Can R1S drive with liftgate open?

[CrazeeEyez]

Can you drive the R1S with the top and/or bottom liftgate/tailgates open, for longer loads? I've asked the Rivian service center and guide and they were not sure.

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[CrazeeEyez]

Update: I was told by Rivian Customer Service that you should not drive with the liftgate up or tailgate down due to the taillights or license plate not being visible. However, the car should drive with either open. They didn't go try it but they asked around and said the car is not disabled from driving with them open.

 

[pc500]

Good, you can haul a sofa.

 

[CharonPDX]

Update: I was told by Rivian Customer Service that you should not drive with the liftgate up or tailgate down due to the taillights or license plate not being visible. However, the car should drive with either open. They didn't go try it but they asked around and said the car is not disabled from driving with them open.

That is an exceedingly odd claim since the tail lights are on the fixed rear pillars. By federal law, lights and indicators must be visible with panels open. The only lights actually on the tailgate itself is the lightbar, nothing necessary.

(Some vehicles *DO* have their lights on their rear liftgate, and they meet the standard in one of two ways: Put a second set of lights in the lower bumper that turn on when the liftgate is open; or put a second set of lights *INSIDE THE VEHICLE* on the rear interior pillar - see the BMW iX.)

 

[CrazeeEyez]

I agree @CharonPDX . The tailgate being down (since that's where the license plate is installed) is maybe more of a legal concern. I was really more interested in any technical issues. I can't test it, but as long as the liftgate can be open, I think it'll work for me.

 

[CharonPDX]

I agree @CharonPDX . The tailgate being down (since that's where the license plate is installed) is maybe more of a legal concern. I was really more interested in any technical issues. I can't test it, but as long as the liftgate can be open, I think it'll work for me.

They should do like the Subaru Baja and have the plate on a rotating mount so it folds out to be displayed properly when the tailgate is open:

 

[barsaec]

I can confirm that the R1S will drive with the tailgate open. Our upper tailgate is currently broken. Upon its last closing it didn’t close all the way about, it is about 1/2” from being fully closed. We have a service appointment in two weeks, but for now, no rear access other than crawling through the 2nd row. We get a warning that the rear hatch is open, and autopilot doesn’t work.

 

[KeithPleas]

I can confirm that the R1S will drive with the tailgate open.

I tried that this weekend and I cannot close the liftgate with the tailgate open. Pressing the button in the liftgate just gives a "deedle-deedle". Trying to close it from the UI and it's just hatched out.

I have not (yet) tried tailgate closed and liftgate open, but I wasn't able to get the liftgate to close with the tailgate open. I wanted to use that to transport a dingy but made it fit anyway, but I could certainly see wanting to do this to transport - say - lumber. Is there a trick?

 

[Dark-Fx]

I tried that this weekend and I cannot close the liftgate with the tailgate open. Pressing the button in the liftgate just gives a "deedle-deedle". Trying to close it from the UI and it's just hatched out.

I have not (yet) tried tailgate closed and liftgate open, but I wasn't able to get the liftgate to close with the tailgate open. I wanted to use that to transport a dingy but made it fit anyway, but I could certainly see wanting to do this to transport - say - lumber. Is there a trick?

Liftgate latches into the tailgate, but you can manually pull it down and strap the latch to a tiedown inside.

 

[Zoidz]

I tried that this weekend and I cannot close the liftgate with the tailgate open. Pressing the button in the liftgate just gives a "deedle-deedle". Trying to close it from the UI and it's just hatched out.

I have not (yet) tried tailgate closed and liftgate open, but I wasn't able to get the liftgate to close with the tailgate open. I wanted to use that to transport a dingy but made it fit anyway, but I could certainly see wanting to do this to transport - say - lumber. Is there a trick?

Liftgate latches into the tailgate, but you can manually pull it down and strap the latch to a tiedown inside.

You could drive with the liftgate in the fulll open/up position, but from experience hauling my kayak I can tell you that above about 20 mph the wind pressure will push it partially closed. @Dark-Fx has the right solution, and use a towel or other soft object between the lumber and the bottom of the liftgate as necessary.

 

[KeithPleas]

Thanks @Zoidz and @Dark-Fx - I had no idea I could PULL the liftgate down!

 

[Zoidz]

Thanks @Zoidz and @Dark-Fx - I had no idea I could PULL the liftgate down!

Just do it slowly. Don't try to pull it down hard and fast.

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