Towing Advice in SD/WY - And Would Gen2 Help?

[flybone89]

Finding pieces of the puzzle in the forums but need help putting it together. I need advice from anyone who has towed a trailer westbound through South Dakota / Wyoming with an R1T!

We will be at a crossroads in a year! We will be towing our Airstream trailer out west for the first time. And our Gen1 2023 R1T lease will end just before the trip…

I have towed a few years in the Midwest and Southeast with our Airstream with no range anxiety - I easily go 130-150 miles - but there has always been a reliable charger within 50 miles. In using ABRP and Rivian app to plan the trip out west - it gets dicey (ABRP keeps saying I can’t make it!)! Going westbound on I-90 stopping in the Badlands and Black Hills, then to Devils Tower on down to Rock Springs, there are a few long stretches that will increase anxiety!

Does anyone with experience towing in this area have advice on how to make this work - chargers you can count on, routes that are better than others, overnight stays that may help, etc.?

AND since my lease ends - would a Gen2 make it slightly easier? Does the Gen2’s improved range make any difference trailering? I know it’s EPA rated range is higher but does that translate in to real world improved towing range? I don’t need much - 5-10 miles or more of improvement may be all the boost we need in a few stretches! But has anyone who has owned and towed with both noticed an improvement in towing range?

Thanks,

Kevin

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[flybone89]

Well apologies but AI may have just answered one of my questions .

“no, the Generation 2 (Gen2) Rivian R1T does not have inherently increased towing range or efficiency compared to the Generation 1 (Gen1) truck”

Seems like the efficiency gains don’t translate to any difference in towing range.

So definitely now more than ever need advice or tips on how to navigate this area while towing!

Thanks!

 

[antimatter]

Yeah, the charging desert between Chamberlain & Wall in SD is a real bummer. We used to vacation in the Black Hills which was doable with ICE is a challenge with the Rivian. The only current solution is either a bigger battery (Silverado/GMC Sierra EV) or going to gas/diesel. I could conceivably make it if I charged up to 100% in Chamberlain, but there'd better not be any sort of headwind - something SD is famous for.

 

[rhumbliner]

It would probably add a day (or two) to your trip but you could consider spending a night at an RV park with 50 amp service in between SuperChargers and charge up to 100% overnight.

 

[flybone89]

@antimatter Yep that was one of the legs that was going to be a challenge. I was stationed in Rapid City so know full well the plains winds which is why I need more buffer. If only there was an EV charging station in Murdo, SD! I am unfortunately starting to realize that for the places we want to venture out to we may need to go back to ICE.

@rhumbliner I actually plan that way as much as we can - 3-4 hours of driving then stay overnight. So that is an option. But also finding some campgrounds are now prohibiting charging so still have to put in some research on campgrounds where we can depend on the ability to charge. If you know of some campgrounds in SD/WY that are EV friendly let me know!

Thanks,
Kevin

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