Anyone else completely disappointed that MaxPack battery not available until 2023?

[cmiller]

I had the same concern. During the first drive event I attended I found someone who seemed to know the answer. Their answer was that the Max pack payload was the same as the Large pack models. I then asked if the suspension or frame was different for the max pack model and the answer was "no". Those two responses don't jive. He seemed to be confident in his answer, but I am not.

Maybe not realizing they needed a suspension upgrade for the max pack is a reason for the delay.

or maybe it's just as simple as they do not have an unlimited amount of batteries and can pump out more vehicles with the standard pack.

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[BigE]

I had the same concern. During the first drive event I attended I found someone who seemed to know the answer. Their answer was that the Max pack payload was the same as the Large pack models. I then asked if the suspension or frame was different for the max pack model and the answer was "no". Those two responses don't jive. He seemed to be confident in his answer, but I am not.

Maybe not realizing they needed a suspension upgrade for the max pack is a reason for the delay.

Rivian has told me similar feedback, but they also didn't tell me the true rating on trucks that are now being built and labeled with the 1,419 lb payload rating. This is a wild guess, but since the R1T seems to be overbuilt in some respects...RJ has stated it could tow 20-30k lbs as is, just not very far. Could Rivian be waiting on having the GVWR raised for the Max Pack? Currently, the R1T with a GVWR is in class 2b (8,501 - 10,000 lbs) so the Max Pack will fall in the same class. I don't know this, but could Rivian raise the GVWR to say 9,000 lbs keeping ~ 1,400 lb payload?

 

[nfrank]

I don't know this, but could Rivian raise the GVWR to say 9,000 lbs keeping ~ 1,400 lb payload?

1,419 lb payload?! I thought it was more like 1,760. Where are you getting that number from?

 

[Chadx]

In other EV pickup trucks, the max payload (and presumably battery weight) difference, between pickups with their two battery packs, is 300lbs. Range isn't necessarily a 1:1 on battery size, but figure 33% more range is ballpark 33% more battery weight.
Do we know the weight of the Rivian Large pack? That would be a simple multiplier of .33 to find out roughly the extra weight and, likely, decrease in max payload for the Max pack R1T.

Max two rating on pickups is based on a lot more than suspension. Frame/body, suspension (spring or air), axles/hubs, wheels, tires, motor/controller/battery cooling for sustained max pulls up grades in heat, etc. A manufacturer can't simply put on heavier suspension to increase max tow and max gross vehicle weight rating. That is why you typically see a reduction in overall max payload, max tow rating and max gross vehicle weight rating as optional accessories are added or body style changes (for example, a standard cab pickup will typically have a higher max payload than an extended cab/double cab which will have more than a crew cab because as the body weight increases, the max payload decreases).

 

[camaroz1985]

I agree with the earlier sentiment that the "Maxpack" may never see the light of day. Batteries that big are problematic for a number of reasons, the 135 battery is already really pushing the limits.

If someone is steadfast that they need a max pack battery or don't want a Rivian, I'd start looking elsewhere.

If this is the case, I would look elsewhere, and that's part of the reason I made a Silverado reservation as a hedge. Rivian is still the better choice for me IF they can deliver the max pack with range as estimated and close to the price they currently have (say within $5k). The price is a lesser caveat, but if they can't or won't make a Max Pack, I will cancel, and pivot to the Silverado.

Honestly the Rivian is more of a better fit for me in terms of size and performance. The Silverado has it's compromises, but I'm sure would be a fine truck (also know I have only ever owned Chevy trucks in the past so I may be biased). I don't want the RST as shown for the "First Edition" at $105k, but I'm sure something in between the WT and fully loaded RST will be suitable for me. The Silverado is larger than I would like, but having more space is not a problem for me (even if it makes fitting in the garage more difficult). An R1T sized truck with a midgate would be the best of both worlds for me.

I guess as more trucks become available it is important to prioritize what is important to you.

My list is pretty short so there may be a number of trucks that would fit for me. The must haves are 400 miles, and crew cab (comfortably seat 4 adults). Earlier delivery is a consideration, but isn't the only factor that would make me choose one over the other. Rivian is still my #1 choice, but the Silverado is a 1B.

 

[BigE]

1,419 lb payload?! I thought it was more like 1,760. Where are you getting that number from?

I've asked Rivian to clarify on multiple occasions...all they will state is 1,760 lb. That I'm guessing is for the Explore trim, 21" wheels, and no off-road.

What we do know on the numbers:

Motor Trend weighed a R1T with 21" wheels and off-road package = 7,150 lbs - 8532 lbs GVWR = 1,382 lbs left for payload.

Someone was kind enough to take a picture of one of the R1T's out in the Sonoma First Mile event. This was an R1T, LE with 20" AT's and Off-road package. Weight difference in the 20's & 21" is minimal, maybe 24 lbs, so most of this off-road package. The manufactures label is 1,419 lbs.

 

[nfrank]

I've asked Rivian to clarify on multiple occasions...all they will state is 1,760 lb. That I'm guessing is for the Explore trim, 21" wheels, and no off-road.

What we do know on the numbers:

Motor Trend weighed a R1T with 21" wheels and off-road package = 7,150 lbs - 8532 lbs GVWR = 1,382 lbs left for payload.

Someone was kind enough to take a picture of one of the R1T's out in the Sonoma First Mile event. This was an R1T, LE with 20" AT's and Off-road package. Weight difference in the 20's & 21" is minimal, maybe 24 lbs, so most of this off-road package. The manufactures label is 1,419 lbs.

Ha. That's interesting. I took a photo of the R1T I drove in Sonoma and look at what I got:

 

[Chadx]

I'll note that wheels and tires typically do not impact max payload due to what they weigh because they are unsprung weight (suspension, body etc. don't hold up that weight). Wheels and tires typically only impact max payload due to the wheel and/or tire having a lower capacity. Rivian uses passenger vehicle tires, like all 1/2 pickup trucks do nowadays, to provide a less harsh ride. Most people that haul max payload, tow max, or drive on rocky trails will swap them out for LT (Light Truck) tires which are Load range E rated (rather than Load range C like a passenger rated tire) and more plies and puncture resistant and have the LT designator in the tire size.

All pickup manufacturers advertise the highest max payload that one specific model gets and then most trims are much lower. Rivian seems to be the same with their advertised 1,760 being the max but many trucks will be less depending on options. The only confusing part there is there are not many options for the Rivian that add weight. If the advertised max payload is 1,760, that means that the truck with the 1,416 lbs max payload sticker has either 341 lbs of optional accessories or it has a tire and wheel package that won't support the GVWR (weight of the truck plus the max payload), so it is de-rated only due to tire and wheel capacity.

In the image with the max payload sticker (copied below), the second white sticker further below and on a different plane is the sticker with the really interesting info. If one opens that image and double clicks to expand it to it's largest, I can see it lists GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) Front, GAWR rear, etc. but can't make out the numbers. That is the sticker I'd like to see. Missed opportunity! Ha.

 

[rob0115]

If this is the case, I would look elsewhere, and that's part of the reason I made a Silverado reservation as a hedge. Rivian is still the better choice for me IF they can deliver the max pack with range as estimated and close to the price they currently have (say within $5k). The price is a lesser caveat, but if they can't or won't make a Max Pack, I will cancel, and pivot to the Silverado.

Honestly the Rivian is more of a better fit for me in terms of size and performance. The Silverado has it's compromises, but I'm sure would be a fine truck (also know I have only ever owned Chevy trucks in the past so I may be biased). I don't want the RST as shown for the "First Edition" at $105k, but I'm sure something in between the WT and fully loaded RST will be suitable for me. The Silverado is larger than I would like, but having more space is not a problem for me (even if it makes fitting in the garage more difficult). An R1T sized truck with a midgate would be the best of both worlds for me.

I guess as more trucks become available it is important to prioritize what is important to you.

My list is pretty short so there may be a number of trucks that would fit for me. The must haves are 400 miles, and crew cab (comfortably seat 4 adults). Earlier delivery is a consideration, but isn't the only factor that would make me choose one over the other. Rivian is still my #1 choice, but the Silverado is a 1B.

I have a deposits on the entire field: CT, R1T, F150, Hummer and Silverado. I felt at first the Silverado would be a compromise from the others (excluding F150) until I started researching it. I think the styling is quite nice, the size is fine (I have Raptor now), the tech looks good with super cruise, etc and the 400 mile range is the coup de grace. It may be moving into first place in my mind. Luckily, in some regard, I have about 18 months before any of this will matter. So more data should be available by the time I have to choose.

if I get a Rivian I’ll wait for the max pack but with all this competition coming up I’m enjoying the research to help me make an informed choice.

in short, after reading and watching some videos, I’m not sure what the short comings of the Chevy are vs the competition.

 

[Interferon]

Nope, I'll be holding out for the max pack and not looking anywhere else. Not sure why you think batteries that are 180 KWh are any different than 135 KWh.

Apparently they are different enough that Rivian can't provide them at all this year.
How many of the prototype vehicles had the Max Pack option? For how obsessed they are with testing, you would think a significant fraction of test vehicles would have that option to work out the kinks.

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