Driver+ Autonomy+ with a hitch accessory?

[II R2 II]

Hey everyone!

New to the forum here and excited for R2, but I am shopping for a used R1T now and have been unable to answer this question.

Will either a 2022-2024 R1T with Driver+ or a 2025+ with Autonomy+ work with a hitch mounted bike rack?

I asked the local Rivian staff and they dont know. I also volunteered to bring my bike rack with me to the test drive.... we'll see if they let me.

The bike rack I have does have a 4 pin connector for lights. I know Rivian's have an "Accessory Mode" but it seems to be unclear from my research if the ADAS continues to function with it enabled. I am mainly just looking for highway in-lane capability, with anything lane changes and beyond a bonus.

Thanks!

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[Osyras]

If you have something plugged in, then hard no. You get basic cruise control.

If it has no plug, depending on the size you may get alerts that something is behind - so a maybe.

 

[Weck]

Hey everyone!

New to the forum here and excited for R2, but I am shopping for a used R1T now and have been unable to answer this question.

Will either a 2022-2024 R1T with Driver+ or a 2025+ with Autonomy+ work with a hitch mounted bike rack?

I asked the local Rivian staff and they dont know. I also volunteered to bring my bike rack with me to the test drive.... we'll see if they let me.

The bike rack I have does have a 4 pin connector for lights. I know Rivian's have an "Accessory Mode" but it seems to be unclear from my research if the ADAS continues to function with it enabled. I am mainly just looking for highway in-lane capability, with anything lane changes and beyond a bonus.

Thanks!

Yes. There's a toggle for "rear accessory mode" that is for this exact use case. Toggle that on and it no longer thinks you have a trailer plugged in.

Adaptive cruise and hands free work normally.

Not recommended, but I have used the toggle with my small utility trailer plenty of times. I hope they officially allow hands free while towing eventually.

 

[dubaigary]

So I’m confused.
1. Can I say my trailer is not a trailer, but a rear accessory? I assume that would be dangerous with a real trailer…
2. What if I have a luggage rack with no electrical connection? Do I have the “rear accessory” option available so I can disable backup warnings?

 

[II R2 II]

Thanks for the replies!

So has anyone made a video covering this or is there any verified proof of what works and what doesn't? Anyone here want to make one?

The replies above match my previous research... inconclusive with conflicting info.

I tried Tesla FSD with a bike rack. Full with bikes, it wouldn't turn on at all. Empty and folded, it turned on and worked for about a mile until someone passed us on the left and then it gave the "red hands takeover".

This could be an area where Rivian's ADAS system could be superior to FSD, and I hope they fully flush this out and advertise it (if it's truly supported and working).

 

[HaveBlue]

If the sensors can't safely see surrounding traffic and objects, then tricking it doesn't seem like the best idea.

 

[II R2 II]

I'm not trying to trick the system. I am asking what capability is available when in accessory mode, with an accessory there.

When driving forward on the highway, in a lane, the rear visibility should not matter. Numerous other vehicles have lane keep + adaptive cruise and they don't utilize a rear camera (plus Comma in the aftermarket space).

Also, I am specifically interested in the R1T as it has a rear camera mounted up high above the bed. An accessory on the hitch will not block that cameras view, though I do not know if Rivian is using that camera as an input for their ADAS.

 

[cavecreekgoat]

I have a Thule T2 Pro XT that I carry my road bike on. Today I used A+ on the road/hwy and no issues. I did turn off the rear sensor since it was super annoying when reversing. 2026 R1T. A+ seemed to work perfectly as usual.

 

[II R2 II]

I have a Thule T2 Pro XT that I carry my road bike on. Today I used A+ on the road/hwy and no issues. I did turn off the rear sensor since it was super annoying when reversing. 2026 R1T. A+ seemed to work perfectly as usual.

Thanks! That's super helpful. When you say you turned off the rear sensors, did you do that by using accessory mode, or some other way?

And was this the free version of A+ on the Gen2 or the paid version?

 

[cavecreekgoat]

When you say you turned off the rear sensors, did you do that by using accessory mode, or some other way?

And was this the free version of A+ on the Gen2 or the paid version?

Yes, I paid the $2500. I went for a couple days without it after my free subscription lapsed, and both mywife and I really missed it. As for turning off the rear sensors...

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipMF4vgG9-HGY_iCYDw2RI4YuFge_9m2qJhJN5er

 

[II R2 II]

Thanks for that pic! That super promising that Autonomy+ is working for you.

Hmm "Connecting powered accessories limits some driver assistance features"

So I can put my Kuat Piston Pro X on the back and use it, just as you are using it..... as long as I dont plug in the lights? I wonder if that's some weird regulation or something.

 

[gyphon]

Thanks for that pic! That super promising that Autonomy+ is working for you.

Hmm "Connecting powered accessories limits some driver assistance features"

So I can put my Kuat Piston Pro X on the back and use it, just as you are using it..... as long as I dont plug in the lights? I wonder if that's some weird regulation or something.

I’m a Piston Pro X user with a Gen 2 R1S. You’re totally fine plugging in the lights. You will choose “Accessory” profile on the Towing screen and then toggle on Accessory mode.

The comment about Driver+ features affected refer to rear obstacle warnings or rear parking assist features.

There’s no concern about Autonomy + feature use, they are completely available, I use it all the time transporting the bikes. Here’s a shot from the manual proving the point:

Hope that helps.

 

[II R2 II]

I’m a Piston Pro X user with a Gen 2 R1S. You’re totally fine plugging in the lights. You will choose “Accessory” profile on the Towing screen and then toggle on Accessory mode.

The comment about Driver+ features affected refer to rear obstacle warnings or rear parking assist features.

There’s no concern about Autonomy + feature use, they are completely available, I use it all the time transporting the bikes. Here’s a shot from the manual proving the point:

Hope that helps.

That helps very much! Thank you!

It's crazy that no one at Rivian knew this. This is a huge advantage over Tesla FSD, and something Rivian should be proud of and make more visible.

 

[II R2 II]

Now... anyone with a Gen1 Driver+ have experience with accessory mode?

Really appreciate everyone's help with this! Super helpful to know before making such an expensive purchase

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