Skip to main content

Tesla Cybertruck Towing Capabilities Compared to Rivian Trucks: Cybertruck Shows Massive Advantage in Torque

We have some detailed data showing the towing capabilities of the Cybertruck, along with other specs, compare to the Rivian trucks. The Cybertruck shows a massive advantage in torque.
Tesla Cybertruck Towing Capabilities Compared to Rivian Trucks: Cybertruck Shows Massive Advantage in Torque

Cybertruck Towing

The Cybertruck and the Rivian are two exceptional EV trucks, but is there one between the two that is better at towing? And how much can each tow? We'll give you the run-down and which one we think is the superior towing truck.

For the Cybertruck, Elon Musk did a demonstration at the Cybertruck delivery event on video of towing a 40,000 lbs. sled showing the Tesla Cybertruck beating out the Ford F150, Ford F350, and the Rivian R1T in distance traveled at over 300 feet. No other trucks made it past 262 feet.

Between the Cybertruck and the Rivian, here are the towing numbers:

Cybertruck (All-Wheel-Drive):

  • Horsepower: 600
  • Torque: 7,435 feet-lb.
  • Top Speed: 112 mph
  • Towing Capacity: 11,000 lbs.
  • Bed Capacity: 2,500 lbs.
  • Bed Length: 72 inches
  • Ground Clearance Maximum: 17 inches
  • Range: 340 (470+ extended)
  • Price: $79,990
  • Extended Range Price: $88,490

Rivian (R1T Dual Motor):

  • Horsepower: 533
  • Torque: 610 feet-lb.
  • Top Speed: 115 mph
  • Towing Capacity: 11,000 lbs.
  • Bed Capacity, 1,760 lbs.
  • Bed Length: 54 inches
  • Ground Clearance Maximum: 14.9 inches
  • Range: 352 (410+ extended)
  • Price: $79,000
  • Extended Range Price: $89,000

Next, we'll compare the highest end versions of these two vehicles:

Cybertruck (Cyberbeast):

  • Horsepower: 845
  • Torque: 10.926 feet-lb.
  • Top Speed: 130 mph
  • Towing Capacity: 11,000 lbs.
  • Bed Capacity: 2,500 lbs.
  • Bed Length: 72 inches
  • Ground Clearance Maximum: 17 inches
  • Range: 320 (440+ extended)
  • Price: $99,990
  • Extended Range Price: $115,990

Rivian (R1T Quad Motor):

  • Horsepower: 835
  • Torque: 908 feet-lb.
  • Top Speed: 115 mph
  • Towing Capacity: 11,000 lbs.
  • Bed Capacity: 1,760 lbs.
  • Bed Length: 54 inches
  • Ground Clearance Maximum: 14.9 inches
  • Range: 328 (Unknown extended range)
  • Price: Unknown
  • Extended Range Price: Unknown

You May Also Be Interested In: Tesla Model Y Leaves Two Jeeps "In the Dust" in Sand Dunes Race

Towing Comparison

One thing jumps out at me greatly. The Cybertruck has a much larger torque - over 10 times as much as the Rivian.

Torque is the twisting power of the engine to get and keep your vehicle moving. Vehicles that have a very heavy payload or demanding towing needs will benefit from a higher torque combined with low engine rpms, which often leads to better performance when starting from a stop. While towing and not on the freeway, there will be frequent starts and stops.

My conclusion on this is that the Cybertruck has a much greater ability to get going when towing a heavy load compared to the Rivian.

The Cybertruck also has a Cyberbeast version with known specs, whereas the Rivian R1T quad motor did not have available specs that I could find.

The Rivian R1T dual-motor wins in base range with 352 miles, compared to the Cybertruck dual-motor at 340 miles.

The Cybertruck accelerates faster and has a longer truck bed, meaning it can haul more while towing.

The Cybertruck has a higher ground clearance by a few inches, meaning it will experience fewer problems from debris or rocks underneath compared to the Rivian.

The Rivian has a slightly higher speed for the dual-motor variant at 115 mph compared to the Cybertruck dual-motor at 112 mph.

The Cybertruck wins in bed capacity with 2,500 lbs. compared to the Rivian at 1,760 lbs.

From a cost perspective, the cars are nearly identical in price for the dual-motor variants.

Winner At Towing

I see the Cybertruck being the winner at towing and being used as an everyday towing vehicle. Many specs between these two trucks are the same, however, the Cybertruck has a higher torque, ground clearance, longer range with the range extender, and a higher horsepower.

The massive advantage of the Cybertruck in torque means it will have much greater speed and efficiency when starting and stopping while towing compared to the Rivian. The Cybertruck also leads in range with its range extender.

I give a slight edge to the dual-motor Cybertruck over the Rivian R1T dual-motor, largely due to the torque advantage.

Do you agree with this assessment? Would you buy either of these vehicles for your towing needs?

In Other Tesla News: Charging a Tesla at a Luxury Mercedes-Benz Charging Station

Share this article with friends and family and on social media! Thank you so much for your support!

Hi! I'm Jeremy Noel Johnson, and I am a Tesla investor and supporter and own a 2022 Model 3 RWD EV and I don't have range anxiety :). I enjoy bringing you breaking Tesla news as well as anything about Tesla or other EV companies I can find, like Aptera. Other interests of mine are AI, Tesla Energy and the Tesla Bot! You can follow me on X.COM or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow my Tesla and EV news coverage.

Image Credit, Tesla, Screenshot

Auto Sector Stocks
Automotive News
Electric Vehicle News and Reviews
Rivian
Tesla
Tesla Cybertruck