Florida WTB: Soft Tonneau cover

[CyberWalrus]

To OP, can you get photos of the OEM soft tonneau that some buyers received? Would be interested in looking at the kit and components pre-install since it was user installed.

On all the aftermarket truck roll up tonneau, there is a mounting bracket and tensioner end which attaches on the bed closest to the cab and latch system at the tailgate end (rails usually have more latch points or velcro). On the RWD CT, it would mount under the plastic roof applique, however the existing rails have no middle mounting points or velcro. Not sure how the OEM would kept the center from flopping up at speeds.

If can get dimensions, that would be good to compare with other existing tonneau and retrofit into it. The opening on the CT bed is similar in dimensions to the Honda Ridgeline.

Sponsored

 

[Mini2nut]

I agree. A pickup truck bed is just begging for solar panels to be installed.

 

[CyberWalrus]

Agree but a trifold solar panel cover that uses the back three mounting points and can be folded to uncover the entire tonneau would sell. A lot.
Who cares is there is a factory tonneau underneath or not. Despite what our sponsor friends would have you believe not everyone wants to put a cap on our trucks.

I had looked at designing one with something like these Amazon.com : Callsun Flexible Solar Panel 400W, 2PCS 12V 200 Watt Solar Panel 23% High-Efficiency Ultra Lightweight,11BB IP68 Waterproof Portable Solar Panels for Homes RV Camping Boat Curve Surfaces : Patio, Lawn & Garden

The main concern is mounting and when closed prevents flopping, without it being semi-permanent. The dimensions are also not exactly fitting, therefore require a base cover underneath.

Unless you are meaning a solar panel cover that would only be unfolded at a camp ground, not while driving at high ways speeds.

 

[hunter323279]

I had looked at designing one with something like these Amazon.com : Callsun Flexible Solar Panel 400W, 2PCS 12V 200 Watt Solar Panel 23% High-Efficiency Ultra Lightweight,11BB IP68 Waterproof Portable Solar Panels for Homes RV Camping Boat Curve Surfaces : Patio, Lawn & Garden

The main concern is mounting and when closed prevents flopping, without it being semi-permanent. The dimensions are also not exactly fitting, therefore require a base cover underneath.

Unless you are meaning a solar panel cover that would only be unfolded at a camp ground, not while driving at high ways speeds.

Working on seeing if the owner of the soft tonneau can give us some info

 

[CyberTruckyWucky]

Correct, there are still inventory. They might be still building them, since the couple that won a RWD was a MY2026 VIN.

Pick-up truck tonneau are normally aftermarket. Majority truck owners probably don't have one. However, the Cybertruck is a specialty lifestyle truck, so is difficult sell without one, especially without any OEM nor aftermarket support.

Honestly I was told there 'was' a soft cover option when I purchased my long range model...I felt lied to at the show room but it was also my fault for not doing enough research.

With time I'll give it a year there should be a soft tonneau cover...that or ill draw up some specs and get some fabricated, test and put them on market.

 

[CyberTruckyWucky]

I had looked at designing one with something like these Amazon.com : Callsun Flexible Solar Panel 400W, 2PCS 12V 200 Watt Solar Panel 23% High-Efficiency Ultra Lightweight,11BB IP68 Waterproof Portable Solar Panels for Homes RV Camping Boat Curve Surfaces : Patio, Lawn & Garden

The main concern is mounting and when closed prevents flopping, without it being semi-permanent. The dimensions are also not exactly fitting, therefore require a base cover underneath.

Unless you are meaning a solar panel cover that would only be unfolded at a camp ground, not while driving at high ways speeds.

Honestly you know those snowboarding shoes with boa systems. You turn the dial to tighten, if i could be arsed enough I can design a dmsoft tonneau cover whereby the user can turn a dial and push to lock in. By turning the dial you would be able to pull in the small stainless steel wires and stretch the tonneau cover.

Yes I'm ADHD and yes I can design lots of stuff only when motivated.

 

[CyberTruckyWucky]

If I owed one of these I’d be looking for a folding solar panel the right size and a way to mount it

I thought the output of the solar panels was still so small it wasn't worth the weight of the inverter weight.

 

[CyberWalrus]

Honestly I was told there 'was' a soft cover option when I purchased my long range model...I felt lied to at the show room but it was also my fault for not doing enough research.

With time I'll give it a year there should be a soft tonneau cover...that or ill draw up some specs and get some fabricated, test and put them on market.

Agree, disappointing how it was handled. Tesla had the soft tonneau listed as option and listed to ship in September but was removed completely October 1st. If they wanted to sell more of the AWD, should have just informed the soft tonneau was no longer being made.

OP said there were some that was shipped to customers. If can get a hold of one to reproduce, that would be nice.

 

[CyberWalrus]

I thought the output of the solar panels was still so small it wasn't worth the weight of the inverter weight.

400W (48V) is the most I've come across to cover up the bed opening. After some thought, It sounds like a cool idea, but in reality, there is no real use for it. It's too low power to make any useful charging.

 

[hemiarch]

400W (48V) is the most I've come across to cover up the bed opening. After some thought, It sounds like a cool idea, but in reality, there is no real use for it. It's too low power to make any useful charging.

I’ve seen configs that make about 1.2 kw and with some battery that can be made useful as a range extension but it’s really not about the economics of making the car cheaper or total range extension, it’s about adding a feature,;“unstrandability” ,especially with respect to remote travel.
if I make a bone headed decision taking my w kids out into the desert and I run out of juice and I have such a setup, I just have to be patient enough and I’ll ultimately drive out of there to a supercharger.
that’s worth it to me.
if I park my car somewhere and go on a two week cruise, it’s worth it to me to know the chance of me coming back to a dead car is near zero.
that’s why I’d pay for it. I have free supercharging, cost is not the issue.

 

[CyberWalrus]

I’ve seen configs that make about 1.2 kw and with some battery that can be made useful as a range extension but it’s really not about the economics of making the car cheaper or total range extension, it’s about adding a feature,;“unstrandability” ,especially with respect to remote travel.
if I make a bone headed decision taking my w kids out into the desert and I run out of juice and I have such a setup, I just have to be patient enough and I’ll ultimately drive out of there to a supercharger.
that’s worth it to me.
if I park my car somewhere and go on a two week cruise, it’s worth it to me to know the chance of me coming back to a dead car is near zero.
that’s why I’d pay for it. I have free supercharging, cost is not the issue.

1.2kW would require covering the roof and frunk, or even additional expansion. I guess that would make it more feasible.

I am still waiting for day of micro nuclear reactor that can power a vehicle for a decade.

 

[CyberTruckyWucky]

Agree, disappointing how it was handled. Tesla had the soft tonneau listed as option and listed to ship in September but was removed completely October 1st. If they wanted to sell more of the AWD, should have just informed the soft tonneau was no longer being made.

OP said there were some that was shipped to customers. If can get a hold of one to reproduce, that would be nice.

I would reach out to an owner, pay them $1000 and sign a legally binding contract to uninstall their tonneau for 2 weeks and return in good condition so I can take photos and reverse engineer and improve upon the base tonneau.

 

[CyberTruckyWucky]

Don't have much data on RWD VINs. There is one posted here with a build date of June 17, 2025 and a 77xxx number. It's a 2025 model year (with "S" in VIN digit 10). So apparently early RWD production was 2025 and later RWD production was 2026 (with "T" in VIN digit 10).

2026 RWD picked up yesterday - VIN digit 10 = T (2026 MY), build August, VIN range A08xxx

 

[hunter323279]

Honestly I was told there 'was' a soft cover option when I purchased my long range model...I felt lied to at the show room but it was also my fault for not doing enough research.

With time I'll give it a year there should be a soft tonneau cover...that or ill draw up some specs and get some fabricated, test and put them on market.

Calling the guy who has done a couple in Florida to see what we can do I'd like that oem style but it seems I have no choice

 

[hunter323279]

2026 RWD picked up yesterday - VIN digit 10 = T (2026 MY), build August, VIN range A08xxx

Congrats mine is 2025 and built in august as well 80671

Sponsored