Electric Off-Road Reality Check

Join us as we put the Rivian R1T through real-world overlanding tests in California's largest state park, Anza Borrego. Equipped with a prototype Go Fast Camper, we explore what electric vehicles mean for the future of off-road adventure travel. From technical terrain to camp life, we cover everything you need to know about electric overlanding.
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[@Neueyorke]

Rivian R1T owner since 2021 and I’ve camped all over California,, Oregon, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah without issue. With a little research and planning, you’d be surprised at where you can go. I’ve also had plenty of “gas guys” tell me I would never make it up some trails, only to leave them speechless. Hard to imagine going back to anything else now.

[@mnorma12]

Same boat here. There is a learning curve, but once you get over it, it’s pretty great! I’ll never go back to ICE.

[@trevorbayfield4731]

What size caravan were you. towing????? I get 1500km out of my 4.5 v8, 1400km towing a 2ton caravan.... beat that.

[@GatewoodGreen]

⁠@@trevorbayfield4731the majority of overlanders in the US don’t pull a caravan. They build onto the vehicle using a roof top tent like pictured in the video. My 3.6L v6 (Jeep) pulling a 1.4 metric ton caravan (OPUS OP Lite) would require 4 tanks of gas to go 1400 km on the types of terrain I run. That comes out to about 260 L of fuel. I normally start trips with a tank and a half of fuel on board. My fuel economy goes to the pot driving long distances in deep soft sand and mild rock crawling while pulling a trailer. Here in the US you can’t find an off pavement run that puts you more than 250km between fuel stops (distance between charge stops may be more). So if you have enough fuel or charge to go 250 - 300km as loaded, you are golden. Now if you get lost and wander the desert like Moses, that’s a different story.

[@TwoXJS]

I do not think anyone is questioning it's ability, what is deeply troubling and in question is it's ability to distance and traversing even a flat desert. You heard Trailcon say and saw his face gestures sitting in the vehicle needing to wait 1.5 hours for a full recharge and then settling for 250 miles. That's 50-75 less miles of enjoyment only to be shackled to a charging port. What you don't understand is at some point you want a full charge that doesn't take driving 20 miles one way and 20 back to get where you stopped to go recharge. 20 miles is reasonable but remember 40 miles is at least 40 minutes plus recharge time. My time is worth alot more to me.

[@matthewmortensen7401]

@@trevorbayfield4731 There is no need to "beat that" as it is 99.9% out side of a normal use case, its an outlier. No one drives non stop for 12.5 hours, its not even legal for semi truck operators. Now for the other 99.9% of use cases that are actually required of pickup trucks, the Rivian gets 70 MPGE, and has 1198 foot pounds of torque from 0 rpm to redline, The R1T has 15 inches of ground clearance and 43.1 inches of wading depth, The R1T has a much more stable towing platform with a lower center of gravity then any ICE truck built. With the R1t you charge at home overnight and never have to go out of the way to a gas station, you never have to wait at a pump. with the R1T when the power goes out at your house the truck can supply backup power for 3 days. Can you beat any of that?

[@envirolambert]

Came here to see the GFC. R1T owner for 2.5yrs, replaced my Xterra Pro4X. Spent 3 wks last year off road camping around CO. Was a blast. Easy charging in small towns around the state. Pleased to see the predicted range adjust from learning my driving habits on roads over time. Did a 2 week ski roadtrip in the cold, maybe a 10% hit which was easy to accommodate.

[@dcashio003]

“You can like both.” Amen brother.

[@ToasterrBath]

Exactly!

[@andrewalker2603]

I love that you made this video. I’m a Rivian owner and do a fair amount of off-roading in Texas, so it was cool to see you experience the trails in a Rivian. Everyone has their own needs and wants, but the Rivian is so capable, it makes off-roading more accessible for people, however requiring much more planning.

[@randyhou8522]

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.

[@DrKellieOwczarczak]

I think I agree as well. I am a huge fan of EVs, but as stated, in a hardcore overlanding case, it just is not there. The Silverado EV could be an interesting case, yet still imperfect for the extremes. It will be interesting to see how the Scout Terra with the Harvester range extender plays out. I am curious if the Edison Motors Hybrid conversion kit could be a real solution for those needing the added range but still wanting that beauty of silent offroad adventures.

[@USUG0]

amusing. I was thinking this guy is a compendium of ignorance and cluelessness

[@ToasterrBath]

@@DrKellieOwczarczak💯

[@PeterANewell]

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]

How were they getting power to their charger?

[@PeterANewell]

@@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.

[@kdigiacomo]

@PeterANewell Oh, where we camp we rarely ever have RV hook-ups.

[@terrymcbee2637]

@@PeterANewell That's how I do it when camping.

[@terrymcbee2637]

@@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!

[@Infantry4Life.WarFighters]

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!!

[@CanonicGames]

Gen1 or Gen2? And dual motor or tri or quad?

[@Infantry4Life.WarFighters]

@@CanonicGames 1st gen quad

[@Obababoy]

Ehh I would totally wait until the Scout comes out. Rivian does not have enough accessories or mods. Scout will be able to modify alot easier I think and will accept bigger tires.

[@CanonicGames]

You're comparing to a 2024 rivian when you should be comparing to a 2028 rivian. a lot of new accessories will likely be out by 2028 rivians, certainly a significantly more developed ecosystem than the scouts will have at launch.

[@matthewmortensen7401]

For some context, the longest off road route between charging spots or gas stations in the continental USA is the Magruder Corridor. Located in Idaho and Montana, It’s 150 miles long, climbs up over 12000 feet of total elevation gain and is a rugged weather beaten road. We easily traversed the Magruder covering the distance in 3 days and spending two nights out in the largest wilderness area in the lower 48. We did this in a 2023 standard range Ford Lightning. In addition to propelling the vehicle and 2000 pound Alaskan camper, we also used the pro power onboard to run everything in the camper, including the induction cooktop, ice maker, refers and the heat pump. An EV uses way less energy when traveling at speeds around 20-25 miles per hour by far exceeding their EPA rating, this is the inverse of a gas car. 600000 square acres? The Magruder corridore spans 3.5 million acres! Electric power trains do not need field service because unlike ICE power trains they do not fail, there is only 3 moving parts!

[@mattv5281]

There are some loops in Utah (and probably other places) that are 250+ miles without a charger. Not even necessarily off road. For example it looks like there's no EV charging anywhere near Hanksville, UT. The Rivian with Max Pack is the only way to go for an overland EV in my opinion. 410 miles of range.

[@matthewmortensen7401]

@@mattv5281 "There are some loops in Utah (and probably other places) that are 250+ miles without a charger" No there is not! prove it. Additionally according to Plugshare there are 3 charging points in Hanksville and over 83 charging points within 50 miles of Hanksville UT including 10 DCFC stations. Try again.

[@scottmohrman]

@@mattv5281There are some level 2 chargers in that area. However Utah has a fast charger desert south of I70 and west of Moab.

[@matthewmortensen7401]

@@mattv5281 "There are some loops in Utah (and probably other places) that are 250+ miles without a charger" No there is not! prove it. Additionally according to Plugshare there are 3 charging points in Hanksville and over 83 charging points within 50 miles of Hanksville UT including 10 DCFC stations.

[@Neojhun]

@@mattv5281 "that are 250+ miles without a charger... no EV charging anywhere near Hanksville, UT." Stop with the factually wrong assertions. Yes charging is a problem currently as there is not enough station with in 62 mile distance of remote places like that. But 250+ mile out of range is just not geographically possible for contiguous US. The closest DC Fast chargers to Hanksville UT is an Electrify America station in Green River UT which is 57 miles away. That is still problematic but still viable when you vehicle range is 250 miles in rough cold conditions. You can't just lie about geographical facts, it's very easy to look up maps.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I wheeled with a Rivian. I was pretty impressed, it’ll be my next edit once I have time to edit. The coolest thing is it had a camping mode which kept him warm at our 12,000+ ft camp spot (10-20 degrees overnight). It also wheeled a rated 6 trail without issue. He covered our whole wheeling trip from Crested Butte to Glenwood Springs without needing to charge. I love my ICE vehicles and I’m not sold on EVs, but I think I’ll give the Scout with gas range extender a try. If the Scout with Jerry cans will allow me to stay on the trails for weeks, I’ll be sold. Still won’t be getting rid of my ICE Jeeps, but I’ll have an EV that solves my range issue. Good stuff Brad!

[@anthonymrskipt9252]

I appreciate your balanced perspective. Lots of the comments seem to come from people with no experience with EVs. I’m on my second BEV car and also have a PHEV Wrangler (replaced another Wrangler) and a diesel pick-up with a camper shell (you would have seen the latter two at Summit 3). Right now, I think these all work well for their purposes. We have zero concerns about taking the current BEV on very long trips (we’ve driven cross-country in both BEVs several times now). Years ago, with the earlier BEV that couldn’t go as far and back when the fastest chargers were much slower and much further between, those trips could be a little anxious. Now, not an issue at all. The current version for the PHEV Wrangler seems quite a bit better than the first ones and I think Jeep will eventually get EVs figured out. I actually save the battery for the bigger obstacles when off-road because the electric motor is much smoother and I like being able to hear everything. In truth, if the ability to charge near off-road areas was like it is in Moab everywhere else, I think a BEV off-roader would work very well. Not sure how long it will take to get there, but I think the charging infrastructure is the gating item, not the vehicles themselves. That’s why our camper is a diesel. Even fully-loaded and flat-towing the Jeep, I can still go hundreds of miles before refilling and that refilling is easily accessible and very quick. I’ve driven both the R1T and the CT (on road) and both are great vehicles. I’m still not ready to waive one in for camping duties, but I’m hopeful that we may get there within 5 years or so. There are also lots of other benefits to EVs that are just coming online (like backing up your entire house with a giant battery that can run your house indefinitely (if you have solar). I’m 60 and have been a car guy my whole life, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get why EVs can be pretty impressive and fun to drive. Glad to see a respected off-road guy giving the Rivian a fair look. I’m with you on many levels, but if the rate of improvement from my first BEV to the second one, coupled with the rate of improvement in charging infrastructure (Tesla, anyway) continues, this may be a more realistic option much sooner than people think. Btw, electric motors rarely break and there’s virtually no maintenance. There are clearly software improvements that have moved the ball considerably from the first Rivians and the first PHEV Wranglers. I’m hoping by 2026 that a legit EV off-roader may be realistic. Probably a few more years for a long-distance off-road camper, but you have to start somewhere.

[@jakeblakeley2246]

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

[@robdunham7398]

Where you then have to find a fast charging station and sit and wait. While you’re charging I’ll be filled up, checked into my hotel or have set up camp, and enjoying an adult beverage.

[@srh4862]

Rivians are great for the daily drivers that want to weekend off road. Being an EV you get to efficiently and comfortably cruise around town, never stopping at a gas station. And then you can load it up for a 2 - 3 day trip into the backcountry. Have found few rigs that straddle those use cases better. Usually to get 15" of ground clearance, those off road angles, and 800 hp, you are making a lot of sacrifices day-to-day driving.

[@BiO811HazarD]

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.

[@BiO811HazarD]

@@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.

[@AustinH7]

How loud are you guys engines? 😂 my Jeep gladiator is nearly silent while I’m driving along the trail, easily able to hear anything.

[@BiO811HazarD]

@@AustinH7 my JK v6 is loud af at altitude. Sounds like it’s trying to take off some times 😂

[@justino4489]

Rivian still makes noise it has a government mandated pedestrian warning speaker all hybrids and EVs have them now it sucks. Rivian made it sound like a wind whooshing noise, not as annoying as some EVs make space ship sounds but not entirely silent off-road sadly.

[@BiO811HazarD]

@@justino4489didn’t know that! That’s disappointing to hear, kinda kills my whole comment 😅

[@santiagohills3997]

Talking to a coworker who had a family member in the Rivian office in Irvine, they polled the employees about where to put chargers. He recommended Anza-Borrego…I am surprised they haven’t done it yet.

[@kalanib8505]

As a Rivian R1T owner, I approve of this message. But I did Reserve a Scout to replace the Rivian in a few years.

[@Rebel.Matt555]

Love my Tesla for driving around town, love my Jeep when hitting the mountains. Different tools for different jobs

[@TheFreewheelinNomad]

Wow, this was such a joy to watch! The Rivian R1T is redefining off-road travel, and it’s amazing to see it tackle the rugged beauty of Anza Borrego with ease. I couldn’t help but think of The Long Way Up with Ewan McGregor and how their modified EVs handled South America’s challenging terrain. It’s incredible to see how far this technology has come-making adventure travel more sustainable while still delivering thrills. As someone who loves traveling and exploring, I’m beyond impressed with how electric vehicles are transforming overlanding. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful and exciting look into the future! 🌍🚙⚡

[@Jasta315]

Lets not forget about price... those things start at $70k and go north of $100k. Thats my only real complaint about them.

[@yayinternets]

When flat screen TVs came out, they cost 20000+ in early 2000s money. Cell phones cost $60 a month in the late 90s for one hour of talk time a month. This stuff won't be this expensive forever. We're still in the early days of this tech. I don't own an EV, just being objective about how we're still in the early days of figuring this stuff out.

[@sd70cal]

@@yayinternets Well stated. I remember when pagers that only displayed the caller's phone number cost $45/month. $45 in 1990 dollars.

[@sd70cal]

@@yayinternets I have one of those $20,000 plasma TV's. It came with a house I bought. Still a beautiful picture but the power consumption is huge.

[@yayinternets]

@@sd70cal Ha, that's awesome! I bet it will outlive both of us. I can remember it being such a big deal if you saw one in a bar or something, "woah, they have one of those 20,000 TVs here!". The late 90s/early 2000s a lot of things were still overbuilt so that TV is going to be a tank. I'm always surprised how even lots of us older people can't remember how quickly things change and improve. To go from rotary dial phones to having a powerful pocket computer that can access the internet from almost anywhere in less than 40 years is insane! I love cars, offroading, etc and the idea of EVs despite also having owned and worked on many fun ICE vehicles over the years. I do totally agree with the haters that I do not want to eat the depreciation of one. But in 10 years everything will be hybrids and EVs and will be relatively cheaper as the cost to build batteries goes down, they have a good recycling infrastructure for them, etc. I am also not some huge Elon fan boy, but I do think more manufacturers are going to move to the gigapress style manufacturing just for cost savings, etc. I will probably pick up a used EV in the next year with cash to put commuting miles on and eventually give to my kiddo in a few years for her first vehicle. I don't like burning daily miles on my 4x4 (especially since I am the bushings/suspension/brake mechanic for it) and a cheap used EV will be perfect for daily commute stuff. I can afford new cars, but I stay away from depreciation.

[@sd70cal]

@@yayinternets Totally with you about EV's and ICE. Wife totaled my supercharged LandCruiser some years back. Not sure if I'm going to rebuild my 01 Eurovan or sell it and put together an overland EV camper setup. Was hoping the VW wheelbase would accommodate a cybertruck drivetrain. I think I still have grooves in my fingers from dialing on some of those heavy wheeled metal phones in the 60/70's.

[@Magnus_Magnesium]

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!

[@Jeremygeo]

Self level so nice to have w/ a roof top tent on back as well.

[@musebrad]

Thanks for being much more balanced. Most EV reviews are fanboys or haters.

[@BucksMom218]

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. 😎

[@scottsnyder8691]

Right?!

[@AWheeler45]

At 19:06: ( GFC/R1T Owner here) they included a button that is accessible both interior and exterior to open the tailgate. That's what the silver button on plunger on the rear passenger side is

[@WilliamAArnett]

Brad, you’re right that the R1T isn’t a rock crawler. But it’s no slouch, either. I took mine up Hell’s Gate in Moab and it handled it very easily. Then I did some calculations that indicated that a loop around the White Rim road would be possible. In the end I still had 15% left by the time I got back to Moab.

[@jf1890]

I live in East Maui and just bought a Tri-max R1T. I'm looking forward to driving the notorious Hana Hwy with it. On Maui, I can fully charge and drive around all week before driving home on a single charge. On the mainland, I would be skeptical. I don't want to wait 3 hours for a full charge in a parking lot. Nice realistic review.

[@glennmeeks8261]

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.

[@Goosekovski]

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.

[@terrymcbee2637]

I love my Rivian R1T. I have the 4-motor adventure package. Very capable vehicle. Glad to see you like it!

[@zstewartak]

I appreciate your videos. I have owned a Wrangler, and now own a Rivian and they are very different, and I feel that your video had solid points and is really well done.

[@shabtraxx]

Very cool, keen to see how this industry progresses, they'll get better fo sho

[@johndavis7257]

I’ve taken mine (quad R1T ironically the same color as this one) on some pretty rough trails and it’s wildly impressive when you learn how to drive it, I think you nailed the niche well though. For staying off grid one or two days not too far from a town the Rivian is amazing. I agree there are certainly some places where it would be challenging. I carried mine to Colorado this summer and ran Ophir, Engineer, and Imogene pass. It handled them with ease, only slipped tires a couple of times when I pushed it on some of the optional lines, all have plentiful charging nearby too though I didn’t need it. Range does quite a bit better in the mountains. When I ran Imogene pass it used about 6% total, 14% going up and re-gained 8% on the way back down. I ran Engineer pass with a gladiator and he used a larger percentage of his fuel tank than I used of my battery. It’s definitely a different kind of traveling but I like the little bit of a slower pace. I drove 3500 miles during that trip through CO,UT, and AZ and it was honestly one of the least exhausting road trips I’ve done thanks to the stops you have to take. Takes longer but is more enjoyable. For me the truck is primarily a daily driver that I take on adventures periodically and I think that’s what it’s designed for and very good at. And yeah btw the tailgate does have a button, it’s on top of the bed rail on the drivers side 🙂

[@Hobbies4Hire]

Great job on the video! Thanks for making it. Every time I see one of these out on the trail the owner just has the biggest smile on their face while the truck chews up EVERY obstacle. The quad motor versions will go anywhere.

[@djp1234]

What we really need is a DIESEL-ELECTRIC hybrid where the Diesel engine only functions as a generator.

[@horaciolopez7721]

I too would love that, but it’s too expensive. Most people don’t even buy the diesel options.

[@carlossilviotube]

@@djp1234 no a bad analysis. I am a master tech and hybrid seems so ineficient because you dont have truly the best of one side. But diesel as a generator mmm sounds efficient to me

[@whamuel]

not diesel, but the BMW i3 range extender (Rex) used a 0.6L scooter engine as a generator which was imho a fantastic combo for that car. wish more manufacturers were exploring this route!

[@djp1234]

@@whamuel as far as I know only Chinese manufacturers are doing this right now

[@stevensjoseph1667]

@@djp1234 man they were looking at this years ago but something happened and I guess it wasn’t worth the effort I guess.

[@Thergood]

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.

[@jakeblakeley2246]

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

[@motorhead_jt21]

That Scout is interesting. I’m praying I can talk my wife into it for her next daily driver because I’m never trading my Gladiator 😂

[@ChristopherHarris6005]

Awesome video as always Brad.

[@itripn]

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.

[@bwofficial1776]

EVs have been around as long as ICE. If they were any good, they would have been developed over the last 100 years. We don't always need to change.

[@Eddie_-_]

@@bwofficial1776your comment says a lot what person you are. You know very well that batteries have developed enormously. The only constant thing is change. If you want to resist and step aside. No one will force you.

[@Eddie_-_]

Very good comment. EVs are the future, but nevertheless I just bought a diesel 70-series as our forever overlander project.

[@Willibopper]

I've got a dual motor, max pack R1T and I've been all over the Colorado Rockies and Moab. Plenty of charging options out here. The main potential trail maintenance issue is tie rods and flats, but I haven't had either issue personally. It's no built Jeep on 40s, and it's no 911 GT3, but it overlaps both quite a bit. I'm normally out a few days at a time without issue. Going uphill it can be thirsty, but you will regen power on the way back down. I mostly got it to find remote camp spots, camp out at mountain bike destinations, and enjoy some trails on the way to and from. It was definitely expensive, but as a single daily driver, off roader, and canyon ripper, it's not bad. I wish there were more charging options in the 4-corners area and Montana, but that will come with time.

[@WanderingWatts]

I love the R1T and like I mentioned in other posts find it to be nearly perfect to drive day to day. Thinking about the market today, Rivian should consider offering a range extender option for Gen 3 that fits where the gear tunnel is currently. It would help them compete with the new Scout-which will have one.

[@fscottgray9784]

Great honest review. I think right now the electric vehicles are more suited to heavy populated areas and close recreational areas to them. I can only see them at this time for very local excursions. Rapid tire wear is a problem that is not really mentioned about electric vehicles.

[@oldtugs]

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.

[@RicanLightning904]

Thanks for the fair and thoughtful review! Refreshing to see someone be so transparent about both the pros and cons.

[@jeffwillis2919]

7,200 pounds isn't that much. Your Power Wagon weighed the same.

[@justgo4wd]

Very well thought out video. I really appreciate your efforts in balancing your opinions with keeping an open mind. Thank you!

[@OmegaGreedAK47]

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

[@rodhester]

Driving down the highway, taking your eye off the road to find a spot on a touch screen is so miserable. Manufactures are starting to got back to buttons and knobs because of the safety factors.

[@scottmohrman]

Voice commands and self driving. Buttons are antiquated.

[@rodhester]

@scottmohrman because voice commands always work correctly with other people talking, radio playing music and windows down.

[@edkirkpatrick1231]

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

[@piltg8568]

Would love to see you make a video of the Rivian in Glamis !!

[@Mr_troy_s]

Looks like an awesome setup. I think the idea of a gas powered range extender is better than plug in hybrid.

[@johnnychun59]

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.

[@brett3152]

4 minutes into the video - 315 mile range, and it takes 2 hours at a fast recharge station to “fill ‘er up”? That’s where the vehicle review ends for me. Now I’m just watching for Brad’s awesome cinematography.

[@sd70cal]

It's the last 20% which take the majority of the time. Most of the range loads up fast. Much like cell phones and computers the EV's 15 years from now will be far improved.

[@mountainsspeak1508]

I have an R1S Quad Motor. It's never taken me more than 50min to go from ~20% to 100%. Sadly it's likely a charger issue and not a vehicle/charging speed issue. Generally speaking I'm only trying to get up to 100% when we're A) headed into the backcountry for multiple days or B) traveling across the state and not wanting to have to stop while doing so. Don't be so quick to poo-poo it- it's only one data source.

[@michaelmohl3464]

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.

[@DizTroy81]

Had a reservation but canceled it. Can't say I regret it, but still think this is cool

[@BigSil57]

Great video, I can appreciate the honest perspective. As far as bringing extra fuel, there is a guy on KZbin 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....

[@AustinH7]

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

[@dominicwilkerson]

I believe GFC has a button similar to the tunnel button for the tailgate. One potential issue with the Goose Gear setup might be accessing the spare tire. I absolutely love my Rivian R1T, but I’m trading my quad motor for the tri-motor version. Before the Rivian, I had a 2018 TRD Pro 4Runner with a supercharger. I’ve taken the Rivian to nearly all the same places I brought the 4Runner, and honestly, it handled them almost too easily-sometimes it feels almost boring! ALSO... A new update will be coming that will allow Gaia GPS along with I am assuming OnX... We have been asking for it for a while. It is cool to see that our vehicles can update all the time. My R1T is vastly different than when I first got it in 2023.

[@jorgentuck]

I'm really excited for EREV's to come out. Seems like the best of both worlds for off-roading

[@montechie]

It's the silver button on the side of the GFC to open the tailgate. The R1T has a button on top of the bedrail and GFC built a mechanism to activate it since any bed cap would cover that button.

[@Tacticool_Mutton_Chops]

As a JLUR 4xe owner, I'm excited about the new Scout with the range extender options. I got the Jeep as a daily driver which uses no gas because I work from home, and I can take it on longer road trips to explore the southwest. The Scout w/ the onboard generator, which adds another 150 miles to the range would be ideal for packing gasoline for those extra long trips. And like Jeep did with the 4xe, VW seems to be taking great care to keep the regular off-road drivetrains that we enthusiasts usually prefer, like a solid rear axle and locking diffs, with a full EV. I'm definitely not jumping on buying the first Scouts that hit the lots, but the innovation shown by VW with the Scout has me watching the release excitedly, and I am very interested to see how it compares to the new Land Cruiser and other hybrids/EVs. And ya, I'm a big car/motorsports guy - I love the sound of a V8 or a proper rally antilag system - but creeping through the forests/deserts completely silently just never gets old. I swear I sneak up on more wildlife and cows/donkeys in the Jeep than in my 4Runner just because the ICE wasn't running as I came around a bend.

[@BoanergesJim]

I see so many who criticize EVs the same way farmers used to criticize the Model T and gasoline powered tractors. Hell, when my father bought his 1970 Scout 800A with the Aristocrat package, there were those who questioned why a Scout should have chrome wheels and carpet. I am looking forward to the innovation, and also, cannot wait for the new Scouts to come to market.

[@CJ-rk5eg]

75% of Scout orders are for the range extender model; same for the new Ram truck with the plugin in powertrain…..so yes the range extender/ hybrid powertrain is a great bridging technology. Use all electric on daily basis and also access gas stations for longer trips.

[@6twenty7]

Just seems coincidental a panel that you stand on is misaligned is all. I really like the suv model I see around.

[@rafterweverything]

The diesel locomotive stuff that Edison trucks is working on is really cool stuff when it comes to EVs. That platform in an old power wagon or 3500 pickup would make a sick overland rig, put a farm fuel tank in the front of the bed that is plumbed into the fuel system, or just used as auxiliary and you've got some crazy range.

[@doctalove321]

Great and balanced content as always Brad. As far as having to fix electric motors though....you have 3 spares on that thing. Just in terms of redundancy, I would feel more confident in the Rivian than I would a turbocharged i4. If anything, the air suspension would make me more nervous and in most cases that's a fairly easy trail fix. In terms of charging times, it's important to note that these things aren't meant to be charged to 100%. That charging curve slows way down for the final 10% to protect the battery.

[@royfreitas7583]

You hit all the major points. I would not want to wait 40 to 90 minutes to charge on a trip. The mechanical breakdown on a trail would raise anxiety as well. The what “if’s” what happens if the control screen goes blank? There is a place for every vehicle. I’d like to see better advancements on ICE .

[@ryantrenhaile8189]

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..

[@antoniohernandez7171]

Change sometimes is hard to take in but you're right bro..

[@SasukeUchiha-zu6dw]

Resistant to forced change

[@ryantrenhaile8189]

@@SasukeUchiha-zu6dw lol.. Who is forcing you to buy anything.. Save your money if you like..

[@SasukeUchiha-zu6dw]

@@ryantrenhaile8189 no one forcing me as I live in a state that doesn't have an EV mandate. I was referring to the states that have mandates that kick in around 2035. though I have a feeling after this election those mandates or politicians that put them in place will be removed as the date gets closer.

[@bwofficial1776]

@@ryantrenhaile8189 My state has an EV mandate. I have street parking. I'm going to resist change as long as I can. Maybe when I can put 400 miles back in the battery in any small town anywhere in less than five minutes I'll consider it.

[@cyrusortiz-luis291]

I went off roading w a rivian and it got stuck in soft sand in a tight turn in Anza Borrego. Had to get some traction boards to get it out. All other ICE vehicles got through with no issues. It needs some kind of locker.

[@wireditvideo]

There is a sweet spot with a gas hybrid. Until a majority of gas stations switch to electric and you can charge in roughly the same amount of time, gas electric hybrids are the best bet. I bought a 4xe Wrangler this year and will drive it for the next 10 years hopefully.

[@GatorOverland]

Fantastic episode! You touched on many great points. Almost as many points as your B-Roll footage 😂.. well done! Just reserved the scout traveler harvester.. can’t wait to see what they bring to the table in 2 year.. 🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@robwalker4548]

FYI - I saw Tesla’s on the Dempster trail 2 weeks after you were there which surprised me and one was charging at Eagle Plains. I did notice a lot of chargers in Canada. When we got trapped on the Alaska Highway by a forest fire about 40 miles after we got off the Dempster road car camped for the night next to an EV charger.

[@FreedomToRoam86]

In my ‘22 F150 Lightning with a GoFast Camper, it took me a year to be really comfortable getting away from chargers to camp. This year there was no where I worried in Wyoming, Colorado, or Utah. But W Kansas is a charging desert. As to maintenance and repairs, it’s tough to break an electric. My maintenance is windshield washer fluid and tire rotations. That’s it. Not much to worry about. BUT if it did break, I’d be screwed. Although I would have been in my gas Ford, too. Dammit Jim, I’m a physician, not a mechanic! What I don’t love, is the lack of gas Jerry can option, and too much torque when crawling on my BFG’s. For most people, the range limits and charging time are deal-breakers, and rightly so. But if you like taking your time and reading a book while you charge, and not going as far out on a limb as I used to, and love the quietness, then an electric truck is a great option to have now. And while you are out in the back country, Keep an eye out for me in my blue Ford Lightning, because you won’t hear me!

[@80_kanon_08]

Both is what we need, not one or the other.

[@CRAIGTV1]

I passed you on the road last week, I had so many questions lol. I truly wondered about your experience. Then boom here’s the video 😮😂.

[@Airwaves-Radio]

Is there a way to add solar panels to the roof of the camper and supplement the Rivian battery? If not, maybe charge a solar generator, then use it to charge the Rivian?

[@Eddie_-_]

The added watts doesn’t make much difference. Enough to drive your fridge and charging cameras and phones. But that’s all. Unfortunately

[@RodeTacomaSR]

I would LOVE to buy a Rivian. .......gonna watch the video now.......

[@bradspiess6569]

My first thought seeing the footage was that you where in Anza Borrego, love that area, especially since its in my backyard in San Diego. I go out in my Jeep Grand Cherokee and camp out there once in a while, I would definitely have a little range anxiety with longer and more remote trips but I have heard wonderful things about the Rivan, if I had that kind on money it would be on my list for sure. Thanks for the video, good food for thought.

[@ajr5195]

I have a Tesla model Y and 2nd gen raptor. Ironically ive never had to use a public charger with the Tesla since I have a level 2 at home. This means 100% of time spent at a gas station has been a waste of time in the raptor. Totally different use cases but people seem to always assume I spend half my life charging the EV when really it’s the opposite. If you did take the rivian to Alaska you’d have to plan your overnights at a camp ground or hotel where you could charge overnight. That would actually save you time vs fuel stops.

[@meinthe303]

As an owner of a '22 R1T Quad Adventure, (traded my lifted '18 JLUR on 38s for it) that offroads and camps in it all over Colorado, I have to say that I have never enjoyed off roading as much as I do in my R1T. It is so comfortable and stable and confidence inspiring (it made Radical Hill, almost boring), that I've done many trails I just could not bring myself to do in the Jeep... The loss of overall range is a bummer, but everything has its pros and cons. The R1T brings so much to the table, that being forced to really plan ahead is worth it... You spoke about using it for all of your electrical items. Personally, I dont because I want the range. Therefore, I still bring an ecoflow delta 2 to power camp gadgets. But knowing I have the extra power if needed is nice, should I need to fire up the starlink in an emergency or power the fridge on the way home. Lastly, you mention trail damage, and I honestly have to say I spin tires FAR less in the R1T than I did with my Jeep with 38" MT tires. I put Falken AT4s on it and its got more grab than my Jeep ever did! I feel like I'm doing way less damage in it than jeeps ramping up to high RPMs to bump over something... I think your review was fair and I liked hearing your perspective. If you ever want to plan a trip with a seasoned R1T off roader, let me know. I'll help you fall in love with the truck. 😂😉 Great video!

[@yayinternets]

Great video Brad! I don't own an EV but have driven probably 5000 miles in different ones. The biggest thing that annoys me about all of the EV haters is that they literally have zero experience with them and just automatically hate anything that is new or different than they are used to. These same negative people loading up comment sections are the same type of people who thought the internet was weird, a fad, etc. Now they stare at their phone all day and find things to get offended about from the fad internet. Thanks for keeping an open mind and taking in the experience objectively. I'm not an EV owner but get tired of all of the inexperienced delusion that people like to spread.

[@mnorma12]

Pro tip, never fast charge to 100%. It’s the slowest way to get where you want to go. Splash and dash at the bottom end of your pack for long road trips and/or L2 charge to 100% overnight so it doesn’t actually eat up adventure time.

[@montyjcm]

I have a rivian r1s , coming from a gladiator with a topper. The r1s was a better move for us (growing family) as a daily driver. In terms of overlanding /weekender- it’s gotten me everywhere I would take the gladiator , and it generally handles every thing better (smoother , faster). For more serious overlanding or longer trips, I can see the downfalls. Charging needs to be planned out , but with the telsa sc access, it’s now reliable. One note is that if you use the chargers a lot, you actually aren’t really saying money compared to many gas cars (at least in Cali). Having a low rate plus solar at home for most charging does add saving though

[@rmorales1029]

Next step for the entrepreneurs out there is to develop a small, efficient battery charger for off-roading. The current tech isn’t there yet.

[@petersantulli2337]

This is an interesting topic for sure. As you mentioned there are not a lot of charging stations. The infrastructure is not ready for an all electric system. Look at your state of California, the rolling black and brown outs due to ACs in the summer and you want to add charging vehicles to that? It’s not ready. I agree at this time the hybrid is a better system having that gas back up with the limited range of electric. Also don’t forget the extra impact to the environment to make and dispose of these batteries and the power to charge them. If we could get something to combat those things and extend the battery life it would be more appealing. I drive from NH to FL (1,500ish miles)straight down in 24 hrs, I can’t imagine how much more time it would take if a fast charger takes 2+ hrs to charge, provided one is available when you need it. It’ll be interesting to see what comes in the future but being up in a cold state, no supportive infrastructure and lack of range, I’d go with a hybrid before all electric for the foreseeable future.

[@AlienSasquatch14]

Yes sir, there is a button to drop the tailgate but the camper covers it. So they added that silver button on the rear drivers side of the camper to press the button to drop the tailgate.

[@scout2xlc420]

I drive my International Scout that I bought new in 1975 every day, but will be selling it for a 2025 Rivian R1T due for delivery next month...can't wait! BTW, the new Scouts are not made by International but by Scout Motors, a division of VW.

[@bwofficial1776]

You're going to regret selling that Scout. Not because of the Rivian, but because you sold a car that's been with you for most of your life.

[@scout2xlc420]

@bwofficial1776 Yes, you're correct, I'm already starting to regret it, but after 50 years I think it's time for change!

[@subiesti06]

I believe a range extended hybrid Scout will be on order.

[@TahoeDogProductions]

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.

If I had to choose I would probably choose the Rivian over the Tesla, but my first choice would be a gas powered vehicle because of range.

[@Magnus_Magnesium]

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.

[@MontanaMedic13]

I'm looking forward to the Range Extender version of the Scout. I think that is the sweet spot for electric.

[@AxelYates]

I like the review, it would have been nice to see more use of the stuff on the Rivian. How does it look when you lay in the $10,000 tent (how does it look closed?)? How does it look when you use the innovative storage in the trunk? How does it look when you actually/practically fill the frunk? etc. There's definitely a space for this. While it's not for me, it would've been cool to see more usage during the review.

[@GamerNxUSN]

I have no problem with EV. It's mandating them that I have an issue with.

[@kelviskelvis7140]

@GamerNxUSN - "mandating" is made by the oil people. Nobody tells me what to buy.

[@jonathan12]

people who used horses for transportation said the same thing.

[@GriffinConway]

Great review Brad. Loved the balanced approach. I still wish it could have a little better stance but I know that changes too much for range. If they find a way to put one on 37's and still keep 300 miles range I'm in! haha

[@wesryman]

You did a great fair and honest review. Great job Brad

[@GrahamHolmes]

Its always good to have an open mind Brad. Great impartial thoughts and review.

[@CaptainInk43]

To say I was overly excited to get an alert from the TrailRecon channel would be an understatement. Great video Brad!

[@dontask7898]

Fits in the garage but cant fit bedding when closed. There needs to be a sweet spot.

[@DM-tf6mk]

Im not against EV's in any way, but I do not like how the government is pushing consumers towards them, pushing the price of vehicles through the roof. I also do not think the infrastructure is there and charging times are too long and range is not enough, especially for electric trucks, especially towing, which is what I use my truck for. I do like the idea of the hybrids and feel the industry should be focusing more on them.

[@truckedupevs]

Most ev truck owners leave the house fully charged, using a home charger. You also used DC fast chargers that were pretty slow. I noticed on the screen you were only pulling +/- 85 kw. With a NACS adapter at Tesla V3-rated stations at 250kw, rack that up to the Rivian's top curve at 220kw, well over 3x faster. Most Electrify America are also over 150kw, double what you were pulling. Not all DCFCs are comparable by any means (or reliable). Tesla is a good go-to now that Rivian has an agreement. Before any road trip or overlanding, home charging to 100% overnight alleviates a large % of anxiety. Also, so many poo-poo the idea of a small tri-fuel generator in the bed as a 'tidy tank' or 'Jerry can', but it is insanely efficient in conversion - no cam shafts, cranks, pumps, alternators, transmissions, or diffs to turn - just direct current from the fuel source. It's basically turning your ev into a series hybrid like the proposed Ramcharger - and you can do it with propane, gas, or natural gas - basically, whatever is available. The only setback is the wait. Currently, there's no direct auxiliary input on any of the ev trucks out there that lets one direct charge while driving. Still, if overlanding, it's a great back-up, especially if you're overnight camping and you have time to top-up charge while parked. EV truck growing pains 🙂.

[@wilecoyote8167]

The tent comes in handy when you are waiting for it to charge. Hang out, have some coffee, read a book....or two.

[@donleamon8653]

Brad, forget the tool roll, you’d need to have a laptop with Rivian software loaded on it to remote diag/reboot that thing in the wild.

[@forrestchambersiv4413]

Thanks Brad! Great job threading the needle on this topic. Appreciate taking the "open mind" approach and pointing out the positives and the drawbacks of this category of vehicle. Good luck with the rest of the comments. 😂.

[@jameseroh6544]

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.

[@USUG0]

should watch an Electric Classic Car video about a custom built electric land rover compared to diesel siblings at an off road gathering