Tesla-Strong Enough to Tow?

[roadking77]

2022-11-11_09-28-11 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

I passed this on the road a couple of weeks ago. Thought it was an interesting sight. The trailer he was pulling was no lightweight thing either. I cant imagine a load on it though.

[5th T/A]

I don’t doubt they have the torque or power to tow. I recently read a test about pickup trucks, I think it was the Ford all electric F?, I don’t recall the model. It had tremendous power, but the range while towing dropped to about 1/3 of the non towing range. So towing even a couple hundred miles would require multiple charges.

Years ago when I would tow my boat and camper I found the wheelbase of the tow vehicle, the distance of the tow vehicle rear axel to ball and weight of the tow vehicle had a significant effect on the stability of the vehicle and trailer. So while a Tesla might have plenty of power, I personally would not want to tow much weight with one.

My favorite tow vehicle was my 3/4 ton Chevy Suburban. It had a 454 engine and a 4.10 axel ratio. It had great stability, braking and power. Almost didn’t know you were towing, but it did suck the gas.

[scarebird]

My first question would be whether the unit body is strong enough, and the brakes sufficient.

There is a reason our F's are not good tow vehicles.

[Jack]

Correct, the brakes would concern me the most, I wonder what towing does to the mpg... or range in this case.

[roadking77]

I saw a u tube thing with a guy that had an electric ford truck (prob same one as Larry). The range was something like 400 miles when he started. As soon as he hooked up the trailer it dropped significantly, then when he put a load it went even lower. I think he may have gotten about half what it originally said. He said it did pull the load with no problem though.

Not sure if I mentioned here before, but my moms neighbor was showing me his Ford Lightning (electric truck). Absolutely beautiful, and loaded to the max, but the $100,000+ price tag will keep me away for the next hundred years or so!

[5th T/A]

Kerry, this is the you tube video I saw. I think I read a test in Motor trend that also talked about significantly reduced range. New trucks sure are nice but as you mentioned prices are ridiculous.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=towing+with+my+ford+lightning+ev+pickup&view=detail&mid=F7B19EB4E149D09C1858F7B19EB4E149D09C1858&FORM=VIRE

[stros]

Agreed that the EV pricing is insane now.  We bought my wife’s base 2019 Tesla Model 3 new for $40K less a $7500 tax credit.  It actually was a decent value.  Now a freakin EV Kia can cost you over $60K.

I’m curious how the range holds up on the EV trucks as well, but I can tell I’ll be holding on to my Jeep Gladiator for a long long time. 

[roadking77]

Yes Larry, same one I saw.
I would question the range indicator to begin with regardless of whether towing or not. In my gas f150 I can fill up and it gives me a 500 mile range. After driving 50 miles the range will drop by at least a 100 miles. Once it hits 100 miles left before needing a fill up it typically loses about 3 miles for every mile I travel. Its a good guide but I just look at the plain ole gas gauge to know when I need to get more petrol.

For obvious reasons on a couple of other car forums I peruse, there is a lot of discussion and disdain for electric vehicles. Personally I would not mind never to having to buy a gallon of gas again, but I dont see an EV in my future.