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The great American road trip has not died; it has simply evolved. And for Reddit user Gingerbeardman29, that evolution has come in the form of a Rivian R1T, Dual Motor Performance with the Max Pack battery, riding on its original set of all-terrain tires.
Over 20,000 miles and 18 months, he has taken his Rivian R1T across Moab’s red rock, the damp heights of the San Juans, and the empty, dust-lined highways of California. His ownership log is equal parts field report and travel journal, told not with bravado but with grounded honesty and a few thousand kilowatt-hours of experience, according to a recent Reddit post.
“Gen1, Dual Motor Performance, Max Pack, AT R1T.
Lifetime average efficiency, 2.31m/kWh. Based in CO, out to Moab, California, down to the San Juans, and all over CO. I’ve had 1 windshield replacement, 2 repairable chips since then. The rear light bar will need warranty replacement as I’ve found moisture in there after rain. Mobile service came out for the recalls related to the truck.
The grill below the windshield has developed a rattle over the expansion gaps in the road. The camp speaker has died on the charger multiple times at 3 am while camping. We weren’t even using it, it just started to beep in the truck at night, and we could hear it in the tent. The OE AT tires could probably make it to about 26k, but I’ll be changing them out before winter here. I love me a good freeway on ramp, a curvy mountain road, and up to about an OnX 7 when the pavement ends. The OE ATs have gotten pretty noisy, and I’m looking forward to quiet drives again.
In ~18 months of ownership, I’ve spent about 30 days in a perfectly level rooftop tent. Big upgrade from sleeping on the ground. There is a noticeable range hit with a 2 and 4-bike hitch rack, tires hanging outside of the slipstream, 10-15% hit. It’s nothing that has ever been an issue. This truck has improved since I bought it, with real suspension tuning upgrades, a better charge curve at DC fast chargers, more drive modes, and nice quality of life improvements. The phone key recognition has gotten worse since the last update, and I have to open the app to get the truck to unlock/ go into drive.
Off-road, this truck has opened up a world of camp spots I couldn’t get to before (other than by bike). The dual motor hasn’t gotten me stuck, even teetering on moguls, driving up a hill. Of course, there’s no performance reduction at 12k ft, and it’ll wade through some pretty deep water. One of the best parts is it doesn’t smell like hot oil when you finally get to a camp spot. It does burn through the electrons doing slow rock climbs, but you get some back heading down the other side of the pass. On the road, it’s soft when you want it to be, and flat on twisty canyon roads. I take the scenic way home every chance I get, looking for new roads I haven’t been on yet. It’s comfortable on long drives, and as the driver with a passenger princess, I prefer it on road trips over a gas vehicle. Smoother, quieter, and I get to stretch my legs every few hours. I would 100% buy it again. I plan on keeping it for a good 20 years. It can improve more, and it has improved. Maybe one day I’ll have an R3X sitting in the garage next to it.”
He’s put the truck through high-elevation climbs, deep water crossings, and dozens of nights off-grid. The R1T hasn’t flinched, even while dragging along bike racks and roof gear that chop 10 to 15 percent off range. That 2.31 miles per kWh average isn’t a fantasy figure, it’s hard-earned, up and down passes, along gravel switchbacks, and through Colorado’s temperamental seasons. The photos he shared tell their own story, packed with dusty trailheads and alpine views.
2025 Rivian R1T Trim Models
- Available in Dual-Motor, Tri-Motor, and high-output Quad-Motor 2026 versions, spanning from ~533 hp to a massive 1,025 hp.
- The new Gen‑2 Tri-Motor R1T launches 0–60 mph in just 2.7 seconds, outpacing the older Quad-Motor model.
- With the Max battery, EPA-rated range reaches ~405 miles in conserve mode on Tri-Motor versions.
- Adjustable air suspension offers up to 14.9 inches of ground clearance, plus specialized off-road modes and features like a built-in camp kitchen.
Other Rivian owners on Reddit took notice. “Wish I had that kind of efficiency with mine,” wrote Binford6100User, lamenting that his flat Buffalo commute yields just 2.01 mi/kWh. Gingerbeardman29’s reply was practical: lower speeds, thinner air, frequent elevation changes, and a preference for Auto mode on the suspension. In short, his driving style complements the truck’s strengths. He’s not out to beat the EPA estimates on a drag strip; he’s carving mountain roads and taking the scenic route on purpose.
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The experience hasn’t been perfect. He’s dealt with a windshield replacement, minor chips, a rattling cowl, and a mysterious camp speaker that likes to chirp at 3 a.m. The taillight bar needs a warranty swap due to moisture. But these quirks haven’t dimmed his enthusiasm. If anything, they reflect a truck that’s been used hard and used well. Real adventure machines aren’t showroom perfect. They creak. They get muddy. They earn their character.
What separates the Rivian from traditional overlanders is how it’s improved over time. OTA updates have brought better ride quality, refined drive modes, faster DC fast charging behavior, and subtle quality-of-life upgrades.
Rivians Phone Key Issue
Despite a regression in phone key functionality after a recent update, the overall trajectory is positive. In many ways, this truck isn’t the same one that rolled off the lot; it’s better. And it will likely continue to evolve as the company refines its software.
Then there’s the performance at elevation. No sputtering, no lag, no loss in torque. “Of course, there’s no performance reduction at 12k ft,” he writes, matter-of-fact. An electric powertrain doesn’t care about thin air, and the R1T’s torque delivery remains consistent whether you’re at sea level or a mountain pass. Combined with adjustable ride height and precise traction control, the truck becomes a legitimate off-road tool, capable not just in theory, but in practice.
The tires are nearing the end of their run. The stock all-terrains are expected to go another 6,000 miles or so, but have become louder, a reminder that even in a quiet EV, road noise finds its way in.
Rivian R1T Owner Testimonials
- One R1T owner logged over 18,000 miles in 9 months, saving 960 gallons of gas, but doubling their electric bill to ~$250/month.
- Slowing from 65 to 60 mph netted a measurable increase in efficiency; the owner reported a gain of 0.5 mi/kWh.
- Common owner reports include dead 110V inverters and service delays, some lasting months, even for new Gen‑2 trucks.
- A driver monitored cabin CO₂ and raised concerns about auto-mode ventilation, suggesting Rivian hasn’t prioritized air‑quality control on long drives.
Still, they’ve proven durable, and replacements are planned before Colorado’s winter sets in. Beyond the tires, there are no serious complaints. In fact, Gingerbeardman29 already has eyes on the brand’s future products. An R3X, he says, may one day share the garage.
One commenter called his post the start of a romance novel. Maybe that’s apt. This story has all the right ingredients: a rugged partner, countless miles shared together, some conflict, plenty of beauty, and the commitment to go the distance. The difference here is that the partner runs on electricity, not gasoline, and still has more to give. If this is what 20,000 miles looks like in a Rivian, the next chapter could be even more compelling.
Image Sources: Rivian Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
