about one slat's width. When I got home, at tried opening the cover. It opened all the way with one press of the open button. Then, when I tried to close it, it would move about 6" and stop. It would go back down, but I couldn't get it to close more than 6". It seemed like something was blocking it. Tesla said they found small rocks in the tracks along with a lot of dust. I suspect that a small stone was caught in the track preventing the movement of the cover when attempting to close it. Tesla did say that several plastic wheels were worn. I don't know if that meant they were out of round, or the inner bearing surface was worn.

mind me asking, what was the final total cost? how long to complete?

 

[HaulingAss]

I can see how that could happen. My Cybertruck handled the rough road conditions surprisingly well, but I wasn't prepared to deal with the dust.

Every mechanical system has it's limits. A simple folding tonneau is not going to have a problem with 1000 miles+ of dust, but it's never going to be as convenient. I don't know what "dry" WD40 is, but whatever you do, don't spray regular WD-40 in the tonneau tracks! Soap them up, rinse them off. The tonneau is engineered to operate dry (just not plugged up with a bunch of dust).

In extreme conditions for thousands of miles, it's not surprising it collected too much dust. Just clean it out with soap and water. You might need to follow the instructions for re-calibrating the end points after you rinse out the dust. My guess is it's fine.

 

[Crissa]

This sort of wear and tear is the true trophy!

The inside of my Mazda has looked like that a few times. You start learning where to use extra seals, where to blow or dust off, and where to throw another layer on or when to use covers.

I've spent that several times over in detailing fees.

My experience is: Use the blower first, when it's dust; if it can blow in, it can blow out. Once it gets damp, it locks in place. Lots of the rural self-washes will have a blower; but you have an outlet, you can just use a real leaf blower with a blade attachment.

-Crissa

 

[CT_AZ_4x4]

Every mechanical system has it's limits. A simple folding tonneau is not going to have a problem with 1000 miles+ of dust, but it's never going to be as convenient. I don't know what "dry" WD40 is, but whatever you do, don't spray regular WD-40 in the tonneau tracks! Soap them up, rinse them off. The tonneau is engineered to operate dry (just not plugged up with a bunch of dust).

In extreme conditions for thousands of miles, it's not surprising it collected too much dust. Just clean it out with soap and water. You might need to follow the instructions for re-calibrating the end points after you rinse out the dust. My guess is it's fine.

“Dry” WD-40 is a dry lubricant for use where regular WD-40 or other liquid-based lubricants would just cause clumping of dust and dirt. It is PTFE-based and lubricates without liquid. Available at Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon, etc…

I agree: do NOT use any oil-based or liquid lubricant on the tonneau tracks.

https://www.webstaurantstore.com/wd...x7fro8FTSnsSpd-O56hiYqbesNqEYRJ0aAi--EALw_wcB

 

[Cybergirl]

mind me asking, what was the final total cost? how long to complete?

9,963 miles in 37 days. Charging costs came to $0.14/mile.

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