Roller Bed Cover Might Be Leaving

[CyberBC]

I started thinking about how many comments regarding the new footage of the Cybertruck on the test track have been about the change of looks, front-end, lights, curved glass etc. For me, I don't care about the looks. It's function over form. It is still, and will always be ugly. On that note, I am afraid that the Tesla team has become aware of the functional limitations of the roller bed cover. Hence the changes to the rear part of the roof. I am trying to fathom how the cover could deal with a covering of road grit, sand, silt and ice and still maintain functionality. At the least, I think the cover will need a very good power wash before being rolled up after being driven in a northern winter, on a dirt road or even left sitting at a job site or on a farm. I do like the idea of the cover, but I think there might be a reason why trucks haven't come with one before. It won't be that functional outside the city. A post-apocalyptic machine can't need car washes! I would love to hear good reasons why I'm wrong.

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[CyberBC]

On the bright side, if the cover needs to be retracted much of the time, it will still improve the range numbers for the range testers and for long trips.

 

[CyberBC]

Maybe we could have a super strong central vacuum system to clean?

 

[Friday]

So, what do you want? A permanent bed cap, like a traditional pickup can have?

I grew up in pickups in a northern environment on a farm. Working trucks, not suburban trucks. Open working pickup beds are the most disgusting dirty places to use. Also, the first place on the truck to start rusting due to trapped moisture. Open trucks beds are rarely cleaned out and washed.

I'm fine with the idea of the rolling tonneau, but no one can speculate accurately on the longterm issues of it since it doesn't really exist yet.

 

[uff_da]

I have similar concerns with the cover. I live on a gravel road and dirt finds its way into EVERY nook and cranny over time. My mini van sliding van doors have issues closing and those are fairly robust time proven designs. I think the cover design is one of the hardest design challenges on the truck. I know Elon is concerned with the wiper, but to me the cover is way more difficult.

I am also concerned with how little real world testing we have seen with the Cybertruck this (supposedly) close to production. It is possible they have been able to avoid being spotted with some testing, but the community seems to be pretty on top of test activities (but who knows really).

If you look at Rivian for example, they have had test vehicles out in the wild for 1-2 years before launch. I am a little concerned the first order takers are going to be the testers for the Cybertruck, or that production dates will continue to get pushed out as field tests uncover problems.

All in all, still super excited about my reservation and can't wait to see how it all unfolds (no pun intended ).

 

[Dusty]

Why are people acting like this doesn't already exist and problem prone?
There are rolling metal covers that have been in use in the off-road and truck market for decades. Also, tonneau covers are a huge improvement in aerodynamics when deployed not when retracted.

 

[anionic1]

I started thinking about how many comments regarding the new footage of the Cybertruck on the test track have been about the change of looks, front-end, lights, curved glass etc. For me, I don't care about the looks. It's function over form. It is still, and will always be ugly. On that note, I am afraid that the Tesla team has become aware of the functional limitations of the roller bed cover. Hence the changes to the rear part of the roof. I am trying to fathom how the cover could deal with a covering of road grit, sand, silt and ice and still maintain functionality. At the least, I think the cover will need a very good power wash before being rolled up after being driven in a northern winter, on a dirt road or even left sitting at a job site or on a farm. I do like the idea of the cover, but I think there might be a reason why trucks haven't come with one before. It won't be that functional outside the city. A post-apocalyptic machine can't need car washes! I would love to hear good reasons why I'm wrong.

If you look closely you can tell they perfectly picture framed out the bed opening as though to create a frame and counter flashing for the cover. The cover is definitely still in the plan.

it would probably be a good idea to get any significant dirt, debris or snow off the cover before opening it.

 

[CyberBC]

They seem to be doing airflow tests at the track with the bed open. Makes you think they are expecting that to be a common use case. ?

 

[CyberBC]

Big advantage over other trucks that it has a slope so airflow and rain will help keep it clean.

 

[CyberGus]

When retracting, the cover has a long vertical drop from the apex of the roof to the rollup spool in the underbelly. Most debris will just fall off, and internal brushes or other passive systems could facilitate the process.

Obviously, if you spray your cover with salt water and then roll it up for six months, you will probably be replacing it often.

 

[Dusty]

They seem to be doing airflow tests at the track with the bed open. Makes you think they are expecting that to be a common use case. ?

??? Occam's razor would say, maybe they're testing something and left the bed open because it didn't matter. Driving around the track with the bed open and no external sensors wouldn't be how they'd test airflow.

 

[Idea Of The Day]

Why are people acting like this doesn't already exist and problem prone?
There are rolling metal covers that have been in use in the off-road and truck market for decades. Also, tonneau covers are a huge improvement in aerodynamics when deployed not when retracted.

I'm sure they won't drop the retractable cover. If anything, I hope they add a solar panel to it. That would be a big selling point.

 

[Albern]

It's too soon to be jumping to conclusions like that. I was also reading how some people here are saying the tailgate ramp won't make it to production. The tonneau cover and ramp were such significant features that it would be shocking if Tesla drops them out the gate.

At least be glad if Tesla is delaying production because it could mean that features like these (along with 4680 and Austin factory) are being really worked on.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

When retracting, the cover has a long vertical drop from the apex of the roof to the rollup spool in the underbelly. Most debris will just fall off, and internal brushes or other passive systems could facilitate the process.

Obviously, if you spray your cover with salt water and then roll it up for six months, you will probably be replacing it often.

What do you think the cover is made of? You are suggesting that it will corrode and that is somewhat anathemic to the exoskeleton concept.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

My concern with the new footage/bed is how they moved rear crossbar at the back of the cab back. I can only speculate but it looks like there is now an overhang over the front of the bed so its no longer a flush flat surface to stack, strap, or make full use of the entire bed with.

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