First towing trip to the beach: R1S + TrailManor Trailer

[HaveBlue]

Managed to get a camping spot at the beach and decided to take a long weekend from Los Angeles to the Santa Barbara area. First time towing with the R1S and I'm happy with the range efficiency. Our trailer is a folding hardshell trailer called a TrailManor. Towed it's about 20ft long with three interfolding shells. Sleeps 6 with a full bath, kitchen, heat and AC when open is about 25 ft with a queen, full and full convertible dinette. Certainly more aerodynamic and easier to tow and store.

LA traffic and freeways means you are going around 60mph with the opportunity to go faster once you get out of LA. We chilled the whole way only exceeding 65 a couple of times and only doing 55 in traffic. Here are the stats for the trip to the beach. There are hills up and down with a net decrease in altitude from 700ft to sea level. 1.6 miles per kw was much better that I expected. I would say 1.5 was the usual fifteen minute average. 225 miles of range is more than I could have hoped for and means I can go round trip without charging since I only used 40% battery getting here. Our GX470 doesn't do much better for range on this trip.

Ah the beach. Amazing weather after the coast took such a beating last week. Five passengers in the Rivian.

Nestled in to our spot with full hookups is nice.

Trailer shells are spring balanced to open to a full sized insulated hardwall trailer. I had a spare adjustable pintle hitch I was able to use as the receiver is a different height than the GX. The pintle has high overcapaity of 10k lbs. One item to note is that the rivian receiver is thicker than most with extra plating due to the higher towing capacity. A standard stinger pin may not reach all the way through to clip. Two of my three weren't long enough.

Free power so I plugged in with a TT30EV adapter to get 5mph. Used a 5-15 adapter for the trailer since it doesn't need much juice if at all.

Off to the beach now. Have a good weekend everyone.

Sponsored

 

[jplblue]

"66 degrees and sunny"

*Looks at NY forecast*

*Instant seasonal depression*

Great report and info -- thanks!

 

[JeremyP]

That's some decent efficiency, I'm curious how the return trip ends up! We had a trailmanor 3326 for several years and now we have a Jayco 22bhm, which is almost the same width and length as our old trailmanor, and just a bit heavier. The trailmanor towed so much easier with our 4runner due to its lower profile. We only changed trailers for bed space for kids and room for carrying bikes.

 

[MountainBikeDude]

Great write up, it definitely highlights how much aero affects range.

On a side note, here in Vancouver, I'm stoked to see snow in the forecast, but your beach shots make me wish it was summer.

 

[HyperionMark]

They are headquartered near us. You now have me looking into one again after seeing those efficiency numbers.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

Excellent report. Do you have an approximate weight on the trailer? We all know aero is key, but the efficiency numbers are solid.

 

[HaveBlue]

Excellent report. Do you have an approximate weight on the trailer? We all know aero is key, but the efficiency numbers are solid.

Both the Rivian and I estimate 4000 lb loaded up. See the pic. It's a 2003 model we've had since about 2007. We've had it as far away as Moab and bouncing around Mojave but usually just use it for local trips to state beaches. Towed with our '99 4Runner for many years.

There's one very steep grade going back home out of Oxnard (not just a pretty name) but it's only a few minutes and probably most of the elevation net change away from the coast. I will record the return trip for a more accurate estimate. I think speed must make a big difference. Going 60mph just helps so much. I used up all the Regen coming down that hill. I'd say the Rivian feels the same as the GX towing. I know the trailer is back there over bumps and dips and I won't forget it's there but zero complaints on how the Rivian tows.

 

[TollKeeper]

Thats the first time I have seen the rear motor being hotter than the front motor. Wonder what caused that?

 

[HaveBlue]

Not sure but it stays in AWD when towing

 

[R1Thor]

Man, posts like these are making me want a travel trailer something fierce...!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[moosetags]

Great write-up. Thanks for posting. We can't wait to get Opal out with the Airstream.

Brian

 

[KeithPleas]

Thanks for posting @HaveBlue - I got excited about the "225 miles of range" until I noticed that you are Dual Motor (and guessing Max Pack - you mentioned your configuration has "380 miles of range" in your post on travelmanorowners forum which I have been looking at since your post). I'm not sure what that would be for my QM...presumably in AWD when towing...and I'm on 20ATs.

So are you calculating that your 1.5 miles per kWh average...times 149 kWh...is the 225 (or 223.5) that you mentioned? I am trying to guestimate what an equivalent range might be for my vehicle.

 

[HaveBlue]

The vehicle did the calculation for me. You can see the trip data in one of the pix. Yes it's the max pack and 22" wheels so unfortunately less for the 20s and large pack. However keep in mind that in tow mode even the dual doesn't disconnect the rear drive either. 180-190 miles of range might be my guess in your config doing what I did.

 

[Shaq9.7R1S]

Great to see a Rivian towing a Trailmanor. We have a 2006 2619model. Looking at your numbers it seems to affect the Rivian about the same as it does my Raptor (gets 18 normal and 14 - 15 towing the Trailmanor). I have a R1S on order.

 

[HaveBlue]

Well here is the return trip from sea level to about 800ft. Not sure why the car is reporting 62 ft as I'm firmly at home. 1.62mi/kWh going and 1.59mi/kWh returning. Drive was similar speeds and traffic. Definitely have to chill on the open road with all that hp. In LA, traffic was limiting speed.

Sponsored