Pre-Production Proto Bed and Bulkhead Features Analysis

[WHIZZARD OF OZ]

F*ck I knew I was kissing something

P_LUCK
Australian Politicians would be good at 'Kissing Chickens'
They'd do anything to improve their ' 'Political Luck'

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[Cyberman]

Please don’t kiss the chickens. They are finely tuned poultry.

I'm gonna have to cry fowl.

 

[JBee]

the glimmer of satisfaction, from waisting trolls’ time?

that, and, e.g., mapping out (in my head) a lot of changes made that collectively make it

• possible for the rear window to roll down
• possible the rear seats recline

two things I’ve never had but always wanted in a truck

but mostly, waisting trolls’ time

So you think the window can roll down into the mid gate body in front of the vault cover and behind a reclining seat backrest? I wonder how thick the rear seat backrests will be.

As always a good analysis of the limited pictures we have access too. ?

 

[cvalue13]

So you think the window can roll down into the mid gate body in front of the vault cover and behind a reclining seat backrest? I wonder how thick the rear seat backrests will be.

Let me back into that answer.

In the unveil prototype, the window was perpendicular to the ground, just above the cab-slanting portion of the bulkhead. So, it would be impossible for that window to roll down, as there was no room for a channel.

In the pre-production prototype, the window is no longer perpendicular, but instead also cab-slanting, at roughly the same angle as the bulkhead. Accordingly, there is now the possibility of room for channel.

The question then becomes, why the design change? Lots of possible reasons for that design change, of course. Who knows. But if the ultimate design does not include a rear window that rolls down, it will not be due to a lack of room for a channel.

As for the reclining seat backrest: with the window and bulkhead now being roughly in line, it likely creates a mirrored angle in the cab interior. Who knows what all is there, but here again: if the ultimate design does not include reclining rear seats, it will not be due to a lack of accommodation by the bulkhead. (Which is a primary reason in conventionally designed trucks - one can only accomplish it by having the seat bottom move forward, sacrificing leg room.)

That said, if one watches the investor day video closely, it *might* appear that the rear seats can recline.

 

[JBee]

Let me back into that answer.

In the unveil prototype, the window was perpendicular to the ground, just above the cab-slanting portion of the bulkhead. So, it would be impossible for that window to roll down, as there was no room for a channel.

In the pre-production prototype, the window is no longer perpendicular, but instead also cab-slanting, at roughly the same angle as the bulkhead. Accordingly, there is now the possibility of room for channel.

The question then becomes, why the design change? Lots of possible reasons for that design change, of course. Who knows. But if the ultimate design does not include a rear window that rolls down, it will not be due to a lack of room for a channel.

As for the reclining seat backrest: with the window and bulkhead now being roughly in line, it likely creates a mirrored angle in the cab interior. Who knows what all is there, but here again: if the ultimate design does not include reclining rear seats, it will not be due to a lack of accommodation by the bulkhead. (Which is a primary reason in conventionally designed trucks - one can only accomplish it by having the seat bottom move forward, sacrificing leg room.)

That said, if one watches the investor day video closely, it *might* appear that the rear seats can recline.

Right ok. That is true, it is a change that I have noticed, but I didn't really consider the sliding window aspect that the angle changes now allowed, as I think this has somewhat limited functionality.

But a window would be much simpler to accommodate and operate than a full fold down midgate. It would offer some, but very limited access to the rear, I don't think even a child could fit through the opening comfortably, but it might be enough to interact with a pet travelling there, and possibly even for HVAC purposes. I still expect some sort of forced air vent to the rear though.

The advantage is of course that it would automatically travel up and down in conjunction with the vault cover for safety and it would not have any influence on any other operation, and could stay up with the vault down as well. Is it necessary, probably not? Functional? Sort of, But most importantly how much would it cost? Not much I suppose. Would I want it? Without a clear benefit, it's hard to tell. Good thing is that unlike a ICE vehicle it won't suck in fumes from the tailpipe.

 

[utahken]

I don't know if it will help, but here is a screenshot from the investor day presentation that I thought was interesting.

 

[cvalue13]

Without a clear benefit, it's hard to tell.

I’d want it for increased airflow on nice days (tonneau stored). For years been jealous of Toyota’s rear window.

But agree that the rear window is so small, and tonneau design such that, it’s otherwise a not very useful feature.

Maybe a touch more useful (only a touch) is there isn’t forced air in vault.

 

[CyberExperience]

Nice work. Some of us have way too much time on our hands.

 

[Ryan95738]

Again informed by the few new photos of CT construction, like the Q1 earnings frame photo, crash test video, and a particularly helpful pic from @greggertruck - I've put into photo format some of my mental map of some of the bed / bulkhead features.

None meant to be definitive to any fraction of inches, but instead meant to be better considered than a wet finger in the wind.

A bit overkill I know, but seems around here brevity is viewed as an exploitable weakness

You've done some amazing analysis here, I applaud you

 

[cvalue13]

You've done some amazing analysis here, I applaud you

thanks, man.

my 3yo had surgery on Wednesday, requiring me to be home watching cartoons on the couch with him all week.

It was this or Instagram. Choose your time-suck

 

[CyberDuCrew]

Is it confirmed that the bed is accessible from the rear seats when the tonneau cover is closed? All current rolling tonneau cover on the market is continuous with the storage box. If Tesla use the same design, then when the tonneau cover is completely closed, the rolling tonneau will block access to the truck bed. Otherwise, you would have a tonneau cover with access that can also serve as a convenient guillotine machine when rear window is rolled down (think about that for a sec). I have a 2010 tundra and love the large rear window that can be rolled on the way down.

 

[cvalue13]

Is it confirmed that the bed is accessible from the rear seats when the tonneau cover is closed? All current rolling tonneau cover on the market is continuous with the storage box. If Tesla use the same design, then when the tonneau cover is completely closed, the rolling tonneau will block access to the truck bed. Otherwise, you would have a tonneau cover with access that can also serve as a convenient guillotine machine when rear window is rolled down (think about that for a sec). I have a 2010 tundra and love the large rear window that can be rolled on the way down.

It is not confirmed, and at least one guy has claimed to talk to a Tesla employee who told him affirmatively that there is no midgate pass-through. Take that with whatever grain of salt you’d like.

That said, the CT tonneau design under patent is unlike any other tonneau on the market. The tonneau in full stores position rolls past the rear window, down the bulkhead, and stores partially in a roll under the bed (just ahead of the rear wheel). The remaining unrolled portion is stored perpendicular to ground within / just behind the bulkhead.

Accordingly, my personal view is that if the CT utilizes the patented tonneau design, it entirely forecloses the possibility of any meaningful midgate. Could get into the details on that? But maybe can swat that fly easier:

By all accounts I find reasonable (including Musk), the pre-production prototype shown at investor day is finalized in material design elements. Given that, I’m not sure where the midgate hopeful think they see the possibility of a midgate here:

Perhaps someone could argue that Tesla will offer it as an option not shown in this specific prototype.

But that, to me, would require some very non-Tesla-like manufacturing decisions to have multiple bed, cab, interior trim, etc., pieces under manufacture.

We’ll see!

 

[Tinker71]

The folding mid gate was too good to be true and would have come with structural cost and complexity cost. Being able to recline seats, poke something long like moulding into the cab and interact with dog in tonneau area is a great compromise. I think Tesla will surprise us with some bed mount legal jump seat.

 

[Rutrow]

Otherwise, you would have a tonneau cover with access that can also serve as a convenient guillotine machine when rear window is rolled down (think about that for a sec).

That could come in handy during the zombie apocalypse

... unless they put some lame safety switch in like they do with power windows. ?

 

[Albern]

Amazing analysis!!!

One feature that I did want was the ability for the rear seat backs to recline, so hopefully that will be there. I noticed during my one week rental with a Lightning that despite how impressively spacious the cabin is, especially in the rear seats - it would be even more comfortable if the second row could recline.

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