Towing tested with 6,000lb Tesla and trailer load

[PerfectFlaw]

Elon marketed the CT as a work truck and most people who use it for work are towing something (I have 5 different trailers).

Until the price and range (towing) improve, it will be an expensive celebrity truck for rich people and city dwellers.

I'll be using it to put tools and materials from Home Depot and Lowes in it that wouldn't fit in my other cars, including my Model Y.

Why would it be assumed that a truck would need to pull a trailer off the back to be used for work?

Also, it CAN pull a trailer. Who says it cannot? Maybe you need to find work that's closer to home so you don't need to supercharge.

It's not the trucks problem, its a you problem.

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[Bsimmer3000]

How far does the average tradesman drive per day though?

And are they without access to charging both on site and at Superchargers?

depends. I know guys that drive 3hrs each way. My commute is literally 30seconds to 5mins. Unless I goto the suppliers.

the charging is unlikely on most sites. My sites here have temp power but some sites run in generators all day.

 

[VDR]

EVs in general do not tow well, originally was hoping for 250 miles of towing range with the 500+ tri motor, sub 100 is going to be tough

They actually tow exceptionally well with the exception of range unless it has a huge battery like the Silverado.

Even the Silverado EVs real world testing won't be good, maybe 140 miles at best?

Tests show 200+ miles.

 

[davelloydbrown]

I'll be using it to put tools and materials from Home Depot and Lowes in it that wouldn't fit in my other cars, including my Model Y.

Why would it be assumed that a truck would need to pull a trailer off the back to be used for work?

Also, it CAN pull a trailer. Who says it cannot? Maybe you need to find work that's closer to home so you don't need to supercharge.

It's not the trucks problem, its a you problem.

I was right the first time- rich people and city dwellers.

If you have the money to waste- go for it!

I will keep my 2009 silverado until someone comes up with a better ev option, perhps the 400 mile silverado ev.

 

[Grumpman]

Don't need an excuse - if you are seriously towing, you most likely are not considering an EV today.
If you think/thought this vehicle was going to be some game changer in EV towing before today - you might be a bit delusional.

The beloved Rivian tows about the same, but because it's an ? and or by Elon, people have to spew FUD.

Bottom line, it's a lifestyle truck with some utility - just like every other EV "truck"

Except that it (tri motor) was announced as having 500+ range and towing 14000lbs. To come down to 320miles max and 11,000lbs towing is less than promised. Towing does impact range, but 87 miles?!?! Damn.

 

[SentinelOne]

Using a relatively small 123kWh battery pack is, in my mind, just irresponsible of Tesla, and quite frankly a major design flaw IMO.

just imagine what could have been had the Cyberbeast been given a 246kWh battery like the Hummer EV. Close to 250 miles towing range, with a non-towing freeway range close to 500 miles. Almost seems like that is what Elon was originally thinking in 2019??

Grocery Getter / Lifestyle / Local trades / urban - Truck Market is much bigger > Long Distance Towing Truck Market - they're chasing the addressable market and being realistic that EV's can't compete in the long distance / heavy towing market

I have a 3/4 ton and towing use case the CT will not meet, so im empathetic with disappointment because I too fell for the orig stats of the Tri motor - 500mi/14k lbs towing (I should have known better based on EV / Battery tech)....but I'll also admit that I don't want a 10k lb Cyber truck (like the hummer), because I want a daily driver, dirt bikes/mountain bikes to the trails, moderate 4x4 off-roading, snow vehicle, some performance driving capabilities, etc...aka something a lot more fun / usable for the 95% of the time im not towing! Love my GMC 2500 Diesel - solid truck, great at towing my 13k trailer - why I'll keep it for towing and the CT for everything else!

Would I like more range = yes! Do I want an extra 3k+ lb's of batteries = no but I would have been happy with 150kw or so to strike more of a balance between 123 and 200kw+....I can't use the extender in current config (non removable, shortens bed length)- need bed space for truck use cases - 2-3 dirt bikes, furniture moving, pickup an 80" TV at BB, Dump Runs, etc all the things I do with current truck!

So - keeping 2500 for towing; getting CB for other 95%, have additional reservations so when they change the battery chem/tech and or Charging - I can upgrade truck and get a bit more range to help with the 95% (301mi range is the same as my M3P and I'd prefer a bit more for overall usability say 360mi ish would be perfect)

+ we're all safer without a high volume of 11k lb EV trucks on the road and in the hands of the typical American driver!

 

[fdon1]

Except that it (tri motor) was announced as having 500+ range and towing 14000lbs. To come down to 320miles max and 11,000lbs towing is less than promised. Towing does impact range, but 87 miles?!?! Damn.

Announced 4 years ago as a concept. Could it be that companies rarely ever make their concept? Could it be that because it's Elon words we hold the entire company to a different standard?

If we held every person hostage to their promise we would have very little in this world.

Just have to be a bit more realistic. If they met that mark the Internet would still find "stuff" to pick at about the product.

 

[BayouCityBob]

TFL ran the Silverado EV (WT 450 mile model) 232 miles with a 6.5k tow load. Everyone's math is the pretty much the same: ~1.1 miles per kwh in good weather when towing this sort of load. The CT will get around 135 miles with its 123kwh battery, the Chevy gets 232 with its 212 kwh battery. The RST version will get about 10% less due to bigger wheels and more weight. The CT with road tires will get about 5% more than the FS version. It's all about the kilowatt hours.

 

[PerfectFlaw]

TFL ran the Silverado EV (WT 450 mile model) 232 miles with a 6.5k tow load. Everyone's math is the pretty much the same: ~1.1 miles per kwh in good weather when towing this sort of load. The CT will get around 135 miles with its 123kwh battery, the Chevy gets 232 with its 212 kwh battery. The RST version will get about 10% less due to bigger wheels and more weight. The CT with road tires will get about 5% more than the FS version. It's all about the kilowatt hours.

That's nice !! An EV with a bigger battery gets better range, amazing really.

Now people have an option, if they want an EV in a truck format that has better range towing, buy one with a bigger battery. The Silverado EV fits that bill.

If you don't need to tow as much, which is 90% of most truck owners, then the Cybertruck will be a great option for you.

Thank God I don't need to tow often because the Silverado EV is hideous looking.

 

[davelloydbrown]

That's nice !! An EV with a bigger battery gets better range, amazing really.

Now people have an option, if they want an EV in a truck format that has better range towing, buy one with a bigger battery. The Silverado EV fits that bill.

If you don't need to tow as much, which is 90% of most truck owners, then the Cybertruck will be a great option for you.

Thank God I don't need to tow often because the Silverado EV is hideous looking.

In 2025 they will be equipped to use tesla superchargers as well.

 

[BayouCityBob]

That's nice !! An EV with a bigger battery gets better range, amazing really.

Now people have an option, if they want an EV in a truck format that has better range towing, buy one with a bigger battery. The Silverado EV fits that bill.

If you don't need to tow as much, which is 90% of most truck owners, then the Cybertruck will be a great option for you.

Thank God I don't need to tow often because the Silverado EV is hideous looking.

To be sure, the looks of the Chevy E-valanche are an acquired taste.

 

[Bsimmer3000]

Grocery Getter / Lifestyle / Local trades / urban - Truck Market is much bigger > Long Distance Towing Truck Market - they're chasing the addressable market and being realistic that EV's can't compete in the long distance / heavy towing market

I have a 3/4 ton and towing use case the CT will not meet, so im empathetic with disappointment because I too fell for the orig stats of the Tri motor - 500mi/14k lbs towing (I should have known better based on EV / Battery tech)....but I'll also admit that I don't want a 10k lb Cyber truck (like the hummer), because I want a daily driver, dirt bikes/mountain bikes to the trails, moderate 4x4 off-roading, snow vehicle, some performance driving capabilities, etc...aka something a lot more fun / usable for the 95% of the time im not towing! Love my GMC 2500 Diesel - solid truck, great at towing my 13k trailer - why I'll keep it for towing and the CT for everything else!

Would I like more range = yes! Do I want an extra 3k+ lb's of batteries = no but I would have been happy with 150kw or so to strike more of a balance between 123 and 200kw+....I can't use the extender in current config (non removable, shortens bed length)- need bed space for truck use cases - 2-3 dirt bikes, furniture moving, pickup an 80" TV at BB, Dump Runs, etc all the things I do with current truck!

So - keeping 2500 for towing; getting CB for other 95%, have additional reservations so when they change the battery chem/tech and or Charging - I can upgrade truck and get a bit more range to help with the 95% (301mi range is the same as my M3P and I'd prefer a bit more for overall usability say 360mi ish would be perfect)

+ we're all safer without a high volume of 11k lb EV trucks on the road and in the hands of the typical American driver!

I know right. We have only just recently found out the specs advertised 4 years ago are not even close. The specs they advertise now are not even close and the response from some is buy a fossil burner it’s not meant to be used as a truck. These same people have been arguing with the people saying it’s not a truck for the last 4years.
Most cars can tow 6000lb so to say the cyber truck is not designed for that just blows me away. I believe that some of these guys are so committed to covering for Tesla that if the CT had a 50mile range they would face an excuse as to why it don’t bother them and everyone else should just buy something else if they don’t like it. I would be curious to see how many this drops off the order list as it becomes more main stream that it can’t do truck stuff. It could be a situation where it’s not profitable to make them even at the cost they are right now and it will be discontinued. Won’t be able to get parts and prices will plummet. It has happened to the lightning as that’s being discontinued in 2026. Good luck getting parts for that a few years down the line. Some people think Tesla can’t fail but there’s already enough anti EV propaganda out there and things like this just add to the fire. Let’s be clear here the CT won’t be successful if it can’t pull truck buyers from the big 3. That’s gonna be very difficult to do when word gets around that the trucks not trucking. The air has been let out my bag that’s for sure and I’m pro EV and would be an ideal candidate for the cyber truck. It’s cool yeah but it’s missing too much what trucks are good at.

it’s likely gonna be a run about for the guys carrying a few bags of mulch a week.

 

[VDR]

Not a perfect comparison but early impression overall it looks like the CT performed a bit better than the Rivian R1T simular tests as far as total range loss when towing which is good.

Better than the Rivian? Really with a smaller battery & worse Cd?
Any similar car towing tests with the Rivian at higher speeds were yielding 1.2-1.5mi/kwh or 150+miles/100% SOC or 113miles @ 75% SOC.

 

[CybertruckRN1127]

This unacceptable range is bothering me alot. I am expecting delivery in a month and considering eating the $1000 and getting out. That much torque and hp should not result in 87 miles of range.

Same. However, I don't tow, but think about it when it's under 30f. This was done at 61f. Usually when it's very cold, I only got 60% of range in my Model 3. I assume the CT will get 70 miles when towing in very cold weather.

 

[CybertruckRN1127]

I'll be using it to put tools and materials from Home Depot and Lowes in it that wouldn't fit in my other cars, including my Model Y.

Why would it be assumed that a truck would need to pull a trailer off the back to be used for work?

Also, it CAN pull a trailer. Who says it cannot? Maybe you need to find work that's closer to home so you don't need to supercharge.

It's not the trucks problem, its a you problem.

Wow. That is harsh. The more miles (and load) you can tow the more money you can make.

My cousin's wife tow horses for people. She makes very good money transporting $M+ horses. She drives a F-250. No EV trucks can do what she needs. However, a 500 mile Cybertruck with 200 mile tow range could have worked.

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