55 inches is long enough to haul a pallet of material, but I also like to use my truck to pick up a yard of gravel, mulch or other materials. I'm concerned that bulk suppliers are going to balk at loading a 55 inch truck bed with a standard 72" wide skid steer scoop. As someone who plans to do real work with my R1T, I'd happily trade a shorter frunk for an additional 17 inches of bed length. A six foot bed is what I've had on my trucks in the past and always found adequate.

Fifty five inches is also shorter than the average length of an adult bike: 65 to 71 inches, though with the front wheel turned sideways, I'm guessing I could still throw my bike in the back bed of the R1T when I'm in a hurry and too lazy to mount the bike on a rack.

 

A Ford Lightning sounds like a better choice for you. I don't believe that Rivian has the resources and money to make a longer bed version. The R2 and R3 hold way more profit potential for Rivian.

 

I would imagine that you'd be able to throw your bike in the back without an issue, if not that's not a good look for Rivian.

From everything we've seen so far, Rivian isn't really focused on the R1T as a work truck, more of an adventure vehicle. But hopefully they do create a version with a longer bed for people like you @suterco

 

Plus Rivian has said they plan to build 6 EVs by I believe 2025. Assuming that includes the R1T and R1S, we now know it will also include a delivery van, however, not sure if that was known prior to Rivian making that statement of building 6 EVs. None the less, point is more EVs are planned by Rivian. Question is, will they be distinct EVs (ala different class of vehicle - pickup, SUV, delivery, sedan, sport, etc.) and/or be deviations of their EVs, for example, a pickup with a longer bed (among other features to warrant it as a new EV versus just a new option to the original R1T) and perhaps call it R2T.

 

That's very true, just because they say they're making 6 EVs, it doesn't mean they have to be all new designs. I could definitely see them making a R1T with a longer bed with either 2 or 4 doors.

 

Do we know if sheet goods will fit lying flat in the bed?

 

What kinds of stuff you plan on putting in the bed GEON?

 

I use my truck to haul sheet goods - 4'x8' - plywood, sheetrock etc. I also purchase sheet steel that is 4'x8' (and heavy!)

GEON

 

Since the bed is 55.1 inches (4.6 feet) it's likely going to be a tight fit. What truck do you use now to haul your sheet steel?

 

Large orders - I get delivered on a flatbed! I currently have a Honda Ridgeline that has a similar size bet to the Rivian. Even though I appreciate the full size truck bed-length I like the smaller size and nimbleness of the smaller vehicle. The Rivian would be similar size-wise to my Ridgeline, I bought that new the first year - 2006, and its ready to retire...

GEON

 

This is not aimed at the workforce
This is a fun truck
You can adapt anything
Or get a trailer
This is aimed at campers bikers fun
If I were still a pool guy I could definitely make it work
So if you want it make it work or move on

 

This is not aimed at the workforce
This is a fun truck
You can adapt anything
Or get a trailer
This is aimed at campers bikers fun
If I were still a pool guy I could definitely make it work
So if you want it make it work or move on

Are you planning on getting the R1T @Heyvernsky?

 

I'd love to be able to use the R1T for 4-season camping with one of the new self-contained slide-ins such as a Kimbo 6 (Home | Kimbo Campers) or Scout Yoho (Scout Truck Campers). The ability to off-load the camper at your destination and have a standard pick-up to off-road or even just run out for supplies, is really appealing. Plus, in theory, with 11,000 lbs of tow capacity, you'd also be able to hitch a boat or dirt bike trailer. Unfortunately, the Rivian probably will not be able to accommodate any COTS slide-in camper. Here's how I see things.

For this thought exercise, I'll use the Scout Yoho, one of the smallest and lightest full-feature, slide-in campers with freestanding capability. It has a base weight of 913 lbs but with options (such as jacks, heater, refrigerator, etc) will come at about 1,250 lbs. Adding just two passengers and their gear and luggage will likely bring the total over the R1T's max payload of 1,760 lbs. While the R1T has substantial towing capacity, you'd need more payload capacity because of tongue weight. So towing anything with the camper in place is out of the question.

Even if you can live with the payload limit, the 55" R1T bed rules out something like the Yoho, which though among the shortest available, is still nearly 70" long. It's not so much the considerable overhang that makes things impossible, it's the center of gravity due to the short bed.

Am I wrong about this? The R1T appears to be an ideal truck in nearly every other way but it looks like it really can only be used with lightweight, soft-side pop-up campers or for trailer camping.

 

I think you're right @Yossarian, it's probably why Rivian has only shown the R1T with tents on the bed rather than an overhang camper.

 

It appears that the storage bar mounts in the bed have been removed according to the 2nd picture in the Utility section of the updated website....

 

I wonder if they've been moved or hidden? If they're gone completely that's a letdown.

 

Looks like they've just flat out been removed from this picture....

 

I'd say that it's plenty of space considering that it's an adventure vehicle, not a work truck. I was about to pull the trigger on a Gladiator and there the concern about bedspace is a lot more real, as it's missing the frunk and tunnel. For the adventure application, the current bed should be more than enough

 

It's interesting how similar the two beds are for size

Rivian R1T

• Bed width: 51 inches
• Bed length with tailgate up: 54 inches

Jeep Gladiator

• Bed width:56.8 inches
• Gate opening: 50 inches
• Bed length with tailgate up: 60.3 inches

 

The bed size is fine. The same size as my old Sport Trac

 

No, its's not big enough, but since I don't get a choice, I'll have to deal with it.

 

I’ve not seen it marketed as a “work truck”. It’s an adventure vehicle. If you want a work truck, wait for the F150.

 

I just put my $1K down yesterday so I may be the newest member here. I would like more bed room even at the cost of less cabin. My needs aren't as a work truck as Im retired. I have a crew cab F350 long bed with a slide in camper that I plan to keep. Im tired of mounting and un-mounting the camper whenever I need a truck bed. I think the Rivian will work for my needs and it seems like it is coming sooner. Still, from my POV and if I were king for a day I would like more bed. If the F150E came out sooner I might jump that way if it had more bed. I do see some huge advantages to having a motor at each wheel and the cool capabilities that brings. As kind of a related point- I have more solar panels than I need so with "free" electricity I don't need the most efficient vehicle out there - as long as it is electric. That is where I started thinking of an electric truck.

Steve

 

I just put my $1K down yesterday so I may be the newest member here. I would like more bed room even at the cost of less cabin. My needs aren't as a work truck as Im retired. I have a crew cab F350 long bed with a slide in camper that I plan to keep. Im tired of mounting and un-mounting the camper whenever I need a truck bed. I think the Rivian will work for my needs and it seems like it is coming sooner. Still, from my POV and if I were king for a day I would like more bed. If the F150E came out sooner I might jump that way if it had more bed. I do see some huge advantages to having a motor at each wheel and the cool capabilities that brings. As kind of a related point- I have more solar panels than I need so with "free" electricity I don't need the most efficient vehicle out there - as long as it is electric. That is where I started thinking of an electric truck.

Steve

Welcome to the forum Steve!

 

R99, The hummer is not really my style. I don't want to live quite that large! . The cyber truck will probably be good but Im not crazy about the looks. So in my mind that leaves Rivian and then the typical Detroit players.

Steve

 

R99, The hummer is not really my style. I don't want to live quite that large! . The cyber truck will probably be good but Im not crazy about the looks. So in my mind that leaves Rivian and then the typical Detroit players.

Steve

Welcome.

I agree. the Hummer is a massive upgrade over the R1T. Its almost like upgrading to a heavy duty pickup and for most of us that's unrealistic.

Anyone ever wonder what customer demographic Rivian had in mind from the start?
Because the R1T seems to be more on the mild side of pickups and they didn't give us footsteps...

Do You Need Footsteps?

Rivian will not add footsteps on the R1T it seems. For a pickup truck this is unusual. Ford, Chevrolet, RAM, Toyota and other automakers always include them but here that's not the case. Do you want Rivian to at least add one to the bumper?

www.rivianownersforum.com

Maybe the data says most R1T's will be used like the average SUV?

 

Just saw this on the cold weather testing in MN article. Perhaps an extended cab vs. crew cab that also includes a longer bed?

 

Rivan should have no problem giving us some bed options especially on that cab style.
This also has me wondering if they will make cheaper fleet versions.

 

These are the latest bed size specs from Rivian.

Sizing up the R1T - Dimensions for Vehicle, Frunk, Gear...

Rivian released an updated list of dimensions for the R1T on their website. Dimensions for the vehicle, frunk, gear tunnel, and truck bed https://stories.rivian.com/sizing-up-the-r1t

www.rivianownersforum.com

 

The average height of a male in the US is approximately 5'9" (69 inches), when thinking about trips in a vehicle in terms of adventure the constant trade off considerations w/r/t planning always include in some priority order: Goal of trip, Time to do it, safety/security etc. but security/safety is always a constant in the top priorities . . . that is to say if you are injured the rest of the priorities get triaged below the immediate life threat, and if you are dead, well the trip is over. So it seems like if I was making a truck bed length w/r/t the humans involved (the main market Rivian is trying to attract) and I was making it with the aforementioned practical considerations in mind, I'd make the ability for 2 men to sleep in that truck bed in a safe/secure way (tailgate up) fully stretched out. On the diagonal that truck bed is about 73 inches, so it could work for maybe one guy sleeping in it with the tailgate up, but if the numbers worked out (no loss in vehicle range etc.), it probably would have been a good idea to make the tail-gate up length in the bed to be 69-70ish inches for practical human considerations. I guess they could figure out a way to open up the cab side of the truck bed into the gear tunnel or something like that with the current truck specs if this were an important enough issue to create a solution for.

 

I'd prefer a 6.5' bed but I could make the R1T work for my needs. I imagine some aftermarket company will come out with a suitable bed extender, making it possible to haul anything with the tail gate down.

I'm more concerned about the height from the floor of the bed to the bottom of the power tonneau cover. It would be nice to be able to fit a 20lb propane tank standing up and our dual fuel generator. They both fit perfectly in my Tacoma.

 

I'd prefer a 6.5' bed but I could make the R1T work for my needs. I imagine some aftermarket company will come out with a suitable bed extender, making it possible to haul anything with the tail gate down.

Bed is just under 8 feet with tailgate down so anything up to 12 feet is easy with straps. In my Ridgeline (similar size bed) I’ve taken a bundle of 16 foot trim just strapped it down carefully and took it easy on the drive home. If you’re taking a lot of longer items or something that is flimsy you can get a trailer hitch extender. Basically just square metal tubing that adjusts to same height as bed.

 

Skis won't fit!
Skis fit in my Chevy Bolt (and Tesla)! The diagonal length of the R1T is 188 cm, so some shorter skis will fit tightly, but not most of what I use. That's an adventure killer for me! I'd definietely buy this truck if skis fit in the bed and I could get a capper with a roof line matching the cab for hauling my long double kayak.

 

Skis won't fit!
Skis fit in my Chevy Bolt (and Tesla)! The diagonal length of the R1T is 188 cm, so some shorter skis will fit tightly, but not most of what I use. That's an adventure killer for me! I'd definietely buy this truck if skis fit in the bed and I could get a capper with a roof line matching the cab for hauling my long double kayak.

You can easily mount a box or rack with the crossbars, so not being able to load longer skis directly into your truck bed isn't necessarily going to kill any adventures. You could even throw skis into a travel bag, open the tonneau a bit and be fine with them sticking up a foot over the tailgate.

 

I'm curious to hear what any of the Rivian fan folks feel about the Atlis XT's bed sizes and overall functionality?

 

The Atlis XT is a gigantic prototype "HD-type" truck concept targeted specifically toward work (not really in the same category as Rivian).
Atlis doesn't even put themselves into the same category as Rivian in their investor deck.
Any work truck is going to have a different bed configuration than Rivian's shorter and more compact bed.
I just wouldn't compare the beds, because I would never buy an Atlis, for a whole slew of reasons.
I don't even think you can actually "BUY" one in the traditional sense, since they have some whacky, all-in, lease-only subscription model. Def not what I am after anyway.

 

As someone considering the R1T for use as a TV, I have to say that the Atlis XT's longer bed options, larger frunk and ability to remove one or both of the rear seats is very attractive!
I'm not saying the prototype will become a reality or be available to purchase by retail customers.

 

Everything is a compromise. If you tow most of the time and need a humongous FRUNK and massive payload and care less about the refined drive quality that Rivian is delivering for BOTH on and off-road use (at least based on all the initial reviews), then go nuts on Atlis!

There will always be some work truck-oriented buyers for Rivian (despite Rivian being billed as an "adventure vehicle"), and there will always be some adventure-oriented buyers for EV work trucks out there. I'm guessing that 95% of Rivian pre-order holders are NOT in that first category.

I know that since I am in the more "adventure-oriented category" and will ALSO use the truck as a semi-daily driver (or daily driver if that ever becomes a thing again), that I can get bed with less cargo room in the trunk for things like hauling mulch, making dump runs, or towing a few times a year. If that were flipped, and my actual work or job depended on a real work truck (day in and day out), and I didn't want to worry about some dings and scratches after shelling out $80K, then I would probably go with a Ford Lightening before considering an Atlis - particularly since Ford would be the company standing behind it.

I'm not seeing anything particularly impressive about Atlis at all, except some of their battery tech claims, which I am dubious about.