backing with a trailer ... not

[GA_Rivian]

After 4 years we finally got our R1T in January... yea! Only recently started dealing with towing as I had to get different stingers to drop the ball a bit. Tested towing our 3 horse trailer without any issues, and backed it into storage successfully without issue. That was mostly a straight shot.

Yesterday I hitched up our 13' Happier Camper travel trailer and took her for a spin (towed nicely). I did not try any backing into camp spots, which we have no trouble doing using our 2019 Subaru Forester. When I got home I needed to park her in a tight spot, which involves a lot of maneuvering with the truck and tight backing up with sharp-ish angles. The truck would back up straight fine, but whenever I had to turn the emergency braking would kick in. In order to get the trailer backed in I eventually had to tape totally opaque pieces of wood over the sensors (blue painters tape alone was insufficient). I believe it was the corner sensors which were the problem, but am not certain.

Anyone else had this problem?

Sponsored

 

[madgrey]

It's likely you were lifting your butt with your seat belt off. Under these conditions, the parking brake will set.

 

[godfodder0901]

After 4 years we finally got our R1T in January... yea! Only recently started dealing with towing as I had to get different stingers to drop the ball a bit. Tested towing our 3 horse trailer without any issues, and backed it into storage successfully without issue. That was mostly a straight shot.

Yesterday I hitched up our 13' Happier Camper travel trailer and took her for a spin (towed nicely). I did not try any backing into camp spots, which we have no trouble doing using our 2019 Subaru Forester. When I got home I needed to park her in a tight spot, which involves a lot of maneuvering with the truck and tight backing up with sharp-ish angles. The truck would back up straight fine, but whenever I had to turn the emergency braking would kick in. In order to get the trailer backed in I eventually had to tape totally opaque pieces of wood over the sensors (blue painters tape alone was insufficient). I believe it was the corner sensors which were the problem, but am not certain.

Anyone else had this problem?

Those sensors are disabled in Tow Mode. @madgrey is likely pointing to the real problem.

 

[JamuJoe]

After 4 years we finally got our R1T in January... yea! Only recently started dealing with towing as I had to get different stingers to drop the ball a bit. Tested towing our 3 horse trailer without any issues, and backed it into storage successfully without issue. That was mostly a straight shot.

Yesterday I hitched up our 13' Happier Camper travel trailer and took her for a spin (towed nicely). I did not try any backing into camp spots, which we have no trouble doing using our 2019 Subaru Forester. When I got home I needed to park her in a tight spot, which involves a lot of maneuvering with the truck and tight backing up with sharp-ish angles. The truck would back up straight fine, but whenever I had to turn the emergency braking would kick in. In order to get the trailer backed in I eventually had to tape totally opaque pieces of wood over the sensors (blue painters tape alone was insufficient). I believe it was the corner sensors which were the problem, but am not certain.

Anyone else had this problem?

No backing issues in 3800 miles of towing our Airstream with our R1T. In fact, it is so much more maneuverable than our RAM 2500 that the RAM is now in semi-retirement.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

After 4 years we finally got our R1T in January... yea! Only recently started dealing with towing as I had to get different stingers to drop the ball a bit. Tested towing our 3 horse trailer without any issues, and backed it into storage successfully without issue. That was mostly a straight shot.

Yesterday I hitched up our 13' Happier Camper travel trailer and took her for a spin (towed nicely). I did not try any backing into camp spots, which we have no trouble doing using our 2019 Subaru Forester. When I got home I needed to park her in a tight spot, which involves a lot of maneuvering with the truck and tight backing up with sharp-ish angles. The truck would back up straight fine, but whenever I had to turn the emergency braking would kick in. In order to get the trailer backed in I eventually had to tape totally opaque pieces of wood over the sensors (blue painters tape alone was insufficient). I believe it was the corner sensors which were the problem, but am not certain.

Anyone else had this problem?

We also have an HCT and have backed it “successfully” down some tricky turns. The only issues are hold sometimes engaging prematurely when trying to creep back as well as my amateur trailer-backing skills. I have not had any issues with the sensors though. Presume that you plugged in the 7-pin and the truck recognized your trailer?

 

[Marchin_MTB]

I have trained myself to back up without lifting off the seat.

I do wish that we had the option for reduced throttle response when backing up to a trailer. Also, an option to disable hold until the brake pedal is pressed would be nice when backing up with or to a trailer.

Finally, an option to keep the truck unlocked while backing up would be excellent as I do a lot of getting in and out (GOAL).

 

[eRacer]

Curious if the trailer connection was made and if the truck was in "Tow mode"?

The last update doesn't allow you to actually put the vehicle in tow mode. The only way for the truck to know that you're towing is if you have whatever it is you are towing connected.

 

[Hillbilly]

After 4 years we finally got our R1T in January... yea! Only recently started dealing with towing as I had to get different stingers to drop the ball a bit. Tested towing our 3 horse trailer without any issues, and backed it into storage successfully without issue. That was mostly a straight shot.

Yesterday I hitched up our 13' Happier Camper travel trailer and took her for a spin (towed nicely). I did not try any backing into camp spots, which we have no trouble doing using our 2019 Subaru Forester. When I got home I needed to park her in a tight spot, which involves a lot of maneuvering with the truck and tight backing up with sharp-ish angles. The truck would back up straight fine, but whenever I had to turn the emergency braking would kick in. In order to get the trailer backed in I eventually had to tape totally opaque pieces of wood over the sensors (blue painters tape alone was insufficient). I believe it was the corner sensors which were the problem, but am not certain.

Anyone else had this problem?

You're lifting your butt off the seat. For those of us that are used to backing up in other vehicles, it sucks. They need a speed limited hitch/backing mode that disables the feature while engaged.

 

[COdogman]

Keep your butt in that seat!

 

[ironpig]

I tow a 2 horse trailer, no issues. If you lift your butt off the seat as others have confirmed, the truck may think you are getting out and it will stop.

 

[GA_Rivian]

Thanks all for the butt pointer. I remember reading about that once upon a time but(!) totally forgot. Will try to keep that in mind.

Presume that you plugged in the 7-pin and the truck recognized your trailer?

yes

I do wish that we had the option for reduced throttle response when backing up to a trailer.

Yeah, I thought about that pretty quickly too. Both when connecting and when backing up with the trailer.

Finally, an option to keep the truck unlocked while backing up would be excellent as I do a lot of getting in and out (GOAL).

I just leave the door open.
But what I don't like is sometimes I don't have my phone or fob with me and use the card key. It's a royal pain to have to re-activate with the key every time you shut the door.

 

[Marchin_MTB]

Thanks all for the butt pointer. I remember reading about that once upon a time but(!) totally forgot. Will try to keep that in mind.


yes

Yeah, I thought about that pretty quickly too. Both when connecting and when backing up with the trailer.

I just leave the door open.
But what I don't like is sometimes I don't have my phone or fob with me and use the card key. It's a royal pain to have to re-activate with the key every time you shut the door.

I haven’t tried leaving the door open and am surprised that works. Will give it a shot next time.

 

[Nucleod]

No backing issues in 3800 miles of towing our Airstream with our R1T. In fact, it is so much more maneuverable than our RAM 2500 that the RAM is now in semi-retirement.

Learned the hard way on the first hookup about the seat sensor connection. Now I too much prefer towing our 38' camper with the R1S over the RAM 2500; at least for trips < 200 miles!

 

[the_mace]

I have trained myself to back up without lifting off the seat.

I do wish that we had the option for reduced throttle response when backing up to a trailer. Also, an option to disable hold until the brake pedal is pressed would be nice when backing up with or to a trailer.

Finally, an option to keep the truck unlocked while backing up would be excellent as I do a lot of getting in and out (GOAL).

And being able to back up with a door open would be nice when in trailer mode.

 

[GA_Rivian]

And being able to back up with a door open would be nice when in trailer mode.

Amen!

Sponsored