Tesla Cybertruck’s Actual-World Towing Capabilities Are Getting Actually Good Assessments

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From totally different experiments I’ve seen on X/Twitter and YouTube, it’s fairly clear that the Cybertruck has respectable vary and charging speeds. It’s additionally going to get even higher when extra 800-volt stations open to it. However one factor I hadn’t come throughout but have been Cybertruck towing assessments. Like most EVs, there’s loads of torque, however how a lot vary are you able to get utilizing that glorious torque?

Because of a few YouTube movies, we now have a significantly better thought of the way it performs pulling heavy hundreds.

Mild Towing Vary

This primary video offers us an thought of how the Cybertruck would carry out for many individuals who take it simple and don’t attempt to max out the GVWR:

Whereas the steel sides on an Airstream are usually an important match for the steel sides on the truck, this proprietor blacked his out. However, black and silver go good collectively, so it’s cool.

The trailer has a curb weight of about 6400 kilos. All loaded up with gear, although, it’s extra like 7300 kilos. When he bought it weighed, it got here in at 6557 kilos. With two axles, it’s most likely bought a GVWR of 7500+, in order that’s a protected load. One factor that’s actually cool about this camper is that it has a big door on the again that opens, sort of like a miniature toy hauler. This makes it simple to load in that 1,000 kilos of cargo with issues like bikes, bikes, and extra. It’s additionally good for opening up for contemporary air and having fun with the outside.

They hooked it as much as the Cybertruck to see the way it tows. Whereas many individuals assume this can be a very aerodynamic load, it’s actually not unbelievable in comparison with folding campers or teardrops. Rounded corners assist with frontal space, however the comparatively flat again nonetheless makes for a giant vacuum zone that provides a whole lot of drag. I don’t say this to bash on Airliners (they’re fairly cool) as a lot as to clarify that this can be a very reasonable check. It’s not an underhanded throw meant to make the truck look good.

However — remember the fact that that is California. Towing in different states the place you may go 65 as a substitute of 55 may imply much less vary.

After 52 miles of towing, the full power used was 46 kWh, with common consumption at 893 Wh/mile. Extrapolated out to 123 kWh, meaning the truck would have a spread of about 137 miles towing this a lot weight on such terrain. There was loads of vary to return, however he stopped at a Supercharger to get again as much as 80% so it wouldn’t be a nail-biter.

On the best way again, his effectivity was higher (638 Wh/mile), so the actual determine to get an correct common vary could be for the spherical journey. Averaging the effectivity, that’s about 766 Wh/mile, which might make for a median vary of about 160 miles. That common could be about proper for degree floor (as a result of we averaged the uphill and downhill).

Nonetheless, should you’re planning journeys, I wouldn’t use these numbers. Something from temperature to terrain to headwinds can throw this all out of whack. It’s greatest to get a calibrated effectivity determine utilizing an app like A Higher Route Planner and let it do a few of the guesswork to plan journeys with a trailer. Additionally, it’s greatest to not be too loopy and plan to reach at Superchargers with a lifeless battery when towing, as a result of shifting winds can smash your day. Maintain 10–20% buffer for security (plus, that’s higher in your battery).

Extra Excessive Testing

One other nice towing check got here from Out of Spec. They pushed the truck to its limits:

For this one, they took the truck on the “Rustic Ring” check loop by way of flat lands and mountains, together with some slippery grime. The check ballast? A Rivian R1T! As you may see near the start, the Cybertruck did battle a bit on the steep inclines, however managed to claw its method up. He did discover that it is advisable to be mild with the steering, as a result of it’s fairly tight for a tow car. Tesla might have to regulate this in an replace (which is feasible as a result of it’s steer by wire).

What makes this robust is that there are each climbs and steep descents, each of which put a whole lot of stress on the battery, drive items, and cooling methods. This places some vehicles into their thermal limits, which could be harmful as a result of it’s a must to depend on brakes for downhill segments, which could overheat them should you’re not sensible about it or take a break.

He bought most regenerative braking even with 73% state of cost. He had to make use of his friction brakes lots, together with trailer brakes. This turned a thermal restrict after not very lengthy, which led to utilizing much more friction brakes. Ultimately, most regenerative braking was misplaced. So, the important thing lesson is that you really want trailer brakes with the Cybertruck should you’re going to haul 10,000 lb within the mountains with steep climbs adopted by steep descents.

On the slippery part, it did nice, although. It did slip, however gripped and pulled on up regardless of carrying extra of a load than most individuals would. One factor Kyle seen was that the Cybertruck appears to wish to put extra energy to the entrance wheels till it slips, after which it goes forward and provides extra energy to the rear.

Again on pavement, it was time for downhill descent and braking once more. It didn’t take very lengthy to begin seeing restricted regenerative braking once more. He factors out that this was a difficulty with the Rivian he did descent towing testing with, too, so this isn’t some main downside distinctive to the Cybertruck (and other people assume I hate Tesla, however I’m sincere). This does current an issue that may be solved at the very least partially with an replace, but it surely’s most likely a protecting measure that’s unrelated to thermal administration (IOW, the battery might be not getting too scorching).

Hopefully different vehicles do higher, and we’ll discover out as a result of he’s going to place different vehicles by way of this identical course.

The Braking Problem Is One thing We’ll Have To Watch & Cybertruck Homeowners Must Be Conscious Of

I don’t wish to be an alarmist, however the brake problem is one thing individuals towing heavy hundreds with the Cybertruck want to concentrate on and take into account, as a result of it may get you into bother on longer, steeper descents. At one level, Kyle mentioned he smelled the brakes, and that’s NOT one thing you wish to expertise whereas towing, since you’re on the highway to failure.

Sadly, many individuals don’t know that it’s not regular to experience brakes when descending steep mountain roads. In just a little automobile, you’ll expertise untimely put on, however if you’re utilizing the brakes to regulate nearly 17,000 kilos, you may overheat the brakes like that and lose them. On a twisty mountain highway, that might imply you die and take a number of different individuals with you.

Because of this, ICE tow automobiles (and anyone intelligently working any car on steep descents) use engine braking to regulate velocity, shedding warmth and power by way of the car’s radiator as a substitute of solely by way of the friction brakes. For EVs, with the ability to put power again into the pack is the protected strategy to accomplish this.

However, once more, I’m not attempting to bash the Cybertruck when pointing this out. It’s simply one thing you want to concentrate on should you’re going to tow something heavy down steep grades and account for to maintain protected. Because of this, trailer brakes are going to be essential. If you end up smelling brakes, you positively have to discover a place to cease and allow them to cool off to keep away from stepping into brake fade and lack of brakes.

Featured picture: screenshot from the Out of Spec video embedded above.