How to Air Down a Rivian R1T / R1S (Stock 22" Wheels): Off-Road Tire Pressure Guide
Rivian R1T and R1S off-road tire pressure guide. Safe PSI ranges for the heavy EV with tips for battery weight considerations.
EV Note: This vehicle is significantly heavier than ICE counterparts due to the battery pack. Stay on the higher end of PSI ranges and never go below 20 PSI on standard wheels.
Vehicle Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight Range | 6,800 - 7,200 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 121.1 / 135.8" R1S 121.1" (fits MFQ); R1T 135.8" (fits MFQ+). Covers Gen 1 (2022-2025) and Gen 2 (2026+) -- chassis unchanged. Using the Rivian factory built-in compressor? You'll need the MFRX adapter hose -- it's a fitting adapter, not a length extension. Skip it if you run a portable compressor. |
| Stock Tire Size | 275/65R20 (LT) or 275/55R22 |
| Common Upgrades |
|
| Recommended Hose Kit | MORRflate MFQ+ (MFQ also fits R1S) |
Recommended PSI by Terrain
| Tire Setup | Street | Gravel | Rock | Sand | Mud | Snow | Min Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20" (275/65R20) SL | 48 | 32 | 28 | 22-26 | 22-26 | 26-32 | 22 |
| 20" (285/65R20) LT | 55 | 34 | 26 | 18-24 | 20-24 | 30-34 | 16 |
| 22" (275/55R22) SL | 48 | 40 | 36 | 28 | 30 | 38-42 | 28 |
Notes
6,800-7,200 lbs -- significantly heavier than ICE trucks. NEVER below 20 PSI on standard wheels. Low-profile 22" tires have minimal sidewall flex. 20" wheels are better for off-road. Start at 28 PSI and work down carefully.
20" (275/65R20) SL: 6,800-7,200 lbs. NEVER below 20 PSI. Limited sidewall flex. | Min Safe floor is 22 PSI absolute -- NOT a percentage drop.
20" (285/65R20) LT: 7500lbs VERY heavy duty tire, factory wheel
22" (275/55R22) SL: Low-profile 22". Minimal flex. Very limited airing down.
Hose Recommendation: Quad+ (MFQ+) + Rivian ext. Shop the MORRflate MFQ+ to air down all tires at once. See all configs and kits →
How to Air Down Your Rivian R1T / R1S
- Park on a flat, stable area before the trailhead.
- Set the parking brake and check current tire pressure with a gauge.
- Use your deflator or MORRflate system to release air to your target PSI (see table above).
- Adjust all four tires evenly. Drive a short distance, recheck, and fine-tune.
- Re-inflate before returning to pavement. Low pressures at highway speeds cause heat buildup and blowout risk.
Safety: Always re-inflate before returning to pavement. Running low pressures at highway speeds can cause heat buildup, sidewall damage, and even a blowout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What PSI should I air down my Rivian R1T to off-road?
On stock 20-inch Euro-metric XL tires, Rivian recommends a minimum of 31 PSI. Experienced owners run 25-30 PSI on moderate trails and 20-25 PSI in sand. Never go below 20 PSI on stock tires -- the Rivian weighs 6,800-7,200 lbs, and the XL (extra-load) tires have limited reinforcement compared to LT construction.
How do I air down my Rivian R1T or R1S?
Park at the trailhead and manually check each tire with a gauge. The Rivian does not have an automatic tire deflation system (no CTIS). Use a deflator or MORRflate AirHub with the Rivian extension adapter to air down all four tires. The Rivian's onboard compressor can air back up, or use a MORRflate TenSix for faster fills.
Can I air down my Rivian on 22-inch wheels?
Barely. The 275/50R22 tires have only 5.4 inches of sidewall -- there's almost no room for flex. Stick near street pressure (40-45 PSI) and only use light trails. For serious off-roading, the 20-inch AT wheels are significantly more capable with 7 inches of sidewall.
Should I upgrade my Rivian tires to LT for off-road?
If you take your Rivian off-road regularly, upgrading from stock Euro-metric XL tires to LT (Light Truck) tires is one of the best modifications you can make. LT tires have stiffer sidewalls, better puncture resistance, and allow more confident airing down. Popular choices: BFG KO2, Falken Wildpeak AT4W, Toyo Open Country AT3 EV. Expect 12-15% range loss.
Does airing down affect my Rivian's range?
Yes. Lower tire pressure increases rolling resistance, which reduces EV range. At trail pressures (25-30 PSI), expect roughly 5-10% more energy consumption. Always re-inflate before highway driving to restore range efficiency. The impact compounds on longer drives.
What's the minimum safe PSI for a Rivian without beadlocks?
20 PSI on stock 20-inch Euro-metric XL tires. The Rivian's weight (6,800-7,200 lbs) puts significant stress on deflated sidewalls. At 25 PSI, you have only about 164 lbs of load margin per tire -- razor thin. If you upgrade to LT tires, the minimum drops to around 18-20 PSI.
Can I use my Rivian's onboard compressor to air back up?
Yes, but it's slow. The onboard compressor is designed for topping off, not filling four tires from 20 PSI to 48 PSI. For trail use, a dedicated portable compressor like the MORRflate FiveSix or TenSix is much faster.
Related Resources
Recommended terrains:
Related articles:
- Rivian Tires: Why Your 7,000-Pound EV Ships on the Wrong Rubber (And What to Do About It)
- Toyo Open Country A/T III: Four Tires, Same Name, Only One Is Right for Your Truck
- Airing Down 101: The Easiest Upgrade You'll Ever Make
- The Off-Road Tire Pressure Cheat Sheet You'll Actually Save
- SL vs LT Tires: What You Need to Know Before Airing Down
- TPMS and Off-Roading: Why Your Truck Is Screaming at You
- Sidewall Height: Why Your Wheel Size Decides How Far You Can Air Down
Recommended gear:
Shop MORRflate Gear Read the Full Guide
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Learn on the trail with a pro.
If you want to feel the difference in person, SNVORA runs hands-on off-road training courses. We cover tire pressure, recovery, and the skills that make trail days safer and more fun.
About the author: CJ Arnesen is the founder of Sierra Nevada Off Road Academy (SNVORA) -- a professional off-road training program based in California. CJ has logged thousands of trail miles teaching airing down, vehicle recovery, and trail navigation to drivers of every skill level.
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