Towing Capabilities: A Comparison Between Rivian’s Gen 1 and Gen 2 Vehicles

As Rivian continues to innovate in the electric vehicle space, the differences between their first and second-generation vehicles are becoming more pronounced, especially regarding towing capabilities. If you’re considering using your Rivian for towing, it’s crucial to understand how the updates in the Gen 2 vehicles affect towing capacity across different models and configurations.

Gen 2 Vehicles: Updated Towing Capacities

The Gen 2 Rivian vehicles introduce new powertrain options, which have led to some adjustments in towing capacities:

R1T Towing Capacity:

• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 11,000 lb
• Tri-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 11,000 lb

R1S Towing Capacity:

• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 7,700 lb
• Tri-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 7,700 lb

Gen 1 Vehicles: Consistent Towing Power

The first generation of Rivian vehicles established a strong baseline for towing capabilities, particularly with the Quad-Motor AWD system in the R1T:

R1T Towing Capacity:

• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard Pack: 11,000 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard+ Pack: 11,000 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 11,000 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 11,000 lb
• Quad-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 11,000 lb

R1S Towing Capacity:

• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Standard+ Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 7,700 lb
• Dual-Motor AWD with Max Pack: 7,700 lb
• Quad-Motor AWD with Large Pack: 7,700 lb

Key Differences and Considerations

1. Reduction in Towing Capacity for Certain Models: One of the most noticeable changes between Gen 1 and Gen 2 is the reduction in towing capacity for the R1T Dual-Motor AWD with Standard and Large packs, dropping from 11,000 lb in Gen 1 to 7,700 lb in Gen 2. This shift could be attributed to various factors, including powertrain adjustments and a focus on optimizing efficiency in the newer models.
2. New Powertrain Options: The introduction of the Tri-Motor AWD system in the Gen 2 R1T and R1S is a significant update, providing a robust 11,000 lb towing capacity for the R1T but maintaining a 7,700 lb limit for the R1S, regardless of the battery pack. This may suggest a focus on balancing performance and practicality, especially for the more family-oriented R1S.
3. Impact of Hitch Type: It’s important to note that both Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles require a weight-distributing hitch to achieve maximum towing capacities. Without it, the towing limit drops significantly to 5,000 lb (2,267 kg) for both the R1T and R1S, making it a crucial accessory for those planning to tow heavy loads.

Understanding the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2 Rivian vehicles is essential for making informed decisions about your towing needs. While the newer models offer exciting updates, including new powertrain configurations, there are trade-offs in towing capacity for certain configurations.