Best camping accessories for the Rivian R1T Tri-Motor bed?

Question

Hey everyone! I just took delivery of my new Rivian R1T Tri-Motor, and I am absolutely blown away by the power and that incredible torque vectoring. Now that the break-in period is over, I’m planning my first real overlanding trip into the Sierras and I want to fully deck out the truck bed for a premium camping experience.

Since this is the Tri-Motor, I’m really looking for gear that matches the high-performance nature of the truck—stuff that is rugged enough to stay secure when I'm utilizing that Conserve or Sport mode on winding mountain roads, but functional enough to make setup a breeze. I’ve been looking at the Rivian cargo crossbars, but I’m torn between a traditional rooftop tent (RTT) setup over the bed or keeping the bed open for more modular gear storage.

One specific thing I'm curious about is how you all are utilizing the 120V outlets in the bed for kitchen setups. I’m considering a dual-zone portable fridge/freezer, but I want to make sure it fits perfectly under a tonneau cover if I decide to go that route. Also, has anyone found a specific mounting system for recovery boards or pressurized water tanks that integrates well with the R1T’s unique bed rails without whistling at high speeds?

I’m also wondering about the best mattress solutions that account for the slightly shorter 4.5-foot bed length when the tailgate is down. I’ve seen some inflatable options, but I’d prefer something with a bit more support for multi-night stays. My budget is pretty flexible—I’d rather buy once and cry once for high-quality gear that lasts.

What are your absolute 'must-have' accessories for the R1T bed that balance utility with the truck's performance? Specifically, if you have a Tri-Motor, have you noticed any weight distribution issues with heavy bed racks?

nhkywhwvfd · Accepted Answer

Ok so, I've spent way too much time obsessing over my R1T bed layout for the Sierras... honestly, the Tri-Motor torque is no joke, so you gotta make sure things are bolted down TIGHT or they'll literally slide everywhere when you're in Sport mode.

If you're worried about that 4.5-foot bed length for sleeping, you might find this useful—check out the Exped MegaMat Auto. I’ve tried many inflatables over the years and this is basically the gold standard for support. It feels like a real mattress, not a pool floaty, and it fits the R1T’s tapered wheel wells perfectly.

For the kitchen setup under a tonneau, it's all about height clearance. The ICECO GO20 Dual Zone Portable Refrigerator is a total win because it's low profile enough to clear the cover but still gives you that dual-zone flexibility. I usually run mine off the bed outlet, but pro tip: check out the RealTruck BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Cover if you don't have the powered one; it's super sturdy and matches the truck's rugged vibe without breaking the bank like some custom racks.

To solve the mounting and whistling issue, look into the BuiltRight Industries Bed Side Rack System for Rivian R1T. It uses the factory points and keeps your recovery boards or water tucked inside the bed walls so there's literally zero wind resistance.

There's a great resource at 'Rivian Roamer' (online build gallery) where people post their exact weight specs. Keeping the heavy gear like your fridge and tools closer to the cab is huge for maintaining that snappy torque vectoring feel. Anyway, hope that helps! 👍

mtgxrgphlt · Answer

yo congrats on the tri-motor!! honestly i was sooo worried about overspending on my R1T bed setup too. basically i found that the Rivian Cargo Crossbars are actually the best value cuz they're so easy to swap. i went with the Luno Life Air Mattress for Rivian R1T which is like $330—it's super comfy even with the short bed! for the fridge, the ICECO JP40 12V Portable Fridge Freezer fits perfectly under the tonneau and saved me literally hundreds compared to the Dometic ones. gl with the build!!

qsqrqmnwit · Answer

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