Can Tesla Model X tow? Maybe not.

[TeriL]

In the following article (subject title):
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2016/0621/Can-Tesla-Model-X-tow-Maybe-not

It mentions: "... The trailer used was a teardrop unit that weighed 1,260 pounds..."

All things considered, a Tesla isn't your father's tow vehicle

[S. Heisley]

Thanks for the post. It's a good read. At least, it tells us that the fuel-economizing cars are getting closer to the capabilities of the gas-guzzler.
Even if not perfectly, totally there yet, there's hope.

[TeriL]

Thanks for the post. It's a good read. At least, it tells us that the fuel-economizing cars are getting closer to the capabilities of the gas-guzzler.
Even if not perfectly, totally there yet, there's hope.

Thank you! When I saw "teardrop", it caught my eye. Unfortunately there wasn't a picture of the trailer in the article.

Someday ... we'll wonder what people were thinking with all the mass of "SUV's". Here in Texas, darn few of the 4x4 trucks ever venture off paved roads. Once at a stop light, I noticed the driver of a shiny 4x4 truck was afraid to even get on the shoulder to make a legal right turn on red. It wasn't even muddy!

[gudmund]

at the Shasta Gathering in Apr/May this year a 2014 Tesla towing one of the new Little Guy 'Pod"s showed up. The owner stated that she had to watch her distance between charging stations being she was losing about 30% of her distance when towing the trailer. She said, other than that it tows just fine.

[Ned B]

I'm a tesla fan, can't afford one yet. Spotted this video a couple weeks ago:
https://youtu.be/7SUc4E1AwnM

[booyah]

Honestly I'm impressed with the state of electric cars that its actually a considerable option.

[Ned B]

at the Shasta Gathering in Apr/May this year a 2014 Tesla towing one of the new Little Guy 'Pod"s showed up. The owner stated that she had to watch her distance between charging stations being she was losing about 30% of her distance when towing the trailer. She said, other than that it tows just fine.

That's a pretty serious range hit, I'm surprised it would be so high. I'd guess that the weight isn't the issue, EVs have torque galore at startup. I'd guess it is more aerodynamic related, and braking.

[gudmund]

she said the trailer weighted in abound 1000 lbs and areo-ly the "Pod" is not the typically shaped tear - it's very small up front and is accessed in the rear, It has no kitchen in the rear being the access door is there. She told me Tesla was surprised by how much distance/power reserve was lost when towing. She also said a special hitch had to be made being there was none being made for a Tesla. Her set up was very Aero looking - not being computer literate, I am not able to send a pic of it.

[DrewsBrews]

at the Shasta Gathering in Apr/May this year a 2014 Tesla towing one of the new Little Guy 'Pod"s showed up. The owner stated that she had to watch her distance between charging stations being she was losing about 30% of her distance when towing the trailer. She said, other than that it tows just fine.

That's a pretty serious range hit, I'm surprised it would be so high. I'd guess that the weight isn't the issue, EVs have torque galore at startup. I'd guess it is more aerodynamic related, and braking.

The torque puts a pretty proportional load on the batteries (typically hundreds of amps while taking off). IMO it's not much difference from ICE as you typically drop around 25% fuel economy while towing with a car... so 25% drop in range per tank.

[booyah]

at the Shasta Gathering in Apr/May this year a 2014 Tesla towing one of the new Little Guy 'Pod"s showed up. The owner stated that she had to watch her distance between charging stations being she was losing about 30% of her distance when towing the trailer. She said, other than that it tows just fine.

That's a pretty serious range hit, I'm surprised it would be so high. I'd guess that the weight isn't the issue, EVs have torque galore at startup. I'd guess it is more aerodynamic related, and braking.

The torque puts a pretty proportional load on the batteries (typically hundreds of amps while taking off). IMO it's not much difference from ICE as you typically drop around 25% fuel economy while towing with a car... so 25% drop in range per tank.

Fair point, my car* (if I drove it the same way not towing as I do towing) will do about 40mpg without the tear (8ft benroy under 900lbs), but only does about 28 towing so abouta 30% reduction.

Mind you that means driving under 70, accelerating slowly, and running with cruise on. Not things I usually do when I'm NOT towing which is why i usually get closer to 35 normal driving without the tear.

*for reference 2010 scion xd with 5 speed manual

[Ned B]

How about this:

http://www.teslarati.com/canadian-coupl ... r-trailer/



There's a couple who are camping across Canada towing an Alto behind their Model X. They've beefed up the battery in the trailer with Li-ion and added a solar system.
I can't get the link right now, but a Vlog I follow on YouTube met up with them, I'll plug it in when I get home later this afternoon.