[RenovatioLD]

Hi everyone. I have a question for the life expectancy of the RT and it’s not battery related. It involves a four letter word that ultimately sends a majority of our vehicles to the grave prematurely.

Salt.

What is Rivian doing with the undercarriage, and paint?

There is a bunch of aftermarket companies such as Linex and DuPont that offer “armor” coatings and rust proofing but to do it right would require stripping a vehicle down to its bare frame and chassis. Rust typically occurs from the inside and works it way out. Salt dust or residue with moisture getting into the smallest of cavities under or around the car.

Let’s face it trucks are not getting cheaper, they are becoming more and more expensive every year. I just want mine to last more than 10 years without rotting from the inside out on the body...

I’m in Illinois so I hope Rivian is looking into this as their plant is 2hrs south of me and they can see first hand the amount of salt we put on our roads in this state.

 

[Wildabeest]

I believe the body panels are aluminum which should greatly decrease rust and corrosion vs steel. Not sure about the frame.

 

[R99]

Welcome to the forum @RenovatioLD! Here's what's on Rivian's website about what their vehicles are made of

What is the body made of?

The body structures are made from aluminum alloy, ultra high-strength steel and carbon fiber, designed with the highest safety targets in mind.

What is the body made of? - Support Center - Rivian

The body structures are made from aluminum alloy, ultra high-strength steel and carbon fiber, designed with the highest safety targets in mind. Learn more about the design and capability in the R1T and the R1S.

rivian.com

What is the underbody made of?

Protecting the underbody of our vehicle is a layered shield of high-strength steel, alloyed aluminum and carbon fiber composite. Engineered to absorb, deflect and distribute force from impacts, the shield is designed for maximum protection in the most extreme off-road conditions.

With the Off-Road Upgrade, standard in the Adventure Package, the reinforced underbody shield will extend from bumper to bumper and side to side.

What is the underbody made of? - Support Center - Rivian

Protecting the underbody of our vehicle is a layered shield of high-strength steel, alloyed aluminum and carbon fiber composite. Engineered to absorb, deflect and distribute force from impacts, the shield is designed for maximum protection in the most extreme off-road conditions. With the...

rivian.com

 

[RenovatioLD]

Thank you for the replies! Do you know the protective coating, if any, is used on the steel parts or are these wearable items expected for failure and replacement?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

Thank you for the replies! Do you know the protective coating, if any, is used on the steel parts or are these wearable items expected for failure and replacement?

Every manufacturer does something to coat their steel frames, afaik. Of course, the effectiveness does vary, from brand to brand.

 

[RenovatioLD]

Yeah good point I’m just wondering if Rivian went with a cheap manufacturer or something tried and true and reputable guess we will find out. From what is going into their vehicles I would expect reputable fingers crossed!

 

[eHauler]

Yeah good point I’m just wondering if Rivian went with a cheap manufacturer or something tried and true and reputable guess we will find out. From what is going into their vehicles I would expect reputable fingers crossed!

Its unclear what undercoating brand Rivian went with but Wurth is used by many manufactures. We should also get underbody protection that should help keep rocks debris from damaging the undercarriage.

 

[Mr. Gee]

Just got rid of my 2005 Prius (on its second battery). Chicago-kept all that time and rust was never an issue. Rust has not been an issue for me in my vehicles since my 1991 Subaru - which would likely still be running today (boxer engine was great) if the body hadn't dissolved around it.

 

[RenovatioLD]

I’ve had nothing but trucks over 15 of them in the last 20 years (I need them for my business) some brand new some old from Ford F-250-450’s, Chevy and gmc 1500’s, 2500’s and 3500’s. They all start rusting in the same spots. Usually the outside of the truck beds from the inside out around wheel well areas, the bottom of door jams and quarter panels. That’s great your cars have held up! Hopefully Rivian can have the same results as your Subaru and Toyota versus main 3 truck light duty truck manufacturers.

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

I’ve had nothing but trucks over 15 of them in the last 20 years (I need them for my business) some brand new some old from Ford F-250-450’s, Chevy and gmc 1500’s, 2500’s and 3500’s. They all start rusting in the same spots. Usually the outside of the truck beds from the inside out around wheel well areas, the bottom of door jams and quarter panels. That’s great your cars have held up! Hopefully Rivian can have the same results as your Subaru and Toyota versus main 3 truck light duty truck manufacturers.

Rivian is using Aluminum for the bed, afaik, so that should stand up pretty well for the use case you describe.