Towing a 19' R-POD with a 2022 Quad R1T, a sobering expereince

[VandalSibs]

Hmmmm. A bit more food for thought. I have the R1T quad motor. I generally run this trip in conserve to use only two motors.

When in tow mode, i'm forced to use all-purpose which is quad motor drive.

I wonder if people seeing better range are dual motor in tow mode (which i'm assuming is *still* dual motor)

Dual Motor R1s will go to a single motor in All-Purpose to be more efficient..... But not when towing. Both motors are always engaged then.

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[ksujeff99]

I posted a trip report here after pulling this camper a couple years back. IIRC I got around 0.9 mi/kwh going 65-70mph. Best tow vehicle I’ve ever had.

 

[kallisti5]

Dual Motor R1s will go to a single motor in All-Purpose to be more efficient..... But not when towing. Both motors are always engaged then.

Ah yeah,that's a big difference then. All 4 motors on the Quad run in All-purpose + towing. 2 motors run in conserve.

So I'm powering two more motors than a dual motor when in tow mode.

 

[gklott]

We have a boxy 5000 lb GVWR Escape 19 ft trailer. It has dual axles, which further hurts the towing range. We use our R1T (max pack, off road package) and a Sprinter 2500 V6 diesel van as tow vehicles. In our R1T testing, we get 1.0-1.2 miles/kWh when towing at Interstate speeds ~ 65 to 70 mph. We get 1.3-1.5 miles/kWh towing at 55 mph. When not towing on a recent trip, we averaged 1.7-1.9 miles/kWh at Interstate highway speeds. The towing efficiency hit is about 40%, and we plan charging every 100 to 120 miles. For the Sprinter we get 11-12 mpg when towing at Interstate highway speeds. When not towing we get 17-19 mpg. So the towing mileage hit is about the same, nearly 35-40%.

 

[HaveBlue]

It's all aero dynamics and speed. Aim for 60mph and you'll likely get there without charging.

A wind deflector will make things worse btw.

 

[RivnSoon]

I tow regularly an open aluminum trailer, 1500lbs. On it a 2800 lbs car. About 300lbs of stuff in the bed. No sway bars. I get about 150 to 162 miles of range, starting with 100% SOC and arriving at 4-6%. Average 60 mph. I apparently your camper does affect the drag quite a bit.

 

[VSG]

We get 1.3-1.5 miles/kWh towing at 55 mph. When not towing on a recent trip, we averaged 1.7-1.9 miles/kWh at Interstate highway speeds.

This is why I never pay attention to absolute efficiencies reported in the forums. The important factor IMO is the percentage decrease when towing, not the anecdotal mi/kWh reported by a specific user for a specific trailer.

For me, I average 2.25 mi/kWh from my Gen 1 Quad R1T at "highway speeds" (But I don't drive 80, in case that's not obvious). So if I were looking at just the "1.3 - 1.5 miles/kWh towing" number, that sounds bad, because it's only 60% of what I normally get. But if you compare the relative numbers, then it's more like 78%. Big difference. That translates to more like 1.75 mi/kWh when towing, FOR ME.

Lesson is that a ratio for how much range you lose when towing removes the individual driving styles/conditions from the equation, and thus represents a more useful number for other people.

 

[2kwik4u]

Ah yeah,that's a big difference then. All 4 motors on the Quad run in All-purpose + towing. 2 motors run in conserve.

So I'm powering two more motors than a dual motor when in tow mode.

4 motors or 2 motors, the effeciency lost between that difference is relatively small compared to the additional aero load of a trailer.

HP is a "draw" based on demand, not a constant delivery based on rating. There is a particular amount of HP "draw" that is required to move a pickup with a trailer at a certain speed, regardless of how many motors are used. The quad might have more invertor losses, and likely slightly less driveline losses (no differential to sap power), but, in general, should consume similar power as the dual.

 

[PhatDaddy]

I don't think there's really anything out there that fits that other than a few Airstreams and the Bowlus (which is way expensive!).

…or a Pebble Flow. Will only cost you one kidney and one other assorted organ or appendage…

And they say it slips through the airstream like a baby seal in the water, with 45 kWh battery to help push it along. Now shipping…

One early Customer has reported (via Discord) 1.82, 1.92, and 2.75 miles/kWh (various short early towing trips) with the Pebble using his Rivian R1T vs his best towing an Airstream Flying Cloud (27FB) with his Rivian was 1.22 miles/kwh. YMMV, but interesting products are appearing.

 

[VSG]

4 motors or 2 motors, the effeciency lost between that difference is relatively small compared to the additional aero load of a trailer.

Yes. Conserve mode only saves about 10%, on par with turning off the HVAC or getting the range wheels instead of the AT tires.

Drag is the biggest factor, and drag is proportion to the SQUARE of speed. so doubling your speed increases your drag by a factor of four.

So, the best thing you can do on a range-challenged section of your route is to slow down.

 

[Time2Roll]

All the issue with range and towing has me thinking to go back to a tent when I sell my gas truck and small 5th wheel trailer.
Not an easy decision. Can always get a room when needed too.

 

[VSG]

All the issue with range and towing ...

You know you have the exact same issues with range and towing with ICE vehicles?

My 4Runner (3rd gen) has a range of <300 miles, and I take a similar hit in range when towing with it as I do with my R1T.

 

[Time2Roll]

You know you have the exact same issues with range and towing with ICE vehicles?

My 4Runner (3rd gen) has a range of <300 miles, and I take a similar hit in range when towing with it as I do with my R1T.

Of course. My range towing a brick with gas is 175 miles with 15 minute 100% refill. Generally more refill points to where planning is mostly unneeded. Have never had to unhitch to fill up.

Downsizing the trailer will help with electric. Additional charging infrastructure is being added daily. And maybe fewer miles covered per day is a good thing.

I have about three more years on the gasser to get this worked out. I do really enjoy the travel stories. Very committed to electric since being one of the first with a 2011 LEAF.

 

[2kwik4u]

You know you have the exact same issues with range and towing with ICE vehicles?

My 4Runner (3rd gen) has a range of <300 miles, and I take a similar hit in range when towing with it as I do with my R1T.

My Q7 was the same way. Range was 400ish miles without trailer and down around 220-250mi with trailer.

@VSG hit the nail on the head though, WAY more options to stop for fuel, quicker fill up, and the lack of unhooking to charge are major players to mitigate the issue. Mostly from a reduction in mental workload to make the trip happen.

I towed my boat from Buffalo to St. Augustine last year. I did ZERO planning on where to get fuel/stop. Made a relatively rough route ahead of time, and just followed that and the blue line on Google to get there. Made the same trip, but stopped at the VA/NC border this Memorial Day in the Rivian (without a trailer). Tried to take the same approach, and the in dash navigation was great, however I would have had to unhook 3/5 stops to charge, and I think there's a section through WV that I simply can't make it because it's nearly a charging desert. Would've taken a lot more planning to make it happen.

Point being, I don't think range anxiety just means afraid of not making it, but can also apply to being averse to wanting to take on the planning required to make it.

 

[gklott]

All the issue with range and towing has me thinking to go back to a tent when I sell my gas truck and small 5th wheel trailer.
Not an easy decision. Can always get a room when needed too.

Or consider a topper like our Tune M1. Adds about 400 pounds. You get covered truck bed storage, and when needed, a place to sleep.

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