R1T and Pebble Flow - First Journey
We picked up our new Pebble Flow Founders Edition at Pebble HQ in Fremont CA on 11/19/25 and began our indirect journey home to Durango CO. We’re towing with our R1T, dual motor, performance, max pack on 21” Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 tires. This same truck towed our 28’ Airstream for over 14K miles. The single axle Pebble is 24’ 8” LOA, 7’6” width, 6800 lbs GVWR and is equipped with dual electic motors and a 45kWh LFP battery pack. All utilities are electric - no propane. It rolls on 275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse All-season tires. The Pebble requires no WDH or sway bars, and tracked very well in all conditions thus far. A full description can be found at pebblelife.com.
One unique feature of the Pebble is Tow Assist, whereby the motors engage to offset trailer drag. These motors, remotely controlled via the iPad mini, also provide maneuverability around a camp site, driveway etc.
Tow Assist is seamless, switched on and off from the iPad. The Rivian has so much power that relieving it of trailer drag isn’t immediately perceived as a huge difference. It’s more apparent on steep grades or merging onto the interstate. One can observe the difference in efficiency after a bit, and regeneration to the Pebble pack during downgrades or braking is displayed on the Pebble app. alongside solar input. I noted 6.4kW on some long downgrades.
The Pebble has great aerodynamics, with no aircon units on top, minimal vents and recessed solar panels. The Aero Box on the bow (covering the 15,000 BTU heat pump) raises for towing, presenting a clean entry. The R1T was not as sleek on this trip, with two cargo boxes atop the bed, so some efficiency loss there.
Efficiency varies with a number of factors, short run comparisons are not statistically valid, and I realize that these early results are hardly scientific, but do offer a glimpse at the benefit of Tow Assist. Interstate driving is generally my worst efficiency. I tow at 65 mph. and am buffeted by the bow waves of passing semis.
My ‘baseline’ efficiency for comparison was an average 1.1 mi/kWh for our 7500 lb Airstream 28, over 14,000 miles.
The Rivian recalculates trailer weight after every hitch-up and a few miles of towing, rounding to nearest 500 lbs. One can also force a recalculation from the trailer display. Without Tow Assist the Rivian estimated the weight of trailer at 6500 lbs. With Tow Assist the Rivian in motion recalculated the weight of trailer at 5000 lbs.
With Tow assist, a 168 mile run on I40 at 65mph yielded efficiency of 1.76 mi/kWh.
We left Gallup NM after charging at the RAN to 94%. Having made the run from Holbrook to Gallup without Tow Assist, the navigation system estimated our home arrival SOC at 4%. A bit risky, as there is but one fast charger en route, and that at a GM dealership in Farmington with uncertain availability. I’ve had to stop there with the Airstream, and it’s awkward. We rolled and I activated Tow Assist. I towed at 65 mph, but this time on NM 491 with little traffic. The estimated arrival SOC increased to 26%. No charging stop required! We arrived home after 156 miles and 1200 ft of elevation gain with exactly that 26% SOC, in a brisk 30F.
We look forward to many great trips next year, but now it’s snowing and time for covered winter storage.
Pebble battery management involves a learning curve. The electric appliances, particularly the HVAC in freezing weather, consume a lot of energy, as does Tow Assist. Solar charging helps, but low sun angle in winter reduces solar gain. If heading out for dry camping, preserving the battery SOC for domestic use is important. If towing with an EV and making miles toward a campground with electricity, then using Tow Assist may be more efficient.
A few suggestions from our 1100 mile return trip home in Colorado towing our new Pebble with our R1T.
Take your time, ask every question that comes to mind, but don’t sweat not learning it all right away. It’s a trailer, and should follow you home.
Schedule your delivery to escape Fremont before commuter traffic, if there is such a thing. Leaving at 1600 to head to San Jose with a new, expensive trailer on the hitch was terrifying. There was a particular multi-merge that would stress test anyone not hardened to San Francisco traffic.
Plan to spend a day or three nearby to actually browse the owners manual and become familiar with the systems. Sure, we’re very experienced Airstreamers, but this is a very different trailer. We stayed in Coyote Valley Resort, between San Jose and Morgan Hill, which is very nice, peaceful, and close to markets for provisioning.
Don’t stress over storage. In time, you’ll find the optimum containers that will stay on the open shelves and organize the closets. Just stuff it all in for now
Try a night off grid. This is where the Pebble really shines. We did a stopover in Mojave National Preserve, Hole in the Wall Campground.
Be prepared for considerable attention and questions at campgrounds. One fellow suggested that I set up an information booth. The fifth wheel / diesel truck guys may be skeptical. Keep a sense of humor.
Safe travels and grand adventures.
We picked up our new Pebble Flow Founders Edition at Pebble HQ in Fremont CA on 11/19/25 and began our indirect journey home to Durango CO. We’re towing with our R1T, dual motor, performance, max pack on 21” Michelin Defender LTX M/S2 tires. This same truck towed our 28’ Airstream for over 14K miles. The single axle Pebble is 24’ 8” LOA, 7’6” width, 6800 lbs GVWR and is equipped with dual electic motors and a 45kWh LFP battery pack. All utilities are electric - no propane. It rolls on 275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse All-season tires. The Pebble requires no WDH or sway bars, and tracked very well in all conditions thus far. A full description can be found at pebblelife.com.
One unique feature of the Pebble is Tow Assist, whereby the motors engage to offset trailer drag. These motors, remotely controlled via the iPad mini, also provide maneuverability around a camp site, driveway etc.
Tow Assist is seamless, switched on and off from the iPad. The Rivian has so much power that relieving it of trailer drag isn’t immediately perceived as a huge difference. It’s more apparent on steep grades or merging onto the interstate. One can observe the difference in efficiency after a bit, and regeneration to the Pebble pack during downgrades or braking is displayed on the Pebble app. alongside solar input. I noted 6.4kW on some long downgrades.
The Pebble has great aerodynamics, with no aircon units on top, minimal vents and recessed solar panels. The Aero Box on the bow (covering the 15,000 BTU heat pump) raises for towing, presenting a clean entry. The R1T was not as sleek on this trip, with two cargo boxes atop the bed, so some efficiency loss there.
Efficiency varies with a number of factors, short run comparisons are not statistically valid, and I realize that these early results are hardly scientific, but do offer a glimpse at the benefit of Tow Assist. Interstate driving is generally my worst efficiency. I tow at 65 mph. and am buffeted by the bow waves of passing semis.
My ‘baseline’ efficiency for comparison was an average 1.1 mi/kWh for our 7500 lb Airstream 28, over 14,000 miles.
The Rivian recalculates trailer weight after every hitch-up and a few miles of towing, rounding to nearest 500 lbs. One can also force a recalculation from the trailer display. Without Tow Assist the Rivian estimated the weight of trailer at 6500 lbs. With Tow Assist the Rivian in motion recalculated the weight of trailer at 5000 lbs.
With Tow assist, a 168 mile run on I40 at 65mph yielded efficiency of 1.76 mi/kWh.
We left Gallup NM after charging at the RAN to 94%. Having made the run from Holbrook to Gallup without Tow Assist, the navigation system estimated our home arrival SOC at 4%. A bit risky, as there is but one fast charger en route, and that at a GM dealership in Farmington with uncertain availability. I’ve had to stop there with the Airstream, and it’s awkward. We rolled and I activated Tow Assist. I towed at 65 mph, but this time on NM 491 with little traffic. The estimated arrival SOC increased to 26%. No charging stop required! We arrived home after 156 miles and 1200 ft of elevation gain with exactly that 26% SOC, in a brisk 30F.
We look forward to many great trips next year, but now it’s snowing and time for covered winter storage.
Pebble battery management involves a learning curve. The electric appliances, particularly the HVAC in freezing weather, consume a lot of energy, as does Tow Assist. Solar charging helps, but low sun angle in winter reduces solar gain. If heading out for dry camping, preserving the battery SOC for domestic use is important. If towing with an EV and making miles toward a campground with electricity, then using Tow Assist may be more efficient.
A few suggestions from our 1100 mile return trip home in Colorado towing our new Pebble with our R1T.
Take your time, ask every question that comes to mind, but don’t sweat not learning it all right away. It’s a trailer, and should follow you home.
Schedule your delivery to escape Fremont before commuter traffic, if there is such a thing. Leaving at 1600 to head to San Jose with a new, expensive trailer on the hitch was terrifying. There was a particular multi-merge that would stress test anyone not hardened to San Francisco traffic.
Plan to spend a day or three nearby to actually browse the owners manual and become familiar with the systems. Sure, we’re very experienced Airstreamers, but this is a very different trailer. We stayed in Coyote Valley Resort, between San Jose and Morgan Hill, which is very nice, peaceful, and close to markets for provisioning.
Don’t stress over storage. In time, you’ll find the optimum containers that will stay on the open shelves and organize the closets. Just stuff it all in for now
Try a night off grid. This is where the Pebble really shines. We did a stopover in Mojave National Preserve, Hole in the Wall Campground.
Be prepared for considerable attention and questions at campgrounds. One fellow suggested that I set up an information booth. The fifth wheel / diesel truck guys may be skeptical. Keep a sense of humor.
Safe travels and grand adventures.
