R1S needs a true roof rack, please!

[Singletracker]

It’s fine that there are crossbars available, but their functionality is limited. And, the spacing of the mounting ports can be a problem. I have a hardshell rooftop tent with a much longer footprint then the folding Yakima type. The 36” spacing between the two forward ports is not enough to properly mount and support this tent. The spacing from the front port to the very rear port is too great. Additionally, even if the tent could be mounted on the crossbars, there is no additional room to also mount something like a shovel, axe, traction boards, or whatever. Hey, this is an adventure vehicle, right? What is needed is a longer, flat roof rack that will accommodate a longer roof top tent and/or other equipment. Preferably, this rack would be very low profile, as close to the roof as possible. I sure hope Rivian, or somebody else, comes up with a decent rack that utilizes the Rivian mounting ports, BEFORE my number comes up. And NO, stacking such a rack on top of the already tall crossbars is a crappy solution, IMHO. The pictured rack is made by BajaRack and is similar to what I currently have on my Toyota FJ.

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[crashmtb]

The aftermarket will come up with solutions. But there have to be trucks in owners’ hands first.

 

[Singletracker]

The aftermarket will come up with solutions. But there have to be trucks in owners’ hands first.

Yes. I agree, but it needs to happen prior to my delivery date, whenever that may be. Fortunately, I think I have a lot of time. I am also wondering how they will do it with the unique mounting system that Rivian has.

 

[Forager]

An OEM rack designed for aerodynamics and some Rivian panache would be the ticket.

I agree, I’m not a fan of running roof racks atop cross bars. Beyond styling, it moves weight higher which is bad for handling and possibly worse for range. I hope Rivian or the aftermarket create some roof rails (not cross bars) that connect to their unique mounting points:

I have some ideas how to make a bracket that would work, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Any word on what the dynamic and static roof load ratings are? Rivian rates their crossbars at 250lb dynamic load, but I cannot imagine a 750lb roof payload —usually 150lb dynamic is the limit.

 

[Sdvictor]

Yes. I agree, but it needs to happen prior to my delivery date, whenever that may be.

Just FYI, this statement comes across as a bit entitled.

as others have mentioned, it’ll come eventually. But being an early adopter + impatience do not typically work well together.

 

[Singletracker]

The roof itself should be plenty strong for any reasonable rate. They are required to be so for rollover safety reasons. I think most roof racks are rated in the 250 lbs. or more dynamic (driving) weight and at least double that for static weight. The rack I have on my FJ is rated at 300/600 lbs. My current rooftop tent is about 150 lbs., well within any normal load limit range. A proper roof rack would utilize all six mounting ports and disperse any load over a larger range of the vehicle structure than a pair of crossbars.

 

[Sdvictor]

Any word on what the dynamic and static roof load ratings are? Rivian rates their crossbars at 250lb dynamic load, but I cannot imagine a 750lb roof payload —usually 150lb dynamic is the limit.

I think people have prior mentioned approx 600-700 static roof load,250 dynamic.

 

[Singletracker]

Just FYI, this statement comes across as a bit entitled.

as others have mentioned, it’ll come eventually. But being an early adopter + impatience do not typically work well together.

Well, call me entitled, if you will, but the reality is, without my rooftop tent, the vehicle is has limited usefulness. I figure I’m 1.5-2 years out from ever seeing my R1S, so I will be patient - I promise. Really, I promise ?

 

[Rhidan]

Well, call me entitled, if you will, but the reality is, without my rooftop tent, the vehicle is has limited usefulness.

Totally agree. Rivian really screwed everyone over by not designing the first electric full-sized SUV around whether it will fit Singletracker’s existing rooftop tent.

 

[mkg3]

Totally agree. Rivian really screwed everyone over by not designing the first electric full-sized SUV around whether it will fit Singletracker’s existing rooftop tent.

Not everyone... What's a Singletracker???

 

[Singletracker]

An OEM rack designed for aerodynamics and some Rivian panache would be the ticket.

I agree, I’m not a fan of running roof racks atop cross bars. Beyond styling, it moves weight higher which is bad for handling and possibly worse for range. I hope Rivian or the aftermarket create some roof rails (not cross bars) that connect to their unique mounting points:

I have some ideas how to make a bracket that would work, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Any word on what the dynamic and static roof load ratings are? Rivian rates their crossbars at 250lb dynamic load, but I cannot imagine a 750lb roof payload —usually 150lb dynamic is the limit.

An OEM rack designed for aerodynamics and some Rivian panache would be the ticket.

I agree, I’m not a fan of running roof racks atop cross bars. Beyond styling, it moves weight higher which is bad for handling and possibly worse for range. I hope Rivian or the aftermarket create some roof rails (not cross bars) that connect to their unique mounting points:

I have some ideas how to make a bracket that would work, but it wouldn’t be pretty.

Any word on what the dynamic and static roof load ratings are? Rivian rates their crossbars at 250lb dynamic load, but I cannot imagine a 750lb roof payload —usually 150lb dynamic is the limit.

I love the idea of quickly being able to install/remove crossbars/racks - very cool. As they seem to all but click into place, I’m curious as to how they were able to make them sturdy/stable enough to hold all that weight. Most serious racks, that I have seen, are bolted down. Will their proprietary mounting system make it harder for after market suppliers to offer additional storage solutions? I have to think Rivian has considered this situation, as they have pretty much covered every other base.

 

[Chas60422]

The crossbars when installed properly are solid and don’t wiggle. The wells around the actual bar make part of the contact point and the latch on the bar snugs the feet into those wells.
I bet Rivian will come up with their own roof racks for the suv and truck and probably a raised rack for the truck. If Rivian won’t Im sure some after market player will like Yakima since Rivian and Yakima already have a partnership with each other. For rivian right now their focus is get vehicles in peoples driveways and then focus on the addons later

 

[moosehead]

@Singletracker, absent a vehicle and the receiving tower mount side, perhaps you might try buying the crossbars and sending one each to Yak and Thule, or pick your favorite rack manufacturer. They may not want to take the risk of just having the tower side to prototype their own tower mounts for your rack/tent/etc but you never know.

 

[Bbernardo]

I'm sure Gobi will have a full length rack designed in short order once they get their hands on a vehicle to measure. Like others have said it's about getting the aftermarket producers some vehicles to start solutioning outside the OEM options

 

[Singletracker]

The crossbars when installed properly are solid and don’t wiggle. The wells around the actual bar make part of the contact point and the latch on the bar snugs the feet into those wells.
I bet Rivian will come up with their own roof racks for the suv and truck and probably a raised rack for the truck. If Rivian won’t Im sure some after market player will like Yakima since Rivian and Yakima already have a partnership with each other. For rivian right now their focus is get vehicles in peoples driveways and then focus on the addons later

Thanks for the mount info. Some of these countless Rivian features are hard to visualize, without an real hands on experience. Can’t wait to actually see one. I hope you are correct about that Rivian roof rack. It seems like a no brainer.

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