Towing without the Towing Package

[aesculus]

When I was going through my delivery experience yesterday the product specialist showed me the accessory receiver (which looks to me just like a regular 2" receiver). He pointed out that I could tow up to 3500 lbs but would need the towing package to tow 5000 lbs. I did not think too much about it because I knew to tow I would need the wiring harness and connector.

So today I crawled under the car and pulled off the cover and noticed the car comes with the harness and round towing connector. So I guess we can tow up to 3500 lbs without the towing kit.

 

[grommet]

Does Trailer Mode exist on your "no tow package" vehicle? Controls > Driving > Trailer Mode

 

[aesculus]

Yes it does.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

round? so it's a 7 pin and not a flat 4? and you DIDN'T order the tow package?

Generally you can tow up to 3500 w/out a brake controller. over you need one.

3500 would fit my needs from an X...

 

[rallykeeper]

When I was going through my delivery experience yesterday the product specialist showed me the accessory receiver (which looks to me just like a regular 2" receiver). He pointed out that I could tow up to 3500 lbs but would need the towing package to tow 5000 lbs. I did not think too much about it because I knew to tow I would need the wiring harness and connector.

So today I crawled under the car and pulled off the cover and noticed the car comes with the harness and round towing connector. So I guess we can tow up to 3500 lbs without the towing kit.

Our 90D came setup exactly the same way. I only ordered accessory hitch, but got the 2 inch adapter, plus wiring harness and connector. Plus, I have the "trailer options" section on our driving screen.

I have no desire to tow (for now), but it definitely alleviates my concerns about a weight limit for bike/ski racks (the connector itself says the limit is 350 lbs...)

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

That would be 10% tongue weight on a 3500lb load. or just enough to haul my two jet skis around

 

[timf]

Our 90D came setup exactly the same way. I only ordered accessory hitch, but got the 2 inch adapter, plus wiring harness and connector. Plus, I have the "trailer options" section on our driving screen.

I have no desire to tow (for now), but it definitely alleviates my concerns about a weight limit for bike/ski racks (the connector itself says the limit is 350 lbs...)

Did you get the same removable Bosal adapter that the towing package gets?

 

[aesculus]

Did you get the same removable Bosal adapter that the towing package gets?

Looks the same to me but I have not done a side by side comparison.

 

[rallykeeper]

Did you get the same removable Bosal adapter that the towing package gets?

I think so. I don't have the MX today, but here's a pic (from etrailer) of what my adapter looks like.

 

[heytae]

I ordered our MX P90DL with the Accessory Hitch for our bikes.

Does this mean that those who get the Accessory Hitch option have everything they need to be able to tow up to 3500 lbs or use a bike rack for 4 bikes WITHOUT paying for the tow option? Sounds great if true! I don't plan to ever tow but it'd be nice to know that I could in a pinch.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Does the Tesla option buy you anything more than the etrailer part?

 

[goneskiian]

Does the Tesla option buy you anything more than the etrailer part?

First off, t's not an etrailer part, it's a bosal part.

Both the Tow Package and the Accessory Hitch options delivered so far come with this removable hitch and a wire harness (that needs additional installation in order to control lights and trailer brakes). The difference seems to be that the Accessory Hitch option doesn't include the "extra" reinforcements in the frame/substructure of the vehicle to support the full towing capabilities (currently 5000lbs with the 20" wheels). At least this is what folks are being told by Tesla representatives.

 

[itay]

First off, t's not an etrailer part, it's a bosal part.

Both the Tow Package and the Accessory Hitch options delivered so far come with this removable hitch and a wire harness (that needs additional installation in order to control lights and trailer brakes). The difference seems to be that the Accessory Hitch option doesn't include the "extra" reinforcements in the frame/substructure of the vehicle to support the full towing capabilities (currently 5000lbs with the 20" wheels). At least this is what folks are being told by Tesla representatives.

I just talked to my DS again - she says I won't get that full bosal hitch as I don't have the towing package, and will get the accessory hitch sometime later this summer. So unless I somehow acquire this Bosal part (which I cannot find online), it seems that there is no towing in my future.

 

[goneskiian]

I just talked to my DS again - she says I won't get that full bosal hitch as I don't have the towing package, and will get the accessory hitch sometime later this summer. So unless I somehow acquire this Bosal part (which I cannot find online), it seems that there is no towing in my future.

Thanks for updating the information on this @itay! It seems that perhaps the first few Accessory Hitch options they sent out were just the full Tow Package because they hadn't fully fleshed out the Accessory Hitch yet. Time will tell.

I originally chose the Tow Package with the use of a 4 bike hitch mount rack in mind and wanted the beefier 2" receiver it provided. Since they've changed the Accessory Hitch to the 2" receiver, I'm justifying it by the ol' "Well, I might want to tow something in the future." train of thought. I waffled a bit before confirming my order because of the reports that the AH option seeming to be the full TP.

Now all I need to hear is that the 90D's have had their spoilers neutered and I'll upgrade to the P!

 

[loganintx]

I can't find it anywhere either:
Availability of Bosal Hitch | etrailer.com

 

[itay]

I wonder if Tesla will end up selling replacement hitches. Who knows.

 

[jason1466]

"Later this Summer it might be sent to us" means I can forget about using my 6 figure new SUV to go on Summer vacations with hitch cargo rack or bike rack? No weekend family bike outings until maybe end of Summer? Wow, this just keeps sounding better and better. I am going to tell myself that this was just Tesla Motors spokesperson, Ms. Information, speaking once again. Not sure how I might handle this at delivery, but no need to worry about that anytime soon, and I truly mean that in a positive sense.

 

[goneskiian]

"Later this Summer it might be sent to us" means I can forget about using my 6 figure new SUV to go on Summer vacations with hitch cargo rack or bike rack? No weekend family bike outings until maybe end of Summer? Wow, this just keeps sounding better and better. I am going to tell myself that this was just Tesla Motors spokesperson, Ms. Information, speaking once again. Not sure how I might handle this at delivery, but no need to worry about that anytime soon, and I truly mean that in a positive sense.

I'd be right pissed if I didn't get something that crucial to my use of this vehicle. Seriously. The first thing I'm going to do with my X is slap my bike rack and bike on it and go riding.

I wonder if they started running low on the removable receivers so they started holding them back for full TP orders.

 

[Diavel]

Looks like the largest trailer that Uhaul provides fits the accessory hitch. Think towing package is still necessary? Gross weight is 4400 lbs do this is too heavy. So the next step down trailer fits the accessory hitch?

 

[lonemedic]

I just got my Model X 75D. I ordered the (then free) accessory hitch.
I received the 2 inch hitch and the wire harness is visible near the hitch receiver. It says Bosal on the hitch. I believe it looks the same as what the tow package would have.

However, the Tesla reps said that it is definitely not the towing package as it lacks the steel reinforcement on the inside. Is it possible that they are not aware, and that it actually has that?!? (someone earlier on this thread mentioned they may not have had a chance to get the planned accessory hitch on there, and so they had to install the tow package)

But there is definitely no "tow" option on the control screen. But perhaps it just requires an update?

Also, the accessory hitch is apparently only rated for 120 pounds, and the only place that this number is noted is on Tesla's new bike rack.
Tesla — Model X Hitch Rack
I want to attach a cargo carrier onto this hitch but it weighs 110 pounds, and it would only give me 10 more pounds to put stuff in.

Thanks for your thoughts!