GVWR Variance

[NoMoreCookies]

Can someone help me understand the GVWR variance on Teslas?

I went into Tesla today and looked at a bunch of 2023 MXs (non-Plaid). All were build in 01/23 or 02/23:

5, 6, & 7 seat configs all have the same front (2976 lb) and rear (3808) GAVR and 265/45R20 front and 275/45R20 rear tires.
The 5 seat confg I looked at had a GVWR of 6122 lb (937 max payload)
The 6 seat configs I looked at had a GVWR of 6352 lb (1102 max payload)
The 7 seat configs I looked at had a GVWR of 6550 lb (1268 max payload)

I can understand the curb weight varying due to the weight of the seats, but not the GVWR. What am I missing? Why is the GVWR higher the more seats there are. Why aren't they all ~ 6550 lb.

 

[brainhouston]

Would like to know this as well...

Quick math tho, seems they keeping cargo payload constant n adding one person weight (~165lb) per seat.
Doesn't explain why can't cargo payload be higher on 5 seater since on 7 seater all extra weight is essentially in the cargo area compared to 5 seater... mystery for sure lol

 

[ThomasD]

Could be that the floor is reinforced for the larger amount of seating resulting in a higher payload capacity

 

[Richbot]

Weird. Never would have guessed it changes between seating configs, I've seen 75D's with lower ratings by about 150kg.

For what it's worth, my Long RAnge PLus 7-seater's sticker says 6788

 

[NoMoreCookies]

I had similar thinking brainhouston.

The owner's manual states:

The Vehicle Certification label provides:

• GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The maximum allowable total mass of Model X. This is calculated as the weight of Model X equipped with the heaviest factory selectable options, all passengers, fluids, and cargo.
• GAWR FRT and GAWR RR - Gross Axle Weight Rating for the front and rear axles. The GAWR is the maximum distributed weight that each axle can support.

Combine this with:
5 seat: 425 kg (937 lb)
6 seat: 500 kg (1102 lb) + 75 kg over 5 seat (a reasonable weight for 1 human or crash test dummy)
7 seat: 575 kg (1268 lb) + 75 kg over 6 seat (the exact same reasonable weight above)

And:
5 seat: 2777 kg (6122 lb) GVWR - 425 kg (937 lb) payload = 2352 kg (5185 lb) curb weight
6 seat: 2881 kg (6532 lb) GVWR - 500 kg (1102 lb) payload = 2381 kg (5249 lb) curb weight
7 seat: 2971 kg (6550 lb) GVWR - 575 kg (1268 lb) payload = 2396 kg (5282 lb) curb weight

Then doing a little more math:
2396 kg - 2352 kg = 44 kg (97 lb): A reasonable weight for the addition of the third row seats including wiring, etc.
For the 6 seat config, if we take 5185 curb weight and add the third row seat option (~97 lbs?) then add some bucket seats (~70lbs?) and remove the bench seat (~103lbs?): 5185 + 97 + 70 - 103 = 5249 lb curb weight

All that to say, that I suspect that there is nothing meaningfully different between the 2023 MXs I looked at besides the seat configurations, and that the GVWR is derived from the curb weight and the tested payload with that seat configuration.

In other words, I don't see why a 5 or 6 seat config couldn't take the same payload as a 7 seat config (with the caveats of where that payload resides ... there are limits on frunk, seats, rear cargo area, hitch, etc.). I'm not encouraging anyone to exceed the payload of their vehicle, but if you want to have say 750 lbs of total human (and pet) weight and 450 lbs of tongue weight from a trailer (with trailer brakes ) or 1200 lbs total, I don't believe you need a 7 seat MX.

Also, it's good to note that the GVWR, curb weight, and payload vary for other reasons too. For instance, over the course of my investigation so far, 2020 and 2021 MXs tend to have higher GVWRs (6788) and payloads (1254), but those numbers vary based on tire size, type, build date, etc.

 

[NoMoreCookies]

Some additional support here for my understanding above.

My 2021 Tesla Model Y 5 seater has a max payload of 826 lbs. On this forum, other users reported 1157 lbs for 2022 MY 7 seater. That's 331 lbs (150 kg), the exact same difference between the 2023 MX 5 & 7 seaters above.

 

[NoMoreCookies]

6 seat: 2881 kg (6532 lb) GVWR - 500 kg (1102 lb) payload = 2381 kg (5249 lb) curb weight

Should be 6352 lb not 6532 lb. I transposed two numbers. Math remains the same as it was done in kg.

 

[mongo]

Front trunk limit: 110 pounds
Rear trunk limit: 88 lower & 287 upper = 375 pounds
Total max trunk cargo: 485 on all variants
So additional cargo is in passengers area. Which would bear on the seats or seat backs to the normal load points.

Model X Owner's Manual | Tesla

 

[nolandub]

Jumping in here as I'm researching to confirm that the current base MX 5-seater hits the 6,000 lb mark

Can't find a local spec like that, so I'm relying on the web - which doesn't seem to have much on the subject. Found a refresh '22 MX on 20's that seems to be a 5-seater with a GVWR of 6,021. Makes me a bit nervous.

Can anyone confirm that the base MX 5-seaters being delivered now (or a few months ago) are coming in above 6,000 lbs GVWR?

 

[DCGOO]

Jumping in here as I'm researching to confirm that the current base MX 5-seater hits the 6,000 lb mark

Can't find a local spec like that, so I'm relying on the web - which doesn't seem to have much on the subject. Found a refresh '22 MX on 20's that seems to be a 5-seater with a GVWR of 6,021. Makes me a bit nervous.

Can anyone confirm that the base MX 5-seaters being delivered now (or a few months ago) are coming in above 6,000 lbs GVWR?

I can confirm the just barely. My 5 passenger 2022 is 6021 GVWR

 

[nolandub]

I can confirm the just barely. My 5 passenger 2022 is 6021 GVWR

Thank you!

 

[JAG]

The older model X frunk can hold 400 pounds the new one only 110.

If you go down to 19 inch rims, your tongue weight will go up in terms of its limit