Model S - Hitch discussion

[TEG]

...JB Straubel (co-founder of Tesla Motors) picked up his Sun Frost RF16 along with a cabinet. He made the 300 mile trip from Arcata, CA to Menlo Park, CA with one re-charge.

(He seems to like to put hitches on his EVs...)

 

[Doug_G]

http://sunfrost.com/blog/2010/08/tesla-tractor-trailer/

 

[mpt]

Has anyone considered towing extra batteries? I imagine you could easily get another 50-100KW/Hr pack for touring. That'd be a combined range of at least 600 miles without the hassle of fuel/noise/exhausts/explaining to people that the engine is only temporary.

I guess that the biggest challenges would be: Cost, the connecting cable, firmware to understand the big battery & time to charge at destination if you don't have 70A on tap.

 

[doug]

I guess that the biggest challenges would be: Cost, the connecting cable, firmware to understand the big battery & time to charge at destination if you don't have 70A on tap.

Depending on the batteries, there's also mass and thermal management.

 

[TEG]

Has anyone considered towing extra batteries?...

Yeah, that was one of the ideas that was discussed a bunch in the early days. And the fuel powered generator trailer too.
It seems quick charge and pack swap won out as the more mainstream idea of interest.

Some of it boiled down to the idea that American's generally don't like to pull trailers with small cars. (Parts of Europe tend to be rather different.)

 

[TEG]

http://www.allcarselectric.com/blog...e-tow-along-solution-offers-to-volt-your-leaf

http://ideas.4brad.com/can-battery-trailer-solve-range-anxiety

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/vw-wagon-ev-charging-trailer-thoughts-12055.html

---

http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/trailer

From the Roadster owners manual:

 

[tdelta1000]

Hey TEG,

Are there any close up shots of JB's tow hitch? It would be very insteresting to see how it ties into the frame. Good pic TEG.

 

[jcstp]

@scottkpotter Scott Potter
@elonmusk will the X have a tow package? Tow capacity?



Elon Musk
elonmusk Elon Musk
@
@scottkpotter Model X will be able to out tow almost any SUV or light truck. It has incredible torque.

promissing

 

[smorgasbord]

I just want a hitch so I can mount a bike rack that won't damage the paint of either the car or the bike.

 

[W.Petefish]

Hey TEG,

Are there any close up shots of JB's tow hitch? It would be very insteresting to see how it ties into the frame. Good pic TEG.

A good FAB shop can make one that bolts under the trunk. Although it would require some mods to the covers.

 

[gg_got_a_tesla]

Cross-posting from the Model X forum - Tesla confirmed (once again?) that there'd be no factory towing option for the Model S:

Model X will have excellent towing capability. Despite photo, Model S will not offer option

 

[doug]

So, yes, Model X will have a towing option.

Do you have a higher res version of that photo available?

 

[domenick]

Do you have a higher res version of that photo available?

Of the S? Yes.

 

[doug]

Of the S? Yes.

Thanks. :smile:

 

[NigelM]

That one wasn't a hitch it was a restraint used to stop the alpha shooting forward off the dyno.....

 

[Doug_G]

No hitch for the Model S? How am I going to tow my Roadster to the track?

 

[richkae]

I intend to make a hitch for my S - just to mount a bike rack. I've made them for my Boxster, my Prius and a friends BMW Z3.

There is no way to know how hard it will be until I get my Model S and have a chance to remove the rear undertray and look underneath it.
The Prius has two tow hooks at the back of the car that you can remove and attach a hitch mount to.
The Model S is going to have to have some kind of tow hook attachment points - hopefully they will be under the car instead of behind a little square door in the bumper.

 

[bonnie]

No hitch for the Model S? How am I going to tow my Roadster to the track?

Obviously you need a Model X.

 

[Mark Petersen]

wow if that car was used in a crash test, where you push the car forward, it must mean that it has an extreem anti collision detection system, as it newer hit the wall :-/
that must be worth at least 6 stars

Of the S? Yes.

 

[domenick]

No hitch for the Model S? How am I going to tow my Roadster to the track?

I wouldn't be surprised to see an aftermarket hitch available eventually. It didn't take long for one to be made for the Leaf, so it's possible one will appear for the S.