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Welcome back to Rigs We Dig, our monthly series highlighting the people behind thoughtfully built adventure vehicles. This month, we're featuring our new rig: a 2026 Toyota Tundra paired with a Tune Outdoor M1 camper, built for event hauling, overlanding, truck camping, and long days exploring public lands. Outfitted with all the HEST products, practical storage, off-grid power, and everything needed for long event days, this Toyota Tundra camper setup balances capability with comfort. It's a truck built to go farther, stay longer, and make every night outside feel a little more like home.
Photo Credit: Geo Jenkins
Your Name: Thayer Susanna Gray
Location:Berthoud, CO
Rig Nickname:Rufus
Make & Model: 2026 Rivian R1S
Year:2026
HEST products:Foamy for Rivian R1S,Rivian X Hest Camp Pillow
What made you choose the Rivian R1S as your base?
Choosing my 2026 Rivian R1S (Dual Max battery) was tough for me, but competing alongside Rivian in the Rebelle Rally is honestly what sealed the deal. I wanted a larger EV for our family and I watched Rivian put their prototypes through the test in 2021 and then win the rally in 2023. I don’t know of another car company that can claim that standard of durability besides.
Can you give us a top highlight overview of your buildout and its key features?
What were your main goals or priorities when designing and building your rig?
I prefer an organized, well prepared vehicle. I don’t carry everything for overlanding all the time anymore, but I grew up in a family that always carried some essentials like water- you never know when the freeway might get shut down in Colorado! My main goal with the R1S was a well functioning, capable rig. Easily thrown together to go camping, but also easy to empty out when we’re just bombing around town. We’re a family of musicians, so the back of the rig needs to be able to be emptied out for harps or cellos -which a Hest makes a great cushion for we’ve found!
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the build process?
Rivian’s aren’t the most common vehicle yet (yay! I prefer the odd ducks) so finding a rack was a bit of a search, and I would like to add a front bumper in the future, but so far my husband, Jake, would have to make it!
How many dollar signs on a scale of 1 to 5 is your build (5 being the highest)?
I’d say it’s at $ so far. Driving an EV is a bit different than driving a gas vehicle. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to add too much bulk to the truck and kill your range. Whereas I previously would have changed almost everything about a new build! I imagine I will need tires sooner than later, and we can add another $ for some new BFG KO3s.
What products, brands, or upgrades are you most excited about in your rig?
I’m a huge fan of my FSR tent, though it usually lives in our barn when we’re not camping. The feeling of stopping in the middle of nowhere, pulling dinner out of the Dometic, and crawling up into the tent is one of my favorite experiences.
What's the coolest place you've taken your rig?
This was very much a phase 1 build: we moved quickly to get road-ready for NW Overland Rally and Overland Expo PNW, installing the Tune in Colorado and driving back to the PNW for back-to-back event weekends. The This summer we did a road trip around the state, including the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It wasn’t our typical overlanding adventure, but a perfect way to break in a new EV on a 1,000 mile adventure with three kids in tow.Do you have any advice for someone just starting their overland rig build? (Tips, tools, or key things to keep in mind)
Although Rufus is a new build for me, I’ve been in the overlanding wheelhouse for a while. Most rigs really don’t need much, but tires are always the most important part! That and safety equipment. Not lights.
