Do I Spy Running Boards???

[Zoidz]

Wonder if Rivian could install solar panels on the roof? I saw a thin foldable panel in Australia that they were testing out to power an EV.

This is what I was referring to.

https://www.reuters.com/business/au...km-trip-with-printed-solar-panels-2022-04-20/

But that's not on the roof of a Rivian.... That's the size of multiple tractor trailers.

"18 of the team's printed plastic solar panels, each 18 metres (59 feet) long, rolling them out beside the vehicle to soak up sunlight"

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[iansriv]

But that's not on the roof of a Rivian.... That's the size of multiple tractor trailers.

"18 of the team's printed plastic solar panels, each 18 metres (59 feet) long, rolling them out beside the vehicle to soak up sunlight"

I was not suggesting a one-for-one fitting this instant. The AUS effort shows the possibility of something in the future. If this can power a Tesla thousands of miles, the tech has the future potential to supplement power with a roof or body clad design. It's food for thought.

 

[NashvilleR1S]

30-35lbs per side

Interesting because I asked them on instagram about weight and they responded "50-75lbs per side"

 

[abirozy]

Interesting because I asked them on instagram about weight and they responded "50-75lbs per side"

This is my ignorance, but what kind of range hit would adding 100 lbs put on an R1T?

 

[NashvilleR1S]

That's the question. As long as it doesn't greatly effect aerodynamics I would think not much. Basically adding a small passenger.

 

[Autolycus]

This is my ignorance, but what kind of range hit would adding 100 lbs put on an R1T?

The weight itself wouldn't have much of an effect at all. No different than having an extra passenger in the truck. The potential aerodynamic change could be noticeable though. Wouldn't be surprised if it's at least a 5% hit because of the aero.

 

[jebinc]

Interesting because I asked them on instagram about weight and they responded "50-75lbs per side"

If that’s the case, I’m going to pass. Will wait for a lighter design to emerge.

 

[NashvilleR1S]

That's pretty standard if you want rock sliders. If you just want steps im sure lighter ones will come out.

 

[Zoidz]

I was not suggesting a one-for-one fitting this instant. The AUS effort shows the possibility of something in the future. If this can power a Tesla thousands of miles, the tech has the future potential to supplement power with a roof or body clad design. It's food for thought.

It’s not possible to power a vehicle the size/weight of a Rivian for any distance with on board solar power unless you are willing to let it sit for days to drive 25 miles. There’s not enough solar surface area, even if cells were 100% efficient.

 

[Scoiatael]

If that’s the case, I’m going to pass. Will wait for a lighter design to emerge.

Agreed, I'd like running boards, but those are way too heavy for only using for that purpose.

 

[electruck4x4]

If that’s the case, I’m going to pass. Will wait for a lighter design to emerge.

50-70 lbs is actually incredibly (and somewhat concerningly) light for sliders, unless they are made of moly or something. I'd suggest doing your homework and comparing these against rails for a vehicle in a similar weight class (e.g. a RAM 2500 or whatnot). I'd then raise an eyebrow if these turn out to be significantly lighter with no obvious structural or material difference.

White Knuckle Off-road makes a highly regarded and durable set for vehicles in this weight class. Not trying to throw shade. That is just a surprising weight for something that will need to support a dropping 7100 lb vehicle.

 

[jebinc]

50-70 lbs is actually incredibly (and somewhat concerningly) light for sliders, unless they are made of moly or something. I'd suggest doing your homework and comparing these against rails for a vehicle in a similar weight class (e.g. a RAM 2500 or whatnot). I'd then raise an eyebrow if these turn out to be significantly lighter with no obvious structural or material difference.

White Knuckle Off-road makes a highly regarded and durable set for vehicles in this weight class. Not trying to throw shade. That is just a surprising weight for something that will need to support a dropping 7100 lb vehicle.

Maybe I’m more interested in a streamlined set of running boards, then.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

If you need sliders, you'll know you need sliders. If you don't know you need sliders, you probably just want running boards/steps

For sliders, the weight matters, but the structural integrity is far more important. For a super heavy vehicle like an R1T I would expect them to need to be pretty beefy to hold up to the force of that falling down on the sliders. If they can't take the full force of the truck dropping onto them pinched between the truck and a rock, then they aren't going to do the job of protecting the vehicle.

EDIT2: This is why I mentioned in another thread about mats for the bed the weight being so important. You need to save your payload for important things like sliders that have to be heavy, and save weight where you can on things that don't really matter as much, like liners for your bed. At least when it comes to offroading/overlanding. For mall crawling do whatever you want

 

[AxelR]

50-70 lbs is actually incredibly (and somewhat concerningly) light for sliders, unless they are made of moly or something. I'd suggest doing your homework and comparing these against rails for a vehicle in a similar weight class (e.g. a RAM 2500 or whatnot). I'd then raise an eyebrow if these turn out to be significantly lighter with no obvious structural or material difference.

White Knuckle Off-road makes a highly regarded and durable set for vehicles in this weight class. Not trying to throw shade. That is just a surprising weight for something that will need to support a dropping 7100 lb vehicle.

I agree. I’ve rarely heard of rock sliders this light unless made of aluminum or other. Decent rock sliders are, more often than not, made out of steel and are extremely heavy.
It’d be interesting to know what material is used here.

 

[Tonicart]

Solar panels on the roof of an EV are a gimmick. At very best, they can provide enough power to charge a phone and offset the parasitic drain on the battery. At best.

With the hefty daily vampiric drain of an R1T, that would be a welcome solution!

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