R1T Flex Test and [Suspension] Engineering Deep Dive

[SoCal Rob]

Apologies if I’ve already asked you Rob, are you trading in your LR3 when you get your Riv?

No, our plan is to keep Rover and, at least for the first couple off-road trips, take both vehicles. Just until we have a comfort level with capabilities and range on the Rivian.

After that maybe we’ll sell our LR3 but I could see us keeping it as a cross between a hobby car and a workhorse. Of course I may rethink that when gas hits $10 per gallon.

Sponsored

 

[opnwide]

No, our plan is to keep Rover and, at least for the first couple off-road trips, take both vehicles. Just until we have a comfort level with capabilities and range on the Rivian.

After that maybe we’ll sell our LR3 but I could see us keeping it as a cross between a hobby car and a workhorse. Of course I may rethink that when gas hits $10 per gallon.

Fantastic. That will make for a great write up and comparison article. I’m coming to Rivian from a non-EV/environmentalist standpoint, (would buy a RAM TRX or BMW XM anytime) and I’m really interested to see your take from a LR perspective.

 

[AllInev]

I sure don't see any under body armor - Am I missing something?

It’s not visible and supposedly things under the plating/covering that you can see in this video. This was something a forum member learned from Brian Gase of Rivian during the Denver open house last weekend.

If I remember, I’ll put a link to the comment here.

 

[NorthernOak]

A few people have reported that the silver plate in the front is only included in the off road package. Unless they've decided to stick with that plate for all vehicles for simplicity.

 

[COdogman]

I am no engineer (obviously), but when it comes to the protection under the truck I’m assuming that for all but the most extreme uses the “armor” they would install to simply protect the batteries on a vehicle clearly advertised as an off road/ adventure vehicle should be more than enough.

Am I wrong to assume that?

 

[electruck]

I am no engineer (obviously), but when it comes to the protection under the truck I’m assuming that for all but the most extreme uses the “armor” they would install to simply protect the batteries on a vehicle clearly advertised as an off road/ adventure vehicle should be more than enough.

Am I wrong to assume that?

Rivian CS has made this exact statement.

 

[AllInev]

It’s not visible and supposedly things under the plating/covering that you can see in this video. This was something a forum member learned from Brian Gase of Rivian during the Denver open house last weekend.

If I remember, I’ll put a link to the comment here.

Here’s the link https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/real-rivian-photos-videos.885/post-112566

Unfortunately,Rivian hasn’t officially communicated exactly what the off-road upgrade is protecting. We may have to wait for a teardown from a community member, someone in the press, etc

 

[Max]

There is an extra layer of non-visible protection hidden underneath the visible panels that also wraps up the sides with the Off-Road option.

I have a feeling Rivian will be selling a lot of non-visible options to pre-March folks down the road to cover for inflation.

I wonder if $300 hooks are available to us or all our options are Pre-March options. I am guessing since my 5 seater option for R1S disappeared. I will be getting the $300 hooks.

 

[zefram47]

I am no engineer (obviously), but when it comes to the protection under the truck I’m assuming that for all but the most extreme uses the “armor” they would install to simply protect the batteries on a vehicle clearly advertised as an off road/ adventure vehicle should be more than enough.

Am I wrong to assume that?

I've mentioned before that I have a 4Runner that I built-up for off-road use. When doing so, most add aftermarket skid plates and rock sliders for added protection. The skid plates we tend to add are 3/16" plate steel or 1/4" aluminum and are usually designed to support the weight of the truck. So if you fall onto a rock or get high-centered, the skids won't collapse or otherwise damage the truck. Furthermore, they're also designed to slide along rocks so you can get yourself off of rocks, logs, etc.

The rock sliders tend to bolt or weld onto the frame and usually stick out a bit from the body so that the slider will hit rocks first. Some also have a kickout towards the rear wheel so as you slide along a rock it'll kick the rear end out a bit so you don't take body damage behind the wheel. If you watch the MotorTrend video where they were on Black Bear Pass, it's blatantly obvious that they dragged the passenger side of the white R1T along a very large rock on the tightest switchback on the trail. That rock has a lot of paint on it from many vehicles that have hit it. Sliders are again designed to take the weight of the truck without deforming enough to damage the body. A well designed slider you could take a high-lift jack and jack up the truck off of them.

 

[SoCal Rob]

I am no engineer (obviously), but when it comes to the protection under the truck I’m assuming that for all but the most extreme uses the “armor” they would install to simply protect the batteries on a vehicle clearly advertised as an off road/ adventure vehicle should be more than enough.

Am I wrong to assume that?

I wouldn’t have added it if it weren’t for our unusual set of circumstances: we go off-road in rock-crawling scenarios a few times each year, always in remote desert areas which have a high risk of wildfire and no cell coverage.

I figure I’m doing the responsible thing by getting the upgrade even though it may never even come into play. If the extra protection saveus from having to walk out after damaging a critical component then I’ll be very glad I spent the money on it.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Flex test compared to others was impressive considering all of those vehicles would have some degree of frame flex/twist contributing to their scores. I was surprised the Jeep was so low.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Flex test compared to others was impressive considering all of those vehicles would have some degree of frame flex/twist contributing to their scores. I was surprised the Jeep was so low.

Also, try taking the others through a high-speed handling and ride quality test. Something tells me that Rivian will be the stand out as having the best road manners (where most of us spend most of our time) combined with the near top scores in off-road capability.

I think it’s much easier to optimize for one or the other. Rivian should feel close to a no-compromise vehicle because of the suspension.

edit: typo

 

[camaroz1985]

I have a feeling Rivian will be selling a lot of non-visible options to pre-March folks down the road to cover for inflation.

I wonder if $300 hooks are available to us or all our options are Pre-March options. I am guessing since my 5 seater option for R1S disappeared. I will be getting the $300 hooks.

Wouldn't bet on that. Would probably bump you to new pricing. Who knows though, by the time we get our Explores they might just be putting tow hooks on everything.

 

[astonius]

Wouldn't bet on that. Would probably bump you to new pricing. Who knows though, by the time we get our Explores they might just be putting tow hooks on everything.

I did confirm with CS today that tow hooks are included with all Launch Editions, regardless of Off-Road Upgrade.

 

[R1T7777]

Flex test compared to others was impressive considering all of those vehicles would have some degree of frame flex/twist contributing to their scores. I was surprised the Jeep was so low.

I was also pleasantly surprised. Considering the others have at least one solid axle, this independent system did very well. My only concerns will be the unknown durability. He did mention that everything is aluminum several times, but he didn't make it clear whether this was a concern for him or not.

Sponsored