Question about using cruise control while towing

[EVtowing]

I have an R2 reservation. Would really like to replace my Tesla Model X with an R2.

For the past 8 years I have used my Model X to tow a 2,300 lb RV trailer and it has always allowed me to use what Tesla calls TACC (Tesla Adaptive Cruise Control) while towing. Searching the forums on this site it appears that Rivian does not allow adaptive cruise control while towing for the R1T/S, only regular cruise control that does not control spacing from the car ahead of you. Is that correct?

If I got an R2 I would really miss having adaptive cruise control while towing on a long trip. It makes long drives much more tolerable. Has there been any indication from Rivian regarding enabling adaptive cruise control while towing sometime in the future? Anything specific know about the R2 and towing with adaptive cruise control?

It would also be great to at least allow lane keeping while towing, though Tesla has never offered that.

Thanks.

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[Bill Tolar]

I have an R2 reservation. Would really like to replace my Tesla Model X with an R2.

For the past 8 years I have used my Model X to tow a 2,300 lb RV trailer and it has always allowed me to use what Tesla calls TACC (Tesla Adaptive Cruise Control) while towing. Searching the forums on this site it appears that Rivian does not allow adaptive cruise control while towing for the R1T/S, only regular cruise control that does not control spacing from the car ahead of you. Is that correct?

If I got an R2 I would really miss having adaptive cruise control while towing on a long trip. It makes long drives much more tolerable. Has there been any indication from Rivian regarding enabling adaptive cruise control while towing sometime in the future? Anything specific know about the R2 and towing with adaptive cruise control?

It would also be great to at least allow lane keeping while towing, though Tesla has never offered that.

Thanks.

Rivian currently disables Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and all advanced Driver+ features when a vehicle is in Tow Mode, limiting you to standard "dumb" cruise control.


While Rivian has not officially confirmed if the R2 platform will change this restriction, the policy currently applies across all their vehicles (including Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1 models) due to the challenges of calculating variable stopping distances and trailer weights within their driver-assist software

 

[VandalSibs]

It's the biggest thing that I miss from my Model Y when towing. That being said, it's not a deal breaker for me, as overall I prefer being safe when towing and therefore being in control is more important overall.

 

[SwampNut]

This is something where I think there should be massive warnings before you buy. Disabling such an important feature is ridiculous. It's one of several reasons I'd choose a Tesla over a Rivian if I didn't really need a truck. Another towing-related problem is the lack of compatible Superchargers in some places.

 

[EVtowing]

This is something where I think there should be massive warnings before you buy. Disabling such an important feature is ridiculous.

I do not think it is “ridiculous” at all. Although I would like to have adaptive cruise control enabled while towing in a Rivian I do understand why the company only allows standard cruise control. As @Bill Tolar points about above, there are the very real “challenges of calculating variable stopping distances and trailer weights within their driver-assist software”.

As I noted, Tesla has always allowed adaptive cruise control while towing. I’ve used it for towing over tens of thousands of miles with my Model X, but I am very cautious and always stay alert because I do not assume it will make the correct braking decisions in an emergency situation.

It's one of several reasons I'd choose a Tesla over a Rivian if I didn't really need a truck.

I’m choosing a Rivian over a Tesla for many very good reasons, and I have owned only Teslas since 2014.

Another towing-related problem is the lack of compatible Superchargers in some places.

And that is not what this thread is about.

 

[EVtowing]

Followup question; when using Rivian cruise control in an R2, can one of the scroll wheels be configured to adjust the set speed? I assume that will be the case and that would be very convenient for maintaining safe spacing from the vehicle directly ahead without having to turn off the cruise control and brake manually.

 

[SwampNut]

As I noted, Tesla has always allowed adaptive cruise control while towing.

As do the other vehicles with adaptive that I've driven. It's ridiculous not to.

 

[DeafPug]

Followup question; when using Rivian cruise control in an R2, can one of the scroll wheels be configured to adjust the set speed? I assume that will be the case and that would be very convenient for maintaining safe spacing from the vehicle directly ahead without having to turn off the cruise control and brake manually.

Yes, the scroll wheels can adjust the cruise control settings. Both Tesla and Rivian (at least in the current R1T and R1S) use the right hand scroll wheel to do this. For Tesla, the up/down motion controls speed and the right/left motion controls the follow distance. Rivian has these two functions reversed with the up/down motion controlling the following distance. With a little concentration, you can keep the two configurations straight while in use and switching back and forth between a Tesla and Rivian. Since you say "replace my Tesla", this may not be an ongoing issue for you.

 

[EVtowing]

For Tesla, the up/down motion controls speed and the right/left motion controls the follow distance.

Only in the Model 3/Y. In the early Model S/X (including my X) there is a special small stalk on the lower left side of the steering column that controls the cruise control speed and following distance.

 

[EVtowing]

Rivian has these two functions reversed with the up/down motion controlling the following distance

Sorry, another question that I should have asked earlier. Although Rivian’s adaptive cruise control is not available while towing, does the regular cruise control allow you to manually control the following distance while towing using the up/down scroll wheel motion? Thanks.

 

[mkhuffman]

Sorry, another question that I should have asked earlier. Although Rivian’s adaptive cruise control is not available while towing, does the regular cruise control allow you to manually control the following distance while towing using the up/down scroll wheel motion? Thanks.

I can't answer your question about towing behavior, but following distance is only used in adaptive cruise. That's what makes it "adaptive". There is no following distance adjustment needed for standard cruise.

 

[EVtowing]

Thanks, I was thinking that since ACC did the following distance adjustment automatically, maybe regular cruise control allowed some sort of manually controlled following distance.

After 13 years driving Teslas (bought a Model S in 2013) I’m so used to the Tesla ACC being automatic that I thought maybe in 2026 regular cruise control included a manually controlled following distance.

 

[antimatter]

Sorry, another question that I should have asked earlier. Although Rivian’s adaptive cruise control is not available while towing, does the regular cruise control allow you to manually control the following distance while towing using the up/down scroll wheel motion? Thanks.

Nope. The cruise control is strictly for maintaining speed while towing. I believe you'd get a collision alarm before hitting someone or something, but there's no set following distance. I just got back a weekend towing my RV, and had glorious uninterrupted cruise control on the Interstate (ahhh).

I guess I'm in the minority that I would prefer Rivian have a cruise control setting that is 'dumb', so I don't get my speed cut when someone zips in front of me in traffic. My previous truck, a Honda Ridgeline, allowed the driver to turn off the adaptive feature on the cruise control, which is the way I prefer it. From what I gather, I'm in the minority for that.

 

[mkhuffman]

Thanks, I was thinking that since ACC did the following distance adjustment automatically, maybe regular cruise control allowed some sort of manually controlled following distance.

After 13 years driving Teslas (bought a Model S in 2013) I’m so used to the Tesla ACC being automatic that I thought maybe in 2026 regular cruise control included a manually controlled following distance.

Rivian adaptive cruise does not have automatic following distance. I am not sure what that even means.

You change following distance by changing the drive mode setting to Mild, Medium or Spicy. There is no other way to change the following distance. Those settings also impact how the truck conducts automatic lane changes when in Autonomy+ mode.

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