Cybertruck range while towing is HORRIBLE!

[AlmostHuman]

I get that cybertruck fan boys on here defending the tow range and saying oh I should have done this and that… I appreciate @mongo even checking the place I rented the trailer from… I needed something without rails so I can load what I needed so this is the only option.

I drove to the supercharger in the morning. Charged up to 90%. Then went about 15 miles and picked up the trailer. Drove about 30 miles and loaded my haul, drove back to the super charger (probably another 30) miles, had to disconnect the trailer and charged up again to 90%. Then drove about 50 miles to drop off the load. Drove back about 40 miles to a supercharger and the car was telling me I would arrive with -4%. Charge. I risked it and managed to get to the supercharger (it was a nerve racking experience especially when you’re in the middle of nowhere).

I love my truck. But when it comes to hauling it sucks! Plain and simple. If all EVs get half the range when towing then they shouldn’t be putting a tow hitch on those damn things

I think it is less of a fan boy thing with many of the people’s replies. More of a this is just how it is for now. We simply are not at a tech state that allows us to match ICE ability to tow and have the same level of low stress about range. I think you have been super fair and honest with your thoughts and that most people would agree with you that it is a little nerve racking to tow with any EV. We have dreams of towing a small Airstream some day but I plan to rent a couple first to see if it is doable to some of our favorite camping locations.

Personally I’m hoping for 10 years from now that EV tech/battery tech, pull through chargers, and RVs with EV tech (eStream) will make it all more realistic for us explore and camp.

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[scohen2002]

I think I read every single comment and reply and I don’t see anywhere the weight you were pulling. What was the total weight in tow???? Seems way more useful info than the wind residence of the trailer ramps

 

[mongo]

I think I read every single comment and reply and I don’t see anywhere the weight you were pulling. What was the total weight in tow???? Seems way more useful info than the wind residence of the trailer ramps

Rolling resistance isn't usually a majority contributor at normal speeds.
Say 0.015 rolling resistance for a utility trailer tire (halfway between truck and passenger).
Every 1,000 pounds of load = 15 pounds of drag which equals 30 Wh/mile.
Trailer bearings also have an impact, but that shouldn't be very weight dependent.

 

[BannedByTMC]

I just towed my boat (2500lbs) into the mountains and back. The truck did fantastic!!!! Started at 100%, got up to the reservoir with 70%, and back to the house with 53%. Am very pleased.

Do you have any idea how FAR he towed? Ave. SPEED? Yeah, neither do we.

Exactly, he left out the most important parameters. If the mountains are only about 40 miles away it's not surprising.

 

[mark555055c]

I hear you… but I’ve towed similar trailers in my Silverado 1500 before and I would say the avg mpg goes down about 3-5 miles per gallon when towing. At least that’s been my experience.

You are probably losing much more fuel efficiency in your Silverado than you think. When i tow my horse trailer with my 2019 Silverado, i lose 35-45% fuel efficiency easy. I go from from 18-20mpg not towing to 10-11mpg with an empty trailer.

The CT range when towing is not horrible, it's what it is and no worse than any other EV truck. 50% loss is expected and barely worse than ICE. Throw on some more efficient wheels and tires on the CT, and you gain another 8% or so of efficiency.

 

[BannedByTMC]

Inherently less efficient vehicles aren't impacted as much by towing as more efficient ones.

 

[mongo]

I think I read every single comment and reply and I don’t see anywhere the weight you were pulling. What was the total weight in tow???? Seems way more useful info than the wind residence of the trailer ramps

The trailer itself is 3,025 pounds
20' garage doors would be under 1,000 pounds.
Say 4k total * 30 Wh/mile/k = 120 Wh/mile for weight impact.

 

[whitewidow252]

That’s a heavy trailer for starters

 

[tcmeyers]

This is why I pre-ordered the range extender. Haven't heard any updates on it though

Me too, me neither.

 

[mongo]

That’s a heavy trailer for starters

Yeah, 14k gross and includes winch with battery. A bit overkill for garage doors other than the length, but what can you do?

 

[Cybertruck 1974]

You still had 50 miles left of that 100% charge. What's the complaint? Look at it this way, the only advantage a fossil fuel truck has is a huge 35 gallon and sometimes 50 gallon fuel tank. They get same 5mpg run time and distance. No really. Also $230 to fill up vs $40 shiiiiiiiit.

 

[ModelC]

I wish Tesla would come out with a 200kWh pack option (plus the range extender....maybe 50kwh extra) for those who either want to tow or have real world >500miles without towing.

I wish Tesla would come out with a battery large enough where I can go from the west coast to the east coast without stopping.

And then add a range extender that would get me back, without charging, and also I would like to tow a baby elephant and a barrel of water and peanuts in the back.

Yeah, I think that should do

 

[BannedByTMC]

They get same 5mpg run time and distance.

A Ford F150 will do over 500 miles with the standard tank when not towing. Even if cut in half when towing that's 250 miles. Not the same.

 

[TruckGenio]

So I towed a 20 foot trailer to pick up some roll up doors for a project I’m building. The entire trip including pickup and drop off at final destination is about 80 miles each way.

let me put this way. I am never going to do this again in the cybertruck. The range is literally half!

Averaging 856 WH/Mi!

I arrived at the supercharger station (my 3rd stop during that trip) with 0%.

Still love the truck though! ?

Seems to be useless for towing

 

[GetAHobby]

Yeah.

This is something that affects all vehicles, tho. It's amazing how much a little aero will do: Tucking on my motorcycle will give me 5mph for the same power as sitting up at 50mph.

Just, when you can just fill the tank in minutes, who checks how much that trailer is guzzling?

-Crissa

This is what I am starting to learn...I went from a 2500 diesel to the Cybertruck. I pull a pop-up camper and a wakeboat locally. I anticipated the camper having more range than the boat since it is approximately 2k pounds lighter. The opposite was true...with the boat covered my numbers were better (unfortunately I didn't save any info from what I have pulled so far).

I could see an aftermarket for fairings that improve airflow on whatever you are pulling. In some instances that could have a bigger positive effect that more battery density.

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