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Model Y Towing - Experiences Post here
- Thread starter SilverSp33d3r
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- hitch weight
RobDeBank
Member
Here's a good look at towing a ~2200lbs camping trailer with a Model Y.
Tesla Model Y towing experience: real-world numbers hauling a trailer in Canada - Drive Tesla Canada
Tesla Model Y towing experience: real-world numbers hauling a trailer in Canada - Drive Tesla Canada
Towed with the Model Y today. Needed to drop my Cushman off to a friend to get it running again, and thought this would be a fun experiment.
Trailer is about 2400lbs ( yes, it's a 7000lb gross trailer)
I'm guessing the motorcycle and lawnmower were about 600 to 800lbs all together, so gross was around 3200lbs.
Total round Trip- 59miles
Elevation Change ~ 2500ft
Averaged 463 watt/mile
Mostly highway 55-60mph.
Couldn't really tell the trailer was back there, really unbelievable. I tow a 27ft 7000lb travel trailer and this was a breeze, loved the torque. I did drop the motorcycle off at the "top" of the hill before coming home. On the way up, I was seeing 1100watts/mile pretty much the entire drive up, divided highway 60mph. At the top I averaged ~800watts/mile before heading back down.
I had to keep telling myself to slow down, torque is truly amazing. We had our entire family of 4 riding along as well, so pretty weighted down.
I had to plug in 630 watts/miles (@65mph)in A better route planner to get comparable results from my trip.
Looking forward to towing a more aerodynamic trailer, I think the rough edges caused a little higher than normal energy consumption, but this was a cool data point.
Trailer is about 2400lbs ( yes, it's a 7000lb gross trailer)
I'm guessing the motorcycle and lawnmower were about 600 to 800lbs all together, so gross was around 3200lbs.
Total round Trip- 59miles
Elevation Change ~ 2500ft
Averaged 463 watt/mile
Mostly highway 55-60mph.
Couldn't really tell the trailer was back there, really unbelievable. I tow a 27ft 7000lb travel trailer and this was a breeze, loved the torque. I did drop the motorcycle off at the "top" of the hill before coming home. On the way up, I was seeing 1100watts/mile pretty much the entire drive up, divided highway 60mph. At the top I averaged ~800watts/mile before heading back down.
I had to keep telling myself to slow down, torque is truly amazing. We had our entire family of 4 riding along as well, so pretty weighted down.
I had to plug in 630 watts/miles (@65mph)in A better route planner to get comparable results from my trip.
Looking forward to towing a more aerodynamic trailer, I think the rough edges caused a little higher than normal energy consumption, but this was a cool data point.
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Appears that if you ever did rely on the chains, that bumper would need to be replaced.
Agreed. It's already scratched up where the chains hang down. It's kind of low and I have to admit I don't notice it except when I'm down there putting the chains on/off - but loss of the trailer would definitely cause damage.
I've only seen once when a trailer came off (and even then only the after effect) for a camper trailer and the whole trailer rolled forward into the guys tailgate and bumper damaging everything. I'm guessing a trailer coming off the hitch is usually going to cause pretty good damage - the chains are mostly there to insure it's mostly just to the towing vehicle.
Good information - cool to see you towing that big trailer.
That point about having to remember to slow down is very true. I had kept running into that because before they fixed our hood latch alert, I couldn't use cruise control (the alert kicked us out of CC). Without CC it's really hard to tell when the speed creeps up without staring at the speedometer constantly - because the car shows no other signs of stress. The car just acts like the trailer isn't even there, but sure sucks down the juice if you forget and let the speed creep up.
I towed a 13 foot sail boat with my new Model Y. It was a great experience overall.
0. Brake light signal from the harness don’t seem to work! I tried with a tester as well to isolate my trailer being the issue. Anyone else seen this issue? I was testing by trying to be in Park and pressing the brake pedal and doing drive at low speed in the parking lot. Am I testing it wrong? I added it to my upcoming service appointment.
1. The ball hitch bar jiggles a bit in the receiver as others have reported.
2. I wrapped the chains in an old t-shirt to protect the bumper. I tried to use some rubber gasket material and velcro strips but the velcro strip adhesive didn’t stay affixed to the rubber. Obviously need a better solution- I am going to try the safety chain hanger next I think.
3. It towed and the live rear and side camera view made me feel really pampered during the drive.
0. Brake light signal from the harness don’t seem to work! I tried with a tester as well to isolate my trailer being the issue. Anyone else seen this issue? I was testing by trying to be in Park and pressing the brake pedal and doing drive at low speed in the parking lot. Am I testing it wrong? I added it to my upcoming service appointment.
1. The ball hitch bar jiggles a bit in the receiver as others have reported.
2. I wrapped the chains in an old t-shirt to protect the bumper. I tried to use some rubber gasket material and velcro strips but the velcro strip adhesive didn’t stay affixed to the rubber. Obviously need a better solution- I am going to try the safety chain hanger next I think.
3. It towed and the live rear and side camera view made me feel really pampered during the drive.
Hey guys, sorry I still have not had a chance to get the exact weight of my trailer, but here's a one minute overview of the first part of the cross country towing roadtrip.
I towed a small boat with my Model Y recently. Used about 486 wh/m and usually I am around 300-310. I have not done this run without the trailer to compare. Trailer and boat are around 80 lbs. Had 4 people in the car as well. For the chains, I chose to hang the chains over the hitch instead of over. That held them up off of the bumper. I figured, if I needed the chains, the bumper would have to be replaced. I like the idea of replacing the chains with ropes, and the other one of using heater hose or bike tubes.
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Koolio46
Member
To protect the bumper from the chains, I might just put some painters tape or tape some foam padding (like what’s in the box of an electronic device) on the bumper for the times I tow.
steve841
Active Member
I just made a 50 mile RT with my enclosed trailer.. yikes
Was pushing 170 miles of range when I left. Had 51 miles when I returned. 70 mph mostly highway jaunt.
trailer is an 8 x 12 light but very tall. Long trips are definitely not happening.
as for chains, I ran mine over the tow bar. Seemed to work perfectly without any damage.
Was pushing 170 miles of range when I left. Had 51 miles when I returned. 70 mph mostly highway jaunt.
trailer is an 8 x 12 light but very tall. Long trips are definitely not happening.
as for chains, I ran mine over the tow bar. Seemed to work perfectly without any damage.
rvatornate
Member
We own a 5X8 Hiker Trailer seen below behind our Subie. Took it out a couple of weeks ago behind our Y for a test. Ran a 50 mile loop on the west side of Denver, 46 miles of 65 MPH and rolling hills. Started the test without the trailer and at 90% charge. We averaged 241 Wh/mile. Came back home and recharged and hooked up the trailer. (Which is actually easier than hooking up to the Subie.) We averaged 486 Wh/mile. Average temp outside on the 1st run was 36 degrees, and on the 2nd was 40. Trailer empty weight is 1000lbs with a tongue weight of 112lbs. On testing day we had all our normal stuff inside with an estimated gross weight of 1500 lbs. We couldn't even tell it was back there. No indication of working to go up the hills, and very stable going down them. No noise from the trailer hitch at all. Very stable and comfortable.
The range hit is significant, but looking at where we go here in Colorado, it is doable. Looking forward to taking it out and enjoying it. Happy to answer any questions folks may have.
Nate
2020 Model Y AWD LR
The range hit is significant, but looking at where we go here in Colorado, it is doable. Looking forward to taking it out and enjoying it. Happy to answer any questions folks may have.
Nate
2020 Model Y AWD LR
Flybuddy
Member
Here's a pic of rubber wrapped chains held on with plastic ties.
steve841
Active Member
In S Florida, you can get shot for doing 55.
Curious about the MPG hit the Subie took when you towed same trailer with it....
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