70mph Range Test with a Cybertruck Roof Rack & Rooftop Tent

[thecybertruckguy]

I haven't seen anyone online do a proper range test with a roof rack mounted on the Cybertruck.

So, I range tested my rig (and filmed it) using the Mars Adventure Gear Roof Rack and Aeroblade tent on an AWD Cybertruck with 35" All-Terrains.

My 70mph range test resulted in the following efficiency:
Roof Rack + Aeroblade Tent: 470Wh/mi (261mi @ 100%)
Roof Rack: 458Wh/mi (268mi @ 100%)
Stock Cybertruck: 397Wh/mi (309mi @ 100%)

18% difference between stock and RTT! 15% difference between stock and bare roof rack. Not bad at all!

The difference between the rack & Aeroblade tent is also very tiny (<3% difference). That tent is super efficient. Judging by a recent road trip, I'm almost positive a spare tire mounted on top of the roof rack had a larger hit to range than the tent itself.

Just wanted to squash some speculation that roof racks cause deal-breaking range loss. 15% is not "deal breaking" range loss IMO. Some tire combos alone can cause similar range loss!

Here's the video:

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[mjezzi]

Thank you for taking the time to test this out and write it up!

18% may not sound like a lot, but 82% of 325 miles of EPA range (AWD core wheels) = 266 miles of range.

 

[SCTesla]

Thank you for taking the time to test this out and write it up!

18% may not sound like a lot, but 82% of 325 miles of EPA range (AWD core wheels) = 266 miles of range.

At 70mph the AWD has around 254 miles at 100%, so about 208 miles.

 

[mjezzi]

At 70mph the AWD has around 254 miles at 100%, so about 208 miles.

Yea, that's even worse. Especially if you're trying to get into or travel across remote areas.

 

[dalton108]

Thank you for taking the time to test this out and write it up!

18% may not sound like a lot, but 82% of 325 miles of EPA range (AWD core wheels) = 266 miles of range.

At 70mph the AWD has around 254 miles at 100%, so about 208 miles.

Yea, that's even worse. Especially if you're trying to get into or travel across remote areas.

Add 5 mph to that speed (75mph), beefier tires, and a very slightly thicker RTT the BaseCamp also from Mars and you’re looking at, in my case in my CB— 538Wh/mi.

All this highlights only what I’ve said from the start these trucks need 500 miles range. 400 miles minimum!

Anybody who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you an electric truck with inadequate range. You can take that to the bank!

Or, you can drop the misleading claims that don’t translate fully to real world application and just call it “fungible miles.” I just need 300 miles of fungible/nominal range - no matter what I’m doing. If I’ve got more than that, wunderbar!

 

[Urander]

I haven't seen anyone online do a proper range test with a roof rack mounted on the Cybertruck.

So, I range tested my rig (and filmed it) using the Mars Adventure Gear Roof Rack and Aeroblade tent on an AWD Cybertruck with 35" All-Terrains.

My 70mph range test resulted in the following efficiency:
Roof Rack + Aeroblade Tent: 470Wh/mi (261mi @ 100%)
Roof Rack: 458Wh/mi (268mi @ 100%)
Stock Cybertruck: 397Wh/mi (309mi @ 100%)

18% difference between stock and RTT! 15% difference between stock and bare roof rack. Not bad at all!

The difference between the rack & Aeroblade tent is also very tiny (<3% difference). That tent is super efficient. Judging by a recent road trip, I'm almost positive a spare tire mounted on top of the roof rack had a larger hit to range than the tent itself.

Just wanted to squash some speculation that roof racks cause deal-breaking range loss. 15% is not "deal breaking" range loss IMO. Some tire combos alone can cause similar range loss!

Here's the video:

Fwiw, we did a range test at 70 mph back in August 2024.

The flat rack actually performed better when the CT owner stacked a few of the crossbars together. And there are no MOLLE holes on the sides, which means less drag. He got 419.2 Wh/mi at 70 mph from the 89.1 miles loop.


For Gen 2, we went with built-in side storage instead of mounting everything on the outside. The MOLLE version is launching first, and the polycarbonate flat panel version with range efficiency similar to the Gen 1 flat panel at around 419.2 Wh/mile will be available in July!

 

[BrockN]

The molle panels seem to add significant drag. I suspect that the structural pieces do too.

It would be interesting to adapt the cross bars to allow the tent to sit lower, so the roof doesn't project into the wind. That is, nestle down flush with the top of the rack.

Then use solid smooth sides on the rack. That way the "rough" inner sides of the rack would be sheltered by the tent above and the air would see smooth sides and top.

The problem then would be the vortex created at the back. It would be interesting to model that and see what a canopy door would do. Experimenting with different door angles rather than simply vertical.

 

[tmeyer3]

I haven't seen anyone online do a proper range test with a roof rack mounted on the Cybertruck.

So, I range tested my rig (and filmed it) using the Mars Adventure Gear Roof Rack and Aeroblade tent on an AWD Cybertruck with 35" All-Terrains.

My 70mph range test resulted in the following efficiency:
Roof Rack + Aeroblade Tent: 470Wh/mi (261mi @ 100%)
Roof Rack: 458Wh/mi (268mi @ 100%)
Stock Cybertruck: 397Wh/mi (309mi @ 100%)

18% difference between stock and RTT! 15% difference between stock and bare roof rack. Not bad at all!

The difference between the rack & Aeroblade tent is also very tiny (<3% difference). That tent is super efficient. Judging by a recent road trip, I'm almost positive a spare tire mounted on top of the roof rack had a larger hit to range than the tent itself.

Just wanted to squash some speculation that roof racks cause deal-breaking range loss. 15% is not "deal breaking" range loss IMO. Some tire combos alone can cause similar range loss!

Here's the video:

450 is right around my average with a cross bar setup + 6x4" lights. Roof rack isn't as bad as I thought

 

[dalton108]

450 is right around my average with a cross bar setup + 6x4" lights. Roof rack isn't as bad as I thought

The aeroblade isn’t your average rooftop tent though. I can’t wait to see what my range looks like once I get it swapped out with the base camp. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Mark Lindgren]

I put a solar panel on the lower racks of my truck and it didn’t seem to make any significant difference at all to my mileage

 

[Mark Lindgren]

It’s 300 W. I use it to charge the battery in my trailer for extended stays off grid. And not deplete the traction battery, so I can make it back out from a remote area.

 

[Mark Lindgren]

One could also use as a solar battery / inverter pack and the mobile charge connector and possibly get 2% to 3% of charge into the traction battery with that panel per day.

 

[AverageLogic]

….Then use solid smooth sides on the rack. That way the "rough" inner sides of the rack would be sheltered by the tent above and the air would see smooth sides and top.

I’ve been monitoring my CybertruckCo bed topper, which has the “solid smooth sides” you suggest. My testing is not precise, basically a daily 30-min freeway commute and around-town driving. I’m averaging about 448 Wh/mi the past couple weeks without stuff on top. This week I’m putting the wheel and roof box back on, I’ll post update next week.

 

[BrockN]

That should be interesting!

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