Suicide charging port a massive problem?

[Bkb13]

Is anyone else law beside me worried about the placement of the charging port? There are any number of items that could snag the edge and break the door. It faces the front like a suicide door and I think it may be a problem for those of us who use their truck off-road situations. The tire edge is just wider than the wheel fenders so it’s likely to push things into the edge of the fender lip.
- Any mud may eventually push into the port.
- Branches could snag the edge.
- water will accumulate while driving and a freeze will glue it shut.

I’ve never had a problem with my wife’s Model Y. But it’s higher. Not a suicide door style. And won’t pick up debris from the tire.

Is this an issue we will all be happily complaining about in a year?

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[Jhodgesatmb]

Is anyone else law beside me worried about the placement of the charging port? There are any number of items that could snag the edge and break the door. It faces the front like a suicide door and I think it may be a problem for those of us who use their truck off-road situations. The tire edge is just wider than the wheel fenders so it’s likely to push things into the edge of the fender lip.
- Any mud may eventually push into the port.
- Branches could snag the edge.
- water will accumulate while driving and a freeze will glue it shut.

I’ve never had a problem with my wife’s Model Y. But it’s higher. Not a suicide door style. And won’t pick up debris from the tire.

Is this an issue we will all be happily complaining about in a year?

I am willing to guess that their trip to Baja would identify issues with the door. That said, they could put a seal inside the door to keep water, mud, dust, twigs, etc., out and make it harder to open it. It is hard for me to imagine either that they haven’t thought this out, or them moving it this late in the game.

 

[Crissa]

These are the same problems any charge door would have.

So no, I'm not concerned. And if I am, I'll add a silicone cover to the port itself.

And Teslas already have thermal management at the charging port, so it can defrost itself.

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/...54FB3D578F.html#:~:text=You can also thaw ice

-Crissa

 

[ÆCIII]

. . .
Is this an issue we will all be happily complaining about in a year?

I personally don't see it as a problem. The closed port door is actually facing up away from the path of thrown tire debris a little bit, and the rubber seals look fairly well designed.

But I can see how its location might be a concern, and who knows I could be wrong and the port might allow debris to get in under certain conditions. How about we try to find some images of the Cybertrucks that recently went to Baja, Hollister Hills, or maybe some close up images of the one that's 'dirty' that's been running around GFTX? Maybe close-ups of those will give us more of an idea how the ports might keep debris out.

Also, considering recent tests down in New Zealand as well, I think Tesla has done their 'homework' on the port design. Remember they moved it from the sheet metal of the vault side into the fender flare for their newer design. There was probably a lot of research and discussion then.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cybertruck manual has pages on care of the charge port and cover, with instructions to wipe clean the rubber gasket seals every once in a while. If some debris gets in though, especially in the socket, that might be a good reason to have some onboard compressed air. Time will tell!

- ÆCIII

 

[Diehard]

No concern at all. Tons of people will be driving it before I get the call and Tesla will have plenty of time to fix any design flaws.

 

[charliemagpie]

I dont know why we call it a suicide charging port, who is going to stick their finger (or something else) in that ?

 

[JBee]

I dont know why we call it a suicide charging port, who is going to stick their finger (or something else) in that ?

lol. I think he meant because it's like suicide doors on cars that open the wrong way towards the front.

But sticking your finger in there won't do anything, unless your finger had CAN bus integrated and could negotiate a connection with the CT.

Maybe one day when you get those neural link upgrades you're dreaming about, with FSD that walks you everywhere you DON'T want to go, in that Optimus exoskeleton suit.

 

[Rutrow]

It concerns me. Off roading in my neck of the woods involves a lot of limbs and branches scraping down the sides of my Jeep. I've torn off window and body trim, so I can see a branch facing towards my truck hooking and tearing that door off. Now, there will be a seam there regardless of which way the door opens, so it may not make any difference which direction it hinges, still may rip off even if it opened the other way. A body panel behind the fender like the original version might be best.

 

[Deleted member 17810]

100% guaranteed to end the ct

 

[Crissa]

It concerns me. Off roading in my neck of the woods involves a lot of limbs and branches scraping down the sides of my Jeep. I've torn off...

It's a plastic door. Why would you worry about a plastic door?

-Crissa

 

[PilotPete]

I dont know why we call it a suicide charging port, who is going to stick their finger (or something else) in that ?

Kinda makes you rethink telling everyone you love your CT. Or even, some of the posts here stating “That’s one sexy beast”. Ewwwwwwww!

 

[HaulingAss]

Nope, I have zero concerns.

I'm sure with millions of Cybertrucks sold, a certain small number will need replacement for a wide variety of reasons, but I don't see anything that leads me to believe it will be any kind of real problem at all.

 

[Rutrow]

It's a plastic door. Why would you worry about a plastic door?

-Crissa

Because it's a plastic door.

Plastic breaks.

 

[jerhenderson]

It concerns me. Off roading in my neck of the woods involves a lot of limbs and branches scraping down the sides of my Jeep. I've torn off window and body trim, so I can see a branch facing towards my truck hooking and tearing that door off. Now, there will be a seam there regardless of which way the door opens, so it may not make any difference which direction it hinges, still may rip off even if it opened the other way. A body panel behind the fender like the original version might be best.

duct tape

 

[Setok]

It is indeed a bit of a concern. It’s positioned in a place that is quite likely to get a hit or two when off-roading. Before anyone says ‘Tesla engineers are smart and will think of everything!’, well, they may be smart but Teslas have had a whole array of design issues. Either by choice or otherwise. So it’s ok to raise this question.

In all honestly, though, I’d be even more concerned about that spot being able to fit a CCS port, as required outside the US. It doesn’t look like it will fit. At best diagonally, which could be a bit odd. So it certainly looks like Tesla may have given almost no concern for other markets at this point. But let’s see.

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