MY Towing limit with 20" Induction wheels

[ScotteZ]

Forgive me if this is covered somewhere - I'm looking at placing an order for a LR MY with tow hitch in the next couple of months (no need for one sooner although the want is high!). I'm trying to decide the 20" wheels vs 19" wheels. I did see in the manual that the 20" wheels reduce the towing limit of the car. I'd like to understand why only the 20" has the lower limit.

I currently don't have anything to tow and I don't really see a camper trailer in our future. I use the hitch mostly for a bike rack and possibly a utility trailer occasionally.

 

[steve841]

Consensus seems to be the tire load capacity ....

Personally, I have the same on the way and I wont lose too much sleep mildly exceeding the capacity on short hauls.

 

[Kevin66]

It really makes no sense. Especially when the shop purchase says “capable of towing up to 3,500 lbs on all wheel configurations.” Model Y Tow Package

This is an update from the earlier distinction from 19” and 21” being 3,500 and 20” being 2,300. Tesla launches Model Y tow package, reveals strange detail about towing capacity - Electrek.

But the distinction in towing capacity is still in the manual on p.72.

Confusing at a minimum.

 

[timurx]

I’ve been asking everyone I can find about this. The best answer so far is that yes 2300 is the limit for 20s.

I’m going to buy some 19s and 21s and use the 20s as winter tires. I’ll tow a small RV in the summer with more capable wheels.

 

[timurx]

Here’s the story from tesla, they updated the manual

 

[LNL_HUTZ]

Here’s the story from tesla, they updated the manual

Well, that certainly seems to support the tire load capacity theory. It's reassuring to know I won't be subject to the lower limit with only three people in the car.

 

[spokey]

Here’s the story from tesla, they updated the manual

where did you get that? I just downloaded the manual again from the link on my account and it still has the 3 entry table (page 72)

 

[Koolio46]

+1 to the tire load capacity...at least that's what the sales person said when I test drove the Y last week.

I also noticed that in the last week, the Tesla site was changed and when choosing the 20" induction wheels, the load still stays at 3,500 pounds so good to see the updated manual reinforcing that.

When I order mine, I plan to get the 20" wheels.

 

[timurx]

So you’re saying the tire and not the rim are the issue? Do they make a tire for the 20 that’s has a better load? How do we know it’s not the wheel.
I’m looking at Martian Wheels 20” MW03 Forged which are stronger and have a load ration of 1000kg and very light.
The TSportLine 20” has 900kg but not as strong or as light but look nice.

I’d rather just keep my induction if it’s really the tire but I’m a bit worried if I have 3 people and a good load of gear I’d be over the 2300

 

[timurx]

So you’re saying the tire and not the rim are the issue? Do they make a tire for the 20 that’s has a better load? How do we know it’s not the wheel.
I’m looking at Martian Wheels 20” MW03 Forged which are stronger and have a load ration of 1000kg and very light.
The TSportLine 20” has 900kg but not as strong or as light but look nice.

I’d rather just keep my induction if it’s really the tire but I’m a bit worried if I have 3 people and a good load of gear I’d be over the 2300

I wish I knew the load for the induction wheel to compare against these other aftermarkets

 

[timurx]

where did you get that? I just downloaded the manual again from the link on my account and it still has the 3 entry table (page 72)

From inside the car. Pull up the manual and search for towing. Must get updated with sw updates.

 

[spokey]

From inside the car. Pull up the manual and search for towing. Must get updated with sw updates.

OH

don't have no stinkin' car yet. But hoping Sat is the charm although the VIN is only 36xxx.

Can you verify the tow is actually been installed without pulling off that cover? I've seen a couple posts where people said their receiver was missing. Youngest can't have the outback if the MY hitch is missing.

 

[timurx]

I haven’t yet pulled off the cover. I Ordered my hitch after I had the car and had it mailed to and installed at service center.

I hope it’s there, they did update the car’s software though — check out these images

 

[spokey]

is that the performance or did "Chill" go away?

 

[timurx]

Chill is the in Acceleration section.

 

[YEmmaKazi]

OH

don't have no stinkin' car yet. But hoping Sat is the charm although the VIN is only 36xxx.

Can you verify the tow is actually been installed without pulling off that cover? I've seen a couple posts where people said their receiver was missing. Youngest can't have the outback if the MY hitch is missing.

Don't worry about the VIN being lower, it doesn't always mean it was built earlier. I got a 36xx VIN and build date is 8/20/2020, while other 36xx VIN build dates are in July. The VIN sequence has a few other factors such as the configuration. Ex, if you ordered with a tow hitch, you may have a low VIN as that configuration wasn't available until much later. This is my opinion based on some research when I freaked out of having a 36xx VIN. Ask your service advisor to find out the build date.

 

[spokey]

Don't worry about the VIN being lower, it doesn't always mean it was built earlier. I got a 36xx VIN and build date is 8/20/2020, while other 36xx VIN build dates are in July. The VIN sequence has a few other factors such as the configuration. Ex, if you ordered with a tow hitch, you may have a low VIN as that configuration wasn't available until much later. This is my opinion based on some research when I freaked out of having a 36xx VIN. Ask your service advisor to find out the build date.

I actually don't care about the VIN per se. Only to the extent it predicts a bad car. I worry a bit about my ability to find any / all problems. But I guess I'll find out in 2 days. Worried - Yes. Excited - More YEs.

I did order the hitch. The Outback is headed to Denver when the youngest visits around Christmas and I need some way to cart bikes around.

 

[Koolio46]

I looked up the load weight for the Goodyear Eagle tires that Come with the 20” induction wheels; they’re rated for a little over 1,800 pounds per tire. So, that supports the 3,500 pound rating on the Tesla site.

 

[timurx]

I looked up the load weight for the Goodyear Eagle tires that Come with the 20” induction wheels; they’re rated for a little over 1,800 pounds per tire. So, that supports the 3,500 pound rating on the Tesla site.

 

[spokey]

I have a question for the hitch experts. If tongue weight is 230 or 350 lbs, why would the max bike+carrier weight be 160? Aren't they the same vertical force on the receiver?