What a balanced and thoughtful review. As an EV advocate (been driving EV since 2019), I appreciate and agree with both the pros and cons he expressed here. Using an EV as a daily driver is amazing. As an overlanding vehicle, it has benefits but definitely would require more thought and planning, and the range would be a limiting factor for longer multi-day or week long trips into the wild. For the hard core overlander it could be problematic.
I've been impressed with every Rivian we've seen at Merus. They've wheeled all day with the AC running, done recoveries and gone back to camp with +50% of their power left. Plugged in to a 30Amp charger and gone right back out the next day. Great video...worth the wait.
@@kdigiacomo I use campsites as base camp. I go out for a few days and then return for charging. Actually the R1T are excellent off-road vehicles. Rally mode for more developed gravel roads are absolutely awesome!
I own a Rivian r1t from a fully fit fj cruiser and Lexus gx. When you travel you will need to map and prepare but it is not so bad. When it comes to charging , I only use Tesla and Rivian. The rest is not very good. I love my truck. The tale gate button is on the left side. Cold weather is not so bad. I would love to range test with the trailer. Any AT tire will work fine. I have sold most of my gas cooker, heater ,and so on. Everything plugs in. I am planning to put 37 miles once a lift comes out. Great video brother!!
@@pauljohnson7486 I take my R1T to Key West for the winter months. 7 stops @ 25 - 30 dollars. Heck, at my age I need to stop for breaks! I have a Mercedes Sprinter diesel RV and the fuel costs are outrageous...
I have a bad ass Gladiator and a Cybertruck.. Both are just amazing.. I really hate that people are so resistant to change. Once you try it you may be surprised..
These firsts are the innovations that will take us somewhere down the line…like the walkman to the mp3 to our clouds….it’s interesting science and this is just the beginning. 😎
Great video ! got 30k on mine and building a camping trailer right now from a M1101. You didn’t even try camping mode which levels the truck no matter where you park! Great for RTT and this go fast. You should get one just for weekend fun!
Glad to see they lent it to you. My only dealing with them was horrible, never again. I told the owner I was considering his roof top tent. I told him I was looking for a way to make it more secure, since all the hex head screws on the tent mount bracket point out , and are easily removed. I mentioned it’s also light, and easy to carry off. He laughed at me, told me he didn’t care if it got stolen since he had extras. I told him I don’t have extras, And can’t afford to just keep buying new ones. He mocked me, and told me he didn’t care. After I got pretty rude he somewhat apologized. I will NEVER EVER trust him, or give him a single cent.
There is a button on the back left of the bed that go fast covered but added a button to drop the tail gate. Also the gear tunnel door you have to yeet to close, it’s water tight.
I will most likely always be an internal combustion guy when it comes to off-roading and overlanding, but the hybrid style that Scout is going with has the most potential. Fully electric drivetrain with an on-board gasoline generator to charge the batteries. As long as the gas generator can feed the batteries enough to always give the vehicle it's full performance as long as you have gas. Allows you to extend the range exactly like you would with an internal combustion vehicle via jerry cans or gas stations.
They make EV charging gas generators that have pure sin waves. So its possible today if you don't mind charging up while stopped. Its slow though since its 240v, so like ~8hr to full
What interests me the most in an electric 4x4 is what you describe at the 10:20 mark. I watch a lot of silent hiking videos where all you hear is the crunching of the ground under the hikers shoes. I’ve always wanted that type of offroad video, but humming v6 engine noise makes those types of videos impossible. All electric means you can focus on the sound of rocks crunching under the tires. I know that’s a super specific scenario, but it’s definitely a positive for me.
@@edgarplummer6750that’s exactly my point. When I’m off-roading I always turn down the music and listen to the world around me. The constant whining hum of my v6 definitely blocks some of the ability to just listen. Electric would allow content creators to turn down the tunes, similar to hiking videos like Kraig Adams. I know it’s a niche but it’s definitely nice.
We take our Rivian R1S to the mountains every other weekend! In regards to range and charging, Tesla superchargers are more consistent and can get to 100% in ~35min, but like you said its much quicker to get to 80% like 20-25min. Range anxiety really goes away once you get used to the car. There's not many places that 400mi EPA range can't take you
Imagine how little range you would have with an electric truck on 37s, fully loaded down with a truck bed camper(or towing). By the time you reach the trail from your house you’ll have 100 miles left or less. And good luck finding a charger near the trail head. And who wants to wait another hour before they hit the trail? Pass. Show me electric again in 30 years. Great video Brad!
They come with 34s stock, which is as much as you need for anything outside of rock crawling. The GFC only lose ~5-10% of range, and much less while going slow. 400mi of range really gets you most places, especially when you get range back while going back down the mountain. There's nowhere, in Washington, at least that I couldn't get to easily with our Rivian in terms of range.
@jakeblakeley2246 while I agree that a lot of people don't need much above 35" tires, there are definitely things other than rock crawling that are much better or just straight not doable without tires smaller than 34" lol
@@BenCruisingAlaska true, but also 37s are getting into the territory where you start trailering in your rig cause its so uncomfortable on the highway. I do agree though there's some upgradability issues with EV offroaders. I'd say the inability to add a winch on the front is a bigger issue for most than going larger than 34s
@@jake-ly yeah, a winch is a must have imo. Obviously depends on time and place, but for Alaska, an EV is a bad idea for offroading / or "overlanding" (whatever that means these days lol). But I'm sure they work for some people's use cases. Probably needs to be a bit more urban though.
@@Infantry4Life.RealWarFighterswoof. All that horsepower is gonna suck in any environment you can sink in, mud, snow, sand etc. horsepower gets you stuck and lose traction frequently.
With EV's you just have to change how you think about range. If you're fast charging you really only want to go to 80ish%, after that the charging rate tapers really hard. For a comparison, try watching how long it takes your phone to charge from 90-100%. If you need 100%, you typically want to do that at home on an AC charger overnight. I drove an R1T quad motor too, the acceleration of an EV is incredible.
I overland with an F150 Lightning and love it. Put 35s on , but still wish it had more ground clearance. Only has about 12 inches. You have to plan your trips. Bishop area is a great overland area for electrics. Stayed 5 days in Buttermilk Country in August.
I'm not a fan of electric vehicles myself, I do have more of an open mind about hybrids, especially for off-road and overlanding. But the extra weight of the hybrid system is always something to think about when off-roading
Great review and balanced talking about pros and cons of electric on the dirt roads. Definitely one thing I have heard about the Rivian, is the cost to repair dents and damage compared to that of a gas vehicles body. I heard it’s pretty high. I’m doing it in a Lightning and use Bronco for more demanding trails.
More people should give them a chance. They bring so many cool advantages-quieter rides, instant torque, and less impact on the environment. Sure, it’s a shift from what we’re used to, but adapting to EVs could really take off-roading to the next level. It’s exciting to see where this is headed
I live near Lancaster, CA. This morning, the temperature was 19°f. Charging issues in cold weather concern me. The Rivan has a lot of features. I like the torque of electric motors. I am looking forward to the Ram REV as a replacement for my overlander Ram Ecodiesel. My wife says her Ram 2500 4wd 6.7L Cummins stays for hauling our 4Wheel camper. I may buy an electric 4x4 side by side. But for now, my Jeep JL and ZJ are my adventure toys.
I have driven my Tesla X Long Range all over northern California, Arizona, Oregon, and Utah "overlanding" for gold panning and prospecting. It handled nearly everything I had the nerve to drive it on. The problems I encountered were range and tires. I kept the highway tires on since I drove out and back to my home in Florida. The weight of the vehicle, road tires, and unpaved trail roads limited access to a few places I wanted to go, not many but it was a consideration. The ability to control ride height was a stress reliever. Range became a real problem when wanting to explore California's gold country, out and back was not always an option and charging stations are still difficult to find in many areas. Eastern Oregon was a real desert for charging availability. If there were more charging stations and I could have carried/changed to/stored off road tires I would not have bought a Rubicon for this winter's southwestern adventure.
Thanks for trying out and most of your observations are on point. I have R1T and go to many same places you do (live in SD). I wish we could get chargers around Glamis area. I usually charge up to 90% before hitting trails and after 20+ two night desert trips have not had range anxiety. And that's using on board outlets as others mentioned. Thanks
I’m planning on doing a CT and a overlanding trailer build next year. Looking forward to designing the trailer to also act as an external battery pack to extend the range.
Good review on the vehicle, but when I step on the pedal, I'd like to hear the growl of an engine, not crunching stones. I agree with @Crab44, good analogy.
Yes, when the quadcopter's are deployed. You can get more range out of the batteries, since one can take a lot of short cuts to stay out of water which has the slight possibility of shorting out the battery & burning the passengers to death as the battery bursts into flames.
Great video, I can appreciate the honest perspective. As far as bringing extra fuel, there is a guy on TH-cam that brings a battery that can recharge his Ford F150 lightning while in the woods. They put solar panels on their rooftop tent, and he ends up getting like 30 extra miles each day....
I know about range anxiety. We took my wife's Model Y on a road trip out to Page, AZ, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I had mapped out all the supercharger locations along our route, but somehow miscalculated. We were approaching our motel near Bryce, but were getting really low on charge. Nearest supercharger was in St George. Stressing out. Arrived at our motel to find two Tesla home chargers on the wall. 😊 I dont think I'd take the Tesla on another road trip, unless it was all interstate driving.
As others have said, Tesla's superchargers are the way to go. You'd need a newer Rivian, or an adapter, but they generally take about 30-45 minutes at max to charge from near zero to full. The range anxiety takes a bit to get used to, but it's far less worrisome than you initially think. We have a Tesla, and while I still prefer my Jeep for my OHV, the Tesla is an incredible breath of fresh air for a daily driver. It'll be super interesting to see how things go when Panasonic makes their extra long range (800-1200 mile!) batteries available in the next 2 or so years!
Thanks for the well-rounded thoughts on the R1T. It's early days. It took more than 100 years to get the ICE to where it is today. We're arguably a mere 15 years into legitimate innovation on EV platforms. Early adopters are important (like they were for the ICE), they help fund further innovation and drive new requirements into the platforms. In 20-30 years there is a high likelihood that charging an EV will be no more onerous or difficult than filling a tank of gas is today -- and range will be significantly increased. Will EV's be the ultimate replacement for the ICE? Who knows. But whether it's during our generation or the next, oil/gas will have to be replaced with something more readily available. For now, we need EV's and we need the ICE. But change is inevitable, so even if you choose to stick with an ICE, I would implore people to remain curious and support the folks who are breaking new trail with other forms of transportation. Full disclosure, I am an R1S owner and this comment was endorsed by me.
Great video. We have a gladiator for overlanding, and a Rivian R1S for daily driving/common uses etc.. It's a great pair to compliment every facet of our lives but, we only use our Gladiator for the good stuff =P
My aversion to EV's has always been the range miles and charging time. I agree, it's coming, and we need to get used to it but hoping there are some real changes to range and charging methods to keep you on the road longer and less time at a charging station, before we pull the trigger on one, I could use for off road and overlanding. Thanks for the informative vid. Always great to see you out on the trail.
For road tripping, with 400mi of range its really not bad. You charge up basically when you start to feel like you need to take a potty/food break anyways. And when you're done that its basically charged to 80% after ~25min. We do a 2k mi road trip quarterly and we consistently beat our ICE friends home.
You need to have atleast the minimum of 500 miles of range on any ev overlander, to account for offroading uphill and temperature changes to camp atleast 3 nights with out range anxiety😊
According to a firefighter/engineer; he stated that if the battery gets damaged, you have approximately 6-8 seconds to exit an EV before thermal runaway. Firefighters may not be able to remove you from the vehicle in time.
Its a much much slower burn than a gasoline fire, and the Rivian at least is protected by a beefy skid plate. That being said they do need specific chemicals for battery fires which is still an issue in terms of fire fighting
Nice video Brad. Not a fan of EVs. They go fast in a straight line, but handling is compromised by the weight, and our long range charging infrastructure is not there yet. Great for those who like them, but I will keep my ICE. Thanks.
I think that the industry is probably premature to focus on offroad BEVs. That said, I think the future for them is probably quite bright. You didn’t touch on the comparative numbers, but I think it’s worth looking at. Right now, gasoline is almost two orders of magnitude more energy dense than batteries (45MJ/Kg v 0.5MJ/Kg). And even with that difference, BEVs are already capable of so much within the space. What happens if that gap lowers so that it’s only a single order of magnitude? So yeah. Today? Probably not a good fit for most overlanders. But in five or ten years? It’s impossible to know right now.
I may someday like electric ones when I never need to charge it ever,and the mileage I sure you quote is on smooth flat roads for that mileage. Plus I’m not to comfortable ridding on an item that could burst into flames.
You can be self-sufficient. Just bring a 7000-watt inverter generator and a bunch of fuel to run it. Then, you can run the generator for 6-8 hours and charge up the vehicle. Or just skip that and get an ICE to begin with.
Great video Brad, very interesting comment/views. Im open to new technology but , I will never buy an electric optioned 4x4. I live in Australia and basically they would be useless in the vast environment we travel in. Great for small weekend trips but out side of that, give me a petrol/diesel powed vehicle anytime. Though Hybrid is ok 🇦🇺😎
Range anxiety and fuel anxiety are not even comparable. Someone can bring you a fuel can if needed or siphon off another vehicle, worse case get towed back. Rivian? Nope... Not being rude, it's just true.
Brad mentions "power outlets", mostly 110 volt, which is nice but it seems to me that using them will decrease range too. I believe that he is right about comment regarding Moab. If you're staying someplace where you can recharge nightly then a full EV will work. Knowing that Brad has done Rimrocker, I wonder if he would have done it in a full EV. As for vehicle weight... I just saw an Anza Borrego YT video where a Chrysler Mini-van got stuck in deep sand and the people in their Ford Transit turned around.... so how would a heavy EV do in that situation? IMHO... EVs have a long way to go, hybrids are the thing right now.
I am not a fan of full electric, but hybrid, most definitely. Electric to me had always been a daily commuter vehicle. For week long adventures in BLM, combustion or hybrid is the way to go. Especially when you use the motor as a generator for changing.
Couldn’t you throw a generator and some has for it in the back for extended off road trips? Or maybe some solar panels hooked up to batteries and an inverter to power the vehicle charger?
The scout terra is going to be a way better option for going out overlanding with an electric vehicle. Has a solid rear axle, Mechanical lockers and the biggest perk a gas Generator so you don't get that range anxiety if you actually want to take a decent trip and not just some little one day trip. I wish scout made it a diesel generator as that would have been so much more efficient but at least its progress
@@Harps555 Yeah im an EV advocate and I'm still skeptical of the claim. There's a lot of little sensors for the high voltage sensors that I wouldn't touch. I get if they mean most of the mechanical parts, but the rest, you can't just pop a new fuse in like the electrical in an ICE car
Great video- you mentioned adding a refrigerator and other accessories conveniently… at the cost of range. You mentioned how wonderful the silence is with the electric, but you modified your exhaust on the Land Cruiser, it’s super quiet too! Anyway another thorough review. Thanks Brad
Hi Brad, Great review on the Rivian. How about doing one on the Cybor Truck for comparison? On the charging issue, with all the space available on the roof why isn’t there a company making a solar charging solution. I would think by now technology would evolve to incorporate solar into the EV’s.
I'm big into EVs, have been for years. I was also in IT for 25 years so I'm into anything new tech, however I'm also a car nut. It's been my firm opinion that EV's are great to drive to work but all trucks, with the current technological standing, need to be hybrid. This is why I haven't picked up a rivian or etc, but I did just put my money on a new 2027 Scout with the range extender. Rumor has it they will offer 37's from the factory with lockers etc..... we will see. I currently own/owned bmw i3 rex (X2), VW id4, and Honda Clarity phev.
Yes. Every Rivian comes with a polycarbonate plate to protect the battery and the offroad trim comes with a thick metal plate. That being said its hard to high center 16in of ground clearance, especially when there's no bits hanging down
Honestly hybrid technology sounds better to me just for the range and being able to just add gas. I'd like to see more hybrids with soft roading capabilities with 500+ miles of range. Actually considering the maverick hybrid as a new daily notably for the hybrid range and fuel economy.
I'm curious as to how they would hold up over time as well. I know the specs say their sealed, but what about after 100s of water crossings? Any water intrusion if that seal breaks down and it could be rig on fire in the middle of the backcountry.
EV charging significantly slows after the battery reaches 80. Charge to 80 and keep moving. 200+ miles is plenty. Thats a full tank on my 100 series land cruiser lol
@@archstanton3636 gas. The energy storage isn't there for battery generators yet, and similarly you'd need too many solar panels. That being said, I've never felt I needed more than 400mi of range in my Rivian
I'm waiting for 'Ram' (Dodge) to start producing their knock off Edison Motors idea, The 'Ramcharger', With an engine that generates power to charge/maintain the batteries. I'll give that a 'light' consideration, once I see how it fares its first few years out. Other than that, I'm not rich, so I'm comfy in my old stuff. (Added benefit: I can fix mine, should the average stuff happens, I can usually limp it back off the trail)
I'd rather have the sound of the engine. I'm not against electric vehicles, I just don't think they should be forced on us to buy one. We should have the option. Not everyone can afford electric vehicles. Plus you have to wait an hour to get a charge. Not to mention they have diesel engines that puts the power to the electric chargers that charges the vehicle's.
Great video Brad. I'm a big ICE guy but I do like the power that EV's can create, as well as the quiet off road experience. I'm thinking that a gas/diesel electric hybrid is the best way to solve the range issues. After that, I would love to see a push toward hydrogen fuel cells. Once we can not rely on Li batteries, that will really make them mainstream. Plus, less strain on our power grids. Thanks for the awesome content!
Tesla is the way to go on EV. I’ll need to keep in contact with you next year when I build up a CT and trailer. Help dispel the apprehension with going electric.
Sorry Brad, I have no interest whatsoever in EV’s. I love your Jeep content. As a fellow Jeep owner I look forward to seeing out in some remote areas with your jeeps.
EVs will be great when the battery technology improves for lighter batteries that hold more power, more recharging stations, better battery recycling options and a better electrical infrastructure for the higher demand for electricity
Haven't they made a portable charger to go along with overlanding with this vehicle? The range sucks and still a massive point of failure if you're going adventuring. Just my opinion though.
I believe the technology and power are cool but not much in the way of infrastructure or support outside of the city limits for EV. I'll be sticking with gas and diesel.
It's ok, it's missing consistent power delivery of ice 4x4, no matter how it's set computer still cuts off power to each wheel as it wants just like AWD systems so driver is in mercy of it's programing, if electric motors can't have it for technical reasons, then it will never be as good as any locked 4x4
Hybrid, I can go with the benefits of that. Electric on long overland trips? I can carry extra gas and be on my way. Guess one could carry a generator, but how long would it take to recharge? Really don't want to see charging stations out in the middle of no where. Takes away from the experience.
What we really need is a DIESEL-ELECTRIC hybrid where the Diesel engine only functions as a generator.
I too would love that, but it’s too expensive. Most people don’t even buy the diesel options.
What a balanced and thoughtful review. As an EV advocate (been driving EV since 2019), I appreciate and agree with both the pros and cons he expressed here. Using an EV as a daily driver is amazing. As an overlanding vehicle, it has benefits but definitely would require more thought and planning, and the range would be a limiting factor for longer multi-day or week long trips into the wild. For the hard core overlander it could be problematic.
I've been impressed with every Rivian we've seen at Merus. They've wheeled all day with the AC running, done recoveries and gone back to camp with +50% of their power left. Plugged in to a 30Amp charger and gone right back out the next day. Great video...worth the wait.
How were they getting power to their charger?
@@kdigiacomo Our RV sites have 30/50Amp hook-ups. They just pull in for a couple hours and get enough charge for the next day.
@PeterANewell Oh, where we camp we rarely ever have RV hook-ups.
@@PeterANewell That's how I do it when camping.
@@kdigiacomo I use campsites as base camp. I go out for a few days and then return for charging. Actually the R1T are excellent off-road vehicles. Rally mode for more developed gravel roads are absolutely awesome!
I own a Rivian r1t from a fully fit fj cruiser and Lexus gx. When you travel you will need to map and prepare but it is not so bad. When it comes to charging , I only use Tesla and Rivian. The rest is not very good. I love my truck. The tale gate button is on the left side. Cold weather is not so bad. I would love to range test with the trailer. Any AT tire will work fine. I have sold most of my gas cooker, heater ,and so on. Everything plugs in. I am planning to put 37 miles once a lift comes out. Great video brother!!
Gen1 or Gen2? And dual motor or tri or quad?
I love my Rivian R1T. I have the 4-motor adventure package. Very capable vehicle. Glad to see you like it!
You need to mention that extreme heat and cold will substantially lessen your available miles as well as towing a camper on the bed.
@@pauljohnson7486 I take my R1T to Key West for the winter months. 7 stops @ 25 - 30 dollars. Heck, at my age I need to stop for breaks! I have a Mercedes Sprinter diesel RV and the fuel costs are outrageous...
I have a bad ass Gladiator and a Cybertruck.. Both are just amazing.. I really hate that people are so resistant to change. Once you try it you may be surprised..
These firsts are the innovations that will take us somewhere down the line…like the walkman to the mp3 to our clouds….it’s interesting science and this is just the beginning. 😎
Great video ! got 30k on mine and building a camping trailer right now from a M1101. You didn’t even try camping mode which levels the truck no matter where you park! Great for RTT and this go fast. You should get one just for weekend fun!
Self level so nice to have w/ a roof top tent on back as well.
Glad to see they lent it to you. My only dealing with them was horrible, never again.
I told the owner I was considering his roof top tent. I told him I was looking for a way to make it more secure, since all the hex head screws on the tent mount bracket point out , and are easily removed. I mentioned it’s also light, and easy to carry off. He laughed at me, told me he didn’t care if it got stolen since he had extras. I told him I don’t have extras, And can’t afford to just keep buying new ones. He mocked me, and told me he didn’t care.
After I got pretty rude he somewhat apologized. I will NEVER EVER trust him, or give him a single cent.
There is a button on the back left of the bed that go fast covered but added a button to drop the tail gate. Also the gear tunnel door you have to yeet to close, it’s water tight.
I will most likely always be an internal combustion guy when it comes to off-roading and overlanding, but the hybrid style that Scout is going with has the most potential. Fully electric drivetrain with an on-board gasoline generator to charge the batteries. As long as the gas generator can feed the batteries enough to always give the vehicle it's full performance as long as you have gas. Allows you to extend the range exactly like you would with an internal combustion vehicle via jerry cans or gas stations.
They make EV charging gas generators that have pure sin waves. So its possible today if you don't mind charging up while stopped. Its slow though since its 240v, so like ~8hr to full
What interests me the most in an electric 4x4 is what you describe at the 10:20 mark. I watch a lot of silent hiking videos where all you hear is the crunching of the ground under the hikers shoes. I’ve always wanted that type of offroad video, but humming v6 engine noise makes those types of videos impossible. All electric means you can focus on the sound of rocks crunching under the tires.
I know that’s a super specific scenario, but it’s definitely a positive for me.
@@edgarplummer6750that’s exactly my point. When I’m off-roading I always turn down the music and listen to the world around me. The constant whining hum of my v6 definitely blocks some of the ability to just listen. Electric would allow content creators to turn down the tunes, similar to hiking videos like Kraig Adams. I know it’s a niche but it’s definitely nice.
How loud are you guys engines? 😂 my Jeep gladiator is nearly silent while I’m driving along the trail, easily able to hear anything.
@@AustinH7 my JK v6 is loud af at altitude. Sounds like it’s trying to take off some times 😂
We take our Rivian R1S to the mountains every other weekend! In regards to range and charging, Tesla superchargers are more consistent and can get to 100% in ~35min, but like you said its much quicker to get to 80% like 20-25min. Range anxiety really goes away once you get used to the car. There's not many places that 400mi EPA range can't take you
Imagine how little range you would have with an electric truck on 37s, fully loaded down with a truck bed camper(or towing). By the time you reach the trail from your house you’ll have 100 miles left or less. And good luck finding a charger near the trail head. And who wants to wait another hour before they hit the trail? Pass. Show me electric again in 30 years. Great video Brad!
Agreed, battery tech is still a ways off to truly replacing ICE, maybe not 30 years but still a ways off
They come with 34s stock, which is as much as you need for anything outside of rock crawling. The GFC only lose ~5-10% of range, and much less while going slow. 400mi of range really gets you most places, especially when you get range back while going back down the mountain. There's nowhere, in Washington, at least that I couldn't get to easily with our Rivian in terms of range.
@jakeblakeley2246 while I agree that a lot of people don't need much above 35" tires, there are definitely things other than rock crawling that are much better or just straight not doable without tires smaller than 34" lol
@@BenCruisingAlaska true, but also 37s are getting into the territory where you start trailering in your rig cause its so uncomfortable on the highway. I do agree though there's some upgradability issues with EV offroaders. I'd say the inability to add a winch on the front is a bigger issue for most than going larger than 34s
@@jake-ly yeah, a winch is a must have imo. Obviously depends on time and place, but for Alaska, an EV is a bad idea for offroading / or "overlanding" (whatever that means these days lol). But I'm sure they work for some people's use cases. Probably needs to be a bit more urban though.
i'd rather have 300hp and 800 miles range, then 800hp and 300 miles range.
You might say that until you step on the pedal. The Rivian is a beast and the 2nd gen offers 1050 hp
Gunna need to buy a jackery with 150 solar panels for camp lol
@@Infantry4Life.RealWarFighters I'm more concerned about stepping on the pedal and nothing happening
@ lol true. I was hoping to test a offroad camper with 800w and batteries and see if I can charge the R1T. But still looking for a affordable rv 😂
@@Infantry4Life.RealWarFighterswoof. All that horsepower is gonna suck in any environment you can sink in, mud, snow, sand etc. horsepower gets you stuck and lose traction frequently.
With EV's you just have to change how you think about range. If you're fast charging you really only want to go to 80ish%, after that the charging rate tapers really hard. For a comparison, try watching how long it takes your phone to charge from 90-100%. If you need 100%, you typically want to do that at home on an AC charger overnight.
I drove an R1T quad motor too, the acceleration of an EV is incredible.
I overland with an F150 Lightning and love it. Put 35s on , but still wish it had more ground clearance. Only has about 12 inches. You have to plan your trips. Bishop area is a great overland area for electrics. Stayed 5 days in Buttermilk Country in August.
I'm not a fan of electric vehicles myself, I do have more of an open mind about hybrids, especially for off-road and overlanding. But the extra weight of the hybrid system is always something to think about when off-roading
Great review and balanced talking about pros and cons of electric on the dirt roads. Definitely one thing I have heard about the Rivian, is the cost to repair dents and damage compared to that of a gas vehicles body. I heard it’s pretty high. I’m doing it in a Lightning and use Bronco for more demanding trails.
More people should give them a chance. They bring so many cool advantages-quieter rides, instant torque, and less impact on the environment. Sure, it’s a shift from what we’re used to, but adapting to EVs could really take off-roading to the next level. It’s exciting to see where this is headed
Thanks for being much more balanced. Most EV reviews are fanboys or haters.
Love my Tesla for driving around town, love my Jeep when hitting the mountains. Different tools for different jobs
I live near Lancaster, CA. This morning, the temperature was 19°f. Charging issues in cold weather concern me. The Rivan has a lot of features. I like the torque of electric motors. I am looking forward to the Ram REV as a replacement for my overlander Ram Ecodiesel. My wife says her Ram 2500 4wd 6.7L Cummins stays for hauling our 4Wheel camper. I may buy an electric 4x4 side by side. But for now, my Jeep JL and ZJ are my adventure toys.
I have driven my Tesla X Long Range all over northern California, Arizona, Oregon, and Utah "overlanding" for gold panning and prospecting. It handled nearly everything I had the nerve to drive it on. The problems I encountered were range and tires. I kept the highway tires on since I drove out and back to my home in Florida. The weight of the vehicle, road tires, and unpaved trail roads limited access to a few places I wanted to go, not many but it was a consideration. The ability to control ride height was a stress reliever. Range became a real problem when wanting to explore California's gold country, out and back was not always an option and charging stations are still difficult to find in many areas. Eastern Oregon was a real desert for charging availability. If there were more charging stations and I could have carried/changed to/stored off road tires I would not have bought a Rubicon for this winter's southwestern adventure.
Thanks for trying out and most of your observations are on point. I have R1T and go to many same places you do (live in SD). I wish we could get chargers around Glamis area. I usually charge up to 90% before hitting trails and after 20+ two night desert trips have not had range anxiety. And that's using on board outlets as others mentioned. Thanks
nice to see electric kitchen appliances with wheels on them used for overloading - toasters are not just for thawing frozen waffles anymore :)
I’m planning on doing a CT and a overlanding trailer build next year. Looking forward to designing the trailer to also act as an external battery pack to extend the range.
Good review on the vehicle, but when I step on the pedal, I'd like to hear the growl of an engine, not crunching stones. I agree with @Crab44, good analogy.
Yes, when the quadcopter's are deployed. You can get more range out of the batteries, since one can take a lot of short cuts to stay out of water which has the slight possibility of shorting out the battery & burning the passengers to death as the battery bursts into flames.
Great video, I can appreciate the honest perspective. As far as bringing extra fuel, there is a guy on TH-cam that brings a battery that can recharge his Ford F150 lightning while in the woods. They put solar panels on their rooftop tent, and he ends up getting like 30 extra miles each day....
That’s a cool concept but I’m not betting whether I get home or not based on if it’s a cloudy day out or not
I know about range anxiety. We took my wife's Model Y on a road trip out to Page, AZ, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. I had mapped out all the supercharger locations along our route, but somehow miscalculated. We were approaching our motel near Bryce, but were getting really low on charge. Nearest supercharger was in St George. Stressing out. Arrived at our motel to find two Tesla home chargers on the wall. 😊 I dont think I'd take the Tesla on another road trip, unless it was all interstate driving.
As others have said, Tesla's superchargers are the way to go. You'd need a newer Rivian, or an adapter, but they generally take about 30-45 minutes at max to charge from near zero to full. The range anxiety takes a bit to get used to, but it's far less worrisome than you initially think. We have a Tesla, and while I still prefer my Jeep for my OHV, the Tesla is an incredible breath of fresh air for a daily driver. It'll be super interesting to see how things go when Panasonic makes their extra long range (800-1200 mile!) batteries available in the next 2 or so years!
To say I was overly excited to get an alert from the TrailRecon channel would be an understatement. Great video Brad!
Both is what we need, not one or the other.
I have no problem with EV. It's mandating them that I have an issue with.
Thanks for the well-rounded thoughts on the R1T. It's early days. It took more than 100 years to get the ICE to where it is today. We're arguably a mere 15 years into legitimate innovation on EV platforms. Early adopters are important (like they were for the ICE), they help fund further innovation and drive new requirements into the platforms. In 20-30 years there is a high likelihood that charging an EV will be no more onerous or difficult than filling a tank of gas is today -- and range will be significantly increased. Will EV's be the ultimate replacement for the ICE? Who knows. But whether it's during our generation or the next, oil/gas will have to be replaced with something more readily available. For now, we need EV's and we need the ICE. But change is inevitable, so even if you choose to stick with an ICE, I would implore people to remain curious and support the folks who are breaking new trail with other forms of transportation. Full disclosure, I am an R1S owner and this comment was endorsed by me.
Range would really suffer if you live in a cold climate.
It does, but its mostly remedied by preconditioning before you leave. Modern EVs don't lose much more range than ICE vehicles do, due to cold
Great video. We have a gladiator for overlanding, and a Rivian R1S for daily driving/common uses etc.. It's a great pair to compliment every facet of our lives but, we only use our Gladiator for the good stuff =P
I believe a range extended hybrid Scout will be on order.
My aversion to EV's has always been the range miles and charging time. I agree, it's coming, and we need to get used to it but hoping there are some real changes to range and charging methods to keep you on the road longer and less time at a charging station, before we pull the trigger on one, I could use for off road and overlanding. Thanks for the informative vid. Always great to see you out on the trail.
For road tripping, with 400mi of range its really not bad. You charge up basically when you start to feel like you need to take a potty/food break anyways. And when you're done that its basically charged to 80% after ~25min. We do a 2k mi road trip quarterly and we consistently beat our ICE friends home.
Good and balanced review!
You need to have atleast the minimum of 500 miles of range on any ev overlander, to account for offroading uphill and temperature changes to camp atleast 3 nights with out range anxiety😊
According to a firefighter/engineer; he stated that if the battery gets damaged, you have approximately 6-8 seconds to exit an EV before thermal runaway. Firefighters may not be able to remove you from the vehicle in time.
Its a much much slower burn than a gasoline fire, and the Rivian at least is protected by a beefy skid plate. That being said they do need specific chemicals for battery fires which is still an issue in terms of fire fighting
Nice video Brad. Not a fan of EVs. They go fast in a straight line, but handling is compromised by the weight, and our long range charging infrastructure is not there yet. Great for those who like them, but I will keep my ICE. Thanks.
I think that the industry is probably premature to focus on offroad BEVs. That said, I think the future for them is probably quite bright.
You didn’t touch on the comparative numbers, but I think it’s worth looking at. Right now, gasoline is almost two orders of magnitude more energy dense than batteries (45MJ/Kg v 0.5MJ/Kg). And even with that difference, BEVs are already capable of so much within the space. What happens if that gap lowers so that it’s only a single order of magnitude?
So yeah. Today? Probably not a good fit for most overlanders. But in five or ten years? It’s impossible to know right now.
I may someday like electric ones when I never need to charge it ever,and the mileage I sure you quote is on smooth flat roads for that mileage. Plus I’m not to comfortable ridding on an item that could burst into flames.
Please get back to the Land Cruiser build im so pumped on that build out.
An Australian friend told me that the best thing about EV's in the Bush is that when they run out of range they make great campfires 😅😅
You can be self-sufficient. Just bring a 7000-watt inverter generator and a bunch of fuel to run it. Then, you can run the generator for 6-8 hours and charge up the vehicle. Or just skip that and get an ICE to begin with.
Great video Brad, very interesting comment/views.
Im open to new technology but , I will never buy an electric optioned 4x4. I live in Australia and basically they would be useless in the vast environment we travel in. Great for small weekend trips but out side of that, give me a petrol/diesel powed vehicle anytime. Though Hybrid is ok 🇦🇺😎
Range anxiety and fuel anxiety are not even comparable. Someone can bring you a fuel can if needed or siphon off another vehicle, worse case get towed back. Rivian? Nope...
Not being rude, it's just true.
Brad mentions "power outlets", mostly 110 volt, which is nice but it seems to me that using them will decrease range too. I believe that he is right about comment regarding Moab. If you're staying someplace where you can recharge nightly then a full EV will work. Knowing that Brad has done Rimrocker, I wonder if he would have done it in a full EV. As for vehicle weight... I just saw an Anza Borrego YT video where a Chrysler Mini-van got stuck in deep sand and the people in their Ford Transit turned around.... so how would a heavy EV do in that situation? IMHO... EVs have a long way to go, hybrids are the thing right now.
Was there a petrol powered vehicle following and filming? JIC you encountered any electrical/technical/mechanical snafus?
I am not a fan of full electric, but hybrid, most definitely. Electric to me had always been a daily commuter vehicle. For week long adventures in BLM, combustion or hybrid is the way to go. Especially when you use the motor as a generator for changing.
If I had the money for one, I'd buy it. The 2025 model has 1,025 horsepower!
Couldn’t you throw a generator and some has for it in the back for extended off road trips? Or maybe some solar panels hooked up to batteries and an inverter to power the vehicle charger?
The scout terra is going to be a way better option for going out overlanding with an electric vehicle. Has a solid rear axle, Mechanical lockers and the biggest perk a gas Generator so you don't get that range anxiety if you actually want to take a decent trip and not just some little one day trip. I wish scout made it a diesel generator as that would have been so much more efficient but at least its progress
100% agree. They're also talking about trail repairability so I'm curious what that looks like when there's high voltage parts
@jakeblakeley2246 from what I have heard 80 percent of the truck should be repairable in your driveway. Don't know if that will hold up or not.
@@Harps555 Yeah im an EV advocate and I'm still skeptical of the claim. There's a lot of little sensors for the high voltage sensors that I wouldn't touch. I get if they mean most of the mechanical parts, but the rest, you can't just pop a new fuse in like the electrical in an ICE car
Great video- you mentioned adding a refrigerator and other accessories conveniently… at the cost of range.
You mentioned how wonderful the silence is with the electric, but you modified your exhaust on the Land Cruiser, it’s super quiet too! Anyway another thorough review. Thanks Brad
Brad you’re living in the past. What new off road truck is 3,000 lbs? Curb weight on a JT Gladiator is 5,050 lbs.
Hi Brad, Great review on the Rivian. How about doing one on the Cybor Truck for comparison? On the charging issue, with all the space available on the roof why isn’t there a company making a solar charging solution. I would think by now technology would evolve to incorporate solar into the EV’s.
Any comparison between the cost of gas per 100 miles vs Rivian (especially when you charge at home). ? The difference must be huge...
The technology just isn't here yet, and you're never really "off grid" when you have to stay close to charging stations.
I'm big into EVs, have been for years. I was also in IT for 25 years so I'm into anything new tech, however I'm also a car nut. It's been my firm opinion that EV's are great to drive to work but all trucks, with the current technological standing, need to be hybrid. This is why I haven't picked up a rivian or etc, but I did just put my money on a new 2027 Scout with the range extender. Rumor has it they will offer 37's from the factory with lockers etc..... we will see. I currently own/owned bmw i3 rex (X2), VW id4, and Honda Clarity phev.
4 wheel steer would be nice.
How well is the battery protected on the belly? Is there a factory skid plate?
Yes. Every Rivian comes with a polycarbonate plate to protect the battery and the offroad trim comes with a thick metal plate. That being said its hard to high center 16in of ground clearance, especially when there's no bits hanging down
Will the increase of weight damage the trails quicker over time?
Honestly hybrid technology sounds better to me just for the range and being able to just add gas. I'd like to see more hybrids with soft roading capabilities with 500+ miles of range. Actually considering the maverick hybrid as a new daily notably for the hybrid range and fuel economy.
I’m concerned with how the use of a winch in extreme weather would impact an electric vehicle’s range?
I would think rocks and water crossings are not friendly to an EV.
The Rivian is completely sealed! It allows water fording up to 3ft. There's even one that last through the last hurricane after floating away.
I'm curious as to how they would hold up over time as well. I know the specs say their sealed, but what about after 100s of water crossings? Any water intrusion if that seal breaks down and it could be rig on fire in the middle of the backcountry.
EV charging significantly slows after the battery reaches 80. Charge to 80 and keep moving. 200+ miles is plenty. Thats a full tank on my 100 series land cruiser lol
Problem is when empty, it’s empty, no way to refill…..
Range is important, I can bring extra fuel, I can't bring an extra charge.
You can, they make pure sine generators that can charge you up while camping.
@@jakeblakeley2246 Wow do they run on gas or a charge??
@@archstanton3636 gas. The energy storage isn't there for battery generators yet, and similarly you'd need too many solar panels. That being said, I've never felt I needed more than 400mi of range in my Rivian
I'm waiting for 'Ram' (Dodge) to start producing their knock off Edison Motors idea,
The 'Ramcharger', With an engine that generates power to charge/maintain the batteries.
I'll give that a 'light' consideration, once I see how it fares its first few years out.
Other than that, I'm not rich, so I'm comfy in my old stuff.
(Added benefit: I can fix mine, should the average stuff happens, I can usually limp it back off the trail)
No CarPlay is a deal breaker for me
I'd rather have the upcoming Scout Traveler with the gas-powered range extender.
I'd rather have the sound of the engine. I'm not against electric vehicles, I just don't think they should be forced on us to buy one. We should have the option. Not everyone can afford electric vehicles. Plus you have to wait an hour to get a charge. Not to mention they have diesel engines that puts the power to the electric chargers that charges the vehicle's.
Great video Brad. I'm a big ICE guy but I do like the power that EV's can create, as well as the quiet off road experience. I'm thinking that a gas/diesel electric hybrid is the best way to solve the range issues. After that, I would love to see a push toward hydrogen fuel cells. Once we can not rely on Li batteries, that will really make them mainstream. Plus, less strain on our power grids.
Thanks for the awesome content!
Tesla is the way to go on EV. I’ll need to keep in contact with you next year when I build up a CT and trailer. Help dispel the apprehension with going electric.
Jack points?for offroad recovery?
It has air suspension. You could jack it up with just lifting and lowering. Goat fabrication also make rock rails that you can jack from
Sorry Brad, I have no interest whatsoever in EV’s. I love your Jeep content. As a fellow Jeep owner I look forward to seeing out in some remote areas with your jeeps.
EVs will be great when the battery technology improves for lighter batteries that hold more power, more recharging stations, better battery recycling options and a better electrical infrastructure for the higher demand for electricity
Haven't they made a portable charger to go along with overlanding with this vehicle? The range sucks and still a massive point of failure if you're going adventuring. Just my opinion though.
like it. my wish single cab 6.0 box mini pickup EV would be cool just the right size for trails if the price and wt was responsible
Limitations!!! That is the negative.
Until you can recharge via solar while driving or offroad, hard no for me.
what is the cost to charge it to 100%?
I believe the technology and power are cool but not much in the way of infrastructure or support outside of the city limits for EV. I'll be sticking with gas and diesel.
It's ok, it's missing consistent power delivery of ice 4x4, no matter how it's set computer still cuts off power to each wheel as it wants just like AWD systems so driver is in mercy of it's programing, if electric motors can't have it for technical reasons, then it will never be as good as any locked 4x4
Hybrid, I can go with the benefits of that. Electric on long overland trips? I can carry extra gas and be on my way. Guess one could carry a generator, but how long would it take to recharge? Really don't want to see charging stations out in the middle of no where. Takes away from the experience.
The excessive weight of electric, false claims of being “green” (lithium), thermal runaway, charging problems in cold, long charge times… hard pass.
wood is real :)
Did you give up on doc?
electric cars are amazing. current battery technology is not ready for mass consumption. not even close to ready.
Range is my only issue
What about 3500 kg in soft soil ... ?
$10k for camper SMH. I wonder how they can afford that Truck.
F150 lightning
No.
SCOUT