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Towbar on a Model S
- Thread starter ColinA
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- Australia New Zealand
What are towing with it? Do you have the electrics (brake lights etc) hooked in?
Signed!
Would be nice if it got some traction at Tesla. Not holding out much hope though.
joninmelbourne
Solid Black S60 new face
I remember I had a old kombi van and a towbar place did have a towbar listed as you are not meant to tow with an air cooled engine. I explained I just wanted it for carrying bikes and they said no problem they will make me one. They spent 2 minutes taking measurements and told me to come back in two days. Sure enough they had made me a tow bar for about $200which I put my bike rack on. Wonder whether anyone would make one to order on a Tesla?
NiallDarwin
Right to Repair!
I'm looking at getting a Torklift towbar shipping over to me in New Zealand. Before I do so, two questions:
1/ Does anyone have a local supplier of something suitable for a Model S?
If no:
2/ Does anyone else want one? If we get a few over in one go we can probably get a discount and consolidate shipping.
Cheers
1/ Does anyone have a local supplier of something suitable for a Model S?
If no:
2/ Does anyone else want one? If we get a few over in one go we can probably get a discount and consolidate shipping.
Cheers
Icey
Member
Watch out for galvanic corrosion. Can be a very serious issue so be careful with your choice.
Tesla Model S hitch by Torklift (3 year update): Eaten alive
Xenoilphobe
Well-Known Member
Use nylon isolation washers and I would spray the area between the car and hitch with this..
http://a.co/0kxF2ob
http://a.co/0kxF2ob
NiallDarwin
Right to Repair!
Thanks for the info Xen & Icey.
A plastic sheet between the bar and the car is probably not a bad idea either.
A plastic sheet between the bar and the car is probably not a bad idea either.
Dborn
Confirmed
To revive an old thread. The only tow bar for model S is the torklift central from the USA. That currently is AUD500. shipping one out here would probably come close to trebling the price given shipping charges from USA and customs.
I am currently investigating whether TESLA would be prepared to accept delivery in the USA , there is free shipping in the lower 48 states, and then ship the product out here in one of their numerous parts containers. Long shot, I know, but I really want to be able to carry really heavy electric assist bicycles. Anyone else interested in joining me to put pressure on? I have only just started the process.
I am currently investigating whether TESLA would be prepared to accept delivery in the USA , there is free shipping in the lower 48 states, and then ship the product out here in one of their numerous parts containers. Long shot, I know, but I really want to be able to carry really heavy electric assist bicycles. Anyone else interested in joining me to put pressure on? I have only just started the process.
doctorwho
Active Member
I've bought and fitted a Torklift EcoHitch to my S. It cost US$490 and US$300 shipping to have it delivered here. Torklift won't ship direct so that cost was through a freight forwarder. It's a great hitch, not too difficult to fit and invisible once removed from the car
NiallDarwin
Right to Repair!
Long enough that you'll need an ICBM I reckon! But if they do come to the party I'm still in the market for one.
I had mine ffwd'ed over too, all up under $800USD, given our crappy AUD these days that's just a bit over $1kAU.. Which is not too bad since i was considering a tow bar on the ICE instead and that would've set me back $850. And I sure as hell plan to keep the Tesla longer.
Kit came with nylon washers.. Interestingly, came with 16 washers for 12 bolts. At first that sounds like spares until you realise 4 of them are to act as spacess and you need a washer on both sides of the bolt to prevent galvanic corrosion? Suddenly you're 12 washers short.
Ended up making my own bolt washers out of an old blister pack to sit on top of the galv zinc washers supplied. Those things are made with PET plastic and they're are tough as hell with a half life longer than plutonium. I've even sleeved the bolt itself with the stuff so the two different metals will never touch. Torqued the crap out of the nuts and Teflon taped the threads too so it won't seize, contact metal, or rattle loose.
Kit came with nylon washers.. Interestingly, came with 16 washers for 12 bolts. At first that sounds like spares until you realise 4 of them are to act as spacess and you need a washer on both sides of the bolt to prevent galvanic corrosion? Suddenly you're 12 washers short.
Ended up making my own bolt washers out of an old blister pack to sit on top of the galv zinc washers supplied. Those things are made with PET plastic and they're are tough as hell with a half life longer than plutonium. I've even sleeved the bolt itself with the stuff so the two different metals will never touch. Torqued the crap out of the nuts and Teflon taped the threads too so it won't seize, contact metal, or rattle loose.
What'd u need to know? I've got mine sorted out, the pinouts have been posted somewhere on this forum before and that's what i went with. Only thing you'll be missing is reverse lights because that's in the tailgate so unless you feel like running a very long cable through there.. in AU, reverse trailer light is optional anyway.. Particularly for a small trailer...
OBX John
Autonomous Driving Enthusiast
The Ecohitch worked very well on my S until I got rear ended, and I can confirm that there are no warranty concerns after an extensive conversation with a very knowledgeable Tesla Ranger who had concrete examples of Tesla trying and failing to void warranties on early adopters of the tow hitch.
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