Did those who ordered the Accessory Hitch, get that or actually a REAL Towing Package?

[grommet]

So, for the few new people that only ordered the Accessory Hitch instead of Tow Package... and recently received their car without any form of hitch receiver... what does it look like under the bumper hitch mount cover? Is the Bosal hitch receiver mount missing? If it's different, a picture would be nice.

 

[goneskiian]

Here's what came with mine - I just ordered the accessory hitch. . .

Is this the full towing package?

It's the same removable receiver and trailer brake wiring. Whether or not you actually have the full reinforcements built into the rear end of the vehicle is uncertain.

In other words, I wouldn't recommend throwing a 5000 lb. trailer on there and trying to tow it.

 

[K-MTG]

Here's what came with mine - I just ordered the accessory hitch. . .

Is this the full towing package?

View attachment 175181

View attachment 175179 View attachment 175180

Looks like a gun! Don't keep in the glovebox when the cop pulls you over and you reach for the registration

 

[Sony SS-M7]

It's the same removable receiver and trailer brake wiring. Whether or not you actually have the full reinforcements built into the rear end of the vehicle is uncertain.

In other words, I wouldn't recommend throwing a 5000 lb. trailer on there and trying to tow it.

I haven't taken a look to see what it looks like under the car at the attachment point. If someone can tell me what to look for, I can have a look.

 

[Sony SS-M7]

Looks like a gun! Don't keep in the glovebox when the cop pulls you over and you reach for the registration

Bigger than a .44 magnum. Go ahead, make my day.

 

[goneskiian]

I haven't taken a look to see what it looks like under the car at the attachment point. If someone can tell me what to look for, I can have a look.

The attachment point should be the same. It's the hidden bits of reinforcement that you'd have to take the bumper off to see that I would be wary of.

Then again, we don't know exactly what the full Tow Package looks like either.

 

[NoVIN4Me]

I also got that "adapter" thing that @Sony SS-M7 got--probably because I was also Bay Area (Fremont) pick up.

Wasn't the tow package also some upgrade for the X to tow more? How do I tell if the towing limit also got increased?

 

[Sony SS-M7]

I don't have any concrete plans to tow, so it's not a pressing need to find out, but it would be nice if Tesla actually would tell us (if asked) whether the reinforcements were there or not.

As mentioned in other threads as well (w.r.t. Active spoiler for instance), Tesla may have decided to throw in some extra features at least on the earlier deliveries in the interests of simplifying and accelerating production during the initial rush.

But as also mentioned earlier in this thread, you wouldn't want to just assume you could tow full weight just because they gave you a tow attachment.

I guess there's instructions somewhere on how to install the attachment? I'm afraid if I had the SC do it, they might take back the full tow attachment and actually just install the accessory hitch.

 

[wycolo]

I welcome arguments about what option is a better utilitarian value than the $750 towing hitch.

Don't play games and order it. In my opinion, Tesla should increase the base price $750 and just make it standard equipment.

Hear, Hear ! !

A 2 inch accessory hitch?? If it is deep enough to accept an everyday 2 inch ball hitch, then someday soon it might be towing 3k pounds down the highway! At least having a 1-1/4 inch hitch hints at potential limitations.

If you put a 2 inch hitch on a vehicle then, by golly, it should be capable of towing to the full max of that particular vehicle. Anything short of that is asking for trouble.
--

 

[systemcrashed]

I have a feeling the reinforcement of the receiver in the car is the same for both options, is there a way to be sure? The price difference may only be due to the different accessory.

 

[Roentgen]

Recap:

-Accessory Hitch upgraded to 2" from initial 1.X"
-Tow Package hitch also 2"
-Same hitch receiver for Accessory as for the Tow Package (the receiver is for both 3500 and 5000lbs based on wheel diameter; see picture in prev msg)

-Many Accesory Hitch orders have a wire harness on their Xs (Is this similar to the active spoiler freebie)
-Some also have Tow Package software (I personally have not remembered to check mine - what screen is this on?)

-No one has been able to confirm whether there is or is not additional structural difference between those who have ordered the accessory or tow packages, nor does anyone know how to tell at this point.



*I remember now, during delivery, that they told me not to try to tow anything over 3500 lbs with my accessory hitch. I was confused, as I told them I just wanted the accessory hitch, and didn't plan to tow anything. But I think they said that I could - up to 3500 lbs, but not up to the full 5000. Extra detail, doesn't shed much additional light on the above, but does support that there could be a structural difference between the packages. And that the accessory hitch is much more robust than initially advertised (I think up to 150 lbs or something).

 

[systemcrashed]

Recap:

-Accessory Hitch upgraded to 2" from initial 1.X"
-Tow Package hitch also 2"
-Same hitch receiver for Accessory as for the Tow Package (the receiver is for both 3500 and 5000lbs based on wheel diameter; see picture in prev msg)

-Many Accesory Hitch orders have a wire harness on their Xs (Is this similar to the active spoiler freebie)
-Some also have Tow Package software (I personally have not remembered to check mine - what screen is this on?)

-No one has been able to confirm whether there is or is not additional structural difference between those who have ordered the accessory or tow packages, nor does anyone know how to tell at this point.



*I remember now, during delivery, that they told me not to try to tow anything over 3500 lbs with my accessory hitch. I was confused, as I told them I just wanted the accessory hitch, and didn't plan to tow anything. But I think they said that I could - up to 3500 lbs, but not up to the full 5000. Extra detail, doesn't shed much additional light on the above, but does support that there could be a structural difference between the packages. And that the accessory hitch is much more robust than initially advertised (I think up to 150 lbs or something).

Did you get an actual accessory hitch or a tow hitch like the pics above?

 

[Roentgen]

Did you get an actual accessory hitch or a tow hitch like the pics above?

I ordered the accessory hitch, and got the exact same (tow) hitch as the one pictured above - I actually also posted pics of it in a different thread. I don't have the little wire bundle that was in the background of his though... But I do have the wire harness in the bumper compartment of my X.

I guess this begs the question of whether the accessory and tow hitches are actually the same, and the only differences would be the supposed structural changes?

 

[systemcrashed]

I doubt they would give you a hitch that says 5,000lbs on it and tell you not to load more than 3,500lbs unless you have 22" wheels. My opinion is that all things the same, the limiting factor is the type of hitch you received and your wheels.

 

[goneskiian]

Recap:

-Accessory Hitch upgraded to 2" from initial 1.X"
-Tow Package hitch also 2"
-Same hitch receiver for Accessory as for the Tow Package (the receiver is for both 3500 and 5000lbs based on wheel diameter; see picture in prev msg)

-Many Accesory Hitch orders have a wire harness on their Xs (Is this similar to the active spoiler freebie)
-Some also have Tow Package software (I personally have not remembered to check mine - what screen is this on?)

-No one has been able to confirm whether there is or is not additional structural difference between those who have ordered the accessory or tow packages, nor does anyone know how to tell at this point.



*I remember now, during delivery, that they told me not to try to tow anything over 3500 lbs with my accessory hitch. I was confused, as I told them I just wanted the accessory hitch, and didn't plan to tow anything. But I think they said that I could - up to 3500 lbs, but not up to the full 5000. Extra detail, doesn't shed much additional light on the above, but does support that there could be a structural difference between the packages. And that the accessory hitch is much more robust than initially advertised (I think up to 150 lbs or something).

Great summary! Thanks @Roentgen!

As someone who's ordered the full Tow Package I'd be somewhat miffed that those that are paying for the Accessory Hitch are getting the full Tow Package. Miffed but not necessarily surprised. This is Tesla we're talking about.

As far as answering the question as to whether the AH X's have the same reinforcements that the TP X's have, it is my opinion that the only way to tell for sure is to strip down the rear end of an X equipped with each and compare them. No offense, but I wouldn't trust what any Delivery Specialists tell you.

Cheers!

 

[grommet]

That's why I'm asking someone that *didn't* get the full Bosal tow hitch receiver with their "Accessory Hitch" car order -- the ones that were told "you'll get it later" -- if the mount is the same. Is the wiring harness there too? Tow mode in the UI?

If it's exactly the same still, I'd wager everyone is still getting the Tow Package for the cost of the "Accessory Hitch"... but for some reason they are out of the receivers. Ah, the magic Tesla factory black box...

 

[goneskiian]

That's why I'm asking someone that *didn't* get the full Bosal tow hitch receiver with their "Accessory Hitch" car order -- the ones that were told "you'll get it later" -- if the mount is the same. Is the wiring harness there too?

Good point. Hopefully someone will crawl under their rear bumper and take some pictures.

 

[goneskiian]

I remember seeing this but couldn't remember which thread they were in. Found it!

@scottf200 posted some pictures of his X with the rear bumper removed. I don't know if this shows all the "reinforcements" for towing but it's a start.

Considering hitch mounted extra bumper and brake light

 

[Roentgen]

Update:

I do NOT have the Tow Package UI on my accessory hitch order. Just checked the manual - if present, it should be under Controls -> Driving. (Unless it only shows up when you attach something.) I think someone else said they saw it on theirs.

So for those getting the Tow Package over the accessory hitch, you can at least feel that you're getting something for the extra $500, maybe like the Ludicrous upgrade. At least until we can prove that there is definitely a structural addition to the tow over accessory package.