Below, we have a real-world towing test by the All Electric Family in their Rivian R1S with their 30ft Airstream in tow. This towing test was particularly tough as it involved climbing over 5,000 feet into the Rocky Mountains. As a result, the average efficiency figure was quite low at just 0.97 miles per kWh at low average speeds (35 to 55 mph). That would provide a max towing range of 131 miles.
Table of Contents
Key EV Towing Example Results
- Vehicle: Rivian R1S
- EPA Range: 340 miles
- Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
- Towing Rig: Airstream RV (7,500 lbs)
- Total Usable Battery Capacity: 135 kWh
- Efficiency Towing: 0.97 miles per kWh
- Max Towing Range: 131 miles
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Rivian R1S Towing Notes
The All Electric Family, in their videos, offer nicely detailed trip stats, as you can see below. They also show the current challenges of using the Electrify America network.
This towing trip was over a total of 600 plus miles, and they increased in elevation by nearly 6,000 ft. Therefore, the efficiency figures for this trip need to be viewed in context.
Over the first part of this towing trip, they covered just under 102 miles with an average speed of 56 mph and achieved an efficiency of 1.04 miles per kWh.
Over the next 75-mile stretch, the efficiency dropped down to 0.87 miles per kWh. However, this was at a higher average speed of 63 mph.
The next stretch of 25 miles with an average speed of 55 mph, the efficiency crept up a bit to 0.94 miles per kWh.
After staying at a campsite and being able to use the power available to charge the Rivian R1S up to 90%, they set off on their elevation climb.
Over the next 114 miles, with an average speed of 56 mph, the Rivian R1S achieved an efficiency of 0.87 miles per kWh. Then, over the following 97 miles, it was 0.93 miles per kWh (59 mph average).
During the final 78 miles of their trip were the most challenging, with an elevation climb from 7,000 ft to over 10,000 ft.
Over the next 8 miles, despite the slow average speed of 35 mph due to the climb of 2,000 ft, the efficiency dropped down to just 0.44 miles per kWh.
On average, though, over the final 78 miles of this trip, the efficiency figure was 1.02 miles per kWh. However, the average speed was only 37 mph.
For this whole trip, the efficiency appeared to be an average of just 0.97 miles per kWh, travelling at speeds as low as 35 mph up to 55 mph. This would provide a max towing range of 131 miles.
Trailer Towing Notes
The trailer used in the video above is a 30ft Airstream RV with a loaded weight of around 7,500 lbs.
While Airstream RVs do appear to provide aerodynamic benefits over more boxy RVs, in this particular trip, they were not travelling at speeds in excess of 55 mph, where those benefits become more evident.
Weather/Terrain Notes
A variety of weather conditions were seen on this trip. However, it was generally dry, with summer temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The most obvious challenge for the Rivian R1S towing in this test was the elevation climb over 5,000 ft.
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