Yakima Grandtour 18 with Rivian crossbars on R1S: A solid combo!

wildlife R1T · 2025-04-03T14:11:49+00:00

I have previously used the streaming capability back when it first came out as well as the hotspot since before Connect+ was a thing. I am trying to get the streaming working again but it seems to have been hidden fully behind the paywall. (Not looking to argue the merits of that system here) I recall after Connect+ came out being able to still use the Hotspot while tethering with my phone, and losing it isn't a big deal other than needing to update my wife's wifi, but I think I remember needing to be on the Hotspot to do casting. My question is, did Rivian remove both of these features to fully behind the connect+ paywall? I thought that if you used phone tethering or if you were connected to WIFI you could use most all of the usual streaming like features of the Rivian? If anyone can recommend how to stream while using tethering I'm sure myself and others without Connect+ would appreciate it.

Rivian Mom

Active Wheeler

Dec 18, 2024

Had the opportunity to see the Yakima Roof Box and I'd be sharing some positive learnings on the Yakima Grandtour 18 roof box with Rivian crossbars on R1S.

As I was looking into it three factors were bubbling up:
1. Front v back crossbar position - and their trade-offs
2. Wind noise
3. Banging on the roof

Can report that the Yakima Grandtour 18 (largest size) supports the ideal back crossbar position (ie middle and back brackets) for best aerodynamics (range) and noise (MUCH quieter than the front position) AND without tailgate interference (i.e doesn’t touch the box when opening the back trunk). I also observed the box bouncing at higher speed and bumps certainly but never banging on the roof (as I saw someone had reported elsewhere). It even has a handy channel to avoid any antenna interference.

The front position was tried first and was genuinely deafened by the wind noise. Foils and voodoo were looked into, to suppress it. I was quite impressed the back position works and reduces the noise by so much (as others had hinted).

So would recommend based on my experience and particular given the Yakima claw/clamp comes closest to acceptable spec for the very wide Rivian crossbars (also Yakima). It also looks pretty smooth too.