Cybertruck trailering explained

[Deleted member 3316]

If the Cybertruck 3mm cold-rolled stainless steel bed and lerft/right rear castings is not enough, Tesla might add left to right cross-beams between the castings.

The motor cradle might provide the required rigidity to obviate the need for additional stress members.

Sponsored

 

[JBee]

Exactly what I was going to say. What you don't see on those rear casting photos is how the rear suspension looks.

There also is no suspension air spring riser like the front, meaning it's some type of push rod setop that fits under the bed, with horizontal laid air springs.

I think the rear motor assembly also incorporates all the rear suspension and steering parts, and the complete assembly is placed up into the bed as one part using their new unboxed method.

Seeing that all trailer loads ultimately have to go through the suspension arms, it would make the most sense to place any loads directly to the motor assembly frame, therefore eliminating any loads into the rest of the vehicle.

But, I am not yet convinced the geometry of the sail will allow for enough space to articulate a 5th wheeler trailer safely, and if so Tesla will allow or promote it by including some bed mounting points. But if it did, I'd be putting those mounting points on the upper suspension arm pivots, that we haven't seen yet.

 

[cvalue13]

But, I am not yet convinced the geometry of the sail will allow for enough space to articulate a 5th wheeler trailer safely, and if so Tesla will allow or promote it by including some bed mounting points.

None of which is to question whether Tesla could from an engineering perspective provide an OEM receiver built into the truck, only that it seems exceedingly unlikely … at least until perhaps historical uptake and production volumes accommodate a future factory-installed option for such a receiver

bit until then, this is sort of where I come down, wet finger in the wind:

first, there are very few folks that trailer with gooseneck or 5th wheel hitches

second, for those that do, many do so with some regularity and for distances, meaning even Tesla BEV platforms aren’t yet ideal for reasons of trailer aerodynamics, range, etc.

third, subtract on top of all THAT, the many models of such trailers that may be merely less than ideal with the sails, but then subtract further those trailers with boxes over the hitch that (in almost all certainty) wouldn’t play well at all with the sails

So the SAM here is pretty low for Tesla, in terms of outfitting all CTs with the added design and cost complexities of an OEM receiver solution for what may amount to very few target buyers, even fewer of whom already own or might buy trailers ~compatible with the sails

for related reasons, few (no?) ICE manufacturers provide such OEM receivers from factory (a few offer dealer-installed OEM packages), even for their 3/4+ trucks that better overlap the SAM

Tesla does so much streamlining of production complexity, I just can’t see center-bed receivers being anywhere on the must-have list, anytime soon

 

[JBee]

None of which is to question whether Tesla could from an engineering perspective provide an OEM receiver built into the truck, only that it seems exceedingly unlikely … at least until perhaps historical uptake and production volumes accommodate a future factory-installed option for such a receiver

bit until then, this is sort of where I come down, wet finger in the wind:

first, there are very few folks that trailer with gooseneck or 5th wheel hitches

second, for those that do, many do so with some regularity and for distances, meaning even Tesla BEV platforms aren’t yet ideal for reasons of trailer aerodynamics, range, etc.

third, subtract on top of all THAT, the many models of such trailers that may be merely less than ideal with the sails, but then subtract further those trailers with boxes over the hitch that (in almost all certainty) wouldn’t play well at all with the sails

So the SAM here is pretty low for Tesla, in terms of outfitting all CTs with the added design and cost complexities of an OEM receiver solution for what may amount to very few target buyers, even fewer of whom already own or might buy trailers ~compatible with the sails

for related reasons, few (no?) ICE manufacturers provide such OEM receivers from factory (a few offer dealer-installed OEM packages), even for their 3/4+ trucks that better overlap the SAM

Tesla does so much streamlining of production complexity, I just can’t see center-bed receivers being anywhere on the must-have list, anytime soon

As mentioned in a previous post here, the efficacy of a gooseneck trailer is constrained by three main elements for meaningful range

1) an increase in frontal area due to the trailer be mounted on top of the bed creates more form drag
2) the articulation clearances required for safe operation create even more drag
3) the limited EV battery range is so significantly reduced it complicates the operation of the gooseneck EV combo to the point, as you also say, that the marketability of such a feature is negligible

I beleive a pop-up solid roof and wall design, like a shoebox that can be adjusted to the height of whatever is loaded inside, and a active variable hitch length design to bring the trailer body up with 4" or so of the tailgate whilst travelling straight, together with an adjustable CT canopy/camper roof, will result in the most effective trailer design for use with a EV.

 

[cvalue13]

I beleive a pop-up solid roof and wall design, like a shoebox that can be adjusted to the height of whatever is loaded inside, and a active variable hitch length design to bring the trailer body up with 4" or so of the tailgate whilst travelling straight, together with an adjustable CT canopy/camper roof, will result in the most effective trailer design for use with a EV.

you mean something like this?

 

[JBee]

you mean something like this?

Yep exactly ?!

Is that a real one or photoshop?

Technically that one is actually more aerodynamic per unit of volume, as a shorter one with the same frontal area. Like a train. That's why we have road trains. ?

 

[cvalue13]

Is that a real one or photoshop?

that I believe is photoshop - anything that big (if real) I’d expect to be on an F650 at least?

but there do exist some quad axel 5th wheels - that also may as well be photoshopped

man’s I just *knew* you were gonna mention how like a semi the length mitigates drag

 

[JBee]

Gosh now I'm being a drag and getting predictable already, have to change it up to keep it exciting... ? ?

 

[firsttruck]

None of which is to question whether Tesla could from an engineering perspective provide an OEM receiver built into the truck, only that it seems exceedingly unlikely … at least until perhaps historical uptake and production volumes accommodate a future factory-installed option for such a receiver

bit until then, this is sort of where I come down, wet finger in the wind:

first, there are very few folks that trailer with gooseneck or 5th wheel hitches

second, for those that do, many do so with some regularity and for distances, meaning even Tesla BEV platforms aren’t yet ideal for reasons of trailer aerodynamics, range, etc.

third, subtract on top of all THAT, the many models of such trailers that may be merely less than ideal with the sails, but then subtract further those trailers with boxes over the hitch that (in almost all certainty) wouldn’t play well at all with the sails

So the SAM here is pretty low for Tesla, in terms of outfitting all CTs with the added design and cost complexities of an OEM receiver solution for what may amount to very few target buyers, even fewer of whom already own or might buy trailers ~compatible with the sails

for related reasons, few (no?) ICE manufacturers provide such OEM receivers from factory (a few offer dealer-installed OEM packages), even for their 3/4+ trucks that better overlap the SAM

Tesla does so much streamlining of production complexity, I just can’t see center-bed receivers being anywhere on the must-have list, anytime soon

Tesla does not need to sell 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches. All Tesla should do is provide in-bed mounting points for 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches (or any other thing the owner wants mounted) just like all major full-size truck manufactures do. 3rd parties can sell the 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches (or other things that need mounting items like telescoping boom crane/hoist, heavy-duty paint gun mount, support post for extendable solar array, etc.) and provide mounting services.

The Cybertruck sail panels may be less of an obstacle to 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches trailer towing than the bed side height from the ground of ultimate RV towing vehicles like Ford F-650 pickup truck.

-------------------------------------------------

Tesla Cybertruck
Wheelbase 149.9 in (3,807 mm)[7]
Length 231.7 in (5,885 mm)[8]
Width 79.8 in (2,027 mm)[7]
Height 75 in (1,905 mm)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Cybertruck

-------------------------------------------------

2016 - 2022 Ford F-650 pickup truck
January 11, 2023
by Vaishnavi Agarwal
https://motoranalyst.com/ford-f650/

Wheel Base 281.0 in.
Length 239.0 in.
Overall Width Without Mirrors 95.5 in.
Height 94.4 in.

-------------------------------------------------

See How Tesla Cybertruck Size Compares To Current Pickup Trucks, SUVs, Cars Looking at the past, one may think an all-electric pickup truck would need to be smaller than rivals to offer enough range.
Jun 22, 2020
By Steven Loveday
https://insideevs.com/features/430104/video-tesla-cybertruck-size-comparison-pickup-trucks/

-------------------------------------------------

Tesla Cybertruck VS Other Trucks - Size Comparison | Tesla VS
* based on the original Cybertruck prototype measurements
In this video, I am comparing the size of the Tesla Cybertruck to 30+ Best selling trucks. I only compare the size of the Tesla Cybertrucks with all other trucks. You will find a comparison of Tesla Cybertruck VS Ford F-150, Tesla Cybertruck VS RAM, Tesla Cybertruck VS Chevrolet Trucks, Tesla Cybertruck VS Toyota Trucks, Tesla Cybertruck VS Ford Trucks and many more. Tesla CyberTruck is a really HUGE truck as you know, but you really could get the sense of its massiveness only when you see it next to other pick-up trucks. I took a lot of time looking for the data concerning the size of each truck.
Note: In the beginning of the video, I wrote the Cybertruck length is 6.89. Sorry about typo error. I wanted to write 5.89. Anyway, all the measures are based from 5.89m and all the scales are respected in the video. Just a typo mistake.
Feb 10, 2020
Elonism

------



-------------------------------------------------

Powering this consumer-oriented Ford F-650 is a 6.7-liter V8 with 330 hp and 750 lb-ft (1017 Nm).
This particular F-650 comes from a company called Super Trucks (www.f650supertrucks.com).

2012 Ford F650 Crew Cab Loaded Diesel Super Truck Beast Full Air Ride Pickup
Jul 1, 2020
DAVIS DRIVES

------


-------------------------------------------------

2008 Ford F-650 W/ 40ft Trailer - # SD9148AD32b
Sep 4, 2014
QuickBye - Select Vehicle Marketing

-----



-------------------------------------------------

2006 Ford F650 Crew Cab Pickup with Caterpillar 7.2L Diesel
https://www.westcoastexoticcars.com/used-vehicle-2006-ford-f-650-super-duty-c-1053/

-------------------------------------------------

Could This Custom Big Rig Camper Be the World's Coolest RV?
If you can't find the RV you're looking for, just build it.
Apr 11, 2023
By Monica Gonderman, Writer
https://www.motortrend.com/features/big-rig-rv-camper-conversion-nomad-monster/

-------------------------------------------------

 

[cvalue13]

Tesla does not need to sell 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches. All Tesla should do is provide in-bed mounting points for 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches (or any other thing the owner wants mounted) just like all major full-size truck manufactures do. 3rd parties can sell the 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches (or other things that need mounting items like telescoping boom crane/hoist, heavy-duty paint gun mount, support post for extendable solar array, etc.) and provide mounting services.

I think we’re talking past one-another

I know of no manufacturer, with any model, that sells a factory installed receiver point

like the videos you posted earlier, frame mounts are aftermarket installed on the trucks to span the rails, thereby creating the mid-bed point for a receiver. (Some brands go only so far as, on some trucks, ‘flattening’ the metal of the truck beds in those locations used to access the under bed.)

so when I say Tesla would seem to need to offer a receiver, you can feel free to spice that any which way. but what I mean is they would as an OEM matter need to provide the purpose-built structure there that requires a buyer to merely cut a hole on the CT bed to access said receiver mount.

and since such mount wouldn’t be able to accommodate the mounting design of every single 5th wheel/gooseneck receiver offered on market, Tesla would have to choose or create a standard.

The Cybertruck sail panels may be less of an obstacle to 5th-wheel or goose-neck hitches trailer towing than the bed side height from the ground of ultimate RV towing vehicles like Ford F-650 pickup truck.

this comment seems only to reflect your misunderstanding of how these larger trucks relate to products available on the market

 

[fritter63]

Really? We always did it in our Honda Accord.

Not quite the same as an (underpowered) 22R 4 cylinder pushing oversized tires at altitude.

Sponsored