Model X Towing

[Icey]

Im relatively new to the world of towing, when I have had to tow it’s been with a Land Crusier or similar and never had to worry about tow ball weight and all that. Model X only has a max tow ball weight of 90kg. My question is: what can you tow?

Seems the towing I’ve done in the past with a single axle trailer and a couple of loads of sand and metal wouldn’t be possible in the X.

Also why did we get stiffed with a ball joint and not the 2” receiver?

 

[Murbs]

Tesla’s story is that the 2” receiver hasn’t been homogated here.....
.... go figure.

 

[Jays200]

Come from 25 years of cruisers.

Towed approx 1.8t kanga digger no probs and numurous 1t loads of dirt in the 6x4 with the X

Got a relative in the US to send me a 2" Tesla hitch.

 

[ewoodrick]

Im relatively new to the world of towing, when I have had to tow it’s been with a Land Crusier or similar and never had to worry about tow ball weight and all that. Model X only has a max tow ball weight of 90kg. My question is: what can you tow?

Seems the towing I’ve done in the past with a single axle trailer and a couple of loads of sand and metal wouldn’t be possible in the X.

Also why did we get stiffed with a ball joint and not the 2” receiver?

I believe that toe weight should generally be considered to be about 10% of trailer weight. So you should be able to tow a trailer that weighs up to about 1000kg.

Here's a random page that seems to have some interesting info Towball Weight and Trailer Stability

 

[Jays200]

The 10% rule is the usual guide to towing, however, there is conflicting data about the hitch vertical load capacity

For example, this article https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/tesla-model-x-2017-tow-test-106452/ quotes 227kgs ball weight in specs at end of article

 

[shanelord]

So 10% is a good guide, but European spec (which is what Tesla is using with the 90kg nose/ball weight fixed neck ball we get here) allows greater as long as the trailer supports anti sway tech.

I have an Adria caravan that is 100kg max ball weight and an ATM of 1600kg. Our Tiguan can tow that (up to a max 2500kg ATM).

This doesn’t work if you have a standard brake trailer rather than an Alko-chassis euro caravan. Stick to 10%.

If you can get the Tesla hitch from the USA it can handle a higher nose/ball weight which would allow a larger ATM using the 10% rule.

Shane.

 

[ARMARM]

Before I contact my local SC, I just wanted to know whether anyone has had a tow package fitted to their X after delivery? ... mine was a service loaner and a OCT17 build when they weren't a standard item ... and what was the cost?

 

[ecarfan]

Tesla’s story is that the 2” receiver hasn’t been homogated here.....
.... go figure.

Sorry to hear that. Anyone know if the Tesla 2” hitch is approved and available in New Zealand?

 

[Shock-On-T]

If the trailer is well balanced there shouldn't be too much down-weight on the hitch.
If you can pick up the trailer hitch with one hand, it isn't putting 90kg on the tow ball!
I know there's bouncing and so on during driving, but still, if it's a fairly balanced load there will be very little downforce on the tow hitch.

 

[ARMARM]

Before I contact my local SC, I just wanted to know whether anyone has had a tow package fitted to their X after delivery? ... mine was a service loaner and a OCT17 build when they weren't a standard item ... and what was the cost?

Good question ARMARM! ... I had one fitted today $786.50