Can The Upgraded 2025 Rivian R1T Tow My Project Buhanka Van Without Breaking A Sweat?

[@TFLEV]

Thanks to Recurrent for sponsoring TFLEV. Get free access to Recurrent's EV tools by using this link (bit.ly/TFL-Recurrent ) today! This offer is currently only available for US drivers. ( www.weigh-safe.com/TFL ) Check out these smart, lightweight and heavy duty hitches!

[@chingwodapigu]

Which weigh-safe model hitch are you using?

[@scottkahre9206]

Great job, Andre! Thanks for not jumping on the “EVs are terrible” bandwagon and focusing on a real-world use case. It’s also significant that you did the entire trip with home charging only. Would be interesting to point out the cost of electricity for this trip based on your overnight charging price.

[@LeesChannel]

The R1T is still a very handsome vehicle. I'm glad we got a little David cameo in here! It's a shame that 5½ months of labor only made its way into 2 videos, I really hope we can see a lot more of David in the future. You guys should do some adventure camping in that Buhanka!

[@chadfinlay4086]

Loved the Buhanka build! I agree would be neat to see it in action.

[@georgev5766]

I have the Gen 1 2024 r1t and took it on a ski trip up the Rockies over the holidays. It performed great in -2 degrees blizzard. Range suffered a bit while it warmed up, but it still gave me about 280 miles of range on a full charge up and down the Rockies. I’m happy with mine, specially bc I paid $55k for it new last summer.

[@JonLaRue]

You stole it for that

[@hlothr]

I got a gen 1 with friends and family discount too. Love it.

[@unkleschilke]

Yay! A reasonable EV review where the user understands how to do what he wants to do!

[@sandshark5584]

It’s nice to see these tested again instead of just 0-60’s with the new generation. Great video!

[@taurota1554]

Thanks for sharing and taking us along.

[@drnick40]

Out of all EV companies I like Rivian the most. It is expensive, but a quality product with enormous amount of comfort and utility. Beats all electric German cars, Teslas, Chevys, Fords, etc. Just I wish it was $50-$60k so more people can afford it.

[@aerynlovell4754]

That's why I'm looking forward to the launch of the Telo at the end of 2025. The price for the Telo is supposed to be around $50,000. The problem with new vehicles is that the manufacturer tells the press the price will be low, but the customer ends up paying a higher price than expected. The Telo will have 350 miles of range, like the Rivian, with a smaller battery and less weight. If the cost of the huge battery makes modern electric trucks extremely expensive, then maybe a smaller battery will help make the Telo less expensive.

[@hlothr]

You can buy a very slightly used R1T for 50-60k right now. Like 20k to 30k miles gently used

[@drnick40]

@ True. The EV’s depreciate a lot. In order to become mainstream however they should become cheaper than the ICE vehicles as brand new. Last year I bought a F150,Powerboost Lariat, fully loaded hybrid for $60k OTD. A fantastic truck but very complex. An EV truck like the Rivian should be 10% cheaper in order to attract the public. The batteries are getting cheaper. The mechanical complexity of an EV truck is very low, so all they have to do is learn to live with lower profit margins.

[@aerynlovell4754]

@hlothr Even if you can buy a used Rivian for under $50,000, it is too big and heavy. I used to have a 2002 GMC Sonoma, and that was the perfect size for crowded parking lots. A few years ago, the city where I live made parking spots about 6 inches narrower. I replaced the Sonoma with a 2016 GMC Canyon that is supposed to be a mid-sized truck but it's too big. I had to climb into the bed of the truck and unscrew the antenna on the roof to use an indoor parkade because the Canyon is too tall.

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

4:30 - yeah, my hitch cover was removed within 10 minutes of my truck’s delivery and has been in the same cabinet in the garage since then, 2.5 years ago.

[@hlothr]

I find it pretty easy to take on and off for towing. I prefer the look with it on.

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@@hlothr I ended up getting a hitch-bumper-step-thingy. Makes it a bit easier to grab stuff in the rear of the bed without having to drop the tailgate.

[@brandonstewart7145]

Excellent and informative video TFL, I do have a request though, whenever you have the Buhanka running would turn off the music? I would rather hear the sound of that sweet v8😊

[@claytonbyrd6134]

It's a 4.8, no big deal

[@brandonstewart7145]

@claytonbyrd6134 to each his own 😁

[@JeffHeinenCFI]

My 2025 R1T Tri-Max gets delivered Feb 1. Can't wait!

[@zachlafond2652]

Nobody is buying this truck for full time towing, but its good to know if you have to, it works well.

[@GettingthruLife]

Love the part with your ole friend/TFL'er talking about the Buhanka and the labor of love!

[@markderoller7645]

Rivians have grown on me. I'd love a R1S

[@LarsDennert]

Fun video as so many people just love trucks and this is a fun mix up of old and new.

[@cinthe3]

I hope rivian survives for years to come

[@aricegana2382]

I think this pretty much confirms what i like with my current set up. f150 3.5EB for any towing, ev's for in city driving and 2 person long distance road trips. I have noticed the truck is much roomier when there are 4-5 of us on long distance road trips, not to mention the room you have in the bed for all the junk were going to take. Evs are much cheaper though to take on the long distance trips.

[@edwardbentley]

So what you are saying is the Chevy Silverado EV and the GMC Sierra EV both have greater range (460 miles), farther towing distance (240 miles) and it does all of this while in self driving mode. Thanks I’m getting the Sierra EV!

[@RydFamBam]

Great video. Answered all my questions. Thank you.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

Rivian is impressive. There's no requirement or need for towing mirrors; as long as you can see the trailer axles it's perfect because all maneuvering is performed at the trailer axles pivot point. If you can't see the pivot point then you should to place an indicator there. Small mirrors are better for accurate maneuvers on a dime and when clearing the left lane for a long pass it is best to first merge right of center then watch the left lane as you merge left. Right lane changes are similar. Blind side turns always start left of center then watch axle pivot as you turn right. 😊

[@503Zephyr]

Great video Andre, but would you choose a GMC Denali over the Rivian for towing and general pickup work? They are both about the same price.

[@kootenayevfamily4208]

I don't even know where my hitch cover is anymore haha! I'm towing something most months of the years, even if it is only a little 4x8 utility trailer 1 out 2 times, so I don't bother fussing with it and just leave it off. With a smaller rounded off trailer (e.g. fibreglass or airstream) I get about 1.3 miles per kWh. We've done a few longer trips too and aside from a bit more pre-planning, we like it just fine.

[@colbybrady2187]

I was considering a used Rivian, but those recent data published about them being dead last in car maker reliability ended that thought. Their crash test safety results are impressive though, but dang, dead last in reliability is a deal breaker.

[@yayinternets]

I'd dig deeper into that if I were you. For EVs the reliability issues are weird because they include a lot of things that are bugs and easily get fixed by software updates. Those big guys like JD Power and so forth.. meh...

[@colbybrady2187]

@@yayinternets, it was recently from Consumer Reports, a pretty reliable source.

[@stevekniess3665]

Great video thank you Andre

[@RDSZ]

The Rivian truck is so pleasant to look at compared to the cybertruck, love it.

[@chandleredwards]

Good clip, Andre. 👍

[@stevekniess3665]

I really like the rivian fun vehicle

[@BuildLancer]

so can you see out of the rear view camera with the tailgate down now? i havent kept up much with Rivian

[@GregMcNamer]

No, but you can use the camera over the bed of the truck.

[@NOXStellans]

Does the air suspension make it harder to eyeball the proper tongue weight???

love the rivian r1t

[@richh650]

My guess is that leaving the plastic cover on when not in use over the hitch will enable the rear camera to remain cleaner for clearer hitch views?

[@nathanielthelin1051]

It probably adds 1-2 miles of range. Not really worth keeping unless you never use the hitch.

[@412fk]

I hope the R2 comes with Walnut interior as well

[@kens8903]

With that price I think you have to compare that with the Silverado EV. I would like to see that comparison.

[@richh650]

Thank you for the interesting video!

[@TFLEV]

Thank you too

[@AdamFrugoli]

Wes, the engineer of the Cybertruck said its covered hitch for aerodynamic and efficiency.

[@412fk]

Rivians are nice!

[@siggiborg5076]

19:56 that is the biggest gas station that I have ever seen....

[@scubatrucker6806]

Badass camper van🤙🤙

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

Re the title: Yes, obviously. Next question?

[@-Jethro-]

Better question: How far can it tow it from 80% to 10%? (Typical road trip charger-to-charger interval)

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@ Far enough to drive for two hours. (~150 miles if you don’t get the off road package, ~120 miles if you do.) Which is about as long as I can take between stops as I get older.

[@-Jethro-]

@@AnonymousFreakYT That matches my quick estimate of about 120 miles. I suppose for occasional long towing trips it could work.

[@yystl]

The real hassle is needing to unhook at most charging stops

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@ Yeah, we tow with ours often (about 15,000 of my 40,000 miles so far) and it’s the older lower-range model. Most of our towing is “one charge stop between home and destination,” but we did do a 5000 mile cross country trip last year. (Canada to Mexico.) Only had one stretch where I had to go under the speed limit to ensure I could make it to the next charger in the charging desert that is the Sonoran desert. (But since that trip, new chargers have opened, and access to Tesla Superdhargers has arrived, so even that stretch wouldn’t be a problem today.)

[@mcsike7264]

Short answer from title yes yes it can its an ev they tow better than ice trucks bc of all that instant torque just range is there weak spot

[@moonpie1616]

You reckon I could borrow your truck and trailer to haul my skid steer...😅

[@Camaro45th]

Looks like the rivian and the new maverick are the same color

[@spartanchirho]

I want to see what clever thing David could come up with to use those nuts on the front bumper of the MIGHTY BUHANKA!!!!!

[@slyguyaction]

Got the job done and now you can plug in and fuel up at home for a fraction of the cost of gasoline.

[@elektrichka24]

Where are you from?

[@icare7151]

Needs a HUD!

[@torq29]

please more video whit buhanka

[@ReviveRestore_FurnitureStudio]

Ахуеть! Чего-чего а не ожидал увидеть тут УАЗик))

[@mattsedgwick3082]

Bro it looks just like the new ford maverick you guys just picked up lol put them side by side

[@jjwalden93]

Luxury car.

[@Austinandjules]

Touched every square inch? Why does still have the push pull steering and goofy russian axles.

[@matthewholzmueller6292]

Im going to wait a year, get this on cars and bids, and pay 60k instead of 110k. 😂😅

[@davidcottrell570]

You might be waiting a while. Used R1Ts are selling for 80-90% of new Gen 2 models here, and R1Ss are snapped up as soon as they list. I’ve looked! You may be better off waiting for an R2, or saving for a new Gen 2. Keep in mind that your trade-in price is way lower than the selling price, so lot of folks sell them online themselves and pocket the difference.

[@nikonmark37814]

Would the Rivian cost less if the electric motors were smaller and produced 300 horse power? 850HP is ridiculous and adds to the significant cost of $100K!

[@tarfeef101]

Problem is they already struggle offroad with the hub motors when only 1 or 2 need to move the entire truck The gear reductions in the new EV g-wagon might help with this issue and allow reducing power, but until that tech makes it to rivian and/or is cheaper than bigger motors, they probably can't do that

[@jakeblakeley2246]

Dual standard R1T is just this. Closer to $70k. I really hope they can bring down prices even further in the future though

[@davidjernigan8161]

A way to boost range in the winter would be to equip these EVs with a Webasto diesel fired heater. It could also be used to keep the battery warm as well

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@@davidjernigan8161 Kind of defeats the purpose of an EV.

[@mcsike7264]

Or just do what tesla dose and add a heat pump which i think these new gen rivians have

[@cdbnum1]

Andre does the new rivian come equipped with cruise control? 😂

[@murdoch9106]

Fast Loaf is ~800 pounds lighter than the new BMW M5... xD

[@RB-pi3jl]

WTF Rivian. You did a complete refresh and STILL didn't incorporate native NACS charging! Plus, the charge port has not been relocated to drivers-rear or passenger-front for additional Supercharger compatibility. It's 2025 and you just don't seem serious about giving your customers the best charging experience.

[@8hammer2189]

They want us to transition to electric but these things go for 107k before taxes and fees. SMH nice video though

[@deansmits006]

Yeah this particular example. There are cheaper ones, and hopefully see small cheaper ones in the next 5 years.

[@davidjernigan8161]

A 3/4 ton with a diesel or gas motor will tow more and is cheaper

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@@davidjernigan8161 Have you priced pickups recently? An F-250 Platinum Powerstroke costs the same. Yes, there are cheaper pickups. There are also cheaper Rivians. This is the deluxe performance model. Gotta compare like for like. If you want a cheap work truck, don’t for looking at F-250 Platinums or RAM TRXs. (My Rivian replaced an F-250 Powerstroke. My Rivian is better in every way I care about. It tows better, it off roads way better, it’s quiet and comfortable, and it costs so much less in “fuel” that two camping trips a month saves my monthly payment compared to what I would have paid in diesel.

[@LarsDennert]

You are right but the driving experience is vastly different when not towing. See if you can drive one some day.

[@RonL-y3v]

Rivian, named the brand with the worst reliability by Consumer Reports in 2025.

[@kenan0293]

And highest customer satisfaction! 😊

[@loualiberti4781]

Sure for maybe a few miles and stop 100 times just to get any real work done. Nevertheless, I agree it is a fun toy and it’s front end looks like a demented Minion.

[@davidcottrell570]

It’s funny that people love to complain about anything that isn’t a ‘work’ truck as if it’s somehow inferior. I see lots of Tacomas, Rangers, Colorados and Ridgelines around town, just as I see plenty of people at big box stores with their 1 tons, including with dualies using them as passenger vehicles. Not everyone needs something as big and cumbersome. My son-in-law owns a fleet of work trucks, from half to five ton ratings. He’s also testing a Lightning, as well as owning several EV passenger cars for his landscaping business. It’s a question of economics. If all you ever do is lug or tow heavy weights around, sure, but driving a twenty foot long, seven foot wide and tall ‘rig’ in city traffic? You’re kidding, right?

[@kevinwest7912]

Technology is NOT what is wanted or needed in a work truck. Rivan is to high priced and will likely go bankrupt. An electric truck bare bones for 50k is NEARLY interesting.

[@cmcb7230]

Rivian > cyber truck

[@davidjernigan8161]

Do you really need to be in tow/haul mode towing an empty 1700 lb trailer?

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@@davidjernigan8161 It enters it automatically when you connect a trailer electrical plug.

[@9663mu]

Still a niche truck

[@AnonymousFreakYT]

@@9663mu As are all trucks.

[@zetacanahuate9794]

o no first world problems hitch is covered !!! first world problems dude!! get over it . there is a reason. get over Andre. and stop saying let me and or course for no reason.

[@ribbit1964]

$100k to do basic truck work 😩 makes sense if you really hate money

[@DavidHuber1]

What's the point of money?

[@jakeblakeley2246]

Dual motor trim is closer to $75-80k and can tow well too. With gas savings thats the price of some of the new Tacomas

[@TAWithiam]

Its a high end "adventure" vehicle that also happens to be able to do work stuff, you wouldn't buy it just to do work, that'd be silly. Rivian is like the Audi or BMW of trucks

[@williamhadley1580]

Nothing 'basic' about it. That's parallel to other top trim luxury pickups, sadly.

[@rickbernhardt3912]

Wait...nobody bitching about the price or that it's an EV. EV's are acceptable now that President Musk is about to take office...very good

[@allanw6103]

rivian got just rated the #1 worst car brand by consumer reports.

[@WANDERER0070]

Thats bc Rivian dont pay bribes to Consumer reports 😂

[@1FiftyOverland]

Overpriced RC car

[@nlitenurmind]

You can feel like the kid with the biggest power wheel on the block. And then throw it away in 10 years...

[@Mike-Honcho-]

Oh look…another TOW video, how original…🙄