R1S Christmas tree transport

[mporris]

I know it’s a bit ahead of schedule but I was starting to think today how we will pick up our Christmas tree this year. For some years we had a F150 that served us very well. Now replaced with a R1S. Will people be putting it inside with a protector and the top window open, or on top with cross bars? Always worry about scratches.

Getting a R1T for me is unfortunately out of the question ?.

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[R1Thor]

For years we collected our non-denominational winter holiday trees to celebrate Saturnalia, as Germanic tradition dictates, in our cars: A Scion tC and Suzuki Kizashi.

I once brought a 'donated to the troops' tree back from my armory in my Subaru STi hatch.

I have a feeling you can figure out how to get it into the R1S, as it's a tad big bigger and more accommodating than my previous vehicles

Also, pine needles vacuum up just fine.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I'd buy a small trailer personally. I have a bigger trailer myself and whenever I get into a "will this mess up my truck" hauling conversation my beat to piss trailer gets hooked on and I no longer care. It also way ups your payload if you get a decent sized trailer.

A new enclosed 6x12 dual axle is like 5k and for me that's well worth it. I got a 7x16' dual and that's about the right balance for a T but maybe overkill weight wise with an S. Even an open small trailer for a couple grand is small potatoes and well worth avoiding messing up your new vehicle.

 

[cbrcanuck]

I know it’s a bit ahead of schedule but I was starting to think today how we will pick up our Christmas tree this year. For some years we had a F150 that served us very well. Now replaced with a R1S. Will people be putting it inside with a protector and the top window open, or on top with cross bars? Always worry about scratches.

Getting a R1T for me is unfortunately out of the question ?.

Always used to carry it on the roof of my Subaru, they'd wrap it up in that mesh. Was fine. Plan to do the same thing this year with the Rivian.

 

[VikingMD]

I usually used a moving blanket and tie downs. The thing that would give me pause it that many people have had the roof crack or shatter with apparently low or no pressure applied. Furthermore the damage has not been considered warranty.

I think the safest would be if you had crossbars with a platform or cargo basket mounted.

 

[mkg3]

Always used to carry it on the roof of my Subaru, they'd wrap it up in that mesh. Was fine. Plan to do the same thing this year with the Rivian.

This.

One difference though. I will still use our Outback for the tree, not R1S.

No pine needle or sap will come close to R1S. Besides, I don’t have/want cross bars so no need to make Rivian do everything…

 

[Mathme]

Last time we did this with our SUV, we went to Lowe's, bought one of these, lowered the seats, and slid the box in. That was about six years ago, and it's still going string. No needles in the car, and it's reusable.

 

[mkg3]

I grew up with fake tree and had one when I got married for several years.

After kids and a strong lobbying by my wife, we’ve changed to a real tree.

Kids are grown and we’re empty nesters but still get the real tree.

I’ve found that I actually like the real tree scent and all that goes with getting a tree.

I also like real leather, plastic straws, disposable plastic bags/bottles and cups and disagree that minimum wage is a living wage…

 

[Sevn86]

We have a fake tree that we put up each year but if I was to get a real one it would be mounted to the cross bars with care to not damage the glass as I’ve read it’s fragile.

 

[seanocono]

If you’re worried about scratching up your R1S, and don’t want to commit to buying a trailer, then I would just rent a U-Haul truck for $20 + mileage.

 

[Autolycus]

We used to be able to fit "real" trees up to 8' or maybe even 8'6" in our Q5 with all the seats down and the base of the tree trunk the driver and passenger seats -- putting it in that way has the lowest branches (the widest part) against the backs of the seat and really not able to move forward any further. We put a tarp under it to catch sap and needles and prevent scratching the bumper. The R1S is longer, so it should fit a pretty decent sized tree inside.

 

[Zoidz]

I'd buy a small trailer personally. I have a bigger trailer myself and whenever I get into a "will this mess up my truck" hauling conversation my beat to piss trailer gets hooked on and I no longer care. It also way ups your payload if you get a decent sized trailer.

A new enclosed 6x12 dual axle is like 5k and for me that's well worth it. I got a 7x16' dual and that's about the right balance for a T but maybe overkill weight wise with an S. Even an open small trailer for a couple grand is small potatoes and well worth avoiding messing up your new vehicle.

We are going to hear all sorts of stories about "I put my Christmas tree on the roof of my R1S and I / the tree crew cracked the glass!!!"

Buying a 4x8 or 5x8 trailer at Tractor Supply, Lowes or Home Depot for ~ $1000, or renting a truck, is a lot cheaper than replacing the glass on the R1S and has repeated uses.

I typically get a 10'-11' tree using the bed of my Avalanche. Just one of the many reasons I am keeping the Avalanche.

 

[R1Thor]

We are going to hear all sorts of stories about "I put my Christmas tree on the roof of my R1S and I / the tree crew cracked the glass!!!"

NOTHING should TOUCH the glass of your vehicle if you're mounting things properly--assuming you don't mean NOT using crossbars.

If your crossbars are mounted correctly AND you're competent, you should be able to easily tie down to them with the tree bridging above. Every Fir Tree Farm I've ever patronized had those sweet contraptions that swaddle the tree in a net for you, so none of the branches should be poking through.

If you are still concerned about some branches poking through to the roof, sandwich a moving blanket between your cargo and the glass, or ratchet strap the moving blanket onto the tree and to the crossbars.

These are rugged vehicles meant to be rugged.

 

[mkg3]

If you’re worried about scratching up your R1S, and don’t want to commit to buying a trailer, then I would just rent a U-Haul truck for $20 + mileage.

Have done that (except rent a U-Haul trailer, not a truck) to pick up furniture I’d bought. The ability to do just this is why I never need a truck for a rare times I need to haul something that does not fit inside the vehicle.

X-mas tree on a trailer seems a bit of an overkill but if you own one already, use it. To advocate to go buy one to move a X-mas tree is ill advised, I believe...

 

[Zoidz]

NOTHING should TOUCH the glass of your vehicle if you're mounting things properly--assuming you don't mean NOT using crossbars.

If your crossbars are mounted correctly AND you're competent, you should be able to easily tie down to them with the tree bridging above. Every Fir Tree Farm I've ever patronized had those sweet contraptions that swaddle the tree in a net for you, so none of the branches should be poking through.

If you are still concerned about some branches poking through to the roof, sandwich a moving blanket between your cargo and the glass, or ratchet strap the moving blanket onto the tree and to the crossbars.

These are rugged vehicles meant to be rugged.

None of your suggestions prevents the worker at the tree farm from pressing their hands on the glass, which has been reported many times to break the glass.

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