R1S vs Model Y in mud

[SDH]

mud spelled backwards...

you mean, 'nmud' spelled backwards?

Man I've enjoyed reading through this one. I'm just surprised that we've not got a thread of folks freaking out about the 20%+ drop in RIVN shares and all the cries of "Rivian is going bust, we're gonna be stuck with an expensive car that no-one can fix, ahhhh" ...

The Forum has really grown up. I'm proud of y'all.

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[atheurer]

Why did you include " Broken trim, broken steering wheel adjustment, broken A/C vents, inadequate A/C capacity, and a 60-day wait time for service: this vehicle continues to disappoint "?

These were completely unrelated to the stuck in mud comparison.

You are right. i was just venting and noting that there's been many disappointments.

I finally did get it out. IMO the key to getting it out was two things: moving my RV so I don't have to worry about running the R1S into it. (the RV was already on some asphalt in really bad shape but nevertheless traction was totally fine), and using drift mode. I admit to not being really familiar with all the modes. I started out in snow because I thought that would be the closest to ice. Mud mode is noticeably absent My impression of drift is when you ask to rotate all the wheels, it simply complies. Honestly I just want a behavior of locking center, front, and/or rear diffs and nothing else.

When I posted this, I thought it would be taken lightly, a fun jab, and recognize the frustration of the moment. I was wrong. I certainly don't think a M-Y is a better general off-road option, but mud seems to be a great equalizer.

And no I will not repeat the same path in the M-Y "for science" since there's a good chance it will get stuck.

 

[derekmw]

You are right. i was just venting and noting that there's been many disappointments.

I finally did get it out. IMO the key to getting it out was two things: moving my RV so I don't have to worry about running the R1S into it. (the RV was already on some asphalt in really bad shape but nevertheless traction was totally fine), and using drift mode. I admit to not being really familiar with all the modes. I started out in snow because I thought that would be the closest to ice. Mud mode is noticeably absent My impression of drift is when you ask to rotate all the wheels, it simply complies. Honestly I just want a behavior of locking center, front, and/or rear diffs and nothing else.

When I posted this, I thought it would be taken lightly, a fun jab, and recognize the frustration of the moment. I was wrong. I certainly don't think a M-Y is a better general off-road option, but mud seems to be a great equalizer.

And no I will not repeat the same path in the M-Y "for science" since there's a good chance it will get stuck.

Yeah, sarcasm is often lost when posting online. Since you're new to the forum, you may not know, but a large portion of owners here are either former (like myself) or current Tesla owners. I have nothing against Tesla and the only reason I don't have one now is because I'm waiting to see how things shake up the next month or two (I've owned 4 Tesla's now)

So all that to say, you will have your fair share of fanboys on any forum, including here, but most are not.

Funny story - I took my Model 3 Performance out to Borrego Springs where we were told it was just dirt roads to get to this one spot. Should be no problem right? We made it about half way and it was not dirt - more like fine sand...so we eventually got stuck when we hit a patch of deep soft sand and high centered. Thankfully a Rivian came to the rescue, j/k, it was a Jeep... and pulled us out of that spot.

 

[WSea]

Rivian was not going in the ruts the Model Y made. I don't blame Rivian for gravity, I do think they made a mistake making such a heavy vehicle for off road. How are my recovery skills somehow perfectly adequate for the Y but somehow disappear when I drive the R1S?

But I see where this is going. Rivian can do no wrong; all dow down and praise Rivian. If there's a problem it must be the driver. Glad I learned this on my first post.

I think the mistake is getting a heavy adventure with 22s and expecting it handle mud well (or deep snow). Don't ask how I know.

 

[WSea]

The standard ones for 22" wheels. M-Y has high perf summer tires. I think both tire types would be bad for this situation.

I do kind of expect the 34" all-terrains on 20's to do a lot better here. Kind of wish I got those instead. I have 34" Toyo's on 17's on my 2001 LX470 (not at this location right now sadly), and I'd like to think it would have been fine, but who knows. Maybe I should do some head-to-head between the two.

FYI- If your wheels aren't turning when you gently accelerate it helps to give the go pedal a bit faster goose

 

[Donald Stanfield]

You are right. i was just venting and noting that there's been many disappointments.

I finally did get it out. IMO the key to getting it out was two things: moving my RV so I don't have to worry about running the R1S into it. (the RV was already on some asphalt in really bad shape but nevertheless traction was totally fine), and using drift mode. I admit to not being really familiar with all the modes. I started out in snow because I thought that would be the closest to ice. Mud mode is noticeably absent My impression of drift is when you ask to rotate all the wheels, it simply complies. Honestly I just want a behavior of locking center, front, and/or rear diffs and nothing else.

When I posted this, I thought it would be taken lightly, a fun jab, and recognize the frustration of the moment. I was wrong. I certainly don't think a M-Y is a better general off-road option, but mud seems to be a great equalizer.

And no I will not repeat the same path in the M-Y "for science" since there's a good chance it will get stuck.

The mode with reduced power and designed to prevent wheel slip? The single worst mode to use for driving in the mud? Yeah, that was Rivian's fault.

 

[Zoidz]

I usually say “The vehicle doesn’t get stuck, the driver gets the vehicle stuck” but in this case OP appears to have gotten rained in, so he gets a hall pass. I’m thinking sand mode might have worked? We are getting rain this weekend, maybe I’ll give that a try in my lower field that gets soggy, lol. Science experiment!

 

[Test Name]

Agreed and thanks for your perspective. I did come it hot and I should not have. I was clearly venting, as my "initial quality" experience has been far below other new vehicle purchases.

It was my mistake for assuming mud would be fine, and it's not Rivian's fault or anyone else's, just physics. I certainly will avoid mud nt he future, no matter the vehicle.

The funny thing is this ground did not "present" as mud at all. We weren't sinking in the ground as we were walking, but if you disturb it just a bit, it turns into chocolate pudding.

My perspective, and I know the Y didn't have this problem, but the 22" performance tires were your downfall. If you had the 20" all terrain you probably would have been fine. But, I have seen plenty of 4x4 trucks get stuck in mud and sand, air down and lockers are the best bet to get you out of trouble. We need Rivian to add this feature to our trucks.

 

[Adventusaurus]

Agreed and thanks for your perspective. I did come it hot and I should not have. I was clearly venting, as my "initial quality" experience has been far below other new vehicle purchases.

It was my mistake for assuming mud would be fine, and it's not Rivian's fault or anyone else's, just physics. I certainly will avoid mud nt he future, no matter the vehicle.

The funny thing is this ground did not "present" as mud at all. We weren't sinking in the ground as we were walking, but if you disturb it just a bit, it turns into chocolate pudding.

Welcome. I think its been covered but airing down, even on street tires would probably work. I aired my 21” road tires down to about 24psi on the sand dunes at Pismo beach and had an absolute blast - no issues whatsoever, so I’d think mud would be similar.

On the Tesla you probably just got by (impressive really) due to the relatively lower weight.

We own a Y and an R1T and while the Y has not had any teething issues and the Rivian quite a few, the Rivian is way better in snow due to the quad motors and higher ground clearance, despite the Y weighing less.

I suspect in true off road you would be impressed with what the S can do, but in low grip conditions airing down is a must due to the weight.

Stick with it - the Y is a great car too but the R1S is something else, and Rivian will sort the issues with yours after a service visit or two.

 

[Adventusaurus]

I usually say “The vehicle doesn’t get stuck, the driver gets the vehicle stuck” but in this case OP appears to have gotten rained in, so he gets a hall pass. I’m thinking sand mode might have worked? We are getting rain this weekend, maybe I’ll give that a try in my lower field that gets soggy, lol. Science experiment!

In sand and deep heavy snow I found sand mode did diddly squat without airing down On street tires.

Sand mode seems to bias to the rear motors for insane drifting fun in deep sand, but when you are out of grip it doesn’t seem to help in my limited uses of it.

 

[HaveBlue]

Yea wheel speed is what's needed and the nanny's hate to allow that. Have to fling the tread clear and bite some more. Those stiff 22" sidewalls don't help. Should've got a strap and had the MY pull it out, lol.

I got my GX stuck bad in the snow last year on a side hill. 4wd lock, nope. LO range, nope. lock rear dif, nope. Air down the ATs, nope. The snow turned to icy ditches. Happened to have chains with, drove right out. That would have been a looooong hike out.

 

[Count Orlok]

Other than the mud, which one flipped easiest?

 

[ozziegt]

The 22 tires are high performance road tires, designed for high performance on pavement. They are NOT meant for off roading. Maybe get the 20" ATs and report back.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Much of this is due to the physics of the vehicle. But still disheartening. Not sure what Rivian can do about it.

It would be nice if they offered a tire that was better for these sorts of conditions.

 

[beyondgravity]

If the impression is that I was blaming Rivian, that is not my intention. I was merely stating in the same conditions that the Model Y was much much easier to get out of a bad situation. I do think the problem is primarily the weight difference vs tire footprint, and yes, for mud, in this situation, it is the reason the Model Y was "better".

Do everyone here just automatically think the Rivian is superior? Is this forum really that fan-boyish?

To anyone offering genuine advice, I appreciate it. To those just flinging insults, have a nice day.

It just sounds like not a thoughtful comparison, in terms of what exactly you did (e.g. air down etc.); but just a forth grader saying it works in this case and not in other case without providing the proper background. It may not have been your objective to run the proper comparison though.

I do think broken trim and alignment etc. are not good news; but again I don't know how it could have happened. I do know service is longer than typical; but that is what you need to expect for a new company. I hope it does get taken care of and you are back on Rivian. I do think it is a much nicer car than Tesla any models ;-) based on my experience in north east.

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