I Couldn't Have Made This Towing w/out TrekDrive! Lightship RV Extends Range Massively

TL;DR

Lightship RV's TrekDrive system enabled a Rivian R1S at 36% charge to tow the 7,000+ lb trailer 71 miles at 2.45 mi/kWh — near unloaded efficiency.

Key Points

• 1.TrekDrive was essential for this trip. The Rivian R1S started at only 36% state of charge and the Rivian's estimated range without TrekDrive would have fallen far short of the 71-mile route to the OutSpec track.
• 2.TrekDrive outputs up to 80 kW to offset trailer drag. During the drive it consistently pushed 70–80 kW at highway speeds, making the Rivian's onboard computer register the ~8,000 lb trailer as only 2,000 lbs effective load.
• 3.Efficiency numbers were astonishing. The R1S achieved 2.3–2.45 mi/kWh while towing at 70 mph on a windy day — virtually identical to its unloaded highway efficiency.
• 4.The Lightship RV is a ~$190,000 production unit with notable build quality issues. VIN #6 showed bubbling countertops, a faulty door seal requiring a full slam to close, a broken door detent, and false sensor readings for the stairs.
• 5.TrekDrive required a troubleshooting reset before it would engage. The system needs a strong trailer-brake signal above 15–17 mph to activate; on this trip it failed to engage initially and required a full storage-mode/road-mode reset cycle.
• 6.Energy use at the destination showed how much TrekDrive helped. The Rivian used ~30 kWh (arriving at 13% SOC) while the Lightship battery only dropped from 100% to 70%, leaving substantial reserve in both.
• 7.The Lightship's collapsed aerodynamic profile compounds the efficiency gains. At low speeds TrekDrive provides most of the benefit, but at highway speeds the trailer's folded-down shape dramatically reduces aerodynamic drag on top of the motor assist.
• 8.Real-world use cases make TrekDrive compelling for EV towers. Single-day trips of ~120 miles (e.g., North Carolina coast runs) are easily achievable, and overnight campground charging via NEMA 14-50 can fully replenish both batteries for multi-day trips.