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Towing with an electric truck is still viewed skeptically by many RV owners, but one Rivian R1T driver in Arizona says real-world results are challenging that assumption.
Kevin Williams recently completed his third towing trip with his Rivian R1T pulling a 30-foot Brinkley travel trailer weighing roughly 8,700 pounds. The round trip covered 204 miles each way between New River, Arizona, and St. David’s Lakes in southeastern Arizona, including elevation changes, traffic delays, and strong headwinds.
To stay conservative, Williams planned the trip using A Better Route Planner and assumed 0.8 miles per kilowatt hour. That estimate proved accurate during the worst conditions, dipping briefly to 0.79 during heavy headwinds and traffic near Phoenix. Once traffic cleared, efficiency climbed back to roughly 0.9 miles per kilowatt hour.
“Took our 3rd trip with the Rivian towing the i265 Brinkley travel trailer (30ft @~8700lbs).
The more I get used to it, the more I love this combo. I calculate with ABRP and 0.8 mi/kwh just to be safe. Glad I did, as on the way down, a massive headwind and some rush hour/accident traffic meant I was actually getting 0.79. Once the highway opened up, it jumped back up to 0.9 or so.
I did get a set of the aero wheel covers on eBay for $40. They do actually make enough of a difference that I get an extra 8-12 miles of towing.
We live in New River and went to St David's Lakes in SE Arizona. It was 204 miles each way. Started at 100% and on the south side of Phoenix, had to add a "splash" of charge to make it to Tucson, so a quick 16 min stop. Then stopped again in Tucson at charged for 47 mins but also ate dinner, so no "extra" time. Made it to the campground with about 17% left.
Was able to charge at the campground, so both day trips and the trip home were "free". Sonoita is Arizona's wine country. Many many very good wineries down there. I've been to Napa Valley, and I'll go to SE AZ instead. We did our own wine tour and hit 3 wineries (one was a favorite from when we did a paid winery tour last summer). Bought a LOT of good wine!
On the way home charged in Tucson again for 37 mins (while we had breakfast) and then again in South Phoenix for 20 mins (and had lunch).
So basically, even with 4 charging sessions, it was < 20 mins more than we would have spent anyway. We're no longer "road warrior" types who try to do massive miles in a day. We did 850 miles across Texas in one day in our Ram 2500 and fifth wheel, and don't want to do that again.... we'd take 2 days and enjoy it more. When we do longer trips, we'd probably try to go 300-400 miles, and it would take 5-8 hours. I also drive at around 60-65 for better efficiency, too.
Jax (our dog) loves traveling with us and camping as well. He's so comfortable in the Rivian. He enjoyed getting a short walk while we were charging, too.
I spent $148 in supercharger fees. If I had thought of it, I would have bought the Tesla membership and would have saved ~$24.
My Ram 2500 would have cost over $220 in diesel for the same trip, AND it's a ton more money when driving around home!
We're definitely very happy with our choice to move from diesel to EV for towing, and the Rivian is so nice we normally drive it around town, even though our Tesla Y is more efficient!”
One unexpected improvement came from a simple modification. Williams installed a set of aftermarket aero wheel covers purchased on eBay for $40. He reports they added between 8 and 12 miles of additional towing range, enough to meaningfully reduce stress between charging stops.
Rivian R1T: Gear Tunnel & Frunk
- The R1T blends pickup utility with SUV-like road manners, using its low-mounted battery and independent suspension to limit body motion on paved surfaces.
- Quad-motor capability enables precise torque control for off-road conditions, though the system adds weight and can reduce efficiency during routine driving.
- Storage-focused features such as the Gear Tunnel and front trunk expand everyday usability beyond the bed, at the cost of added mechanical complexity.
- Interior materials and layout emphasize durability and clean design, favoring outdoor-oriented practicality over traditional pickup luxury cues.
The trip required four charging sessions in total. On the outbound leg, Williams started at 100 percent state of charge and made a brief 16-minute stop south of Phoenix to ensure he could reach Tucson. He then charged for 47 minutes in Tucson while eating dinner and arrived at the campground with approximately 17 percent remaining. The campground offered charging, allowing both day trips and the return leg to start with a full battery.
The return trip included a 37-minute charging stop in Tucson during breakfast and a 20-minute stop in south Phoenix during lunch. Williams noted that despite four charging sessions, the total travel time was less than 20 minutes longer than what they would have spent stopping anyway.
In total, he spent $148 on Supercharger fees for the entire trip. He noted that purchasing a Tesla charging membership ahead of time would have saved an additional $24. By comparison, his previous Ram 2500 diesel truck would have consumed more than $220 in fuel for the same route, not including the higher operating costs during daily driving.
Williams emphasized that towing with an EV requires a different mindset. He typically drives between 60 and 65 miles per hour for better efficiency and no longer aims to cover massive distances in a single day. After previously completing an 850-mile day towing with a diesel truck, he and his family now prefer shorter travel days that prioritize comfort and enjoyment.
He also pointed out the quality of life benefits. Their dog enjoys the quieter cabin and benefits from short walks during charging stops. The Rivian has become their primary vehicle around town despite owning a Tesla Model Y, simply because of comfort and versatility.
Williams says lightweight, well-designed trailers make electric towing far more practical than many assume. While acknowledging that EV towing is not ideal for everyone, he says the cost savings, driving comfort, and reduced fatigue have made the switch from diesel worthwhile.
For this Rivian R1T owner, towing with an electric truck is not just viable. It is preferable.
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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