Model X tows a Qantas jet

[ecarfan]

The Model X isn’t just for towing trailers. But in this case I think they have exceeded the manufacturers recommended max tow weight of 5,000 lbs.

 

[ecarfan]

@ohmman do you think they had to replace the stock Bosal hitch with a Draw-Tite hitch to do that?

And the real question is, did they use weight distribution bars? I think the “trailer” weight was greater than 50% of the tow vehicle weight.

 

[TexasTeslaRacing]

I wonder what the tongue weight was? Operating empty weight of the 787 is 259,500 lbs.

 

[Pentium2004]

How is this impressive when a worlds strong man can pull a CC-177 jet that weighs 377,000lbs?

 

[dlsspy]

I'd think this would have too much of an effect on range to be practical. I doubt I could get between most superchargers towing a 787.

 

[Peteybabes]

How is this impressive when a worlds strong man can pull a CC-177 jet that weighs 377,000lbs?

i agree with you...it's got wheels so basically any car could have done that?

this statement: "...The tugs make about 200 hp but 500 ftlb of torque at the crankshaft and..." from this website: https://www.quora.com/How-many-horsepower-does-an-airplane-pushback-tractor-have

besides, was this plane push started? no details there, lol

 

[Uncle Paul]

Gearing is what allows an ICE to tug a plane. For a Tesla, all the torque comes on at 0 RPM, so towing, (with higher gears) is possible.

To me it is simply amazing what these cars can do.

 

[Xminus6]

I wonder what the tongue weight was? Operating empty weight of the 787 is 259,500 lbs.

Tongue weight is probably very little considering the load they're towing has it's own stable base of wheels.

 

[MXWing]

Add this to one more thing the iPace won't be doing.

 

[SSedan]

Locally there is a charity event where teams of 20 people pull a commercial jet 12 feet for time, not groups of strongmen or anything just any team of people who want to support the charity. This is just a silly gimmick. Back a couple decades wasn't there a Geo Tracker ad pulling a semi? A Tundra pulled the Space Shuttle.
Moving a wheeled object on a flat surface is no big accomplishment but in this case it looks good.

Far as an EV to move a plane Mototok are the ticket.

 

[Electroman]

How is this impressive when a worlds strong man can pull a CC-177 jet that weighs 377,000lbs?

its only impressive when an Electroman can do it.

 

[AdamHLG]

Now there is going to be five stories of fake news on social media regarding Tesla's towing Dreamliners while on autopilot causing plane crashes. Fantastic.

 

[TYCharley]

Tesla Model X sets a world record by towing a Qantas 787-9 – Flightradar24 Blog

 

[ARMARM]

There's already a thread about it ... Model X tows a Qantas jet

 

[bmah]

Moderator note: Combined two threads on this topic.

Bruce.