pvogel
Member
Yeah, the drag is a huge effect. Anyone have a comparison of the drag from a boat vs. the drag from a somewhat streamlined trailer that's 10' long?
Peter+
Peter+
-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
adiggs
Well-Known Member
This is what I'm expecting (but haven't experienced - Model X will be the first vehicle I use to tow stuff with), so I don't have any experience. I'm REALLY curious to see wh/mile numbers with smaller and more aerodynamic loads.
SabrToothSqrl
Active Member
With that much weight, rolling friction is probably going to be more of a factor than aero drag. I've got a lightweight teardrop/popup camper in mind for my MS, later this year. No more tent camping
pvogel
Member
I like how the Model X's energy consumption cruising with the trailer is almost as high as my EV motor's peak output
Really cool video though, I was really interested to see it in action. Considering how much gas some people use for city towing, this is still huge. I can just imagine every contractor, landscaper, handyman, etc. out there who's probably towing a ton of things, but isn't going more than maybe 70-100 miles a day at most (more available if stops/chargers are available). Combine it with a business lease and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the MX become extremely popular with businesses--prius-like fuel costs with towing capabilities.
Really cool video though, I was really interested to see it in action. Considering how much gas some people use for city towing, this is still huge. I can just imagine every contractor, landscaper, handyman, etc. out there who's probably towing a ton of things, but isn't going more than maybe 70-100 miles a day at most (more available if stops/chargers are available). Combine it with a business lease and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the MX become extremely popular with businesses--prius-like fuel costs with towing capabilities.
Granted not all experiences apply in all situations, but I think your response to towing a boat to points sans superchargers is a little moot. My experiences would involve either going to a lake north of Amarillo (Lake Meredith) or to a lake in the Dallas area. Either way easily within reach of MaxK's estimated milage while towing (65 miles) starting out from the respective city. I don't think anyone should be surprised by the limited towing range, sans some miracle Tesla could have pulled out of their derriere unless it were a pond prowler or canoe. Writing simple Matlab code (like I did in undergrad for an automotive course) would have predicted the energy usage, gas or electric powered while towing.
I think the model X will be great for what most people would use it for. A day trip to the lake (usually within 50 miles) unload the boat, park the X at a 50 amp RV spot, and then charge while you ski on the lake. Great for day trips or simple weekend camping. If you were expecting cross country trips while towing, then I'd say it'd be a little unfair to place that on Tesla.
Clearly what we need is a Tesla compatible trailer, that includes 30kWh+ battery in it. Get a whole line of them, some that you can use as a range extender, and then different trailers for different items. Tesla would have to be a part of the deal, of course, so that you can somehow connect and share the charge back to the car, as well as provide the batteries for the trailer...
3s-a-charm
Active Member
That depends. Someone showed up at the Black Hills Tesla rally last year towing a lightweight, aerodynamic camper trailer with their Model S. I can't find a reference at the moment, but they reported that the towing penalty was quite manageable and allowed for going Supercharger to Supercharger.
CmdrThor
Active Member
No Autopark with a trailer connected?? That's it - I'm out!
But I thought Autopark was going to disconnect my trailer, park in the Supercharger spot, the snake cable was going to plug itself in and charge my car, then pull back around and reconnect my trailer all automatically for me ... I'm out too! :wink:
I like how the Model X's energy consumption cruising with the trailer is almost as high as my EV motor's peak output
Really cool video though, I was really interested to see it in action. Considering how much gas some people use for city towing, this is still huge. I can just imagine every contractor, landscaper, handyman, etc. out there who's probably towing a ton of things, but isn't going more than maybe 70-100 miles a day at most (more available if stops/chargers are available). Combine it with a business lease and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the MX become extremely popular with businesses--prius-like fuel costs with towing capabilities.
That is my dream. I do small landscaping. Just 40ish bi-weekly. I dream of getting big enough to get an X to use but I don't realistically see it happening anytime soon. Just did a rough weight calculation yesterday and got 3,500 lbs(probably 4000 as I dont know the real weight of trailer) for trailer and gear. Just a 14' x 5' dual axle open utility trailer. I get 13mpg now.
If anyone local would like to pull it around for a test feel free to pm me. My schedule is pretty flexible. But I have to ride with you unless you leave equal cash replacement of $20k.
They are saving that feature for a software update... ;-) And they haven't announced it yet, but the robotic snake concept will be extended so it can unhitch the trailer... when you get home, the X will let you get out, and then will auto park the trailer, disconnect, and then park itself in the garage.No Autopark with a trailer connected?? That's it - I'm out!
I see CmdrThor and I think alike... he beat me to it.
Last edited:
goneskiian
Active Member
I also remember reading about a user at the official TM forums towing a very small boat (dingy I think) down the east coast using the Torklift Eco Hitch. He even posted pictures. This was in an S of course.
No.
IMHO, anybody who is not a racer or a bare bones money saver (doesn't get any options at all) should get the tow package because it not only is worth it for resale value but also might be useful to those who are mentally capable of driving a vehicle towing a trailer "just in case". For you, since you already know how, there could be that odd ball trip with lighter trailers that make sense that could quickly whittle down that $750 investment over the years and then there's resale value.
- - - Updated - - -
I like how the Model X's energy consumption cruising with the trailer is almost as high as my EV motor's peak output
Really cool video though, I was really interested to see it in action. Considering how much gas some people use for city towing, this is still huge. I can just imagine every contractor, landscaper, handyman, etc. out there who's probably towing a ton of things, but isn't going more than maybe 70-100 miles a day at most (more available if stops/chargers are available). Combine it with a business lease and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the MX become extremely popular with businesses--prius-like fuel costs with towing capabilities.
Yes, I agree. But it is even more important for Tesla to get experience in towing for when they come out with a pickup truck or work van. The towing package on those work trucks will be more mature than if they started with those vehicles.
Hello, it looks like the hitch receiver completely separates from the X when not needed. Meaning that there is no hitch receiver showing from the back of the SUV at all times. Is this true? If so, I'm in on the towing package. I initially thought no because the receiver was unsightly but it is completely removable, then that's a different story. Thanks
pvogel
Member
Yes. It's removable and there's a cover plate that completes the diffuser plate when the tow receiver is not in use
adelman
R 539, S VIN S44, X Sig#1
The tow package is NOT retrofittable. The rear structure of the car is different.
patrick42h
Member
For anyone who might still be reading this thread, this has changed. Tesla currently offers a tow package retrofit that is $500 more expensive than ordering it on the car from the factory.
Similar threads
- Marketplace listing
