Tesla patents inflatable aerodynamic bed airbag to improve Cybertruck towing range

[hemiarch]

Will someone with a trailer please try this by attaching a piece of plywood to their truck?

I think the point has been beaten to death by Eddie the guy with the cyberphoenix. He has several videos where he tows a trailer and discusses how much the camper has helped his towing mileage.
I can try find one once I’m done at work to post but they shouldn’t be hard to find

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[Tecyber1]

No matter how well that works that looks ridiculous.

Exactly! Need to tow seriously? Buy a truck capable of doing so, not an EV.

 

[smg]

In all seriousness, if this thing ends up being an inflatable pop up camper, I think they have a hit on their hands.

 

[hemiarch]

In all seriousness, if this thing ends up being an inflatable pop up camper, I think they have a hit on their hands.

Like a cybertent that can stay open while driving?

 

[smg]

Like a cybertent that can stay open while driving?

Bingo.. Something like attached, but obvs more aerodynamic and engineered so it can stay open while driving.

 

[Baldyloxx]

But…. To be fair, many companies patent ‘ideas’ just for the sake of having IP.. regardless of the intent of actually bringing them to production.

and for that, I applaud them.

 

[HaulingAss]

Exactly! Need to tow seriously? Buy a truck capable of doing so, not an EV.

Not all serious towing is cross-country. I've been towing various types of equipment and trailers for my whole life, often in pickups with tow ratings that matched or were below that of the Cybertruck, and it was a rare trip that required me to drive through multiple states. That's a niche towing application because it's quite expensive for loads in the 5-ton range. That's why we have semi-trucks, they are more cost effective.

But the Cybertruck is perfect for getting smaller equipment to the jobsite, hauling the tool trailer or the office to the next worksite, hauling building materials from the supplier to the job, dipping the boat in the lake or river, etc. It has plenty of power and the towing dynamics are first class. Most towing trips of this class of pickup (up to 11,000 lbs. towing max) are local in nature where an electric truck has big advantages. Particularly if you need to tow 5 days/week, the savings really add up.

A trailer fairing like this would just require you to charge less to the top of the battery or extend your range to further outlying areas.

 

[HaulingAss]

But…. To be fair, many companies patent ‘ideas’ just for the sake of having IP.. regardless of the intent of actually bringing them to production.

and for that, I applaud them.

Tesla applies for patents as a defensive move, so others can't patent the same idea, and then prevent them from using it in the future, should they want to.

 

[Baldyloxx]

Tesla applies for patents as a defensive move, so others can't patent the same idea, and then prevent them from using it in the future, should they want to.

yes… that’s what I said..

IP.. Intellectual Properties.

 

[vandytom]

And what happens to the overall bed space..?

sound like a new take on the RangeExtender

New camper mode

 

[vandytom]

Loos like CyberSemi

 

[CyberTrk]

Just install a roof pop up tent to get the same effect when needed.

 

[TRKNRS]

I really would like to see a Wh/Mi breakdown with and without the enclosed rack while hauling a trailer. Sent this to BTG, I guess we will see.

 

[gtgarner]

I would buy one based on price.

 

[Drano]

If it works, it's not ridiculous. We all got used to trucks with hats. Now we'll see trucks with capes.

-Crissa

It will all make sense if it proves true to increase battery range by at least 100 miles

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