Cybertruck hitch analysis by Engineering Explained

[HaulingAss]

I'm laughing at anyone who is still thinking there is a flaw with the hitch design or materials used.

If this is based upon the Youtube demonstration, I'm laughing even harder.

Please tell, why do a few people think there is a problem when there isn't a single credible real-world failure? I don't get what this is based on.

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[mongo]

I'm laughing at anyone who is still thinking there is a flaw with the hitch design or materials used.

If this is based upon the Youtube demonstration, I'm laughing even harder.

Please tell, why do a few people think there is a problem when there isn't a single credible real-world failure? I don't get what this is based on.

If the design were as presented in the videos, I would be worried. Happily, it's not.

 

[cybercricket]

I'm laughing at anyone who is still thinking there is a flaw with the hitch design or materials used.

If this is based upon the Youtube demonstration, I'm laughing even harder.

Please tell, why do a few people think there is a problem when there isn't a single credible real-world failure? I don't get what this is based on.

I am laughing back at you. Current regulatory testing standards are a cumulative result of many decades of millions of vehicles and trailers being used in a variety of conditions while being built pretty much the same way and with the same materials. The moment novel materials and manufacturing methods are introduced, these testing methodologies become suspect when applied in this new context. You go even further as to suggest the minuscule number of CT's (likely less than 10% out of 50k so far delivered) hauling stuff from time to time in the period of less than 2 years is a dataset. I believe statisticians would call it an "anecdote."

 

[Bridgeboy69]

Your response is just a version of an "appeal to authority." Have a nice day.

Yes. And since you sure as hell ain't an authority on the subject, you have a nice day too....and keep bull posting as much as you want about this subject, which you don't know what you're talking about, yet pretend like you do, to make yourself feel better as much as suits you.

 

[BannedByTMC]

Want to take a crack at quantifying the holding strength of these aluminum casting spot welds, (plus it looks like some adhesive)? I don't see any tearing so it looks as if the welds just let go cleanly at the surface interface. I assume there must be some sort of material/welding strength tables for this sort of thing. 14 total welds x ___ lbs of adhesion force each = support provided.

 

[BannedByTMC]

I'm laughing at anyone who is still thinking there is a flaw with the hitch design or materials used.

Your truck could break in half and you'd still say it was a perfect design so your credibility is questionable, to say the least. Simple fact is that in the test the CT frame broke and the other vehicle did not, even at a higher load. That doesn't even take into account cycling fatigue of aluminum over time.

 

[mongo]

Want to take a crack at quantifying the holding strength of these aluminum casting spot welds, (plus it looks like some adhesive)? I don't see any tearing so it looks as if the welds just let go cleanly at the surface interface. I assume there must be some sort of material/welding strength tables for this sort of thing. 14 total welds x ___ lbs of adhesion force each = support provided.

There is tearing, the entire weld nugget broke off the casting. Assembly unzipped, you can hear each weld break (at least until the end when they blend together).
The 6.5mm (1/4 inch) repair rivets are probably good for ~1,000 pounds if they are aluminum, more if stainless. So that's 14,000 pounds which lines up with the failure vs lever arm.

 

[HaulingAss]

Your truck could break in half and you'd still say it was a perfect design so your credibility is questionable, to say the least.

It's exactly the opposite. I would consider failure to be real-world evidence that there might be a problem. Unlike what we have now, THAT would be some actual ammunition pointing to a potential problem.

Simple fact is that in the test the CT frame broke and the other vehicle did not, even at a higher load. That doesn't even take into account cycling fatigue of aluminum over time.

Do you think the test was a valid way to measure the tow rating? I don't understand why you think this is relevant. We shouldn't throw logic and rationality out the window when determining important safety ratings like towing capacity.

 

[BannedByTMC]

Do you think the test was a valid way to measure the tow rating? I don't understand why you think this is relevant.

It's a quantifiable difference in strength, you can hand wave it away if you wish.

 

[CyberGus]

I’ve seen trucks driving around from the 1940’s.

Were any of those trucks towing 10,000 lbs? ?

 

[Gaximus]

Were any of those trucks towing 10,000 lbs? ?

No, My response was referring to the fact that vehicles can still operate, without any issues, while aircraft have a limited lifetime, due to the fact its made of aluminum.

 

[mongo]

No, My response was referring to the fact that vehicles can still operate, without any issues, while aircraft have a limited lifetime, due to the fact its made of aluminum.

Due to aluminum, safety factor due to lightness requirement, and manufacturer liability concerns.

 

[eswimm]

While these "tests" show a difference in durability of a steel frame to the aluminum casting, they don't actually show any deficiency of the CT to perform to spec.

Even the snapping of the casting, there's a considerable difference between a continuous force being applied to the hitch with a fully loaded suspension vs. the forces that would be applied through towing while braking, driving downhill or hitting a pothole where the suspension was able to absorb some of the energy.

It doesn't matter if the CT casting is as strong or durable as a steel frame, it only matters if it is strong/durable enough to perform the task for which it is rated.

 

[Gaximus]

While these "tests" show a difference in durability of a steel frame to the aluminum casting, they don't actually show any deficiency of the CT to perform to spec.

Even the snapping of the casting, there's a considerable difference between a continuous force being applied to the hitch with a fully loaded suspension vs. the forces that would be applied through towing while braking, driving downhill or hitting a pothole where the suspension was able to absorb some of the energy.

It doesn't matter if the CT casting is as strong or durable as a steel frame, it only matters if it is strong/durable enough to perform the task for which it is rated.

Yes, and the video shows that loaded to max, in a configuration, that is very very unlikely, but possible, it can fail at a point that does not meet the rated load. i.e. Braking at 1G with a 11,000lbs loaded with center of gravity located above the trailer's axel at a height that is the same distance the axel is from the hitch. I personally don't think this is an issue, because if you load a trailer that way, you shouldn't be towing that amount of weight. Also I don't think the fatigue is much of an issue either, as Teslas have been making their suspension components for all their vehicles from aluminum from the beginning, and there have been no issues them.

 

[CyberGus]

No, My response was referring to the fact that vehicles can still operate, without any issues, while aircraft have a limited lifetime, due to the fact its made of aluminum.

Gotcha. My only point is that if someone is driving a Foundation Cybertruck 80 years from now, they won't be pulling 10k lbs with it

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