There’s no denying the Rivian R1T is a seriously impressive truck specs-wise, even if you’re an EV naysayer. From its four electric motors (one for each wheel), the truck produces a combined output of 835 hp (847 PS / 623 kW) and 908 lb-ft (1,231 Nm) of torque, though it still manages to surprise us every day. Most recently, that list of surprises now includes recovering a 38,000 lb (17,237 kg) semi truck – as confirmed by the driver, from a ditch, a feat that was posted to YouTube by a Rivian owner named Mylo Fowler.
Fowler was making his way down a road near Moab, Utah when he noticed a sedan and a semi truck had hit a patch of ice and slid off the road. Thankfully, the two vehicles careened to opposite sides of the road into a wide open patch of grass, so no serious harm was done, but while the sedan was able to get itself unstuck, the truck was not as lucky.
More: Here’s How Far A Rivian R1T Can Tow 10,000 Lbs In Freezing Temperatures
It was at this point that Fowler decided to be a good Samaritan and attempt to recover the semi from its immobile state. He pulled his R1T off to the side of the road, fastened a kinetic recovery rope to the truck’s trailer, and began to pull.
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His initial attempt was unsuccessful, pulling himself onto the grass rather than the truck out of it, so he decided to change his trajectory and pull the truck perpendicular to the road at the potential expense of his safety. This time it worked, giving the semi just enough momentum for its driver to reverse out of the grass while he continued to pull. Both Fowler and the semi driver seemed ecstatic that the stunt actually worked, and the semi driver seemed very appreciative of the good deed.
What’s A Kinetic Recovery Rope?
Something noteworthy about this incident is the use of a kinetic recovery rope, which operates by stretching and releasing stored energy to create a powerful pull. The rope itself is made of nylon, known for its high degree of elasticity. As the towing vehicle begins to move, the rope stretches, building up energy. Once fully stretched, the rope stores potential energy that is then released as it snaps back into its original shape. This generates a strong and sudden pull on the stuck vehicle, assisting in its extraction.
As noted by the folks over at Motortrend, these recovery efforts should be handled by professionals due to the various factors involved. For instance, if the truck had been fully loaded, it would have likely exceeded the breaking limit of the rope or straps, potentially causing them to snap and create a safety hazard.