[BrianGoodwin]

I want to step into the bed from the back! This is one of the omissions that makes it obvious that Rivian is a rookie. Love driving this thing but every truck in the world has some sort of step from the rear for good reason.

Several mornings I have come back to the truck with my surfboard under my arm and found it a challenge to get into the bed of the truck so I can wrap a towel around me and change back into street cloths. I don't have the package with the wrist key so my key is locked in combo lockbox in the open bed, meaning the gear tunnel is also locked. And even if I put the board down to get the key so I can lower the gear tunnel I find use of that as a step from there into the bed in a dripping wetsuit to be treacherous at best. It would be been EASY to include molded in step at the rear, every other truck on the earth has a rear step for the simple reason that we truck owners often want to step into the rear bed from the rear of the truck. So, trying this SuperBumper Step as my first attempt at solving the challenge. It's a step, and a 25mph bumper.

 

[derekmw]

Isn't that what the guard tunnel doors were for?

 

[CommodoreAmiga]

R1T is already long enough to not fit in many parking spots. I wouldn't want to make it unnecessarily longer.

I agree an integrated step would be nice -- I miss it from my Sierra. But adding an extension like that is worse than not having a step, imo.

 

[BrianGoodwin]

Isn't that what the guard tunnel doors were for?

You didn't actually read what I wrote, which addressed the gear tunnel doors.

 

[BrianGoodwin]

R1T is already long enough to not fit in many parking spots. I wouldn't want to make it unnecessarily longer.

I agree an integrated step would be nice -- I miss it from my Sierra. But adding an extension like that is worse than not having a step, imo.

Though I agree not near as ideal as having it integrated I already used this a few times today for quick in and out of the bed, including all wet from surfing this morning, and it works.

My guess is that a lot of customers for R1T are first time truck owners and don't have a lot of experience using a truck....as a truck. Indeed Sierra and F150 and every other truck has a means of rear climb into the bed without lowering the tailgate. I run a car parts company and I am often climbing into the bed often a few times a day and I don't want to take the time to lower the gear guard tunnel for awkward side access, particularly if my hands are already full.

 

[derekmw]

You didn't actually read what I wrote, which addressed the gear tunnel doors.

Ah I missed that. I actually surf every morning with my Tesla and I just put the key card in my wetsuit. Would that work for you? I hope so since that's what I plan to do when mine arrives.

 

[BRIAN GWR]

Rivian said eventually we can buy that cool wrist strap key that came only with launch edition. I will give that a try when available.

 

[atebit]

Step may be 25MPH, but are the towing receiver & frame attachment points? You might need a visit from these guys after taking a hit with that step attached.

 

[395Rivian]

My Tacoma has a Bed Step (OEM) which tucks under the truck until you need it and it definitely comes in handy. Also sticks out just far enough when extended to be able to easily hop up on the tailgate even when it’s down. Would be a nice option for the Rivian.

 

[paulb]

They could have done something really cool, like make those two silver side parts in the diaper/bumper, the integrated step and have them hinged to fold down and become a step, folding back up flush when it not in use. That would have been some actual innovation.

 

[Bob 1T]

I also have added a bump step, as the tunnel doors are higher than I can easily get my foot up to use it as a step. And who wants his tailgate to take a soft bump, when the bump step can help protect it.

 

[Frisbee]

I bought a $35.00 hitch step on Amazon. Good thing. One week later I was rear ended. Broke a weld on the hitch step but saved the R1T. Easy to replace.