Sandy Munro Likes and Dislikes of his Cybertruck (JoshWest247 interview)

[FarAway]

I have been thinking on this subject and Sandy's comment. As @Electric Metal aptly demonstrated the CT is more than capable of supporting a contractor on site. Though, the CT does have some intrinsic prejudices to overcome in order to be widely accepted as a "work truck". Whatever that means?

So, what are some of the prejudices?? Just in my anecdotal experiences. A lot of customers falsely assume the Cybertruck costs much more than it does while at the same time assuming that the average brand new F150 is only $40,000. If you show up in a CT you are either 1) a rich contractor and therefore overcharging, and/or 2) Not really a serious contractor. We haven't even touched on the polarizing views that EV's in general or the mention of Elon's name can elicit.

Personally, I looked very hard at the Lightning. I liked it a lot, but not as much as the CT. The Ford does have some advantages. The biggest to the casual observer is that it looks like practically every other truck.... Yeah, I know. A Ford truck is simply ubiquitous on a jobsite. The frunk on the Ford Lightning is massive and there is 120v power in the front also. I find on a lot of jobsites it is just easier to nose in rather than back in, (yes, I do still have to back out), I also wish the CT had at least one 120v receptacle in the front. I continue to hear the "reach over the side" argument... personally I am not concerned about that or the rear bed tool box. If the sail pillars had the often-mentioned internal storage that would have been a game changer... but I don't see that happening with the design of the castings.

I am retired now and mostly working at my hobbies. Whether my wife needs to tow her bumper pull horse trailer around (locally) or I need to pick up and move a pinball machine, the CT is perfect. I really like the retracting tonneau cover design. I think as the CT gets adapted by more workers and we start getting other various accessories, coupled with the incremental improvements by TESLA, the CT will be accepted. Sometimes it is just hard to be an early adapter, lol.

Sponsored

 

[65SoYoLO]

The "Can't reach over the side" complaint is ridiculous. If you could reach over the side, that would mean the bed would be SMALLER...I will take the HUGE "can't reach over the bed" bed any day, over the "It don't fit, It's too tall" complaint. Is another complaint "it tows too much"? "It turns to sharp"?
If I can't reach something, I close the tailgate and step on the bumper and into the bed. I can reach ANYTHING then.

 

[Ken in Miami]

Regarding the work truck aspect, I think they're their not being specific to the use case. From what I see the CT is a good local trade or farm truck whereas something like a GM's new big battery trucks are better for dedicated work trucks in general.

The legacy trucks still have more intuitive built-in towing utilities than the CT. They have more nooks and crannies in the cab for storage. More space in the cab for a crew, file boxes, work gear, etc. Easier access to the bed via integrated tailgate steps. Some buttons and knobs for when you have work gloves on. It's just a more comfortable work truck. Legacy is utilitarian, CT is minimalistic.

Further, the CT was not built to be a primarily a work truck, whereas the legacy trucks are. It's primarily a non-commercial consumer truck that is plenty capable of doing work. The legacy trucks are work trucks that add layers of dressing as you make your way up the trim line. For example, Ford literally adds a layer of leather to the plastic work truck dash on the higher trims.

At the end of the day, the legacy trucks have nearly a century of market/focus group data that they've implemented over time. Tesla is just now tapping in. Nothing wrong with Tesla, but it's going to take time to improve that side, assuming Tesla wants to capture that market. However, truly capturing that market may run afoul of its minimalism.

I live just outside of Miami and have driven lots of trucks over the last half century and have to say that even though I love my Tesla truck if I had to drive over a 100 miles towing anything of substance, I would use my Hummer or a pick up truck that was not electric for one simple reason, there are no drive through charging stations I have seen in Florida. At least once a week I drive across the Everglades late at night and do a 240 mile round trip without charging the Tesla Truck. If I tow my boat over I would decrease my range enough that charging would be necessary and pulling anything would mean disconnecting the trailer and no one will do that. Any electric vehicle will suck at towing in the real world if you have to charge on your trip. Unnecessary aggravation.
As far as a platform to go to a job site, pick up supplies, furniture it is on par with any truck I have driven. My Tesla truck picks up animal food, heavy objects, and crap from Costco just fine, but when I have to tow I will take my Hummer or a pickup truck to keep it simple. If I only had one vehicle and needed to tow often, I would not buy any electric truck due to no pull through charging stations as of now in my area (Florida)

 

[Tecyber1]

The "Can't reach over the side" complaint is ridiculous. If you could reach over the side, that would mean the bed would be SMALLER...I will take the HUGE "can't reach over the bed" bed any day, over the "It don't fit, It's too tall" complaint. Is another complaint "it tows too much"? "It turns to sharp"?
If I can't reach something, I close the tailgate and step on the bumper and into the bed. I can reach ANYTHING then.

There was a time when I man chose the right tool for the job. If a man needs or wants a "work" truck in the classic sense why in the hell would they buy a CT?

This is where so many men are at in 2024:

"Ermagaahhd why?"

 

[VAF84]

But the plows don't fit the Lightning, and you can get racks for the Cybertruck. The tool boxes don't care what bed you have. What is a work add-on the Lightning can use but Cybertruck can't?

Nooks and crannies are worse than having open space you can customize to your usage. It's just bullshit. And the Cybertruck comes with more and more durable ned lighting and points to secure loads with.

And how is the Lightning's hitch more intuitive? It's a ball hitch.

@VAF84 'Not built to be a work truck' - no evidence presented. This is like the company I worked for that complained that on Windows 95 PCs I used their logo colors instead of greyscale because it 'was too expensive' when none of their data entry computers had less than an SVGA screen.

-Crissa

Crissa, I feel you're misreading "not built to be a work truck". I'm saying this in a way that a TRX or a Raptor is not a dedicated work truck. It's a loose example, but my point. You can do work stuff with them, but it's not what they are dedicated to. Tesla did not set out to build a contractor truck, so it makes some sacrifices in that department.

Can it do it, yes. Can it do it more comfortably than a legacy, not necessarily. Check out the towing videos from Jerry Rig, Out of Spec, and TFL. It can definitely tow, but it's less comfortable doing so than legacy. Example, trailer brake, there's no manual squeeze button for it. It's not necessary, but it makes it easier. The camera setups, and utilities for towing are more intuitive and easier on the legacy. GM's has one of the best with the see through trailer camera integrated.

Many of the guys on my current project came from 130 miles to perform a task for the day; 16hr day and 260 miles of driving. Some of them bring enclosed trailers that have more drag than an open top trailer. Can the CT do it, yes. Is it more comfortable in the WT, yes.

One is working outside doing manual labor all day, jumping in and out in ppe gear. Want to mess with climate settings or something real quick with gloves on. Can you use a screen, yes. Is it at times easier with a knob, yes.

Big door pockets. Do you know how much stuff gets stuffed in there? Tape measures, gloves, random tools, extra drinks, etc. Work stations, there's a reason Ford made that fold out center console. Inspectors, company men, etc work out of their trucks. It makes it easier to work on a laptop, keep file boxes, sign paper work, etc. In this industry, people practically live out of their trucks. Funny, but this also applies to families. When test driving the RST when I had the Lightning, the first thing my wife said is it appeared to have less storage/cubbies inside. I literally was like WTH, that's the first thing you notice?

The range, RST/WT offers a less stressful towing experience. Can CT do it, yes. Is it more comfortable in the GM, yes. Crew Cab trucks seat five big guys in construction gear comfortably. Can CT do it, yes. Is it more comfortable in the legacy, yes.

To your software comment. My personal stuff is all Apple, I love Apple. However, my work stuff Microsoft. I work with a lot of spreadsheets, Excel is easier on it. It's got a functional corporate ecosystem with teams, one drive, PowerBI, etc. Just a bit more functional to me; it's provided to me by my client. Can Apple do the same stuff, yes. Is it more intuitive for the work I do, IMO not as much.

I work in the energy construction industry. I like the CT, I'm just being objective here. To be a dedicated work truck it would have to sacrifice some of it's minimalism.

The CT is a brilliant work truck. I have put almost 1,000 lbs of seed in the bed and towed another 1,000 lbs of fertilizer on a trailer around our tree farm without any issues and if that doesn't qualify as "work", I don't know what does. One of the most understated features (for me) is the adjustable air suspension: when I enter the farm, I have the truck set to automagically lift to the high setting to float above the grassy two track that leads to our barn.

This literally exemplifies my comment about the CT's practical work uses.

The "Can't reach over the side" complaint is ridiculous. If you could reach over the side, that would mean the bed would be SMALLER...I will take the HUGE "can't reach over the bed" bed any day, over the "It don't fit, It's too tall" complaint. Is another complaint "it tows too much"? "It turns to sharp"?
If I can't reach something, I close the tailgate and step on the bumper and into the bed. I can reach ANYTHING then.

I agree with this comment. I have rarely had to reach over the side, and ironically the guys with the lifted trucks would have the same issue. However, the CT could use some help in the tailgate department. The legacy trucks have easy step ups to get on the bed either via built in steps on the bumper or pull out steps on the tailgate.

 

[buyitrita]

I use the gap between the bumper and the body on each side of the bed for a step. Large feet in big boots may not work there, but no issue in my case.

 

[VAF84]

I use the gap between the bumper and the body on each side of the bed for a step. Large feet in big boots may not work there, but no issue in my case.

Fits the can be done, but could be easier point. Those steps make a huge difference when you're loading/unloading a lot. Walking onto the bed while holding a bike, moving boxes or material, or plain old getting the wife and kids on the bed to see fireworks, etc. Good workout too, it's like doing a stair stepper .

 

[Crissa]

The "Can't reach over the side" complaint is ridiculous. If you could reach over the side, that would mean the bed would be SMALLER...I will take the HUGE "can't reach over the bed" bed any day, over the "It don't fit, It's too tall" complaint. Is another complaint "it tows too much"? "It turns to sharp"?
If I can't reach something, I close the tailgate and step on the bumper and into the bed. I can reach ANYTHING then.

Reminds me of the complaint the tonneau 'cuts off the available space in the bed'. Like, had they ever seen any other tonneau? What are they comparing it against?

-Crissa

 

[Crissa]

Example, trailer brake, there's no manual squeeze button for it. It's not necessary, but it makes it easier.

You map the trailer brake to the brake pedal:
https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/...76-9257-2E9118AE1E1C.html#CONCEPT_G1K_3GZ_FZB

Otherwise it uses regeneration.

In other words, the Cybertruck is even easier.

The camera setups, and utilities for towing are more intuitive and easier on the legacy. GM's has one of the best with the see through trailer camera integrated.

All of these are expensive options.

And again, your huge paragraph on the pockets is nonsensical. If you want huge door pockets, put huge door pockets. But if you want small door pockets, you can't change them on other trucks, but you can with the Cybertruck. The entire truck is like the bed: Customizable.

There was a time when I man chose the right tool for the job. If a man needs or wants a "work" truck in the classic sense why in the hell would they buy a CT?

But in what way does it not fit the 'work truck' job?

'Oh no, it doesn't tow long distances!' Most 'work trucks' never go long distances!

If you need a specialized bed, well, you weren't buying the vast majority of work pickups to begin with.

-Crissa

 

[VAF84]

You map the trailer brake to the brake pedal:
https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/...76-9257-2E9118AE1E1C.html#CONCEPT_G1K_3GZ_FZB

Otherwise it uses regeneration.

In other words, the Cybertruck is even easier.


All of these are expensive options.

And again, your huge paragraph on the pockets is nonsensical. If you want huge door pockets, put huge door pockets. But if you want small door pockets, you can't change them on other trucks, but you can with the Cybertruck. The entire truck is like the bed: Customizable.


But in what way does it not fit the 'work truck' job?

'Oh no, it doesn't tow long distances!' Most 'work trucks' never go long distances!

If you need a specialized bed, well, you weren't buying the vast majority of work pickups to begin with.

-Crissa

All trucks cannot be all things, and subjectiveness makes common ground difficult to find. As someone who utilizes my trucks in a variety of truck ways, I'm trying to share where Tesla's short coming's are. I will readily admit where the legacy trucks need work, but it seems like there's no give here that there are shortcomings for someone who uses their truck as a truck for much of its use vs occasional work use.

Crissa, I value your input, but I don't feel you have first hand experience in what I'm trying to explain. Either that or maybe the way you're conveying it isn't getting to me. All trucks have trailer brakes that are activated by the brake pedal. Yes, regen is nice for towing too. Sometimes though, you want to initiate the trailer's brake independently which in traditional trucks uses a separate dial. Yes, the manual you linked says that setting can be found on a screen and can be done there, but that is not as intuitive or quickly done in certain situations where you may need to apply it quickly. If you tow frequently, the analog option is nice. Back to minimalism vs utility.

 

[Crissa]

Crissa, I value your input, but I don't feel you have first hand experience in what I'm trying to explain.

No, I don't. But I understand why you would want to trigger more of the trailer brakes because that creates drag which reduces sway.

I do ride a motorcycle, I understand how trailing front versus rear brakes gives different reactions. In fact, I can change the amount of regen and linkage between my accelerator and my brake signal. Which is even more similar in regards to the next part:

But since a Tesla always has fairly heavy regen to begin with, and ramps it up for a heavy load - what you need to do is assign more trailer braking when you do press on the actual brakes.

Because your 'normal' braking will be done with one-pedal, and when you need to stop fast and safer - and apply more trailer braking - is when you press on the brake pedal.

And that's just a matter of an EV allowing you to think differently about how your controls are laid out. (And unrelated to Tesla vs GM, honestly.)

-Crissa

 

[CarMan ElecTruck]

more outlets in the Frunk with big power also. More room in the Frunk as well.. More versatile bed options in the TailGate..

Could be a few reasons why F150L is ‘more’ of a work truck

 

[Crissa]

more outlets in the Frunk with big power also. More room in the Frunk as well.. More versatile bed options in the TailGate..

Could be a few reasons why F150L is ‘more’ of a work truck

Yeah, but I want him to say it, rather than the handwavium!

-Crissa

 

[firsttruck]

more outlets in the Frunk with big power also. More room in the Frunk as well.. More versatile bed options in the TailGate..

Could be a few reasons why F150L is ‘more’ of a work truck

A combined total of over 2 million full-size "work" pickup trucks are sold by Ford, Chevy/GMC, RAM, Toyota, Nissan every year and probably 99% of these trucks have NO frunk (hybrid do not have frunks) and probably 97% of these trucks have NOT even a single long duration high watt 120V electrical outlet (power from hybrid sized battery or EV battery).

Over last 100 years, 10s (maybe a 100) of millions full-size "work" pickup trucks sold and probably 99.999% of these trucks had NO frunk or even a single 120V electrical outlet.

-------------------------------------------

How many F150s have been sold ever? More than 41 million F-150s have been sold since the truck was introduced 76 years ago.
Apr 2, 2024
This is America's best-selling vehicle for 42 years running - VOA News
https://www.voanews.com/a/7549251.html

-------------------------------------------

Ford and GM both claim to have sold the most trucks in 2023. Who’s right?
By Brandan Gillogly
05 January 2024
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/...have-sold-the-most-trucks-in-2023-whos-right/


------------------------


Ford U.S. Sales Rise 7.1% to Nearly 2 Million Vehicles in 2023
Jan 5, 2024
https://media.ford.com/content/ford...-1--to-nearly-2-million-vehicles-in-2023.html

.....
Sales of the F-150 Hybrid pickup jumped 41% from a year ago to 50,103 vehicles for 2023.


-------------------------------------------


Ford Posts All-Time Monthly Hybrid Sales Record
May 2, 2024
https://media.ford.com/content/ford...sts-all-time-monthly-hybrid-sales-record.html


U.S. sales reaching 17,997 in April, a 60 percent improvement from the same month a year ago and a new monthly record.
Sales of the new F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid set a new monthly record in April – up 93.6% – making F-150 Hybrid America’s top-selling full-size hybrid pickup. Early customers of the new 2024 model are overwhelmingly choosing to upgrade to the available 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard feature, which brings power to a jobsite, tailgate party, or power appliances during a power outage.


-------------------------------------------

 

[CarMan ElecTruck]

I’m unclear on exactly what your point is..

A combined total of over 2 million full-size "work" pickup trucks are sold by Ford, Chevy/GMC, RAM, Toyota, Nissan every year and probably 99% of these trucks have NO frunk or even a single 120V electrical outlet.

Over last 100 years, 10s (maybe a 100) of millions full-size "work" pickup trucks sold and probably 99.999% of these trucks had NO frunk or even a single 120V electrical outlet.

-------------------------------------------

How many F150s have been sold ever? More than 41 million F-150s have been sold since the truck was introduced 76 years ago.
Apr 2, 2024
This is America's best-selling vehicle for 42 years running - VOA News
https://www.voanews.com/a/7549251.html

-------------------------------------------

Ford and GM both claim to have sold the most trucks in 2023. Who’s right?
By Brandan Gillogly
05 January 2024
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/...have-sold-the-most-trucks-in-2023-whos-right/

-------------------------------------------

if we stay in the past we will never progress to the future… therefore today we are comparing the capabilities of the current trucks available..

Sponsored