Off-roading with 22" Range wheels on R1S Dual Standard?

[twraps]

Hey gang

I am taking the kids off roading for the first time this weekend but I wanted to ask someone more experienced if the following is OK:
* Gen2 R1S Dual Standard - meaning no front tow hooks, so if I need to be extracted it seems only the back is feasible.
* 22" Range Wheels - this is my bigger concern - are these any good for off-roading?
* Any idea how to engage locking differential? I couldn't find it...

Thanks!

Aug 19 Update: Those tires are no longer the stock Pirelli Zero It's Pirelli XTM AT now

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[shamoo]

What type of "off roading" are you planning on doing?

I ask that because some people's definition can range from driving on grass/gravel all the way to extreme rock crawling (that will require dedicated off roading rigs).

If the trail you're going to go on is mostly just sandy/gravel/rocky, you're probably okay as long as you watch out for sharper rocks. Since the face of the wheel is larger, you'll want to watch for possible damage if rocks hit/scratch it. You can air down a tiny bit, but not too much on those wheels.

I wouldn't worry about needing extraction. You shouldn't be going anywhere that you'd need it with those wheels. Also the 22" factory tires aren't that good for much. Fortunately the Rivian itself is very capable and you'll probably run out of tire faster than the Rivian running out of capability.

Have a pic/link of what you're doing? In the link below, I'd be okay with 22s on #1 and #2. If you're very careful, you can probably do #3. Fortunately, your available clearance can go higher than your wheels' ability.

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/technical-ratings

EDIT: I did this rather easy trail with my 22" before I got 20s to swap in. Some areas with sharp rocks, but everything else was fine as long as you had clearance, which the Rivian at high or highest is more than enough. Worst part was the pinstriping of bushes on the side which are still evident on the car .

 

[nomis]

In general i think a trail with 1-2 rating would be okay for 22s. But yeah you wouldn't want to air down too much on those as there's minimal sidewall, maybe down to 40psi? Do you have a spare? Are you taking satellite or does the trail have cell service?

As far as locking diffs, I don't think that is an option. Rivian doesn't make locking diffs, and as far as I know, we don't have virtual lockers either. But in saying so, I never needed lockers in my quad going on level 6-7 trails. The traction control system is very clever in finding the grip you need. I think turning off traction control is the closest you can get to lockers.

 

[twraps]

Thanks so much!
We will be going to this place - Carnegie SVRA near Livermore, CA.
https://share.google/ghLv5fkT7uEsRD9q2

According to ChatGPT they have color coded trails - beginners, intermediate and "it's time for a new car". I will check out the video posted tonight and post back Thanks so much!

 

[mikehmb]

The SVRAs are great since they code things accurately and you can still have a ton of fun and not get yourself into trouble.

FWIW I have gone off-road with 21s, 20s, and now 22s, and the non-ATs clearly have limitations, but again - you can have a lot of fun. My avatar image is from the Hollister SVRA on stock 21s.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Thanks so much!
We will be going to this place - Carnegie SVRA near Livermore, CA.
https://share.google/ghLv5fkT7uEsRD9q2

According to ChatGPT they have color coded trails - beginners, intermediate and "it's time for a new car". I will check out the video posted tonight and post back Thanks so much!

Don’t rely on LLM AI. Take time to research the trail. Talk to people who know it, have been on it recently and aware of recent conditions. Watch YT videos of the trail. Whatever tires you have, you can go anywhere until forward progress is impossible. Got a spare? Got traction boards and a shovel? If no, be thoughtful about tire placement to avoid cutting a tire.

Preparation. Preparation. Preparation. Especially going solo with no one to give you a pull if stuck.

You don’t want to be that guy on the news or internet, stuck without self-recovery gear, no water, and need to be rescued.

 

[HaveBlue]

I've wheeled with the 22s. They'll get scratched on anything worse than a forest road but the traction control system is competent. Just keep a constant throttle through obstacles to let it work. Only use "highest" to extract the vehicle briefly.

As far as tow points, the lower control arms have a specific loop/hole/cutout in the front for a strap. Don't go around the whole arm.

 

[twraps]

Thank you all for the tips! I just checked the video @shamoo linked and this looks too easy...I am originally from Bulgaria, and back when I used to live there, that's what normal roads between small towns looked like (and worse). I can take this with a Corolla with broken suspension and a flat tire while the red engine warning light is on I will go for something harder than this.

With that said I will be going utterly unprepared - no rope, no recovery equipment, no proper tires or rims. Will bring water though. I mostly want to see how the family will react to off-roading and see if I will get a green light from the boss for a Quad upgrade so we can go where the big boys go. Alternatively if they like it but we are not upgrading the ride soon, I may get the All Terrain tires, although I still think that a Tri or a Quad will be a much better suited vehicle for this.

Also as recommended I will do some research into the trails.

@HaveBlue - wow I didn't know that! That's some brilliant engineering!!!!!

 

[twraps]

The SVRAs are great since they code things accurately and you can still have a ton of fun and not get yourself into trouble.

FWIW I have gone off-road with 21s, 20s, and now 22s, and the non-ATs clearly have limitations, but again - you can have a lot of fun. My avatar image is from the Hollister SVRA on stock 21s.

Mike, a question for you if you've been to SVRA...I am reading through their website and brochures and my take is that there is very limited opportunity for SUVs there... from what I gather, the trails are for bikes & ATVs and if you are in a car/truck/SUV you can only use the "play area" with obstacles, nothing else. Is that correct or I am reading all of this wrong?

 

[mikehmb]

Mike, a question for you if you've been to SVRA...I am reading through their website and brochures and my take is that there is very limited opportunity for SUVs there... from what I gather, the trails are for bikes & ATVs and if you are in a car/truck/SUV you can only use the "play area" with obstacles, nothing else. Is that correct or I am reading all of this wrong?

It could have changed, but they have two distinct portions of the park - one is exclusively for SBS/Moto/etc, the other is open to all but largely for SUV, trucks.

Take a look at the map here: https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1179/files/Hollister Hills SVRA Map_Upper Ranch (4x4)_ADA.pdf

You'll want to explore Upper Ranch (assuming it's open, and I don't see any indication it's closed). Tons of fun. Lots of ways to mutilate your truck should you be so inclined. Many things there I won't touch with my Rivian(s) because I don't want to make expensive mistakes, but I'm not as financially adventurous as some.

 

[twraps]

It could have changed, but they have two distinct portions of the park - one is exclusively for SBS/Moto/etc, the other is open to all but largely for SUV, trucks.

Take a look at the map here: https://ohv.parks.ca.gov/pages/1179/files/Hollister Hills SVRA Map_Upper Ranch (4x4)_ADA.pdf

You'll want to explore Upper Ranch (assuming it's open, and I don't see any indication it's closed). Tons of fun. Lots of ways to mutilate your truck should you be so inclined. Many things there I won't touch with my Rivian(s) because I don't want to make expensive mistakes, but I'm not as financially adventurous as some.

You saved the day!!! Thank you! You were right! I just called to double check with them and they confirmed that the Upper Ranch is where I can go on trails with a SUV! I will go tomorrow!

Thank you so much!

 

[mikehmb]

You saved the day!!! Thank you! You were right! I just called to double check with them and they confirmed that the Upper Ranch is where I can go on trails with a SUV! I will go tomorrow!

Thank you so much!

Have fun out there! If you pack a sandwich, you can snack and watch people get themselves into trouble ,often resulting in flipping a vehicle over in the (lack of) skills area. Brunch and a show.

 

[twraps]

Have fun out there! If you pack a sandwich, you can snack and watch people get themselves into trouble ,often resulting in flipping a vehicle over in the (lack of) skills area. Brunch and a show.

That’s the plan!
If you start seeing YouTube videos of an idiot who destroyed his blue wrapped Rivian at SVRC tomorrow, that wasn’t me but also wouldn’t matter as his wife will probably kill him anyway.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Have fun out there! If you pack a sandwich, you can snack and watch people get themselves into trouble ,often resulting in flipping a vehicle over in the (lack of) skills area. Brunch and a show.

Good way to learn through mistakes of others

 

[Jonger1150]

They don't put tow hooks on all models? I didn't know this.

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