Adding a hitch for a bike rack to a Model S

[rpastcan]

I have a 2014 model S and my wife would like to get an e-bike that weighs 41# without
the battery. This is too heavy for a standard on the trunk bike rack.
Has anyone had experience adding a hitch to the car and then I could attach a
much more heavy duty bike rack?

Thanks
Richard in Napa

 

[140.6]

2012-2019 Tesla Model S EcoHitch Stealth

It's pricey, but stealth.

 

[Hotride]

Yup, installed this a couple of months ago. Just be sure you get a good rack. Was in a rush and picked up the one from uhaul... Almost lost the bike!

 

[rpastcan]

Yup, installed this a couple of months ago. Just be sure you get a good rack. Was in a rush and picked up the one from uhaul... Almost lost the bike!

I am looking for someone with experience in adding a hitch to a Model S to carry a bike rack.
When I called Tesla they were discouraging this since they said it might interfere with the Auto Pilot sensors.
However, I would only add the rack for those few times I woud be carrying a bike and don't
really use the autopilot feature.

 

[Iceh8r]

Is there a cheaper one available anywhere?

 

[vpblur]

I installed the stealth one a few months back. Got it from e-trailer. Took about 4 hours to install. Works well. Obviously the sonics don't work when it is installed. I got the magnetic stealth cover so it looks super tidy when the hitch is removed.

 

[rrodby]

"Magnetic Stealth Cover". Please elaborate.
I love my stealth rack and use a Thule three bike rack.

 

[vpblur]

There you go... Undercover Access Hole Cover for EcoHitch Stealth Trailer Hitch Receiver EcoHitch Accessories and Pa

Can take a photo of it on the car if you like.

 

[rrodby]

$99 seems like a lot for a rubber cover held up by a magnet, but that hole bothers me even though it is not visible from above, and I had worried about snow and salt getting in there. I love my tesla and will go to most lengths to protect it. Ordered! thanks
The Stealth rack is perfect for the Tesla, but I only put it in when I need it for the bike rack as the car sits so low it likes to hit the ground when going up steep areas. besides you dont need a tow hitch sticking out of a tesla, kinda defeats the purpose of its sleek lines. It is easy enough to attach and detach, I get the perfect wrench stored with the hitch.

 

[Xenoilphobe]

I have these on all three Model S’s. I also carry two electric bikes that weight 50 lbs each. I would recommend getting this hitch

 

[nimrooz]

Still wondering about the towing rate for an model s, if I were to guess, it would be around the same as the model x...

 

[mb300sd]

The S tows pretty well. I pull jet skis and utility trailers regularly, and it even handled a car dolly once or twice.

 

[nimrooz]

The S tows pretty well. I pull jet skis and utility trailers regularly, and it even handled a car dolly once or twice.

Well, here in EU, you would probably loose your license if you did that.
Just because the car doesn't have a type approval for the hitch.

 

[Chaserr]

Here in the US it does, and it pulls well so you'd keep your license and enjoy the utility. It should have the same tow capacity as the X, so the maximum tow rating comes down to the tested manufacturer specifications of the hitch you choose.

 

[Merle]

Anyone have it with the extra (3rd row) of seats? From what I recall, they had to remove the bumper reinforcement.

 

[vpblur]

From memory the eco-hitch replaces the extra crash bar that is installed on 3rd row equipped cars. You can download the installation instructions from e-trailer I think.

 

[Merle]

From memory the eco-hitch replaces the extra crash bar that is installed on 3rd row equipped cars. You can download the installation instructions from e-trailer I think.

Thanks, that's what I recall when researching this stuff a few years back. Ideally, we would be able to keep both :/

Sent an email to a Rack N Road ... they have three in stock but all three are spoken for, and they do about 2 a week so I may just swing by and pick their brain.

 

[TonyT]

From memory the eco-hitch replaces the extra crash bar that is installed on 3rd row equipped cars. You can download the installation instructions from e-trailer I think.

No I have the hitch and the bar.

 

[jjvan]

Looks like Torklift is having a Cyber Monday 20% sale on the Ecohitch until Dec 8. Probably the best price you can get at $326 for the Stealth Ecohitch for the Model S.

Torklift Central | EcoHitch - Rear Mounted Receiver Hitches - Trailer Hitches

 

[JJBOSTON]

Local hitch installer refuses to install on my 2020 MS - claims that Ecohitch hasn't cleared yet for the 2020 model (site only goes up to 2019).... any idea why this might be (to the best of my knowledge there are no structural/frame changes on the 2020 Ravens)?