Over 730miles with a 4,500lb trailer and boat…terrible experience!!!

[Night Rider]

So, I decided to trailer the boat on my RS1. Bad idea!
The trip to the Ozarks from northern Chicago stated a little over 300 miles, what a nightmare. Had to charge every 100 miles:
Average speed:68 m/h
Weather: sunny and calm winds
vehicle load: 4 adults, 4 carryons and about 60lb of drinks and groceries.

The trip computer software sucks! It begins with an estimated miles available and thru out the drive drops 40-47 miles. WTH!
Also, efficiency is terrible, I have quad motors, 1.0m/kWh!?
I spent about $167 each leg of the trip, charging at EA, Rivian and EVgo.
I miss my Q7…what a mistake I made. Never again…

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[Night Rider]

So, I decided to trailer the boat on my RS1. Bad idea!
The trip to the Ozarks from northern Chicago stated a little over 300 miles, what a nightmare. Had to charge every 100 miles:
Average speed:68 m/h
Weather: sunny and calm winds
vehicle load: 4 adults, 4 carryons and about 60lb of drinks and groceries.

The trip computer software sucks! It begins with an estimated miles available and thru out the drive drops 40-47 miles. WTH!
Also, efficiency is terrible, I have quad motors, 1.0m/kWh!?
I spent about $167 each leg of the trip, charging at EA, Rivian and EVgo.
I miss my Q7…what a mistake I made. Never again…

Sorry for the typo, I meant to say “500 miles each leg”.

 

[jjswan33]

I guess we don't know what kind of boat you have but plenty of reports that towing will reduce your range by half. 1mi/kWh is about half the nominal efficiency. This effect isn't unique to Rivian.

Also the trip computer didn't know what you were towing when it started, it made a guess.

I can see why it would be a rough experience but with any research you would have known what to expect.

 

[freshpow]

That does sound awful. If your average speed was 68mph (including stops and non-highway portion) then I'd imagine you were doing ~80mph on the highway? That's a recipe for terrible efficiency whether you're towing or not (no judgement - that's my regular highway speed). Try 65 and you'll do a lot better efficiency wise, but EVs and long trips towing just aren't compatible yet.

 

[Night Rider]

That does sound awful. If your average speed was 68mph (including stops and non-highway portion) then I'd imagine you were doing ~80mph on the highway? That's a recipe for terrible efficiency whether you're towing or not (no judgement - that's my regular highway speed). Try 65 and you'll do a lot better efficiency wise, but EVs and long trips towing just aren't compatible yet.

Nope…averaged 68-72mph… learned my lesson.

 

[electruck]

This isn't breaking news. Has been well documented for quite some time.

 

[neocyn]

It’s so weird to me that someone would invest the time to complain on a forum about something that they could have easily avoided—or better yet, prepared for—with a simple search on that very same forum.

 

[DuoRivian]

Man gets typical, well known experience and complains - always one.

 

[BigE]

So, I decided to trailer the boat on my RS1. Bad idea!
The trip to the Ozarks from northern Chicago stated a little over 300 miles, what a nightmare. Had to charge every 100 miles:
Average speed:68 m/h
Weather: sunny and calm winds
vehicle load: 4 adults, 4 carryons and about 60lb of drinks and groceries.

The trip computer software sucks! It begins with an estimated miles available and thru out the drive drops 40-47 miles. WTH!
Also, efficiency is terrible, I have quad motors, 1.0m/kWh!?
I spent about $167 each leg of the trip, charging at EA, Rivian and EVgo.
I miss my Q7…what a mistake I made. Never again…

That is reality. We do just a tad better with our camper. You need a gas/diesel or Silverado EV.

 

[ndmiller]

70mph with 4500lb in tow and efficiency is poor, I know that and have never towed anything ever.

Also the first time I've ever heard someone say they missed their Audi if it wasn't in the shop.

 

[raylepper]

The only surprise here is the OP's surprise. Just like in ICE vehicles, faster equals reduced range, especially above say 55-60. Here's what I've seen in my R1S PDM. Cruising on country roads between 45 and 50 mph I will see efficiency hitting almost 3mi/kwh. Fabulous. On the interstate at 65 it drops to 2mi/kwh. Maybe a 2.2. Towing my 3500 lb boat at 60-65 I'll see 1.5-1.7. At 70 it drops to 1.4 at best. I see a sweet spot for my towing range as under 65. So I just get in the right lane, click into cruise, set 64, and chill. Not fast but fewer charge stops.

 

[Redline]

So, I decided to trailer the boat on my RS1. Bad idea!
The trip to the Ozarks from northern Chicago stated a little over 300 miles, what a nightmare. Had to charge every 100 miles:
Average speed:68 m/h
Weather: sunny and calm winds
vehicle load: 4 adults, 4 carryons and about 60lb of drinks and groceries.

The trip computer software sucks! It begins with an estimated miles available and thru out the drive drops 40-47 miles. WTH!
Also, efficiency is terrible, I have quad motors, 1.0m/kWh!?
I spent about $167 each leg of the trip, charging at EA, Rivian and EVgo.
I miss my Q7…what a mistake I made. Never again…

Do you feel better?

If you purchased this as a main towing option, that's on you. EV's aren't really ready for long distance towing yet.

 

[COdogman]

Sometimes EV owners are the EV industry’s worst enemy.

 

[1965Cobra427]

To anyone considering using your Rivian as a tow vehicle, I recommend doing a short, local pre-run in advance of your long trip so you will know what to expect.

I recently towed my tractor on an equipment trailer on several local trips doing post tornado cleanup. These trips did double duty to educate me on my combination.

I got 1.0 mi/kwh with a 10,500# loaded trailer weight. I quickly learned what to expect. Won’t be making any long trips with this setup.

 

[Count Orlok]

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