No winch (yet?) what is the alternative

[jclicky]

This (less-than-ideal, since it involves a bumper swap) build likely has a winch on the bull bar for this SEMA show R1T & R1S, will be interesting to see how they mounted the bumpers to the frame:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/optima-overlanding-rivian-r1t-build-teased-for-sema.9445/

In particular, I’m wondering if a bumper swap might actually, counterintuitively, actually functionally add some protection to the frame by building out additional crumple-zones buffeting the rigid frame; I’ve seen too many relatively minor bumps result in totaling (one where someone was lightly-tapped on his rear bed at the side as he was pulling out of his driveway), so perhaps a bumper swap might not only provide for winch options but also add some crumple protection at the front (especially if aluminum).

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[rosspa2]

Rough Country has an R1T compatible winch.

I checked and I don't think this will work, the fronts not magnetic ??

 

[Bee]

My advice? Just wait until there's a good off the shelf aftermarket solution. Trying to get something rigged up custom when you're just getting into things for a winch is both overkill and likely to cause you to spend money you'd have spent differently a year or so from now. More hassle than it's worth.

If this were me I'd put $2,000 into an ETF, ride the highs and lows of gambling indexes and get the business card of a good off-road recovery guy of wherever I'm going. Chances are you won't need the offroad recovery guy and it probably won't cost you $2,000 to get out, right?

Being new to offroading and custom-fitting stuff to a vehicle like the R1T is just signing yourself up for unknown unknowns, which, end up costing a lot of money and heart ache. At least if you had 10 years into this and modding you have an idea of what you don't know. Known unknowns are way better than unknown unknowns. (Sage Wisdom of Donald Rumsfield)

When a good aftermarket bumper and winch setup hits the market, by all means, have at it. But overall do yourself a favor and enjoy a stellar piece of offroad machinery out of the box for any scenario a beginner should be getting themselves into.

You're not jumping onto the Rubicon tomorrow with no spotters. Enjoy the ride.

Or if you like to mess with crap, don't mind a ton of frustration and have deep pockets, have at it

 

[electruck4x4]

I personally have run a 4-ton hand winch / come along, a tree saver, and a couple of soft shackles for the last year or so. This is the one I bought specifically. Motor Trend ran a similar model when they did the Trans-America trail. It's pretty compact and fits neatly below the frunk load floor.


https://www.amazon.com/TR-Industrial-Portable-4-Ton-Puller/dp/B074986SW9/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?crid=6R7E8BX2IMTM&keywords=hand+winch&qid=1668198284&sprefix=winch,aps,476&sr=8-7-spons&psc=1

 

[rosspa2]

I personally have run a 4-ton hand winch / come along, a tree saver, and a couple of soft shackles for the last year or so. This is the one I bought specifically. Motor Trend ran a similar model when they did the Trans-America trail. It's pretty compact and fits neatly below the frunk load floor.


https://www.amazon.com/TR-Industrial-Portable-4-Ton-Puller/dp/B074986SW9/ref=sr_1_7_sspa?crid=6R7E8BX2IMTM&keywords=hand+winch&qid=1668198284&sprefix=winch,aps,476&sr=8-7-spons&psc=1

Thanks for the share seems reasonably priced.

 

[Zybane]

Those cheap Chinese pullers are garbage (I've used them.) If you can afford a Rivian, you can afford a real puller:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00455VCTY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[MountainBikeDude]

It finally happened, and is currently available for preorder.

The capacity is 10,000lbs but will require an additional bolt in battery inside the frunk consisting of a single AGM or LiFePO4 battery which charges off the vehicles systems.

Jose at Rivian tracker has all the appropriate links and information below.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/evspo...Qf0hjv76nWoGrczJKs_aem_wBl83tSjtmM_ULjTmkcT6A

 

[Dark-Fx]

It finally happened, and is currently available for preorder.

The capacity is 10,000lbs but will require an additional bolt in battery inside the frunk consisting of a single AGM or LiFePO4 battery which charges off the vehicles systems.

Jose at Rivian tracker has all the appropriate links and information below.

https://riviantrackr.com/news/evspo...Qf0hjv76nWoGrczJKs_aem_wBl83tSjtmM_ULjTmkcT6A

I'd be quite curious if Rivian would refuse to test drive a vehicle with warranty issues when they've done this much modification near the safety structures.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I'd be quite curious if Rivian would refuse to test drive a vehicle with warranty issues when they've done this much modification near the safety structures.

Seemingly no issues.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Seemingly no issues.

Yeah, that's why I said near. The addition of a hitch in the front is going to inhibit the engineered crash structure regardless of what they say.

 

[LivingInKaos]

Swapping out the front bumper to the EV Sportline one is not something I'd do lightly. If you are still under warranty, you'd be crazy to do so imo. You have any issue at all that requires them to remove it, or have any problems with the front sensors - it's going to cost.

Badlands 12k# winch powered by 3 batteries in parallel with a 60a charger enclosed. I've since gotten rid of the temporary strap and added tie downs to the front points. I have a set of jumper cables that I can plug in too, so I can jump start. I can pull full load for longer than one should need. I've added a removeable roller to the bottom of the frame there so I can feed the line underneath and out the front, then using soft shackles and a ring, so I can pull forward if needed- just have to watch side loading. I've been planning to swap the tow hooks out for receiver points earlier this year, but life got in the way. If I don't have to sell the truck, I may get back to that eventually.

 

[shamoo]

Question - Is it safe to have one of those hitch mounted winches?

I've seen hitch mount "trays" with pretty beefy mounts for aftermarket winches. But I don't know if the hitch is designed to handle the load that some of these winches can put on it.

Same with the discussion above on factory mount points behind the bumper. Is that strong enough to withstand 10-15K pounds of peak pulling power (vehicles on a steep incline or "suctioned" into deep mud)?

 

[EV Sportline]

Gang -

Rest assured we do everything to design and engineer products properly. Swapping bumpers and adding winches is nothing new, it's just new to the Rivian space. For instance, my Jeep Wrangler has an upgraded bumper and winch -- the winch is the same winch we sell for the Rivian -- and these are parts optioned directly from Jeep when I spec'd the thing.

Also, keep in mind the Rivian is equipped with 2 tow hooks from the factory; the underlying structure is properly equipped for pulling (aka winching)

 

[LivingInKaos]

... Swapping bumpers and adding winches is nothing new, it's just new to the Rivian space. For instance, my Jeep Wrangler has an upgraded bumper and winch -- the winch is the same winch we sell for the Rivian -- and these are parts optioned directly from Jeep when I spec'd the thing.

You're right, but when it comes to Rivian service, aftermarket stuff tends to set them off. They aren't as willing to work with owners as much as Jeep will regarding having to work around aftermarket accessories.

Moving the front sensors is one thing that they won't like for sure. Just removing and re-installing them requires a recalibration by their protocols. Should someone have an issue resulting from a front sensor issue, they likely will not cover it.

 

[EV Sportline]

You're right, but when it comes to Rivian service, aftermarket stuff tends to set them off. They aren't as willing to work with owners as much as Jeep will regarding having to work around aftermarket accessories.

Moving the front sensors is one thing that they won't like for sure. Just removing and re-installing them requires a recalibration by their protocols. Should someone have an issue resulting from a front sensor issue, they likely will not cover it.

FYI - not true -
Per the Rivian service manual “Ultra sonic sensors do not require calibration”.

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