Engineering Explained: F-150 better than Cybertruck for towing duty (over distance)

[CarsBarsMars]

I don’t see how a large travel trailer and a CT are practical at all. Imho we would spend as much screwing around with expensive solutions in trailers to simply buy a used tow vehicle like a 2000’s full size. I’ve been thru trying to engineer a “perfect” solution so many times I shudder at the thought of how many tens of thousands I’ll have in my “perfect” trailer setup for a CT.

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[cyberhunter]

If you are talking about a 10k to 14k lbs travel trailer, I feel it would be out of my comfort zone to use the CT often for something like that for concerns about range. I don't tow that heavy ever with my current 3/4 ton so it's not an issue for me. For my purposes, I'm looking to pull a 16' low boy utility trailer with a side by side UTV and / or hunting gear, deer feed, etc on it. Most of the time that would be 6k lbs or less. Other times I would want to pull my duck boat, which is even less weight. With my current 3/4 ton truck I get about 70% of the mpg when pulling the trailer in the pic vs. not towing. If that translates to about 50 to 60% range for the CT, then I'll be golden...250 miles to 300 miles for the trimotor gets me anywhere I'd want to drive in a day without stopping to charge. On the one off occasion where I want to tow long distance in a single day, I would plan the trip to have a supercharger in the route and make lunch of the stop. If the self driving features for highway use are allowed while towing, that would be such a nice trip. I'd be way less road weary after the drive.

 

[ldjessee]

Even if not FSD, I am hoping the cruise control that keeps its distance from the cars in front will be a huge relief.

 

[cyberhunter]

Even if not FSD, I am hoping the cruise control that keeps its distance from the cars in front will be a huge relief.

That's what I was referring to. The highway autopilot I'm hoping will do at the very least single lane tracking and adaptive cruise control. I don't expect when trailering that the CT will be able to handle lane changes, merges, etc. I just want to get in the center lane and set the speed and it will go. What would be even better would be if on curvy two lane highways it could do all that and adjust speed to compensate for curves that need the truck to slow down. If the CT could do that, talk about worth every penny for any trip more than 50 miles.

 

[ldjessee]

If Tesla ever runs out of EVs to make, I am sure that if they get the Tesla Semi pulling different sized trailers and such, then having software able to handle FSD and towing for the CyberTruck should be possible.

 

[Cybr on]

That's what I was referring to. The highway autopilot I'm hoping will do at the very least single lane tracking and adaptive cruise control. I don't expect when trailering that the CT will be able to handle lane changes, merges, etc. I just want to get in the center lane and set the speed and it will go. What would be even better would be if on curvy two lane highways it could do all that and adjust speed to compensate for curves that need the truck to slow down. If the CT could do that, talk about worth every penny for any trip more than 50 miles.

It will be worth every penny. And..... I also believe will slow on approach to curves and accelerate out back to set speed.

 

[Owner13669]

Since you got me started on this there are more modest "green" trailers that use lightweight materials throughout and are aerodynamically shaped such as the f2114 (https://safaricondo.com/en/caravanes-alto/) which weighs 2356 lbs. Using the same formulas as I did for the huge trailer I estimate level towing range of 344 miles and 1% grade range of 272 mi. These are certainly more appealing numbers even when reduced by 20% (275 and 218 miles).

The safari condo a2124 was designed with electric vehicles in mind. (They claim 47% less drag) I would expect slightly higher numbers from that one. That being said, thanks for your take on the numbers for this. https://safaricondo.com/en/caravanes-alto/

 

[rr6013]

RAM will be in contact with you shortly. You’re about to be featured on its truck TV series of advertisements. LOL RAM diesel, no downtime, no labor sunk charging cost leaves a high bar.

CT used as a shag truck grabbing trailers around jobsite to jobsite SC becomes easier in DEN vicinity except downtime sunk cost and labor ain’t free.

DEN hills 14000# no problem. A genset on a custom trailer could charge enroute if Tesla supports active V2V charging, but adds $35k. Use case $30k amortised could pencil away sunk labor costs if only the one trailer.

14000# is 1 ton+ truck territory in commercial use. CT would pull 14000#. I have serious reservations its consumables brake, tires and bearings are commercial service rated.

 

[Wpsinc]

This is beyond my elementary physics understanding, but here's an engineer's perspective of towing with an EV pickup versus an ICE pickup. Seems like the conclusion is that an ICE pickup has a range advantage even though it's less efficient at towing compared to an EV. But the gap will get closer as battery capacity in EVs go up.

You should account for the fact that fewer manufacturers will even produce ICE vehicles after 2035 and that environmental regulation will soon phase gas out of existence.

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