Gear Tunnel Confessionals

[Chumsticker]

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

Not claiming to be breaking any records, but doing a quick Google search I'm learning that I'm no longer even really above average by that much. 5'9", 199lbs is now average. Even just 10-20 years ago I was 20-30 lbs above the average. Holy shit people, let's take it easy on the Fritos for a minute!

Sponsored

 

[rhumbliner]

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!

I believe it would be possible to remove the lids by pushing out the hinge pins. I left the lids on because there is about 7” of space above the boxes that I will sometimes use to store long items like RV awning poles. I did remove the latches since I found no need to latch the lids closed.

 

[Dark-Fx]

For me I have my welding bottle I need to get filled and its a great place for it doesn't slide around

Also serves as a torpedo door.

 

[Proxy]

It is a great step to load/unload kayaks and other things on the crossbars. When the T was in for service we used our S for the kayaks. Not only did we have to bing a ladder, we also had to bring bins for the wet stuff.

 

[James Kruse]

Why can’t the Low setting stay on Low, instead it switches back to Standard after 4 hrs. Truck rides much better, when set to low.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Why can’t the Low setting stay on Low, instead it switches back to Standard after 4 hrs. Truck rides much better, when set to low.

shoulda got a gen 1.

 

[mkhuffman]

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

There are multiple slides available. I don't have any of them to provide a review, but I think all of them have been installed by a forum member who has provided their assessment. Search the forum.

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

https://www.thunderboltadventuresupply.com/products/rivian-r1t-overland-gear-sled

https://evsportline.com/collections/rivian-r1t-gear-tunnel-sled-boxes-and-accessories

https://www.evbase.com/products/riv...shelf-drawer-for-off-road-overland-adventures

https://interrobang.store/collections/gear-glide-tunnel-tray

https://rivian-aftermarket.proboards.com/board/15/slide-out-utility-tray-rail

https://www.hansshow.com/products/r...de-drawer-cargo-slide-out-shelf-tray-hansshow

I think that is all of them.

 

[Doug]

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.

Good point! Although when i showed the truck to my extended family all my nieces and nephews sure liked crawling into the frunk and showing me they fit.

 

[MWrig]

There are multiple slides available. I don't have any of them to provide a review, but I think all of them have been installed by a forum member who has provided their assessment. Search the forum.

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

https://www.thunderboltadventuresupply.com/products/rivian-r1t-overland-gear-sled

https://evsportline.com/collections/rivian-r1t-gear-tunnel-sled-boxes-and-accessories

https://www.evbase.com/products/riv...shelf-drawer-for-off-road-overland-adventures

https://interrobang.store/collections/gear-glide-tunnel-tray

https://rivian-aftermarket.proboards.com/board/15/slide-out-utility-tray-rail

https://www.hansshow.com/products/r...de-drawer-cargo-slide-out-shelf-tray-hansshow

I think that is all of them.

Thanks for taking the time to list these. Very informative.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

I use it daily. I keep my work boots in there with a 12v dryer along with my recovery boards, pack and play for my daughter, and probably a couple other things.

Same with the frunk, I keep my backpacks in there, groceries, you name it.

I honestly thought both were going to be a bit of an occasional use novelty. The reality however is they get an incredible amount of use, so much so, that when we had an R1S loaner, we actually missed having the gear tunnel just for keeping things out of the cabin etc. It's surprising how much it can store.

On the rear seat end of things, the only thing not having the gear tunnel would affect is the cut of the rear door. You'd end up with a more rectangular corner, making it potentially easier to access due to a larger stepping area along the sill. Really to create more back seat room, you'd have to extend the entire rear section into the bed. I'd have been willing to give up 2" of bed length for the extra rear passenger space, but that's about the only way it would work. As it is, the gear tunnel and the tonneau cartridge already project into the bed to provide the current space.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

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

6'-2" 250lbs.... hangs head in shame and eats another jellybean.

 

[GXtoR1S]

Hey all, just recently picked up a used R1T and planning on camping. I've read a lot of threads and from what I see for a fridge / powered cooler, it's best to have it in the gear tunnel, especially with the middle seat pass through for access (and head dissipation). I've bought a powered cooler already and saw one comment saying it's best to keep the cooler plugged into a 12v DC socket over the 120V AC.

I also saw that if you want to keep it on all the time, you either deal with the timer setting to keep it on, or plug it into a power bank like a Jackery, and have that being charged by either the truck power. Has anyone else tried this?

 

[ndmiller]

Forgetting about the gear tunnel space, the doors are a fiasco to open and close. As delivered and adjusted multiple times, just not a well designed opening and closing experience. Add that to the fact closing the doors to hard can distort the doors and I really could live without them.

We do use them for chairs to watch our daughters soccer games, but I'd rather put them in the Frunk which is full of other stuff.

 

[mkhuffman]

Hey all, just recently picked up a used R1T and planning on camping. I've read a lot of threads and from what I see for a fridge / powered cooler, it's best to have it in the gear tunnel, especially with the middle seat pass through for access (and head dissipation). I've bought a powered cooler already and saw one comment saying it's best to keep the cooler plugged into a 12v DC socket over the 120V AC.

I also saw that if you want to keep it on all the time, you either deal with the timer setting to keep it on, or plug it into a power bank like a Jackery, and have that being charged by either the truck power. Has anyone else tried this?

Try searching the forum for "fridge". A ton of people have done what you are thinking about.

Here is a good one to read through:
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/help-me-complete-my-setup.47939/

 

[Effopec]

I have golf shoes (clubs stay in the frunk) and hockey sticks (lucky I like a shorter stick) in my gear tunnel at all times, unless I'm traveling and need to fill it up with other things. If I go mountain biking I throw my helmet, shoes, gloves and camel back in there. It is also a perfect seat for changing shoes and step stool for loading the top rack or washing the top. Would I like a bigger back seat and longer bed? Sure, but I also love the lockable storage in the GT. If anything I would have sacrificed about 6" up front and gone with a slightly smaller frunk, but not to the extent of the Telo. The great thing about EVs is that the designers can get creative and don't need to fit this giant iron block in the front.

Sponsored