Tractor Hauling

[the_mace]

Hi folks, wanted to share my experience hauling a tractor to to get it serviced. I've towed before locally just to check my setup but this is my first "real" use for towing.

The tractor place is 62 miles from my house in Central mass. I have a Cam Superline full deck tilt 7’x18’ trailer, Curb weight 3,080 lbs. The tractor I was moving was a Kioti CX2510 with a cab and loader and ballast in the tires which comes to about 4,200 lbs. So combined weight was 7,280 lbs.

I started at 85% charge, which shows as 245 miles in all purpose mode with my AT tires. Once I connected the trailer it immediately showed 124 miles of range which was concerning as that was exactly what I needed to drive with no buffer. I figured it was off and was doing a worst case and convinced myself it would do better (it did, but not much) and off I went.

The drive is a mix of back roads and highways. Did 70mph on the highways and speed limit on the back roads. It pulled fine the entire time. On the way out with the tractor the estimate went up showing me better range than the original estimate putting me back home at about 40 miles of range. On the way back without the tractor the estimate started higher (27 miles at the end of the trip) and then dropped until it got to 14 miles at the end of the trip and stopped showing an estimate when I was close to home.

I arrived home with 7 miles of range / 3% battery which is too close for comfort.

We did pass many superchargers here in MA (4) but none of them are Magic Dock ones (only in NY on the east coast so far). There was an EVgo 100kW charger near where we dropped off the tractor that we could possibly have topped up at but not sure if its trailer accessible.

So learnings:

1. That trip needs a 100% charge for margins if no charging is going to be done. I have heavier tractors so that will be another test at some point.
2. Could make it even more do-able with charging at the one end if the charger is accessible with a trailer (otherwise i'd have to drop etc). This is the one near the tractor place: https://www.plugshare.com/location/379707 if anyone has been there. We need a rating system for chargers with trailers.
3. Despite the large battery, radius for towing this kind of load is about 60 miles. That's a lot less than the 350 numbers (310 with the AT tires I have) so you have to reset your thinking.
4. The truck warns you but it has cruise control when towing, no lane keep and the cruise is not adaptive. Regen braking does work but as always be careful when breaking with long trailers and relatively short trucks.
5. When getting off at a rest area, the truck areas are not necessarily a good place to go. The one off the mass pike was blocked with trucks and we had to back up to get back to the car area.
6. I don't think Rivian's estimates are taking into account elevation changes or even perhaps road types. Seems to be based on averages only but would love to know more here.
7. 3% to 85% charge at home (240v x 40A) takes 12 hours

Here's some pics

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[roberttatefan]

Great pictures and conclusions. For reference, I did a ~110 mile roundtrip with a heavy U-Haul car trailer (~2200#), a ~1600# race car, and a whole bunch of gear/tools. I came back with a comfortable amount of range and really ate into that on the return trip where I went whatever speed traffic was moving (often 80+). A few thoughts:

• When towing, charge to 100%. Seriously, I don't know if there's a case where I wouldn't maximize my buffer. Chargers are too unreliable, too sparse, not trailer friendly, and Rivian's guess-o-meter estimates are good not great.
• Speed matters. I went to my destination primarily around ~55MPH and used ~30% SOC. On the return trip, I used >50% going 75MPH+. I'm no aero expert but I was kind of shocked by the hit I took hauling a low trailer and a mostly hollow load.
• I wish we had more camera views. I'm decent at backing up a trailer, but the unloaded car hauler was basically invisible given how low it was. Limited options with the mirrors, trying to look out the window, and juggle the main rearview camera. With a car on, it was a little easier as I had some reference points.
• The actual towing experience was great. Obviously the power was great. Stability was better than expected given the relatively short wheelbase. Braking was more than sufficient.

 

[Zoidz]

Thanks for the detail write up. I will be ocasionally towing similar trailers and equipment with my R1S so this is a great real world example.

Consumer Reports recently did a towing test of the Rivian and Lightning. Your results are roughly in line with what they experienced. They towed a 10,000 pound trailer, results below. Here's the article.

I think we all have to assume 33% - 45% range when towing large/heavy trailers. Optimism is great, but not here. Optimism will get us into a sticky situation.

 

[ryanpei]

Thanks for the write-up!

I will be towing my (much smaller) Kubota tractor to Maine this weekend, and I've been curious about the range drop.

While point three is true, I would say that you should be comparing 60 miles radius to 122 miles radius; not to 300+ (which would be one-directional, and from 100% charge).

I'll have the opportunity to charge at my place in Maine, but will likely have to stop somewhere on the way up for some top-up miles.

I'm hoping for ~30% drop in efficiency.

 

[the_mace]

Great pictures and conclusions. For reference, I did a ~110 mile roundtrip with a heavy U-Haul car trailer (~2200#), a ~1600# race car, and a whole bunch of gear/tools. I came back with a comfortable amount of range and really ate into that on the return trip where I went whatever speed traffic was moving (often 80+). A few thoughts:

• When towing, charge to 100%. Seriously, I don't know if there's a case where I wouldn't maximize my buffer. Chargers are too unreliable, too sparse, not trailer friendly, and Rivian's guess-o-meter estimates are good not great.
• Speed matters. I went to my destination primarily around ~55MPH and used ~30% SOC. On the return trip, I used >50% going 75MPH+. I'm no aero expert but I was kind of shocked by the hit I took hauling a low trailer and a mostly hollow load.
• I wish we had more camera views. I'm decent at backing up a trailer, but the unloaded car hauler was basically invisible given how low it was. Limited options with the mirrors, trying to look out the window, and juggle the main rearview camera. With a car on, it was a little easier as I had some reference points.
• The actual towing experience was great. Obviously the power was great. Stability was better than expected given the relatively short wheelbase. Braking was more than sufficient.

Great points. I did 70mph max on a road with a speed limit of 65. Doing much less wouldnt have been that safe on the Mass pike.

I didnt plan enough to do the max charge, I should have for sure.

For connecting the trailer, my F350 lets me back up with the drivers door open so I can hop in/out more easily to check the ball. It also doesnt shift itself into park as i'm leaning out windows to check the position. I think Rivian could make some improvements here.

The view of the ball from the camera isn't ideal and the truck is more "jumpy" for hitching up than the F350. Just takes a bit more work/experience.

 

[the_mace]

Thanks for the detail write up. I will be ocasionally towing similar trailers and equipment with my R1S so this is a great real world example.

Consumer Reports recently did a towing test of the Rivian and Lightning. Your results are roughly in line with what they experienced. They towed a 10,000 pound trailer, results below. Here's the article.

I think we all have to assume 33% - 45% range when towing large/heavy trailers. Optimism is great, but not here. Optimism will get us into a sticky situation.

Yeah that seems more like my experience too. Glad I made it but it was close.

 

[csharp]

Could make it even more do-able with charging at the one end if the charger is accessible with a trailer (otherwise i'd have to drop etc). This is the one near the tractor place: https://www.plugshare.com/location/379707 if anyone has been there. We need a rating system for chargers with trailers.

Great write-up of your experience! Have not been to that charger, but stalking it on Google Maps and looking at pictures it appears they put poles in front of the parking spots so you can NOT pull all the way through . But if you get lucky, you could approach the charger from the side at 90* and take up about 8 parking spots. It does appear it is in the very back of the parking lot and none of the pictures showed anyone anywhere close to parking near the chargers.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Hi folks, wanted to share my experience hauling a tractor to to get it serviced. I've towed before locally just to check my setup but this is my first "real" use for towing.

The tractor place is 62 miles from my house in Central mass. I have a Cam Superline full deck tilt 7’x18’ trailer, Curb weight 3,080 lbs. The tractor I was moving was a Kioti CX2510 with a cab and loader and ballast in the tires which comes to about 4,200 lbs. So combined weight was 7,280 lbs.

I started at 85% charge, which shows as 245 miles in all purpose mode with my AT tires. Once I connected the trailer it immediately showed 124 miles of range which was concerning as that was exactly what I needed to drive with no buffer. I figured it was off and was doing a worst case and convinced myself it would do better (it did, but not much) and off I went.

The drive is a mix of back roads and highways. Did 70mph on the highways and speed limit on the back roads. It pulled fine the entire time. On the way out with the tractor the estimate went up showing me better range than the original estimate putting me back home at about 40 miles of range. On the way back without the tractor the estimate started higher (27 miles at the end of the trip) and then dropped until it got to 14 miles at the end of the trip and stopped showing an estimate when I was close to home.

I arrived home with 7 miles of range / 3% battery which is too close for comfort.

We did pass many superchargers here in MA (4) but none of them are Magic Dock ones (only in NY on the east coast so far). There was an EVgo 100kW charger near where we dropped off the tractor that we could possibly have topped up at but not sure if its trailer accessible.

So learnings:

1. That trip needs a 100% charge for margins if no charging is going to be done. I have heavier tractors so that will be another test at some point.
2. Could make it even more do-able with charging at the one end if the charger is accessible with a trailer (otherwise i'd have to drop etc). This is the one near the tractor place: https://www.plugshare.com/location/379707 if anyone has been there. We need a rating system for chargers with trailers.
3. Despite the large battery, radius for towing this kind of load is about 60 miles. That's a lot less than the 350 numbers (310 with the AT tires I have) so you have to reset your thinking.
4. The truck warns you but it has cruise control when towing, no lane keep and the cruise is not adaptive. Regen braking does work but as always be careful when breaking with long trailers and relatively short trucks.
5. When getting off at a rest area, the truck areas are not necessarily a good place to go. The one off the mass pike was blocked with trucks and we had to back up to get back to the car area.
6. I don't think Rivian's estimates are taking into account elevation changes or even perhaps road types. Seems to be based on averages only but would love to know more here.
7. 3% to 85% charge at home (240v x 40A) takes 12 hours

Here's some pics

Beautiful truck! A couple thinks working against you on range.

1) the AT tires significantly reduced the range of the truck. Generally speaking when towing you will get half range. In your case should be about 140 miles...less if you add a little buffer (and you should)

2) 70 is too fast. Keep it below 65 and your consumption will be lower. I realize this is easier said then done on highways.

Towing a trailer with this truck and the 21" road wheels (the most efficient setup) one can expect about 150 miles of range. Weather conditions like wind and rain will reduce this.

Towed our travel trailer 125 miles over the holiday weekend and have a video coming on Saturday about that trip. Travel trailer is about as bad as it gets for aero (basically a box on wheels).

 

[NY_Rob]

Thanks for the info..... glad you made it home, but you really cut it close!

Any particular reason you didn't charge to 100% a couple of hours before starting out from your home?

Speed when trailering is a major factor as well, 70mph pulling heavy aerodynamic brick is a range killer. In this case, slower is better....

 

[the_mace]

Thanks for the write-up!

I will be towing my (much smaller) Kubota tractor to Maine this weekend, and I've been curious about the range drop.

While point three is true, I would say that you should be comparing 60 miles radius to 122 miles radius; not to 300+ (which would be one-directional, and from 100% charge).

I'll have the opportunity to charge at my place in Maine, but will likely have to stop somewhere on the way up for some top-up miles.

I'm hoping for ~30% drop in efficiency.

Yeah I have a B2710 and a B3350 too. But thats why I said radius, for me its dropping off and getting back home. One way 120 miles would be the number i'd use without charging on this truck/load.

 

[the_mace]

Thanks for the info..... glad you made it home, but you really cut it close!

Any particular reason you didn't charge to 100% a couple of hours before starting out from your home?

Speed when trailering is a major factor as well, 70mph pulling heavy aerodynamic brick is a range killer. In this case, slower is better....

Lack of planning.

Yeah the speed I knew was an issue but going slow on highways with trucks etc isn't that safe so its a balance. Maybe i'd find more of a backroad route but then its stops/starts which arent great.

 

[TheIglu]

I've towed at 65mph or lower on the pike for years. Mostly cause my old Tacoma couldn't hold that speed on hills with my trailer.

It's doable. Don't worry as much about everyone else. They'll go around.

 

[NY_Rob]

Yeah the speed I knew was an issue but going slow on highways with trucks etc isn't that safe so its a balance. Maybe I'd find more of a back-road route but then its stops/starts which aren't great.

I do exactly that when towing the boat more because of traffic lights on our divided highways- full panic stops from 65mph while towing is not fun no matter how you look at it. I now use the back roads to the ramp and never really exceed 35 mph on the 6mi trip to the ramp. Big difference in 30-35mph stops vs. 65mph stops, a big stress reliever!

 

[the_mace]

Great write-up of your experience! Have not been to that charger, but stalking it on Google Maps and looking at pictures it appears they put poles in front of the parking spots so you can NOT pull all the way through . But if you get lucky, you could approach the charger from the side at 90* and take up about 8 parking spots. It does appear it is in the very back of the parking lot and none of the pictures showed anyone anywhere close to parking near the chargers.

Yeah its nice that Rivian has the charger in the front so you could maybe pull into spots but perhaps block some traffic. Yesterday I was there around 8pm but didnt know about/visit the charger. The area was dead around that time so would probably be ok to block things if needed.

My plan for the next trip (soon as tractor service is complete) is to do a 100% charge just in case but try to charge anyway after the leg out (trailer will be empty on the way out) and see if I can pull that off. Charger is after my trailer place by about 5 miles and through a town but I drove through it fine yesterday.

 

[the_mace]

I've towed at 65mph or lower on the pike for years. Mostly cause my old Tacoma couldn't hold that speed on hills with my trailer.

It's doable. Don't worry as much about everyone else. They'll go around.

I'll try backing off the speed next time too. Makes sense and at those speeds every mph makes a difference. I was surprised how much the empty (and relatively light) trailer still mattered for range. That was probably my biggest surprise in this.

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