Why Tesla's are bad at towing!

[ShinerBock]

Two words......energy density.

Video - Why Teslas Are Bad At Towing (Today)

Maybe someday, but not today.


Now let the excuses commence......

[Reisender]

ShinerBock wrote:
There are many reasons why a particular vehicle may be bad at towing. Not enough capacity, not reliable, not stable enough, not enough tow rating, not enough power, not enough range. Take your pick on what is important to you and how/what you tow.

In the case of the Telsa and other BEV's today, there are several reasons such as their low energy density which severely limits their range versus many ICE tow vesicles. The other reason is recharge time which adds a lot more time to your trip since you could fill up to 100% full much faster in an ICE than a BEV can even with a mega-charger(if you can find a level 3 along your route). There is also the factor of not having enough room at most chargers so you are likely going to have to disconnect what your are towing to recharge. Talk about inconvenience. You may also be limited on recharging options depending on where you are at. Take your pick, but these are all limitations that hinder a Tesla being a good tow vehicle for trips over 100 miles as it stands today.

What is the point of a Tesla that can tow quick and fast if it can't get you to your destination without adding hours of recharging time? Tesla fanboys want to talk about how quick and fast a Tesla can tow, but then cry foul when you use the same tow speeds that you would in your ICE into the Tesla's range calculations. How Ironic is that?

Meh. Most people around here tow their trailer or boat to the lake on the weekend. Usually Friday after work. Set up and drinking beer by 7 or 8. Most round trips are probably less than 200 km towing. I suspect a cybertruck will tow double that. Most trailers are 25 foot or under or they won’t fit into the provincial or forestry sites. Maybe 7000 pounds. Buy what suits your needs. Most legacy pickups (if any) couldn’t touch a cybertruck for facility unless you start buying caps or tonneau covers or lift kits or inverters or compressors or aftermarket lockable tool boxes not to mention having to chip them to get any kind of performance out of them. And then they still cost 7 or 8 times as much to drive them the same distance.

Regardless. If a gas or diesel truck scratches your itch then get one. Buyers choice.

For ourselves I can’t think of a single compelling reason why I would pick a gas or diesel 1/2 ton truck over a cybertruck. Not to mention legacy trucks are all freakin UGLY. To each his own.

[ShinerBock]

There are many reasons why a particular vehicle may be bad at towing. Not enough capacity, not reliable, not stable enough, not enough tow rating, not enough power, not enough range. Take your pick on what is important to you and how/what you tow.

In the case of the Telsa and other BEV's today, there are several reasons such as their low energy density which severely limits their range versus many ICE tow vesicles. The other reason is recharge time which adds a lot more time to your trip since you could fill up to 100% full much faster in an ICE than a BEV can even with a mega-charger(if you can find a level 3 along your route). There is also the factor of not having enough room at most chargers so you are likely going to have to disconnect what your are towing to recharge. Talk about inconvenience. You may also be limited on recharging options depending on where you are at. Take your pick, but these are all limitations that hinder a Tesla being a good tow vehicle for trips over 100 miles as it stands today.

What is the point of a Tesla that can tow quick and fast if it can't get you to your destination without adding hours of recharging time? Tesla fanboys want to talk about how quick and fast a Tesla can tow, but then cry foul when you use the same tow speeds that you would in your ICE into the Tesla's range calculations. How Ironic is that?

[mooky_stinks]

We haven't even begun to discuss what happens when it's goes down in the teens for months on end. We have 3 months a year that the highs are in the low 30s and lows are mid teens. Just curious, how do you warm the car/truck and keep it warm, and how much does that cut into your range?

[time2roll]

Sure so why say Tesla is 'bad' at towing? Limited range and inconvenient charging sure. I bet Tesla is great at towing subject to the limitations. All vehicles have towing limitations and that does not necessarily make them bad.

[ShinerBock]

I will continue to get what suits me just like I always have. As a car/truck enthusiast, I will also continue to discuss things I see happening in the automotive industry whether it is a ICE or BEV regardless if I agree/disagree or like/dislike it.

[time2roll]

My F150 goes 170-200 miles towing before I need a refuel.
Was just out in DVNP where fuel was $5.20 a gallon. Searles Valley Shell was closed due to the earthquake. Was a bit tense for a bit until a few of us travelers found another grocer that was still pumping fuel. One person was beyond the point of no return.

There are no EVs planned or in production that could serve as a replacement for me towing. However I believe it is wonderful for those that can make it work. And I know many will NEVER tow with the CT so their limitations are even fewer. Am I buying one? Not a chance.

Ford, RAM, GM, Cybertruck, gas, diesel, EV, are all good. Get what suites you best.

[ShinerBock]

time2roll wrote:
Good for who? Some are doing it right now.

Lead, follow or just get out of the way.....

Some are towing over 100 miles and back while reaching their destination in the same time as they would an ICE vehicle? You guys talk about the inconveniences of refilling a gas vehicle yet don't seem to have an issue with recharging a BEV multiple times a trip while towing adding hours to your journey.

As it stands right now, I can tow an RV 150 miles the coast, do a little driving in town and tow it back without even thinking about the "inconveniences" of filling up. Can you say the same with a BEV or even this new Cybertruck?

[time2roll]

Good for who? Some are doing it right now.

Lead, follow or just get out of the way.....

[ShinerBock]

time2roll wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
So what's everyone else's problem again?:h

Yes that is the part that grinds on me. Everyone has an example why Tesla or an EV in general cannot work for them.

SO DON"T BUY IT

Nothing works for everybody in every possible situation. Be happy for those that can make it work.

Why is that so hard?

Because this is a forum where we can discuss such things. If you do not like it then take your own advice and leave the thread. There are many threads on this forum that I don't even go into because the topic either does not interest me or I know it will be a circle jerk I don't want to be involved in. People have the right to voice their opinions about topics here regardless if others get triggered by it or not. I know ta'll Tesla guys can't stand for people talking bad about your favorite brand, but in reality Tesla is not the only one. People talk **** about all of the brands even though they have no intention of buying one so suck it up buttercup.

As far as the topic goes.... As it stands today, Tesla's and all other EV's are not good tow vehicles because they do not have enough energy density to tow much over 100 miles(if even that) based on the kilowatt hours of storage of their batteries.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

time2roll wrote:

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
So what's everyone else's problem again?:h

Yes that is the part that grinds on me. Everyone has an example why Tesla or an EV in general cannot work for them.

SO DON"T BUY IT

Nothing works for everybody in every possible situation. Be happy for those that can make it work.

Why is that so hard?

Haters have to hate and the envious have to heckle.:B:S

[pianotuna]

This would be ideal for me:

https://sonomotors.com/

[time2roll]

Yosemite Sam1 wrote:
So what's everyone else's problem again?:h

Yes that is the part that grinds on me. Everyone has an example why Tesla or an EV in general cannot work for them.

SO DON"T BUY IT

Nothing works for everybody in every possible situation. Be happy for those that can make it work.

Why is that so hard?

[ShinerBock]

Better get my boots on, it is getting deep in here.

[Yosemite_Sam1]

Reisender wrote:

pianotuna wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Oslo to Tronheim is about 300 miles BTW, Boston to Miami is 1500 miles.

And how often do you drive Boston to Miami? Or 1500 miles? And do you drive 1500 miles without at least one overnight stop? (I sure don't).

Assuming one eats meals out (car travel) then I'd stop for both lunch and supper. If I pushed *really* hard I could do 500 miles per day.

That gives charging time at noon and supper, with overnight stop (full charge), another noon and supper, another overnight stop (full charge) and then lunch on the third day.

That would be possible right now even with the limited number of charging locations.

That’s kind of how we roll. The only time we charge is mealtimes or chihuahua breaks. We do a full charge overnight at the hotel so every morning we start with a full charge. No lost time to gas stations etc. BUT, a long day for us is not much more than 600 km. Off the road by 4 or 5. A quick swim or a little time in the exercise room, supper, kick back, rinse and repeat. Everybody travels different.

Exactly, my daughter owns a Tesla X and travels between California and Nevada for their business and 99% of the time charges it at home.

Her husband is happy as this keeps her hands off her Lambo Aventador although they now fight for the wheels on who drive the Tesla.:B

I've ordered a Cybertruck to pull my RV and if I get 150 to 200 miles between charge, I'll be happy because that my normal stop for gas, lunch and toilet breaks anyways.

So what's everyone else's problem again?:h

[Reisender]

pianotuna wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Oslo to Tronheim is about 300 miles BTW, Boston to Miami is 1500 miles.

And how often do you drive Boston to Miami? Or 1500 miles? And do you drive 1500 miles without at least one overnight stop? (I sure don't).

Assuming one eats meals out (car travel) then I'd stop for both lunch and supper. If I pushed *really* hard I could do 500 miles per day.

That gives charging time at noon and supper, with overnight stop (full charge), another noon and supper, another overnight stop (full charge) and then lunch on the third day.

That would be possible right now even with the limited number of charging locations.

That’s kind of how we roll. The only time we charge is mealtimes or chihuahua breaks. We do a full charge overnight at the hotel so every morning we start with a full charge. No lost time to gas stations etc. BUT, a long day for us is not much more than 600 km. Off the road by 4 or 5. A quick swim or a little time in the exercise room, supper, kick back, rinse and repeat. Everybody travels different.