Gear Tunnel Confessionals

[eddierunner]

I just wanted to chime in and say the gear tunnel is my favorite feature of my truck. The extra secured wet gear storage is so convenient and I use it all the time. We also use the doors as seats when we're putting our ski boots on. And it can be helpful when accessing items in the bed or on the roof.

I'm also confused by the comment about the small rear seats. This is the first time I've ever heard someone complain that they are small. The most common response from all my passengers is "there's so much room back here and the seats are so comfortable!" And I feel the same when I've been a passenger in the back.

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[CharonPDX]

See @kurtlikevonnegut if you would've suggested THIS, we could've gotten behind it. But to request squaring the door so you can more easily place your car seats? Hell no! Kids suck!

I mean, my previous dog needed help getting in. We bought "vehicle stairs", but the Rivian rear doors don't open far enough, and the non-squareness made it not work on the Rivian's rear doors. (And he didn't care to use the stairs at all, so it didn't really matter. But if he had cared to use the stairs, it would have been annoying.)

 

[Andy Wallace]

I like the gear tunnel myself. I do wish it came standard with some sort of slider, then it would be easier to use it for golf clubs. But It takes my scuba tanks quite well - up to 6, in fact, though I personally have only used it for 6. I keep all sort of other stuff in there (my muck boots, an extra pad..) and have used it for my tent and sleeping bag and other camping accoutrements. Now if only I had my tonneau cover.... Finally, I have an appointment in 3 weeks to get it - so I can get rid of the plywood!

 

[Cycliste]

OP, your children are going to grow so fast and want to go camping, and do all the other activities kids do with equipment. Then you might change your mind on the gear tunnel.

Mine carries cycling gear like a helmet, shoes, spare clothes, etc. It would be a huge pain in the neck to bring gear back and forth to the truck. I also carry some additional backpacking gear for last minute gear changes.

 

[Erik+]

I just wanted to chime in and say the gear tunnel is my favorite feature of my truck. The extra secured wet gear storage is so convenient and I use it all the time. We also use the doors as seats when we're putting our ski boots on. And it can be helpful when accessing items in the bed or on the roof.

I'm also confused by the comment about the small rear seats. This is the first time I've ever heard someone complain that they are small. The most common response from all my passengers is "there's so much room back here and the seats are so comfortable!" And I feel the same when I've been a passenger in the back.

Exact same sentiments.

 

[DrBad]

Gear tunnel fans but we're empty nesters so mostly just the two of us and the pooch. We've had adults in the back for short trips and never had any complaints.

We use the tunnel a lot. I've got this as a slide out for regular gear like tie-downs, tools, etc. Fits nicely, but I'd like firmer bottom inserts which I'm going to get my son to print up for me. Will post something when that's done.

The thing that's gotten the most woah is the tunnel seat. This is awesome for getting ski or fishing boots on and off.

 

[MWrig]

I love the gear tunnel. Great place to put my dog when she barks too much as well. When I go into the store, nobody even knows she is in the truck. <JK>

I did order a slide that will exit either side that I am patiently waiting to arrive. I currently have my offroad jack, snatch straps, bolt cutters, 2A items, and use it a lot. It was one of the main reasons I bought my truck.

Could it be better, yes. I absolutely wouldn't have purchased the truck without it and one of the primary reasons I went with the T over the S. Now that I have a topper on the way, I am pretty much set. I'll be using a camp kitchen this summer once I get my slide installed.

I can see where it doesn't work for some. I do wish it was a bit more rectangular so my DC fridge would fit. I use the doors as seats and steps a lot. It took me a while to get used to it but now I am all in. Keeps stuff away from prying eyes as well.

What slide did you get and review???

 

[MWrig]

I use the gear tunnel all the time. Just installed a Range Industries slide and my golf bag and shoes go there right now. I sit on the door to put on my golf shoes. Backpack goes there for secure storage when I stop off on the way home from work. I find it very handy. Back seat is setup for my dogs to use and they have plenty of room. If we need more room for people we take the wife’s R1S…

Can you provide link and review for your slide. I’m interested in one.

 

[DayTripping]

What slide did you get and review???

It wasn't cheap, but I ordered this one. I don't have it yet.

https://electrifiedoverland.com/products/gt-slide-system

I should have it in a few weeks and will review it then. It ticked off all the boxes of the things I wanted.

 

[MWrig]

Quite some time ago a poster on this forum suggested a toolbox from Home Depot: Dewalt Rolling Toolbox so I picked up a pair and they are a perfect fit. Easy to roll in and roll out and I can pack all of my RV equipment in them as well as tire charging and bicycle tools.

The fold down doors make a perfect seat for putting on my ski boots in the parking lot of my local ski hill, or when working on my bikes and they provide a step to climb up into the bed of the truck.

I like it.

What a great idea with these rolling tool boxes. Sounds like 2 of them fit in the tunnel. Would be useful to be able to pull the out from both sides as a MUCH less expensive option than a slide out drawer. My one question to you is using those Dewalt boxes the lid isn’t necessarily. Can you take it off and essentially use them as a wheeled bin with no lid? Thanks for this reasonably priced alternative!

 

[MWrig]

It wasn't cheap, but I ordered this one. I don't have it yet.

https://electrifiedoverland.com/products/gt-slide-system

I should have it in a few weeks and will review it then. It ticked off all the boxes of the things I wanted.

Thanks for the link. Very interesting design. Sounds like it is the full length of the tunnel that can be pulled out from either side? Would appreciate your review on operation and quality. Thanks a bunch!!!

 

[Arange98]

Can you provide link and review for your slide. I’m interested in one.

Sure. I ordered the “lite” version from Range Industries as I really wanted only a few things. I wanted a single slide that would go all the way out, something I could put my golf bag and shoes in, and I didn’t want to spend over $1,000 plus shipping.

pros:
-shipped quickly
-Arrived completely assembled
-I installed it by myself in 30 minutes
-strong enough for my needs
-locks in 3 positions (in, out, and part way)
-able to load many items without pulling the slide out

Cons (all worth it to me):
-Still a little pricy (shipping was $170)
-only able to extend from one side (but can be reconfigured if you change your mind)
-like all slides slightly reduces capacity due to slider height (couple of inches)
-some edges are a little sharp (I may sand them down)

Here’s the link:

https://range-industries.com/products/gear-tunnel-slide-lite-compatible-with-rivian-r1t

 

[Chumsticker]

I have a confession to make after over 2 and a half years with my R1T: the Gear Tunnel is far more of a novelty than a utility.

That's not to say that there isn't legitimate utility to it, just that the utility I've found isn't nearly commensurate with the hype around it. Worse still, in my use case (and I suspect many more), I think the size and shape of the gear tunnel makes the backseat much less convenient, especially with small children, then it should be.

I think this was a miss by Rivian in the design department. They could have kept the concept of the gear tunnel, albeit smaller, while keeping a more traditional rear door opening shape and size to improve the utility of the back seat.

Counterpoint, the gear tunnel is the best part of the truck.

I use it almost every day. Groceries, beer, small coolers, deflated paddle boards, surf boards, snowboards, dirty boots, ice scraper/brush, duffel bags, tools, climbing gear.

It is, a flat out game changer. It keeps my cab clean, and uncluttered. I love it.

I'm also a bigger guy, 6'0", 200+ lbs. I've sat in the backseat and found it to be plenty roomy/comfortable, so I don't really see where people are coming from saying that it's small. I've had 4 grown ass adults in the back seat (don't tell the Sherriff) before and it wasn't that much of a stretch. It's not like it's a small or cramped backseat.

Long live the gear tunnel!

 

[Chumsticker]

That is what the frunk is for.

No way man. Gear tunnel all the way. You have the little garage door from the back seat to make sure their water bowl is full and to provide snacks to award good behavior.

 

[kurtlikevonnegut]

I'm also a bigger guy, 6'0", 200+ lbs.

I don't want to be the one to break the news but....6' 200 isn't "a bigger guy" territory. Above average perhaps.

Not that there's anything wrong with that

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