Why I traded my R1T

[husky337]

In some ways I can relate to OP as I drive a huge Benz G63, all just for me. And don't have to worry at all about finding a charging station or set up home charging with a gas guzzling V8 ICE vehicle. But on the other hand I absolutely love massive the size, space, comfort and could not go back to a smaller vehicle for daily duty. That's why Riv really appeals to me with their offering, and I keep watching enviously as I hope to add a R1T to my garage in the future as my first EV. Glad they made them big, American style!

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[Birdowin]

This kind of attitude and lecturing people is a huge turn off for mainstream EV adoption. Not everyone has the same priorities you do and no one really wants to hear a lecture on what they should be doing. I'm sure if we all looked at the way you live we could find something we didn't agree with and could lecture you about.

Getting people to switch to EVs will be done when you prove to them why an EV fits THEIR priorities not yours. There are still some drawbacks to EVs, so I understand some people not wanting to deal with them. For me ICE drives poorly compared to an EV and as such I couldn't go back. Some people can't charge at home or put on too many miles a day and I don't fault them for ICE.

Mea Culpa

 

[Hillbilly]

While I love the Rivian experience I came to the coclusion this was not the vehicle for me at this time. I did give it a solid year. As my first pickup truck I found it very useful but cumbersome to maneuver in urban streets and parking lots as I was used to a small sedan (Tesla 3) prior to the R1T and every time I pulled it into the garage it was an accident waiting to happen as it barely fit. It drove nicely and the performance was amazing but 90% of the time I was the only occupant so I did not need the space. I did like the fact I could go off road during a zombie apocalypse but so far no zombies so I stayed on the pavement. When I had my 3 I only drove local so charging issues was not a consideration, but now I will be taking some road trips and I do not want to worry about finding a charge station or non functioning chargers. So I want back to an ICE vehicle and it also helped that the trade in value was higher than my net cost as I had early pricing less fed and state incentives. I’m thinking in 2 years I’ll be looking at the smaller Rivian and the charging infrastructure will be much improved, we’ll see!

With my other vehicle being a lifted diesel truck, my experience with the R1T has been the exact opposite of yours. I'm constantly impressed by its beastly abilities in addition to its maneuverability and compact size.

 

[Airbuswillie]

I traded in my R1T as well after 10 months and 6,325. My only two issues with it were the size and still not much aftermarket for bed toppers even after the trucks have been available for about 2 years. My size problem was that I actually wanted it to be a bit bigger than it is. I sat in one the first week the Venice space was open a few years ago and thought getting in and out was a bit tight and more awkward for me than I would like but I loved it once I was in it. The bed is small, we all know that, but I tried to rationalize that it was still big enough. It just ended up not being big enough for us. Two German shepherds in the back filled it up! Add me, the wife and the 5 year old in the back and space was quickly lacking for us. Now I have a 1999 Suburban and not that long ago had a GMC 2500 Duramax and it didn’t lack space or power. Maybe that was the issue because I tried it 1:1 on a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4 with the baby LZ0 Duramax. The cab and bed are just bigger and not too big so for now it’ll work out better for us. If the Rivian and been the size of a Sierra or Tundra I’d still have it and probably kept it forever!

 

[bradlittle]

I must be crazy because before I got my R1T last week, I actually would rent EV’s for my road trips instead of having to driving my ICE. Everyone has their preferences but the fear of long distance driving with EV’s is incredibly overblown.

Yea - the charging infrastructure along major interstates is much better than urban areas.

 

[Thedude]

Dude! It’s all about climate change. I am very disappointed that you did not go back to another electric vehicle. I’ve driven pickups all of my life and the R1t is the easiest to maneuver and park than any that I have ever owned. Also has the best ride, way better than my wife’s Model S.
Think about the future.

At the end of the day few people but solely because of climate change arguments. The simplicity and ease of use are far more compelling.

Until an EV truck can tow long distance without hours of charging and dropping trailers to charge they just won’t work for me. My R1T was excellent and without equal for towing under 100 miles but that is a major issue that will be hard to solve. My Christmas vacation drive (3500 miles) would have had an added 50+ hours of charge time, not accounting for taking a different route if there weren’t chargers every 100 miles (unlikely in Wyoming).

 

[Pilgram]

Have the right tool for the job. We’ve kept an ICE for travel over 300m/d. For the other 99% a R1T does just fine. We got a small bed pickup as we own a house and trawler so load dirty stuff and big stuff regularly. We have a hunting camp down double track and fly fish off beaches so want off road capability. The R1T is the right tool. Especially as it charges off the excess our zero footprint geo/solar makes.
Problems are parking garages. Worry about dents from jerks opening their doors into a $93k truck.
people asking about the truck which takes time as I like to share how great it is.
Switching from one pedal to two when I drive the ICE.
remembering where things are on the center screen. Hate going through menus while driving.

 

[Indysamra]

While I love the Rivian experience I came to the coclusion this was not the vehicle for me at this time. I did give it a solid year. As my first pickup truck I found it very useful but cumbersome to maneuver in urban streets and parking lots as I was used to a small sedan (Tesla 3) prior to the R1T and every time I pulled it into the garage it was an accident waiting to happen as it barely fit. It drove nicely and the performance was amazing but 90% of the time I was the only occupant so I did not need the space. I did like the fact I could go off road during a zombie apocalypse but so far no zombies so I stayed on the pavement. When I had my 3 I only drove local so charging issues was not a consideration, but now I will be taking some road trips and I do not want to worry about finding a charge station or non functioning chargers. So I want back to an ICE vehicle and it also helped that the trade in value was higher than my net cost as I had early pricing less fed and state incentives. I’m thinking in 2 years I’ll be looking at the smaller Rivian and the charging infrastructure will be much improved, we’ll see!

I love owning a zombie apocalypse vehicle, but know for me, it will always be a pavement princess… just took delivery of an R1S, and to me, it’s perfect, I love it!

 

[Zorg]

At the end of the day few people but solely because of climate change arguments. The simplicity and ease of use are far more compelling.

Until an EV truck can tow long distance without hours of charging and dropping trailers to charge they just won’t work for me. My R1T was excellent and without equal for towing under 100 miles but that is a major issue that will be hard to solve. My Christmas vacation drive (3500 miles) would have had an added 50+ hours of charge time, not accounting for taking a different route if there weren’t chargers every 100 miles (unlikely in Wyoming).

I own EVs for their ease of use, performance, lower CO2 emissions and as a bonus I love the idea of not funding middle east theocracies. Now I don't tow so easier to live without an ICE vehicle.

 

[Jac]

I’ve loved the R1S since we got it six months and 10,000 miles ago. My wife still quibbles about lengthening the duration of our road trips with charging stops. That’s why I was a bit surprised on our drive from Savannah to Connecticut this week when she suggested we should submit a preorder for an R2 for her when Rivian opens up that queue in coming months.

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