--- title: "Rivian Has Long Wanted to Put a Winch on the R1. RAD Might Finally Make It Happen" description: "Manage to get your [Rivian]() stuck or someone off-roading with you get stuck? A winch would sure be handy, and Rivian's aware of that." date: "2026-06-23" modified: "2026-06-23" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-has-long-wanted-to-put-a-winch-on-the-r1-rad-might-finally-make-it-happen" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Rivian News" tags: - "Electric Vehicle" --- # Rivian Has Long Wanted to Put a Winch on the R1. RAD Might Finally Make It Happen ![Rivian RAD]() Manage to get your [Rivian]() stuck or someone off-roading with you get stuck? A winch would sure be handy, and Rivian's aware of that. In Park City, Utah during a [one-on-one interview on *The Drivecast*]() with the [R2 launch ]()as a backdrop, Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe told *The Drive*, "a winch is something we’ve long wanted to put on an R1." Listen to the entire conversation starting at the moment Scaringe addresses a winch on the R1 below. We've seen patents Rivian filed with the United States Patent and Trademark (USPTO) office for a winch on the front of the R1, but to date, nothing's come to fruition. Scaringe explained, "You know, a winch is something we’ve long wanted to put on an R1. It is a bit challenging, though, because it’s a—it really impacts from a regulatory point of view, it’s, you know, it’s a challenge to put a big chunk of incompressible metal on the front of the car. So it affects crash and pedestrian protection." Rivian isn't like Ford, it sells its vehicles directly to the consumer with no dealership middle men and very few third-part accessories offered. That makes things a little more complicated. "The way that historically happens is third parties do that work. And so the aftermarket can can do these things. Because we create our own accessories and we are the OEM, it is a bit more challenging. But we’ve thought about it a lot," Scaringe said. In February, [Rivian introduced RAD](), which is short for Rivian Adventure Department. It's the automaker's new in-house performance division. While Scaringe said [RAD vehicles will be fundamentally different](), the department won't be limited to only vehicles. "Coming back to RAD, I think there again, remember that discussion. I think there’s a lot of cool things that can come when we talk about RAD. We we the second word adventure, we intentionally use the word adventure department as opposed to like performance. The performance is an element of adventure, but adventure is a broader category, so that means that can enable a whole host of things. Things like winches," Scaringe said. When asked for clarity if RAD will be more than just vehicles Scaringe said, "Vehicles plus things that make the vehicles more exciting." For Rivian owners present and future, in the words of Lloyd Christmas, "so you're saying there's a chance." *Got a tip about future product? Send us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he is the board chair and chair of the governance and nominating committee for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()