R2 cargo area air flow for dogs

[WoodChips]

I can’t think of any vehicle that has third row or cargo area air vents that doesn’t have a third row. No direct airflow onto the dogs so it will be very similar to the Model Y or a RAV4 or CRV or 4Runner or any other 5 seat mid SUV.

Modern more vehicles might have cargo area vents but that hasn't always been the case.

My wife has a scion xb, the one that looks like a toaster, there are no cargo area vents. The back seat doesn't even get that much air flow. We don't have kids are rarely have anyone else ride with us so we have dog blanket and set up for him, leaving the cargo area for our gear.

Our neighbor drives a Subaru crosstreck and uses her cargo area for her dog, I don't think it has vents back there.

@boiseultrarunner
*We also live in Bosie, like the OP, and have been taking him for hiking trips into the mountains where it's cooler, he's not a fan of the heat we have been having.

As for using the back window to allow are flow. I was curious about the noise and opened the window on our test drive. I was surprised how quiet it stayed and when opening another window helped the air flow direct out the back of the R2 without added noise or pressure you usually get when you only have a front window or front and backseat window open. *As a disclosure this was on a 45 mph street and not highway speed.

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[Dark-Fx]

I’m not super interested in letting in 100 degree air as I blast the R2’s already noisy HVAC system.

You must not understand how vehicle HVAC works at all. Air gets changed constantly. Cracking the rear drop glass is just going to encourage the hottest air to be exchanged out, the cabin is positive pressure when the HVAC system is running.

 

[electruck]

don't expect it would be necessary but there are numerous aftermarket fans available for this purpose.

 

[macb00kemdanno]

I can’t think of any vehicle that has third row or cargo area air vents that doesn’t have a third row. No direct airflow onto the dogs so it will be very similar to the Model Y or a RAV4 or CRV or 4Runner or any other 5 seat mid SUV.

Pretty much this. Cars are designed primarily for humans, not dogs. Companies offer Pet Mode as a convenience, not out of necessity. So I wouldn't expect AT ALL for there to be air vents in the cargo area for non-existent humans.

The obvious solution is to hook up a high-quality, powerful fan in the cargo area using the rear outlets. We have a Miniature Schnauzer, so she sits in either the front or back seat with the air blowing straight on her. If third-row air were a serious priority for me (for a big dog), I'd buy a vehicle with third-row seating, keep the seats folded, and throw the dog back there.

 

[Millbarge]

Ignoring whatever happened in here overnight, I plan to get a digital thermometer or something and plop it in the back of the car, maybe let the car heat up and then cool it down and see how cool the cargo area gets. Should have that test done by later today.

the dog will be fine without vents in the "way back". you're over thinking this.

 

[R1Thrilled]

the dog will be fine without vents in the "way back". you're over thinking this.

I’m not really overthinking anything, I am not putting dogs in the back of my car so I don’t care how hot it gets. I was just offering to give information since I have full access to an R2 and a surplus of time on my hands. If it won’t provide value to people then I’ll just do something else. No big deal.

 

[Jeremy3292]

Ignoring whatever happened in here overnight, I plan to get a digital thermometer or something and plop it in the back of the car, maybe let the car heat up and then cool it down and see how cool the cargo area gets. Should have that test done by later today.

I'd be curious to see with the front and rear vents going what your results were for the cargo area temperature.

e.g. fans on and setting on 72 auto, what the temp is in the cargo area

 

[DJFrerichs]

If you are concerned about direct air flow on them, an alternative is added a small fan to the rear, plugged into the rear outlet that you can turn on an off via the UI, otherwise the car should be able to keep the entire cabin tempered

 

[Outdoors]

Cargo area. Not person area, or living area. Yep cargo area is what it is called. I don't consider my dogs cargo. So they ride second row. If one needs another conditioned row. It sounds pretty easy and OP answered own question. Buy one with a third row and conditioning. Problem solved.

 

[FlyingPilot2012]

Pretty much this. Cars are designed primarily for humans, not dogs. Companies offer Pet Mode as a convenience, not out of necessity. So I wouldn't expect AT ALL for there to be air vents in the cargo area for non-existent humans.

This. I'm always surprised by how many people see dog mode or other pet related features as a necessity. Only about 40% of US households have a dog. I imagine an even smaller percent actually take their dog with them in their car regularly.

No hate, just surprised to see dog mode and other pet topics come up so much, when it probably applies to less than 10% of buyers.

I'd be curious to see with the front and rear vents going what your results were for the cargo area temperature.

e.g. fans on and setting on 72 auto, what the temp is in the cargo area

Also curious for curiosities sake. With the temperature up front at 72F, I can't imagine the cargo area being more than 78F or so. The cabin is a small place...

 

[Millbarge]

What did dogs do for centuries before air conditioning existed?

 

[Jeremy3292]

This. I'm always surprised by how many people see dog mode or other pet related features as a necessity. Only about 40% of US households have a dog. I imagine an even smaller percent actually take their dog with them in their car regularly.

No hate, just surprised to see dog mode and other pet topics come up so much, when it probably applies to less than 10% of buyers.

I think you underestimate how much millennials and Gen Z take their dogs everywhere. Kyle at OOO talks about it all the time. Dogs are family for younger generations under 40 or so.

 

[SwampNut]

I am currently sitting outside in Phoenix AZ and one of my dogs is laying on the concrete patio pavers in full sun.

 

[forestwalker]

I feel so bad for folks just looking for input from others sometimes...

I am a day one reservation holder with an invite range of August through September.

However, I’m concerned about keeping the car cool and airflow, especially in the cargo area. That’s usually where my dog goes. I was surprised to learn that there is no B pillar or rear air vent. It looks like the only rear air is on the backside of the center console.

Do any current R2 owners have any experience with this? It gets very hot in the summer here especially at the ball field.

My Tesla has no problem, staying ice, cold, and the new Model Y L has rear air vents. (And better speakers but we don’t have to go there. )

Any thoughts from R2 owners?

Does the second row fold down flat, and would that be a possible configuration for use when the dogs are there, allowing the center console vent to do the pooch cooling?

Sound like otherwise, you'll just be relying on the overall temp being managed well by the front and center vents, which I would imagine Rivian would've ensured are sufficient.

It would be interesting/helpful to see an owner throw a thermometer in the back on a hot day and test out rear vs front temps though.

 

[bobdod]

This. I'm always surprised by how many people see dog mode or other pet related features as a necessity. Only about 40% of US households have a dog. I imagine an even smaller percent actually take their dog with them in their car regularly.

No hate, just surprised to see dog mode and other pet topics come up so much, when it probably applies to less than 10% of buyers.

I think you underestimate how much millennials and Gen Z take their dogs everywhere. Kyle at OOO talks about it all the time. Dogs are family for younger generations under 40 or so.

For real - it's a serious consideration for many, including me, who tries to manage a great dane mix that doesn't love the car and needs to share it with a car seat.....

That 40% of the population very well may make up 80%+ of Rivian's target market.

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