Hey everyone! I recently took delivery of my R1T Quad-Motor and I’m itching to get it out on some more technical trails. While the quad-motor performance is absolutely insane for crawling, I’m getting a little nervous about the logistics of a recovery. This truck is a beast, but weighing in at over 7,000 lbs, it’s significantly heavier than the ICE rigs I’m used to wheeling with.
I want to put together a high-quality recovery kit, but I’m worried about standard gear failing under the stress of such a heavy EV. I’ve been looking at kinetic recovery ropes like Bubba Rope or Yankum, but I’m unsure if I should be stepping up to a 1-inch diameter or higher to account for the R1T's mass. Also, regarding traction boards—do the standard MaxTrax hold up under the instant torque of the quad-motors, or should I invest in the metal-tooth 'Extreme' versions to avoid melting them?
I really want to make sure whatever I buy is compatible with the factory recovery points and won’t damage the front fascia. For those of you who have actually performed a recovery on an R1T, what specific brands and weight ratings are you trusting in your kit?
Yo! Honestly, wheeling a heavy EV like the R1T is a whole different beast because of the mass. Basically, you gotta understand that standard gear is usually rated for rigs weighing half as much. If you use undersized stuff, it’s gonna snap and that’s highkey dangerous. I learned that the hard way when my 'bargain' strap literally disintegrated on a heavy pull... super disappointing and honestly kinda scary lol. Since you're looking to save some cash, here is what I suggest instead of the $500+ setups: * Rhino USA Kinetic Recovery Rope 1" x 30' - This is usually around $130. It’s rated for over 30k lbs and way more budget-friendly than the Renegade mentioned earlier.
* X-BULL Recovery Traction Boards Generation 3 - You can get these for like $85. I know people love the metal-tooth boards, but honestly, at this price, even if you chew these up, you can buy 4 sets for the same cost!
* GearAmerica Uber Shackles 5/8" Soft Shackles - These are great for protecting ur front fascia and much cheaper than some big-name brands. But yeah, definitely stick to a 1-inch rope. I tried a thinner one once and it felt way too sketchy with the R1T's mass. gl!
yo! Congrats on the R1T, its such a beast but yeah, wheeling 7,000 lbs is actually a different ballgame. If youre trying to be smart with your budget but still want top-tier safety, I wouldnt just buy the most expensive stuff. For the kinetic rope, you 100% need a 1-inch diameter for the right kinetic energy transfer. I highly recommend the Yankum Ropes 1 inch x 30 foot Sidewinder Kinetic Recovery Rope—its super durable and handles heavy rigs way better than the generic stuff. For traction, instead of those pricey boards that might melt, check out Go-Treads XL Folding Recovery Boards. They use friction instead of teeth, so they wont get ruined by the quad-motor torque. Plus, grab some GearAmerica 5/8 inch Mega Shackles. They’re rated for a massive 68,000 lbs and fit the factory hooks perfectly without breaking the bank. Just take it slow and you’ll be fine... gl!! 👍
In my experience, this kit works well:
- Bubba Rope 1 inch x 30 foot Renegade
- MAXTRAX XTREME Recovery Boards ($500) cuz standard teeth wont handle the R1Ts torque.
Been using this for years, no complaints
Tbh I’m still pretty new to the whole EV wheeling world myself, but I’ve spent way too many hours crawling under my R1T to see how the recovery points are actually joined to the frame. I mean, I’ve done DIY recoveries on my old ICE trucks for years, but the sheer mass of this beast makes me second-guess my own skills... I actually tried to put together a basic kit last month and realized I didn't even know if my old techniques would work without snapping something!!! A couple questions for you:
1. Are you planning on doing most of your wheeling solo or will you always have a buddy rig with you for a pull?
2. What kind of terrain are you most worried about—like, is it mostly deep sand or are we talking about getting high-centered on technical rocks? I’m honestly torn between trying to be totally self-sufficient and just calling a professional recovery service if things get really bad. It’s honestly kind of scary how fast 7,000 lbs can get buried!!!