My Rivian nightmare…

[kylealden]

That blows. I love the sturdyness of my kuat rack and was hoping it would be compatible with the tail gate. Does make me wonder if the R1S's little fold down "tail gate" is short enough that it won't hit.

Very surprising the range effect on the Model 3, but considering it's range is more based on the vehicle being "slippery" not entirely unexpected.

This also brings up a bit of a frustration, or more of a personal problem of mine. If I had a (Canadian pricing btw) 60k Tacoma I wouldn't think twice about getting a pad for the tail gate and draping my mountain bike over it, while I bomb down a dirt road. Enter the 116k Max pack Rivian. I'm afraid I'll be overly precious with it to the point where I agonize over potential scuffs from the pad alone rubbing the truck let alone a fork bouncing into it when I hit a pot hole.

FWIW - My "Plan A" was a tailgate pad, I got a nice Cache Basecamp and set it up in my driveway and immediately decided it wasn't going to fly for a mix of Cache and R1T reasons.

The Cache actually feels like it would probably avoid the tailgate denting concerns folks had about other pads (the forks rest where the crease in the tailgate's countouring is, so there's a risk of denting, but the Cache has big hollow tubed padding across there so I wasn't concerned.) But it fits poorly over the thick/curved tailgate, and the R1T's gooseneck hinge isn't a great fit for anything (like the Cache) with a thick inner surface and complex straps - the gap cover plate has to slide up over all that when you close it, and with the Cache it was getting caught on the various accessory loops and thick straps.

I also really felt like the Cache downtube strap is super ill conceived. It's a slick sounding system at first (one long elastic strap with a carbineer clip on the end, which you can use for bikes, skis, ladders, etc.) But in reality it provides minimal downforce and absolutely no lateral stabilization, so with only one bike I was concerned about it sliding all over the place.

Ultimately I decided that the Cache is a poor fit, no other pads really jumped out at me as great for the R1T's quirks, and I want to keep the bed available as lockable storage anyway, so I'm going the bed rack route. (I also think the R1T rear end looks awesome and most pads kind of ruin that - and I don't want to add/remove a pad 2-3 times a week when I ride.)

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[MountainBikeDude]

FWIW - My "Plan A" was a tailgate pad, I got a nice Cache Basecamp and set it up in my driveway and immediately decided it wasn't going to fly for a mix of Cache and R1T reasons.

The Cache actually feels like it would probably avoid the tailgate denting concerns folks had about other pads (the forks rest where the crease in the tailgate's countouring is, so there's a risk of denting, but the Cache has big hollow tubed padding across there so I wasn't concerned.) But it fits poorly over the thick/curved tailgate, and the R1T's gooseneck hinge isn't a great fit for anything (like the Cache) with a thick inner surface and complex straps - the gap cover plate has to slide up over all that when you close it, and with the Cache it was getting caught on the various accessory loops and thick straps.

I also really felt like the Cache downtube strap is super ill conceived. It's a slick sounding system at first (one long elastic strap with a carbineer clip on the end, which you can use for bikes, skis, ladders, etc.) But in reality it provides minimal downforce and absolutely no lateral stabilization, so with only one bike I was concerned about it sliding all over the place.

Ultimately I decided that the Cache is a poor fit, no other pads really jumped out at me as great for the R1T's quirks, and I want to keep the bed available as lockable storage anyway, so I'm going the bed rack route. (I also think the R1T rear end looks awesome and most pads kind of ruin that - and I don't want to add/remove a pad 2-3 times a week when I ride.)

Agreed on all of your opinions/experiences with these.

What I've never really liked though, is having bikes above the nominal height of my vehicle, someone is bound to forget they are there one day, be it me or my wife (I'd never forget btw, just lumped me in just in case shes reading these secretely. But then that would mean she's reading this side note ? Crap.) and CRUNCH.... sad face.... But, the bright side to it is as you said, the ability to fully utilize the bed space as covered storage.

Guess I'll keep the Kuat on the xterra, and look into a different, likely bed mounted solution for the Rivian.

 

[kylealden]

What I've never really liked though, is having bikes above the nominal height of my vehicle, someone is bound to forget they are there

The other option you might consider is something like a swing-out hitch (e.g. the Kuat Pivot V2), which would keep tailgate access while keeping your bikes nice and low. Doesn't solve the concern about accidentally opening the tailgate, but otherwise it is a good option and even better than the bed rack as far as bed access is concerned.

 

[wreighven]

It happens way more than you know. The difference is that with the traditional dealership model, it happens but you never know about it.

Yup! Happened with my Model X and Y.

 

[DuckTruck]

Kyle,

Best of luck on a speedy recovery, no matter what they decide to do! In going down hard, it could have been a lot worse. Your experience serves as a good reminder that, with one pedal driving available in the Rivian, always sacrifice the left leg, when possible.

I wouldn't be joking about it if you weren't wearing that smile.

Take care and come back stronger!

 

[TAZ]

Sorry about the ankle, speedy recovery! Also thanks for details about the Kuat, i have one and was wondering if it would work.

Does anyone know who Rivian uses for transport?

 

[HighVoltOverland]

Close! Giant Trance X 29 2.

All Rivian media I know of has Santa Cruz bikes.

Looks Like the Rivian only wants you riding a Hightower

 

[kylealden]

Your experience serves as a good reminder that, with one pedal driving available in the Rivian, always sacrifice the left leg, when possible.

I wouldn't be joking about it if you weren't wearing that smile.

The perma-grin is durable! And yes, in the future I'll try to land on my dead-pedal foot ?

I might have to (gulp) coach my wife in some off-road driving, and maybe I can play drone pilot from the passenger seat ?

 

[SASSquatch]

Another vehicle with transporter damage. Certainly seems like a lot of trucks are being damaged and this surprises me since I have not had issues with other new vehicles I have bought. Rivian need to investigate if they can improve the transportation process to cut down on service calls.

It does seem like a lot of transporter damage. Could be the really tight labor market producing subpar labor or they need to really reevaluate their transport process.

Maybe call the Jason Statham? I hear he has a perfect transport record.

 

[skyote]

Get well soon, @kylealden , and congrats on the truck!

Not sure if you've had many surgeries before, but I highly recommend trying PT first & avoiding surgery if possible.

 

[crashmtb]

Get well soon, @kylealden , and congrats on the truck!

Not sure if you've had many surgeries before, but I highly recommend trying PT first & avoiding surgery if possible.

Physio can’t heal a break if it’s bad enough to need setting/pins etc ?

 

[kylealden]

Get well soon, @kylealden , and congrats on the truck!

Not sure if you've had many surgeries before, but I highly recommend trying PT first & avoiding surgery if possible.

Physio can’t heal a break if it’s bad enough to need setting/pins etc ?

Thanks for the kind thoughts! Really hoping to avoid surgery if I can, it's a long road to recovery if I need screws/pins/plates and I have plans in the Enchantments in August... but with the nature of the break it may not be up for debate (displaced fracture of the medial malleolus of the right tibia). I'll let the physicians make that particular call ?

 

[crashmtb]

Thanks for the kind thoughts! Really hoping to avoid surgery if I can, it's a long road to recovery if I need screws/pins/plates and I have plans in the Enchantments in August... but with the nature of the break it may not be up for debate (displaced fracture of the medial malleolus of the right tibia). I'll let the physicians make that particular call ?

I’m not a doctor despite what my labcoat has sharpie’d on it ?‍?️

 

[AdamsFan1983]

After three long years of waiting, we finally took delivery a week ago! She’s a beaut, but we had a few minor issues (transporter damage) to sort out, so the truck was back in the shop Thursday/Friday.

This weekend was our first real outing with the truck in ship shape and some activities planned! The wife, dog, and I headed over to Leavenworth and Wenatchee for a quiet weekend away with some backpacking and mountain biking.

I absolutely love everything about the truck, except for this one thing…

I took a spill mountain biking on Saturday and broke my right ankle. Jury is out on whether I need surgery, but in any case I won’t be driving for 2-3 months ?‍

It’s just sitting there, taunting me…

I wish you a speedy convalescence; even if I feel like this photo should be accompanied with a sad trombone sound effect. Seriously though heal up.

 

[skyote]

but with the nature of the break it may not be up for debate (displaced fracture of the medial malleolus of the right tibia). I'll let the physicians make that particular call ?

My bad, somehow skimmed right over the fact you said you broke it...and displaced is not encouraging. I wish you a speedy recovery regardless!

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