Questions for Rivian

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

I'm pretty sure that's actual footage of the truck offroad. As Pushmi mentioned it could be cleaned up digitally, but I think creating whole digital sequences would be far too expensive and probably wouldn't have a realistic look.

I'm no expert on the subject, but I think you're right. These days a really good CGI company could make something realistic enough to pass, but you'd need a budget equal to a few minutes of a blockbuster action/ sci-fi movie to get that of realism.

Far easier and cheaper to film (well, videotape) the real thing, then hand it over to a CGI team for "sweetening".

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[EV-RN]

One question I have that I haven’t seen answered is how does towing effect the range of this truck. We frequently tow with our current gas guzzling beast, and if I purchase a Rivian truck I will use it for same purposes that we use our current trucks for.

 

[Domenick]

One question I have that I haven’t seen answered is how does towing effect the range of this truck. We frequently tow with our current gas guzzling beast, and if I purchase a Rivian truck I will use it for same purposes that we use our current trucks for.

It will definitely decrease its range. How much may depend on the weight and shape of what is being towed.

A trailer with a set of jet skis will have less impact than a camper trailer for instance.

I guess one way to judge might be to take a look at how towing affects the Tesla Model X. I would imagine the impact would be similar enough to give a good indication.

 

[RLXXI]

Agree with Dom. Aerodynamics and weight of the towed load will change power consumption proportionately. But you won't really know your towing anything according to the specs they give. Example I can cite, before I had my truck custom tuned, my little 16' ski boat felt like I was pulling the QE2. Now it's barely noticeable due to the increased hp and torque of the custom tune.

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

I guess one way to judge might be to take a look at how towing affects the Tesla Model X.

Yeah. And reports say that even towing a modest sized trailer at highway speed results in about half the range for a Model X. I don't know that there have been enough such reports to call it a consensus, but it seems to be beyond mere anecdotal evidence. I would expect the same limitation for this Rivian truck.

I don't think there is much EV engineers can do about that. The primary limit to towing or hauling heavy loads at highway speed is how much energy is stored in the battery pack, not the efficiency or aerodynamics of the vehicle, and I don't see Rivian putting a significantly larger battery pack into the R1T (or the R1S) than the top of the line Model X 100 kWh battery pack. Possibly 120-125 kWh, but almost certainly not 300-400+ kWh.

My theory is that Rivian purposely put an extra-extra short cargo bed on the R1T because that will tend to discourage people from trying to use it to haul large heavy stuff. But if they put a tow hitch on it and advertise its towing ability, then that will certainly encourage people to tow, which in turn is going to lead to a lot of very disappointed Rivian customers.

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[Domenick]

Yeah. And reports say that even towing a modest sized trailer at highway speed results in about half the range for a Model X. I don't know that there have been enough such reports to call it a consensus, but it seems to be beyond mere anecdotal evidence. I would expect the same limitation for this Rivian truck.

I don't think there is much EV engineers can do about that. The primary limit to towing or hauling heavy loads at highway speed is how much energy is stored in the battery pack, not the efficiency or aerodynamics of the vehicle, and I don't see Rivian putting a significantly larger battery pack into the R1T (or the R1S) than the top of the line Model X 100 kWh battery pack. Possibly 120-125 kWh, but almost certainly not 300-400+ kWh.

My theory is that Rivian purposely put an extra-extra short cargo bed on the R1T because that will tend to discourage people from trying to use it to haul large heavy stuff. But if they put a tow hitch on it and advertise its towing ability, then that will certainly encourage people to tow, which in turn is going to lead to a lot of very disappointed Rivian customers.

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I think for most people's towing purposes, the Rivian should be able to work fine. Yeah, it probably won't be something you want to drive cross-country with a trailer (unless you don't mind stopping at charging stations more frequently than usual), but I can see plenty of situations where it works quite well. It should be able to travel a couple hundred miles towing medium-size loads.
Being adventure oriented, I think Rivian is very clued in to this sort of usage and will try to address it as best it can. One of the things they talk about is installing charging infrastructure at recreational destinations. Heck, maybe they can work with another manufacturer on increasing efficiencies of trailers, through streamlining and other means. (I think the idea of a trailer with its own built-in propulsion system and/or battery pack would be an interesting proposition)

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

I think for most people's towing purposes, the Rivian should be able to work fine. Yeah, it probably won't be something you want to drive cross-country with a trailer (unless you don't mind stopping at charging stations more frequently than usual), but I can see plenty of situations where it works quite well. It should be able to travel a couple hundred miles towing medium-size loads.

No reason it can't be used for, let's say, hauling your boat to the local lake. Likewise, it will no doubt do just fine driving up a mountain to a ski lodge... so long as it's fully charged before the ascent. Travel for short to medium distances, particularly if the hauling is done at lower than highway speed, will probably yield happier results. It's trying to, for example, haul a large camper trailer while traveling cross-country that is going to lead to EV owners shocked at the suddenly short range of their R1T.

I'm still dubious about the idea of Rivian selling to the "adventure vacation" crowd. That sounds like something that you'd rent a vehicle for, not buy one. But hey, if Rivian can make such marketing work for them, them more (battery) power to Rivian!

 

[VJS695]

For those of you that already placed a pre-order did any of you recieve the special sort of extras that Rivian promised

 

[Domenick]

One question I have that I haven’t seen answered is how does towing effect the range of this truck. We frequently tow with our current gas guzzling beast, and if I purchase a Rivian truck I will use it for same purposes that we use our current trucks for.

This question gets answered (sort of) during the interview with RJ Scaringe on the ski lift
Basically, with the maximum 11,000-lb load, it can lose about half its range.

 

[Tom SD]

in that same video he mentioned they are looking into the batter equivalent of a jerry can as an accessory.

 

[Domenick]

in that same video he mentioned they are looking into the batter equivalent of a jerry can as an accessory.

Good point!
It seemed he hinted that this extra battery could be included in some accessories. Similar to my comment above where I suggested a battery pack embedded in a trailer. "...so these are some of the accessories we're also looking at...adding to the vehicles as well."
Or maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear.

 

[RLXXI]

Portable gas generator in the bed would take care of any range issues. Ran my entire home off one many times after a storm. I used the 220 outlet and back fed the whole house thru the clothes drier plug as it's wired to both 110 buses. Could easily make a pigtail for the charging cable the truck uses.

Pretty much all rv campers/motor homes have them from the factory. Most people don't realize it but all diesel locomotive engines do not power the wheels. It powers generators that are connected to electric motors that power the wheels.

 

[Pushmi-Pullyu]

Most people don't realize it but all diesel locomotive engines do not power the wheels. It powers generators that are connected to electric motors that power the wheels.

Yup. Diesel-electric train locomotives are hybrid EVs. The term "EV" encompasses much, much more than just highway-capable 4-wheel passenger vehicles.

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[Alex Tewes]

Just a simple question. Is Australia being considered as target marked from launch date? Given our country's fascination with pick up trucks (first and second best selling vehicles are pick up trucks, or "utes" in Aussie-speech) it would make sense.

 

[Fitterblue]

Another reason for collecting any questions you have here is, when InsideEVs gets an opportunity for an interview, we can use some of these question suggestions. So, fire away!

I'm bummed EV companies seem to be ignoring the RV four wheel down or flat towable vehicle segment. Atlis seems to be the only upcoming EV that has addressed this market. Fingers crossed Rivian and Tesla do. Please keep that in mind. Thanks

 

[JackA]

I know about as much about the R1S today as I knew about Tesla in 2012 when I pledged $5,000 (refundable) to buy a Model S. I have gained total confidence in the technology over the last six years and 130,000 miles. I have reason to believe that Rivian and its team can bring their EV to the street. I would like a less "urban" interior, as I will using my R1S in remote difficult terrain where it will be dirty most of the time.

 

[Roy A.]

I think for most people's towing purposes, the Rivian should be able to work fine. Yeah, it probably won't be something you want to drive cross-country with a trailer (unless you don't mind stopping at charging stations more frequently than usual), but I can see plenty of situations where it works quite well. It should be able to travel a couple hundred miles towing medium-size loads.
Being adventure oriented, I think Rivian is very clued in to this sort of usage and will try to address it as best it can. One of the things they talk about is installing charging infrastructure at recreational destinations. Heck, maybe they can work with another manufacturer on increasing efficiencies of trailers, through streamlining and other means. (I think the idea of a trailer with its own built-in propulsion system and/or battery pack would be an interesting proposition)

trailer with propulsion sounds good. but how about trailer wheels with regen as its being towed. im not an engineer but just tought of that idea.

 

[RedworcJC]

Rivian: I talked to plenty of tow truck drivers regarding Tesla's and heard stories that had me thinking. In certain collisions where a Tesla was struck by another vehicle and the damage completely killed the cars systems a flat bed tow truck couldn't move the car. The gear shift couldn't be placed in Nuetral to even push it out of the middle of the road. Another story was a Tesla stored in a narrow garage, battery dead completely and Tow truck couldnt do anything to get the Tesla in Nuetral. Brings me to my question... Will Rivian R1T & R1S, if the vision is adventure and some offroading, have the same issues as Tesla? Clearly Roadside assistance in a remote area is not necessarily ideal as a first option lifeline at least for me. I driven through 3 feet of water and watched a friends truck get stuck due to electrical issue thanks to the stream water but luckily he had a manual transmission and I was able to pull him out of there. Is this a concern Rivian has addressed? I know Toyota addressed it on the Prius, Tesla's I heard you have to remove the entire front bumper to get to battery terminals to address power issues those Tow Truck drivers have faced. I wonder if Rivian has considered and provided solutions to those potentially foreseeable issues???

 

[Domenick]

Rivian: I talked to plenty of tow truck drivers regarding Tesla's and heard stories that had me thinking. In certain collisions where a Tesla was struck by another vehicle and the damage completely killed the cars systems a flat bed tow truck couldn't move the car. The gear shift couldn't be placed in Nuetral to even push it out of the middle of the road. Another story was a Tesla stored in a narrow garage, battery dead completely and Tow truck couldnt do anything to get the Tesla in Nuetral. Brings me to my question... Will Rivian R1T & R1S, if the vision is adventure and some offroading, have the same issues as Tesla? Clearly Roadside assistance in a remote area is not necessarily ideal as a first option lifeline at least for me. I driven through 3 feet of water and watched a friends truck get stuck due to electrical issue thanks to the stream water but luckily he had a manual transmission and I was able to pull him out of there. Is this a concern Rivian has addressed? I know Toyota addressed it on the Prius, Tesla's I heard you have to remove the entire front bumper to get to battery terminals to address power issues those Tow Truck drivers have faced. I wonder if Rivian has considered and provided solutions to those potentially foreseeable issues???

I believe in the case of the Teslas, the issue is the electronic parking brake. Older versions could be released manually with a wrench, but that would require some knowledge of how they work.

I can't say if Rivian has addressed this, but this could be one of those little things that are extremely helpful in some cases. I would suggest some of manual brake unlock set up.

(Here's a good thread on the Tesla Motors Club forum about the issue.)

 

[RomanV]

Rivian: I talked to plenty of tow truck drivers regarding Tesla's and heard stories that had me thinking. In certain collisions where a Tesla was struck by another vehicle and the damage completely killed the cars systems a flat bed tow truck couldn't move the car. The gear shift couldn't be placed in Nuetral to even push it out of the middle of the road. Another story was a Tesla stored in a narrow garage, battery dead completely and Tow truck couldnt do anything to get the Tesla in Nuetral. Brings me to my question... Will Rivian R1T & R1S, if the vision is adventure and some offroading, have the same issues as Tesla?

Most EVs use a solenoid actuated park pawl when the vehicle is placed in Park or when 12V power is lost. I’m not sure any have a manual release for the pawl but I’d certainly welcome that feature. I’ve also had an electric vehicle lose all power and brick itself. All was not lost though as I was able to jack the drive axle off the ground and place it onto dollies.