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gultin

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I was amazed when I first saw the series that Limestone was hiding right there in plain sight well before launch!
 
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This is what got us in a Rivian...
That series was a big part of the inspiration for us to make our pre-order.
It definitely was my intro to RIVIAN...
This series heavily influenced my decision to put in an early pre-order on a gen1 R1T...
  • My first written mention of "Rivian" was in a 01/11/20 email to a friend about "interesting" new EVs coming.
    |
  • Not sure exactly when I saw "long Way Up," but I recommended it to a friend on 11/30/20.
    |
  • So, while "Long Way Up" probably did not introduce me to Rivian, it definitely was a strong influence.
    |
  • As I've explained elsewhere, I needed a new car in 2021, and unfortunately Rivian was not ready with a (large-battery) R1S yet. So I had to go elsewhere, but...
 
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phaduman

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I have watched all three series - incredible story of those two - their love for bikes and adventures. I had deep respect for Rivian from that time when they built the two prototypes for use for their 3rd adventure series. Just fantastic. Thank you OP for posting with all those lovely details!

My dream setup is an R1T with a RTT with camp kitchen, and two KTM350s on the hitch with my son and touring the American vast lands. Stop where road ends and venture out with the KTMs - and return to the R1Ts for rest/recoup and then onto next stop/destination.

Slowly building toward that...other inspiration comes from #itchyboots, and her own long way up journey...
 

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tps5352

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During the trip, reported breakdowns were rare. One was the frozen rear brake in (Producer) David Alexanian's truck (Episode 4; at 26 minutes, 7 seconds). Luckily, they were prepared and re-booting the car eventually solved the problem.

The jack being used has "Arcan Professional Tools" on its side. Does anyone recognize the model and weight-capacity?* I can't match the color online.

Rivian R1T R1S Reminiscence: Photos of Rivian R1T Prototypes in the Documentary, "Long Way Up" (2020) Jack - 1
Rivian R1T R1S Reminiscence: Photos of Rivian R1T Prototypes in the Documentary, "Long Way Up" (2020) Additional Screenshot - 13 - Arcan Floor Jack (frozen rear brake)

Probably a jack supplied by the Rivian factory? It apparently had a big red adapter at the lifting end. I am thinking that this might be before they designed the special four lifting spots into the underside frame?
_____
* I am jack-conscious because I don't have one yet, keep thinking about buying one, but am put off by the abundance of negative reviews left online for seemingly all the brands/models. (Comments like: 'I used to have a so-and-so jack. Worked flawlessly for 30 years. Finally replaced it and heck; these new Asian-made jacks are rubbish. Blah, blah...')
 
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tps5352

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...Does anyone recognize the model and weight-capacity?* I can't match the color online...
Further investigation appears to have determined that (a) it was likely a 3-ton Arcan aluminum floor jack and (b) the latest similar jacks from Arcan (Model A20018) are now painted green. Surprisingly, if I've identified it accurately, it is not the most expensive 3-ton jack (~$261 on Amazon). (There's a red Snap-On 3-ton floor jack at almost ~$1K!)
 
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dduffey

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I dunno about that. I doubt they wanted to level 1 charge at that off grid location so they had to wait. The had to wait on Level 1 quite a bit and learned the hard way about charging and discharging batteries in very cold temperatures.

Their Harleys could only Level 1 or DC Fast Charge, no Level 2. I also doubt they liked hunting down generators as it is quite a bit of ass-pain.

They really spent a ton of time just waiting around on Level 1 charges. It was challenging to find charging even with the wall connectors they had installed as part of the route planning.

You might change your opinion if you rewatch.
You are right, I thought they were waiting for their chargers but they were waiting for some part needed on the bike to safely do level 1 charging, which given that it's a prototype and they are going through several countries with different levels 1 outlets could make sense.

My understanding is that the bikes could do L2 and DC fast charging (but not L1 "safely"), but they don't get into the charging details much on the first 3 episodes except that it did or did not take a charge.

I did find it funny they didn't have the right wall adapters for their USB devices, but given my wife always forgets hers even traveling domestically, I can relate :)

Pretty cool to see the prototype cockpit and the risks (adventure) Rivian was willing to take at such an early stage.
 

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Long Way Up was a brilliant and courageous series. I remember watching the original Long Way with Ewan & Charlie and couldn't help but be drawn in to the scenes and scenarios. It was escapism at its best and opened a world of adventure to all sorts of people. The other series' started to feel a little too high budget, as did this one, but Rivian stole the show in Long Way Up either way. The Harley's looked like they were on a demo ride gone horribly wrong and appeared limited in capability, while Rivian was out front scouting and setting up safety nets.

I was hopeful it would do for Rivian what the original series did for the BMW GS and solidify its position as an adventure vehicle. The move was marketing genius and 100% at fault for my R1T reservation. Not typical from an auto maker to risk a brand like this. Reminded me of the Land Rover Camel Trophy series from the 90's. I hope Rivian taps back in to that vein someday.
 

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Such a great show and was great seeing the Rivian prototypes and thinking "I gotta get one those!"
 

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As long-time Rivian owners probably know (but those new-to-Rivian may not) in 2019 Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, actors and friends, took a third long motorcycle trip together. As with two previous excursions (first; second), this latest adventure was filmed for an 11-part television documentary (televised in late 2020). They traveled from Tierra del Fuego, at the extreme southern tip of South America, to Los Angeles. Unlike the previous two trips, they chose this time to use electric vehicles, including two prototype support trucks from the, then, fledgling American company, Rivian.

For those fortunate to see the resulting documentary, “Long Way Up,”* much of the screen time is (appropriately) focused on (a) people (the two leads and the folks they encountered), (b) the (truly spectacular) scenery, and, truth be told, (c) the motorcycles. Nonetheless, there are numerous scenes with the support crew, Rivian employees, and the amazing vehicles that Rivian hastily assembled just for this incredible effort.

Here is a collection of screenshots of (mostly) the two electric trucks in action. (I wonder: Where are those trucks today? UPDATE: According to Google, they were finished/improved and are now part of the Rivian fleet.)
_____
* "Long Way Up" should still be available for viewing on Apple TV+ and perhaps other online sources (e.g., Sky One TV in Britain?).

Maps.

Map - 1.jpg

Map 1.
Map - 2.jpg

Map 2.
Map - 3.jpg

Map 3.
Map - 4.jpg

Map 4.
Map - 5.jpg

Map 5. Rivian-installed Level-2 charging stations.


Some Scenes from the Show (click to enlarge).

1. Single Tow Hook - Prototype R1T.jpg

1. Prototype R1T at
Rivian factory in the USA.
2. Leaving Patagonia.jpg

2. Preparing to start,
Tierra del Fuego.
3. Punta Arenas, Chile.jpg

3. Punta Arenas, Chile (one
of many charging
stations installed
by Rivian).
4. Chile.jpg

4. Chile.
5. Chile.jpg

5. Chile.
6. Chile.jpg

6. Chile.
7. Argentina.jpg

7. Argentina.
8. Chile.jpg

8. (Back into)
Chile (again).
9. Chile.jpg

9. Chile.
10. Chile.jpg

10. Chile.
11. Chile.jpg

11. Chile.
13. Jammed Rear Brake - Argentina - 2.jpg

12. Temporarily-jammed
rear brake
(Argentina again).
12. Jammed Rear Brake - Argentina - 1.jpg

13. Working on rear brake (with help from Rivian by phone).
14. Argentina.jpg

14. Argentina (again).
15. Argentina.jpg

15. Argentina.
16. unknown - 1 - 2.jpg

16. Opening credit shot
(Chile or Argentina).
17. unknown - 2 - 2.jpg

17. Opening credit shot.
17.5. unknown - 3.jpg

18. Opening credit shot.
18. Argentina.jpg

19. Argentina.
19. Argentina-Chile.jpg

20. At an Argentina-
Chile border.
22. 5. Bolivia - 4.jpg

21. Bolivia.
20. Bolivia - 1.jpg

22. Approaching a town with ferry in Bolivia.
21. Bolivia - 2.jpg

23. Towards the ferry, Bolivia.
22. Bolivia - 3.jpg

24. Onto the ferry, Bolivia.
23. Peru - 1.jpg

25. Peru.
25.5. Machu Picchu - 3.jpg

26. Machu Picchu.
26. Peru - 2.jpg

27. Peru.
27. Peru - 3.jpg

28. Peru.
28. unknown.jpg

29. Opening credit
shot (Peru?).
29. Equador - 1.jpg

30. Ecuador.
30. Equador - 2.jpg

31. Ecuador.
31. Equador - 3.jpg

32. Ecuador.
32. Equador - 4.jpg

33. Ecuador.
33. Equador - 5.jpg

34. Ecuador.
34. Costa Rica - 1.jpg

35. Costa Rica.
35. Costa Rica - 2.jpg

36. Costa Rica.
35.5. Nicaragua - 1.jpg

37. Nicaragua
36. Gauatamela - 1.jpg

38. Guatemala.
37. Mexico - 1.jpg

39. Mexico.
38. Mexico - 2.jpg

40. Mexico.
39. Mexico - 3.jpg

41. Mexico.
40. California - 1.jpg

42. California.
40. California - 11.jpg

43. Los Angeles.
41. California - 2.jpg

44. Los Angeles..
42. California - 3.jpg

45. Los Angeles.
43. California - 4.jpg

46. Los Angeles.
44.5. California - 5 - 2.jpg

47. RJ welcomes the boys
back. (And breathes sigh
of relief?)
45. California - 6.jpg

48. Los Angeles.
46. California - 7.jpg

40. Final charge.
47. California - 8.jpg

50. Final ride.
48. California - 9.jpg

51. Final ride.
49. California - 10.jpg

52. Final ride.

These screenshots represent only the tip of the iceberg. There are tons more beautiful and informative scenes in the ~9 hours of the total show, including the most beautiful and awesome scenery.

Rivian Forums References

Threads with "Long Way Up" in the title, providing additional videos, photographs, and information.

Some Other Interesting Threads and Posts
Fun fact: I was born and raised in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. My parents and sister still live down there :) I'm pumped to watch this documentary now!
 

S.Mueller

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But were they really “complete vehicles”? The interior shots I remember seeing didn’t show the screens and controls of the final build but rather a center console with toggle switches and knobs, very prototypically pre production.
 
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tps5352

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But were they really “complete vehicles”? The interior shots I remember seeing didn’t show the screens and controls of the final build but rather a center console with toggle switches and knobs, very prototypically pre production.
No, you are right. Spoiler: I have some additional screenshots (to be released at a later opportune time...) that show the center console controls (e.g., for controlling suspension height, parking brake, direction of movement, rocket launchers, etc.). There appears to be a central touch screen on the dashboard, but I don't think it was working. (Probably software not completed yet?)

If I remember correctly, these were the first (almost fully) completed vehicles built for extensive road operation; do I have that right? Besides being registered for the USA, they would have to have been registered for countless countries in South and Central America. The Rivian Spanish-speaking lawyers must have been busy. Or is there some kind of special vehicle registration for all of South and North America? Maybe something like long-haul trucks that cross multiple borders would require?

Update: According to Google, there is no single South American vehicle registration/license. Not sure how Rivian pulled this off. Maybe with help from the U.S. State Department?
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