islandbayy
Active Member
I agree, not the motor. My concern is the Differential. I already have a growing worstening slop when going from drive to regen or forward to reverse. That was existing before I installed my hitch on my S.
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I agree, not the motor. My concern is the Differential. I already have a growing worstening slop when going from drive to regen or forward to reverse. That was existing before I installed my hitch on my S.
I am building a hitch for my Model S. It is a basically the Eco-Hitch with a few changes. I am capping ends to discourage corrosion and I am going to have a smaller, circular, hole in the body panel for mounting the receiver.
I plan to buy a rubber plug/grommet to fill the hole and keep things nice and clean. With my design a bolt with go vertically through the receiver and into the main structure of the hitch. The beveled square with the hole in it will have a stainless nut welded to it that will receive the bolt. This way the hole in the body panel will be pretty small and all the wrenching will take place below the car.
Anyway, just another variation, let me know if you have questions, I'll update as I progress. Thanks and enjoy
I plan to buy a rubber plug/grommet to fill the hole and keep things nice and clean. With my design a bolt with go vertically through the receiver and into the main structure of the hitch. The beveled square with the hole in it will have a stainless nut welded to it that will receive the bolt. This way the hole in the body panel will be pretty small and all the wrenching will take place below the car.
Anyway, just another variation, let me know if you have questions, I'll update as I progress. Thanks and enjoy
beeeerock
Active Member
We've been considering installing a Torklift EcoHitch on our Model S for a bike rack. To be on the safe side I contacted Tesla Motors to verify that this install wouldn't void the warranty. Here's what I got back from them:
Hard to tell if this is just CYA or if I might indeed run into warranty issues down the road, even if unrelated to the EcoHitch install.
Hard to tell if this is just CYA or if I might indeed run into warranty issues down the road, even if unrelated to the EcoHitch install.
Drucifer
Active Member
We've been considering installing a Torklift EcoHitch on our Model S for a bike rack. To be on the safe side I contacted Tesla Motors to verify that this install wouldn't void the warranty. Here's what I got back from them:
Hard to tell if this is just CYA or if I might indeed run into warranty issues down the road, even if unrelated to the EcoHitch install.
Legally, a car company cannot void or alter the warranty of the car UNLESS it can be shown that the aftermarket product or use of the aftermarket product is the DIRECT CAUSE of the specific issue that the warranty addresses. So, the burden of proof would be on Tesla to demonstrate that the use of the trailer hitch directly caused a drivetrain or suspension issue. They couldn't cite the trailer hitch in a pano roof issue, for instance.
llavalle
Member
I also contacted them about this. Here's the reply I got :
The part where they say they don't have any info is BS but seems to be inline with a company policy of not giving advice on a product that could be used for towing a trailer.
The part where they say they don't have any info is BS but seems to be inline with a company policy of not giving advice on a product that could be used for towing a trailer.
I have a bad back so lifting bikes onto the roof is not practical for me. Instead, I installed a Torklift Ecohitch 2 inch receiver which is specifically designed for the Model S. I had a specialist body shop install the receiver hitch. Into that I use an Allen Sports 2 bike hitch mount. Allen also does bigger racks, but there are only two of us so this one is fine. As it mounts at the back of the car and away from the airflow I have not noticed any reduction in range although it obviously must have some minor negative effect. As pointed out, this is not an approved accessory by Tesla but I have not had any problems.
artsci
Sponsor
We've been considering installing a Torklift EcoHitch on our Model S for a bike rack. To be on the safe side I contacted Tesla Motors to verify that this install wouldn't void the warranty. Here's what I got back from them:
Hard to tell if this is just CYA or if I might indeed run into warranty issues down the road, even if unrelated to the EcoHitch install.
Tesla approves nothing it doesn't sell and the warranty mentions are itended to put fear in the minds of owners conidering a product Tesla doesn't sell.
ferrisb
New Member
Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but searching did not return me anything...
Has anyone in the UK fitted the Torklift Central Ecohitch? (Had a chat to my service rep at Tesla and they (unofficially) advised that some customers have fitted them)
If so did you self-fit, or use a specialist - any advice / recommendations?
Looking to use with a bike rack so should be easy enough, I am very practical so fitting myself is a real option if it can be done without risk of trashing the bumper ;-)
Cheers, Ferris.
Has anyone in the UK fitted the Torklift Central Ecohitch? (Had a chat to my service rep at Tesla and they (unofficially) advised that some customers have fitted them)
If so did you self-fit, or use a specialist - any advice / recommendations?
Looking to use with a bike rack so should be easy enough, I am very practical so fitting myself is a real option if it can be done without risk of trashing the bumper ;-)
Cheers, Ferris.
the hardest part of the installation is the removal of the rear bumper cover, that is a slow tedious job best left to a pro. the mounting and attaching the hitch is a snap once that cover is removed. a good body repair shop should be able to do the installation.
artsci
Sponsor
Newscutter
Member
Some detailed pictures and video on Teslarati.com and my blog. I have had the hitch installed for about a year and use it for bike racks only. The design is pretty slick. Any experienced body shop should be able to do it-- but I'd lean towards a place with experience on Mercedes, as those are the style fasteners used by Tesla for the bumper cover (according to the place I went). After the bumper clips, the rest are screws/bolts and just a matter of lining things up and getting the torque specs right on reassembly. Cutting the hole in the bottom of the cover is tricky (the chromed piece is very tough) but not out of the realm of a determined DIYer.
More here: TESLA Pittsburgh.com: My Baby Gets Back: Torklift EcoHitch Review
More here: TESLA Pittsburgh.com: My Baby Gets Back: Torklift EcoHitch Review
Of all the ones that did install hitches on the model S.
Did any had to claim work under warranty?
Any issues with that warranty claim?
I can't get a clear answer from anyone at Tesla.
They don't approve usage of 3rd party hitch on Model S.
They say that if damage is cause by the hitch it would not be covered by warranty.
I asked for specifics on motor train and battery warranty, and answer was same: If it was a result of using the hitch it would not be covered.
But, could not get specifics on how they would determine if hitch caused it.
Did any had to claim work under warranty?
Any issues with that warranty claim?
I can't get a clear answer from anyone at Tesla.
They don't approve usage of 3rd party hitch on Model S.
They say that if damage is cause by the hitch it would not be covered by warranty.
I asked for specifics on motor train and battery warranty, and answer was same: If it was a result of using the hitch it would not be covered.
But, could not get specifics on how they would determine if hitch caused it.
Hi Jo,
I am also wondering about the same questions. I've installed the EcoHitch on my car and have had some warranty claims but nothing related to drivetrain or battery.
I am getting the milling sound now on my second motor, so it will likely have to be changed again. I doubt they can claim it is as a result of the hitch since so many motors are being replaced on non-hitched cars.
I can't imagine the hitch would do damage to other components except brakes if you really push the car hard and brake hard and are towing large capacities.
The law is definitely that they have to prove your modification caused damage to the car, but in the case of the Model S motor/drivetrain, that would be very hard to do.
I am also wondering about the same questions. I've installed the EcoHitch on my car and have had some warranty claims but nothing related to drivetrain or battery.
I am getting the milling sound now on my second motor, so it will likely have to be changed again. I doubt they can claim it is as a result of the hitch since so many motors are being replaced on non-hitched cars.
I can't imagine the hitch would do damage to other components except brakes if you really push the car hard and brake hard and are towing large capacities.
The law is definitely that they have to prove your modification caused damage to the car, but in the case of the Model S motor/drivetrain, that would be very hard to do.
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