R1T Tri Motor off road video by TFL

[dj200]

TFL tests a new gen 2 R1T Tri Motor on some rocky icy terrain (starts at 14 minutes).

They also test a Ford Ranger Raptor with front/rear lockers for comparison.

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[JeromePowell]

I was impressed at how well the Tri-Motor did compared to my Gen 1 Quad at Uwharrie. By no means a super well controlled "crawl" but not slinging rocks and hopping like my Quad. I tend to agree with Tommy that mechanical lockers are a better solution for rock crawling and more difficult trails due to the fine slow control; as slow as possible, as fast as necessary approach.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

About what I expected. The little bit you lose of extreme off-roading you gain more back in on-road performance. That's not a trade everyone will want to make, but I'm a much more on-road-focused buyer so for me it's perfect. Even the Hummer handles much more like a truck and is far less nimble on the pavement.

 

[CrazyOne]

Lockers and ICE gearing will always beat EVs for ultra slow speed rock crawling kind of things. But they are worse every where else. Also, very very few 4X4s have full time 4X4. Raptor has it though.

 

[SeaGeo]

The interesting thing is that the traction control didn't seem to be locking off the lifted wheel to transfer power over much. Seems like Rivian needs to work on the tuning there.

 

[SeaGeo]

I was impressed at how well the Tri-Motor did compared to my Gen 1 Quad at Uwharrie. By no means a super well controlled "crawl" but not slinging rocks and hopping like my Quad. I tend to agree with Tommy that mechanical lockers are a better solution for rock crawling and more difficult trails due to the fine slow control; as slow as possible, as fast as necessary approach.

Yeah, I am bummed that Rivian decided not to include a locker on any variant. It's the only EV truck that doesn't offer one at all that I can think of.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Forgone conclusion that anything better off-road is not as good as the R1 on-road. Majority of both vehicles spend most of their operating hours on-road. So, one has to wonder if it makes sense to buy a vehicle that is superior in specific situations where it is least used.

 

[SeaGeo]

Forgone conclusion that anything better off-road is not as good as the R1 on-road. Majority of both vehicles spend most of their operating hours on-road. So, one has to wonder if it makes sense to buy a vehicle that is superior in specific situations where it is least used.

Right, but they could have put a locker in one of the R1 configurations and improved the off-road performance without taking a hit on the on-road.

 

[DuoRivians]

Just means to get the quad for rock crawling haha.

More seriously, are they two-footing it? They should be pressing on brake and pedal to properly control the acceleration

 

[escapee]

TFL tests a new gen 2 R1T Tri Motor on some rocky icy terrain (starts at 14 minutes).

They also test a Ford Ranger Raptor with front/rear lockers for comparison.

Rivian’s approach to Rock Crawl mode pedal programming seems amiss.

It seems to be waiting for the driver to request enough power to move the most obstructed wheel(s). Problem is nobody wants to take a chance pushing the pedal on an 800hp+ vehicle too far and accidentally launch themselves into orbit just to clear an obstacle.

At least in the Rock Crawl mode, it should interpret degrees of pedal press as a speed request or when combined with a steering angle a velocity request. It should use that velocity request as a target and modulate the individual motors (and/or brakes if need be) to deliver the power, torque, wheel speed necessary at each wheel to achieve the requested velocity… even if that means some motors need to be maxed out and others 10%, the vehicle should do whatever it has to do to reach the target velocity with no further input from the driver other than the velocity request.

 

[Dark-Fx]

Problem is nobody wants to take a chance pushing the pedal on an 800hp+ vehicle too far and accidentally launch themselves into orbit just to clear an obstacle.

You sound like someone who hasn't really driven a quad motor off-road.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

If I getting a dedicated off roader for these Colorado trails, I’m getting a Ranger Raptor. It’s a HELLUVA lot cheaper, has lockers, and a suspension that was more custom tailored for the off roader.

However, I need a truck that can be a ’pretty good’ off roader and does everything else extremely well. At that point, the R1T is the vehicle for me. Also, I’m not very trusting of Ford quality/reliability these days. Buuuut, the Ford DOES have CarPlay support ?

 

[escapee]

Lockers and ICE gearing will always beat EVs for ultra slow speed rock crawling kind of things. But they are worse every where else. Also, very very few 4X4s have full time 4X4. Raptor has it though.

We'll have to see how the G580 does, either way I think the future may surprise you.

 

[escapee]

You sound like someone who hasn't really driven a quad motor off-road.

True but hopefully you get what I was trying to say.

 

[CrazyOne]

We'll have to see how the G580 does, either way I think the future may surprise you.

I can bet $10 that it will be worse than ICE G at rock crawl. Very likely better overall, including several off-road scenarios. I looked up and G580 has no differential/lockers.

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