The Rivian R1 is the perfect vehicle to tackle the outdoors. It's high ground clearance and individual wheel control enable it to navigate rocky terrain with ease. Even the most capable vehicles and drivers, however, can get hung-up on rocks and logs, which can result serious rocker panel damage or worse. Rock sliders help guard against this off-road hazard to keep your truck protected.
Unsatisfied with current Rivian offerings, a team of early owners and longtime off-roaders assembled to engineer the strongest rock slider on the market that can serve as an R1S running board, yet stand up to even the most punishing abuse. What they arrived at is the latest product from Megawatt™ performance products.
Make no mistake, this product is a rock slider first with the added benefit of serving as a convenient Rivian step. Given the weight of the Rivian R1S, and the potential for extreme forces while off-roading, we felt a purpose-built protection solution be crafted first. Only then could added features like a running board step be added.
The Rivian R1S has a curb weight of almost 7,100 lbs. That is close the weight of a Dodge RAM 3500 MegaCab. As such, we used proven slider methods for vehicles like these to benchmark the Megawatt™ Rivian R1S rock slider. We then adapted this formula to fit the lines and unique architecture of the Rivian. The result is not only a rock solid, highly functional slider, but a side-step that looks great.
Note:
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This product fits 2025 and newer R1S vehicles only
Product Comparison
Megawatt™ | Competitor 1 | Competitor 2 | Competitor 3 | Why this matters | |
Construction |
Fully enclosed tubing |
Fully enclosed tubing |
Press broken sheet metal |
Press broken sheet metal |
Sheet metal is often used because it is cheaper to manufacture. Unfortunately, this folded structure relies on just four corner welds to prevent the rail walls from splitting apart on impact. |
Mounting Points |
One row inline with the frame and a row of inboard brackets |
One row offset from the frame |
One row inline with the frame and a row of inboard brackets |
One row inline with the frame and a row of inboard brackets |
Utilizing a single row of mounting points can enable to slider to flex/roll when the outside edge of the slider is pushed upward. This can lead to body damage. |
Main Slider Rail Mounting |
Inline with the frame |
Cantilevered outside of the frame |
Inline with the frame | Inline with the frame | Mounting the full length of the rail to the frame provides maximum rigidity. Offsetting these mounts creates additional leverage when the rail is pushed up, which can cause flex and frame damage. |
Main slider rail thickness |
.188" |
.134" |
Undisclosed | Undisclosed | Thickness of the main slide rail dictates how much force the rail can withstand without bending |
Weld type | TIG | MIG | MIG | MIG | TIG welding, while more labor intensive, results in cleaner, stronger welds. |
Coverage | Full wheel-to-wheel | Mostly wheel-to-wheel | Mostly wheel-to-wheel | Mostly wheel-to-wheel | Rock sliders that do not cover the full length between the wheels leave this space open to a common area for rock damage |
Kickout? | Yes | No | No | No | In addition to providing more space to step, a kick-out also adds additional outside damage protection and a pivot point for navigating obstacles |
Underside cover? | No | No | Yes | No | While attractive, underside plating actually traps large amounts of debris while only providing marginal protection or aerodynamic improvement. |
Price point | $$$ | $ | $$ | $$ |
CONSTRUCTION
100% DOM (drawn over mandrel) USA steel
Main slider:
- 2" diameter box steel
- .188" thickness
Rub rail:
- 1.75" diamter tube steel
- .120" thickness
Mounting brackets:
- .125" plate
Weight:
- Approximately 65 pounds per side
FINISH
Each slider is enveloped in flat black via a unique four-stage process.
- Each slider and its top plate is coated in primer.
- Top plates are welded to the slider
- Assembled sliders are powder coated in a high-heat oven
- A probe is inserted and run the length of the tube to coat the inside with paint
We realize this might sound like a lot of work to coat a piece of metal. (It is)! However, this process ensures maximum coverage, which in-turn improves corrosion resistance and longevity.
What the Pro's Are Saying:
We are very happy with the Megawatt™ sliders. They have saved our R1S from damage countless times. While we do keep an eye on students, they aren't always gentle on our Rivians. Our trucks see weekly use in technical terrain and having quality protection helps keep damage to a minimum. We have had to use the Hi-Lift jack several times to lift the S off rocks and the Megawatt™ sliders have held up to that lifting force. Truly a solid addition to protect the door sill and under body bits!!! Thanks for making a durable and reliable slider for my R1S.
- Bill Burke, Professional Off-Road Racer, Rivian Off-Road Instructor, and Owner of 4-Wheeling America
They are seriously beefy.
"I have made heavy use of my megawatt sliders. They are seriously beefy. I've put the full weight of the truck down onto them, both sliding and dropping it, and they hold up great."
The Megawatt sliders are really, really nice.
"The Megawatt sliders are really, really nice. Mine still look new. They came properly packaged and shipped via truck freight due to weight and size. They fit perfectly and the kick-out complements the design of the truck."
The Megawatts and they have been perfect.
"The Megawatts and they have been perfect. I did Mineral Creek in Ouray, CO which I couldn't have done without them. Came down hard on them once and they didn't flinch."
Real pleased with the quality of the Megawatt sliders and ease of install.
A large step above the competition
"I have been in the fabrication business for over 38 years. From the design, to the welds, the Megawatt Sliders are a large step above the competition."
TLDR They are awesome! 10/10!
"I just returned from a overland trip with friends and got a chance to really test the megawatt rock sliders. Thanks again for putting out a great rock slider!"