Max Trailering Question

[langenbahn]

I have a Cybertruck Foundation Edition with dual motors. It has a max towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. I recently purchased a larger boat and have some anxiety around trailering. Most of my trailering is to and from a landing which is about 8 miles from my home. However, once or twice per year we trailer to Marathon, Florida which is about 420 miles away. Fortunately, the terrain is flat in Florida but I am concerned as to whether or not I am placing too much stress on the hitch. As you can see, in the worst case scenario I might be towing 12,274 pounds. Ideally, I will trailer to Marathon at around the max weight of 11,000 pounds. Am I flirting with disaster? I know that most manufacturers build in a safety margin beyond the stated maximum capacity. Any thoughts, opinions are welcome.

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[leoaa777]

I tow similar weight, at that level the issue is not pulling but stopping. Make sure the boat is balanced on the trailer, it’s a breeze.

 

[langenbahn]

Hahahaha. Yes, I've had the same experience. Even with the trailer brakes it wants to push hard. After I took delivery I had to slide the bow cradle back about 6 inches. It helped a lot. Prior to moving, I was getting periodic "excessive rear axle weight" warnings especially when the boat was tarped after a heavy rain where water was accumulating in the bow area.

 

[langenbahn]

My real concern is whether or not I am forcing too much stress on the bolts that hold the trailer hitch to the gigacasting.

 

[henchman24]

The casting is way stronger than the rating, that would be the least of the concerns that I'd have at that weight.

 

[langenbahn]

Thanks. Any other concerns? 6,600 truck pulling 12,000 boat?

 

[EasternSP]

I would be concerned about the 420 mile trip and the available charging stations.

 

[langenbahn]

This will be my 3rd year going with the CT. Thankfully, the Sunshine State has plenty of charging stations. That being said, year 1 was a nightmare. I was attempting to tow at 70MPH and range plummitted like a rock. Since then, I tow at about 58MPH and can get about 110 miles of range on a full charge. I've located the charging stations where I can charge without having to drop the trailer first. Regardless, it is a solid 11-12 hours to the Keys with the CT. Not the correct vehicle if we were doing this more than 1-2 times per year.

 

[henchman24]

Thanks. Any other concerns? 6,600 truck pulling 12,000 boat?

Brakes and cooling. Given you're in Florida, brakes are likely less of an issue as you won't have steep grades to go down. But 12k is a lot of weight. I think the factory pads are rather weak on repeated heavy braking. Most of my towing has lots of elevation changes so my experience likely doesn't translate directly, but I get the factory pads pads hotter than they are comfortable with on an ~8k load heading down in elevation. The fluid used in the CT is a solid Dot 4 with a 265c boiling point, so unlikely that causes an issue... but could. If I towed more though, I'd look into a higher temp fluid (300+c) and I'd swap out the pads.

Cooling... the CT is fairly cold blooded for the first charge, but a 2nd while towing can get the thermals to the higher end. On especially hot days (90+) I could see some thermal throttling. Tesla likely wouldn't let you hurt anything, but it could limit power and will limit charging speed.

 

[Gigahorse]

Thanks. Any other concerns? 6,600 truck pulling 12,000 boat?

Charging. That 420mile trip is going to require leaving at 100% and likely five 60min charging stops.
If you are headed to Marathon you are going to find approximately 0 superchargers that are set up for you to handle that boat and pulling in, you are going to have to drop the trailer so find superchargers at grocery stores or malls etc so there is room for you to drop it, charge, and come back.

The current charging infrastructure is pretty terrible for those of us who tow. Look up your route ahead of time, have your passenger paying attention to charging stops, and plan on 60min+ charges about every 90 miles.

 

[mongo]

Thanks. Any other concerns? 6,600 truck pulling 12,000 boat?

Are you using a weight distributing hitch? If not, what is the locking pin to ball distance on the carrier? (curious on distance if it is WD also).

My travel trailer is less streamline and weighs around 8k (currently, max is 9k+). Running a Continuum WD hitch that restores most of the front axle load. I'm able to drive with minimal trailer braking with regen doing most of the work.

 

[sefar]

I would be concerned about the 420 mile trip and the available charging stations.

That is where I would be too. I pulled last week in freezing temps, got about 100 miles of range. Tesla chargers cost 1/3 as much as the truck stop ones but the latter had all pull through chargers where I had to drop the trailer at the Tesla ones.

 

[Ivessm]

Sure would like to see pics of everything hooked up. Wide angle and some closeups of hitch setup.

Make sure your receiver is within the weight limits of the load. Some aluminum receivers look nice and are light weight BUT are limited in the load they will bear. Some people don't catch that when they buy.

Curious also what your CT trailer settings are for your boat.

FYI when I trailer I keep the speed @ 55-60 and I'm just pulling an airstream Basecamp 20 around 4,500 lbs or a tad less. No rush, I'd rather arrive alive than the consequences.

Enjoy your CT & boat

 

[Lasttoy]

Trailing is not the question. Pulling up wet slippery ramp. That's the challenge depending on angle

 

[Lasttoy]

Oh. You will get about 150 miles per 100%
I've done it for 10k miles

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