PUP Tow - some suggestions

[Medic]

Hi all,

I had a 200mile roundtrip today towing the smallest U-haul trailer, and learned a few things to share with others:

- Fully charged to 277 miles before heading out. I got down to around 50 miles remaining after 150 miles which was surprisingly bad doing a steady 65mph. First 100 miles was with an empty trailer and the whole route was completely flat. The load added about another 200lbs.

- Really can't get into a regular Supercharger location. I passed a few regular stalls where the trailer would be hanging out into the roadway alot. I got lucky as the Supercharger I used was completely empty and I was able to pull up across 4 of the dozen stalls.

- The panel covering the tow is a $%#% to get off. Luckily I'd done this before and cut a bunch of the tabs off which makes it much easier.

- You'll need a circular-to-4 pin flat adapter for the lights hookup.

- A regular size 2in hitch receiver doesn't protrude very far from the trim on the car. Was OK but if you're buying a receiver I'd suggest getting an extended length version to provide better clearance when turning.

- The safety chains are a %$#% to install. The U-Haul guy was on the floor for a while cursing and ended up looping them over the beam as they were too big to go through the tow holes either side of the hitch. Also the chains then rest on the bumper trim. I wrapped a cloth round them to stop the trim getting scuffed during the trip.

- Towing was completely fine. No drama and the car handled great. I set the cruise (autosteer is disabled) and pulled up the rear camera which gives a perfect view of the trailer all the time.

Hope this helps someone

 

[daedaleck]

Thank you for posting! There isn't a ton of data out there about towing and most I've seen are with the LR model. So, every little bit of new data helps! I'll have an MYP before the end of the year and I'll be towing dirt bikes in a 6x12 enclosed, single axle utility trailer. Very interested to figure out the range with my setup.

 

[52 16 57 39]

I’ll try to post tomorrow my setup.

I also have a MYP & lowered ~1” w UPP moderate springs, and often tow a utility trailer around town - not 100’s of miles like your trip.

 

[patnshan]

Looks like you have a 2 inch drop on there, right? On a performance, which is lower than the LR. I should be good on my LR with a 2" drop then. I posted another question about this specifically. Thanks!

 

[ELECTRIC4ME]

To attach the safety chains you would probably benefit from hooking “quick links” to the hitch first. That’s what I do on my 3. 5⁄8" Rapid Link, Safety Chain Extender | GEN-Y Hitch

 

[gene]

I tow a NuCamp Tab 320 Outback Version. I have done a 500+ miles trip in some headwinds from Reno NV to Santa Barbara, CA. Basically even at 60 mph it cuts my range by 50%. Other than the range hit, I barely notice the trailer is there. During the trip there was only one time I had to unhook the trailer to charge and that was in Reno. All the other times I was able to use the head-in, the pull though, or black several chargers side ways.

 

[drocknrolla]

super helpful info. - anyone had any experience with a StowAway Cargo Box? I've been meaning to do some range road tests with one on my Model X.

 

[drocknrolla]

oops - I should have searched better before asking the question, either way these are handy and sounds like they may have less impact on range for those looking to add some cargo space StowAway Max rear luggage carrier - my experience

 

[skrenes]

super helpful info. - anyone had any experience with a StowAway Cargo Box? I've been meaning to do some range road tests with one on my Model X.

Since this minimally affects drag, I doubt you'd notice much of a difference in range (my guess is around 5% less).

 

[RichardB123]

What the heck are you going to do if a few people arrive at the charging station, and the stalls you are blocking are needed?

 

[Flybuddy]

I try to take end spots or straight ins. If not available it only takes a few minutes to unhook.

 

[52 16 57 39]

Here is my tow setup.

I needed an adjustable ball height, depending on what I am pulling/towing and I also needed 1-7/8" and 2" balls so I have the flip/flop ball mount.

The MYP is also on the UPP 1" moderate drop springs, so I'm probably about 2" lower than a LR MY - but I have no evidence for that yet.

The attached picts show the draw bar height - and then also my ball height.

 

[Strikezone-38]

I have a receiver extender that works well with the Bike rack and the trailer as long as the tongue weight is not too much.

 

[52 16 57 39]

@Strikezone-38, I did the same w/ a receiver extension as well, but then my drag/safety chains didn't reach... and I didn't like having two hitch pins and a super loose connection, so I had a local shop modify my draw bar set up.

Also - if you use a receiver extender - that also changes the load capacity on the tongue as you already mentioned above.

 

[dmorean]

Hopefully many more pull-through charging stations are installed in time for the Cybertruck so it can be a meaninful towing vehicle.

 

[Riguy]

I think mine was a 2” rise but worked great for the jet skis

 

[gene]

What the heck are you going to do if a few people arrive at the charging station, and the stalls you are blocking are needed?

Move.