Cybertruck hitch analysis by Engineering Explained

[Hunter71294]

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[Coolhandz]

Thought this was actually a decent video. It will be interesting to see how these hitches hold up over time as the fatigue increases. While i think the original strength of the hitch from the factory seems to be a non-issue for the most part, the choice of tying the hitch to the aluminum casting looks like it will a problem down the road. I don't tow anything, but I do have a bike rack with two e-bikes i like to move about. I foresee this being a recall at some point.

 

[Gigahorse]

He does a pretty good job of breaking down all the variables and things that could impact it.

 

[CyberGus]

tl;dr: The design meets SAE specifications, but the hitch could theoretically exceed the 10K vertical load if you're pulling max-load with a high center-of-gravity on a single-axle trailer while braking at 1G downhill while hitting a pothole

 

[Baldyloxx]

We could all use our brains and not set ourselves up for failure.

 

[Pixelgeist]

I think he gets solid credit for trying to inform the viewer without resorting to sensationalism and I respect that a lot. It's a question that I want answers to and I feel more informed after watching the video. The concern that rises to the top for me is fatigue over time, but I think I need to understand the problem more.

On a side note, I wonder if there are going to be aftermarket solutions that pop up for this issue, or is it even something that people worry about to be worth the expense?

 

[scottf200]

It was nice that he pointed out the real-world scenarios where the problematic limits could be hit (especially with fatigue).

tl;dr: The design meets SAE specifications, but the hitch could theoretically exceed the 10K vertical load if you're pulling max-load with a high center-of-gravity on a single-axle trailer while braking at 1G downhill while hitting a pothole

You glossed over what other truck manufacturers don't think the SAE specs are adequate and test beyond that. eg RAM ~11:10 in

 

[Hunter71294]

I think he gets solid credit for trying to inform the viewer without resorting to sensationalism and I respect that a lot. It's a question that I want answers to and I feel more informed after watching the video. The concern that rises to the top for me is fatigue over time, but I think I need to understand the problem more.

On a side note, I wonder if there are going to be aftermarket solutions that pop up for this issue, or is it even something that people worry about to be worth the expense?

Agreed. I enjoy his videos. I’m still going to tow with mine but I do hope in the future they make some adjustments. I’d like to be able to tow more than 11k also. About 14k max tow would be ideal.

I think the Ramcharger is a cool concept but I absolutely love the CT. Plus i could see it having some mechanical issues.

 

[REM]

I think he gets solid credit for trying to inform the viewer without resorting to sensationalism and I respect that a lot. It's a question that I want answers to and I feel more informed after watching the video. The concern that rises to the top for me is fatigue over time, but I think I need to understand the problem more.

On a side note, I wonder if there are going to be aftermarket solutions that pop up for this issue, or is it even something that people worry about to be worth the expense?

But the irony being, he created the exact same type of click-bait, sensational content when he did he "breakdown" video about Tesla racing the Porsche 911 while towing a 911.

He erected a slew of straw-men during that episode.

 

[CyberGus]

You glossed over what other truck manufacturers don't think the SAE specs are adequate and test beyond that

I'm pretty sure that "tl;dr" is a synonym for "glossed over with extreme prejudice"

 

[Docedward]

It is by definition, clickbait. The video is a good explanation of POSSIBLE issues over time. But the video thumbnail is, indeed, clickbait. I should know. Al G. and I invented the internet.

For those looking to worry- please search Tesla battery degradation. You MUST read all of them! You’re doing it wrong!

?

 

[Edphonse]

I am fairly sure most states, if not all states require trailer brakes over typically 3500 lbs gvwr on the trailer. So getting the 11k on the trailer hitch would ONLY be possible from towing INCORRECTLY and, at that point, illegally. At least, from the braking discussion.

That being said, the fatigue stress failure is real and, for that reason alone, I wish tesla would have made that subframe out of steel instead of aluminum.

Now the graph that shows the cycles vs failure is an ideal case and does not account for how steel reacts over time, ie rust/corrosion. Everything fails at some point. There are pros/cons to each. The biggest concern I have for my CT is actually the aluminum to stainless steel interface. The electronegativity difference between those two metals WILL result in the stainless steel eventually corroding away, aka galvanic corrosion. How long will depend on how those joints, ie is there paint/rubber inbetween those interfaces and how abusive of an environment the truck is maintained, are connected. I have been half tempted to try and attach zincs to portions of the truck at the steel/aluminum interface to try and minimize the possibility of galvanic corrosion.

Edit: spelling

 

[Docedward]

That stress is impossible to measure and predict over time. There’s a lot in life to worry about. If you are towing >10k lbs routinely on rough surfaces- get it done before the 3 years and then get it evaluated at Tesla. Routine towing >10k on a 2024+ IcE will give you many other headaches but she may be steady in the rear as it were.

 

[Cyber Man]

I just flew in Boeing airplane that’s probably a few decades old. I felt safe flying at 30,000ft in those aluminum wings. ?

Not all alloys are created equal. I trust engineers in Tesla who are way more smarter than me in material science!

My only takeaway from this video - CT’s Steel body will last forever while other cars fragile aluminum door panels will crumble in 20-30 years!

 

[CybertruckWraps]

His little drawing is only relevant on a single sale trailer. Which you would never have 10k on anything less than 3 axles and yeah add in required trailer brakes…myth busted

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