CyberKurt
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- Thread starter
- #1
I tested the Cybertruck with motorcycles on a trailer and in the bed. I used a highway loop about 15 miles north and south at 75 MPH on cruise control. The primary result was confirming my life experience the average American can not drive and should not have a license. Absolute disaster trying to maintain a steady speed, even with 4 lanes each direction. Actual speeds vs. limit is -15/+30 in all lanes randomly changing lanes like a video game.
I have been towing motorcycles with different trailers with my X for six years, and was interested if putting the motorcycle in the bed would improve my transport experience. My current setup is a minimal open single trailer that is light enough I can lift off hitch and lock to a cone with 2” ball in a parking spot when there is not a supercharger that can allow for trailer access (pull thru or low usage to block 3 spots). The X is a bit of a pain as I need to get on my knees or lay on the ground to disconnect the safety cables and trailer wiring. Truck benefit is those connections are presented more cleanly and can get while just leaning over.
I tested a Yamaha GTS (1000cc sport touring bike with reasonable aero) and a BMW GSA (large adventure bike with bad aero) in two configurations; with aluminum panniers, top box and extra 2” taller windscreen (in low position), and with panniers off and windscreen in a folder aero position. I was going to remove the windscreen but was missing a tool during the test run. Both bikes are 600 lbs. Dual motor foundation series, front aero shields removed as I had been off roading and not put back on yet. Between 81-88F for all tests over a few different days.
I changed the tow receiver to a forged 2” drop from slight rise used on the X, the forged adds 1” from pin to ball so a bit more clearance from the tailgate to the motorcycle tire and there are no tongue weight concerns with the truck vs. the hidden hitch on the X.
I purchased a single ramp to get the bike in the bed for this testing, and just did S&M level of tie downs as I did not have a wheel chock in the bed. Worked fine for this test. Overall the load and unload was as sketchy as all the YouTube videos lead me to expect, and I nearly had a disaster on unload. If I was to haul in the bed regularly I would buy a slide rail system (https://ultimatepowerramp.com/) and eliminate all the risk. Light motocross bikes seem more appropriate to use a ramp, and I would be comfortable to routinely tie down those without wheel chocks.
Here is the summary table of results.
In general all the results align with logic, I was hoping there would be a better improvement with the bike in the bed. The ~5% extra savings in the bed is likely not worth giving up all that storage space. I could certainly do it on a solo trip, but that would not work on a family trip where I also brought a bike. It is worth the 5 minutes to take the accessories off the big bike to improve aero and gain ~5%, and there is plenty of room in the vault to store everything. I definitely preferred driving the truck with the bike in the bed vs. on a trailer, with the exception of no rear view camera as you view pavement with the tailgate down. I have the rear view mirror removed and would likely need to put it back on if that was the path forward, although the view is amusing and not particularly helpful. While the truck tows perfectly, it is nice not to have to worry about the trailer in traffic.
Overall I was surprised to see the control test at 295 miles or range at 75 MPH, I have never driven that slow for a cross country leg. I do get about 50 miles further in the truck vs. my 2018 X in travel segments as I have now done similar >1,000 mile trip routes to compare. The charge rate also keeps stops to under 30 minutes vs. more stops at 45 minutes in the X.
I have 10k miles on the truck in 3 months, and with many supercharge visits, I think it probably better to have the trailer and be able to drop it rather than not be able to reach the V3 chargers with the bed down. Around the midwest and southeast about a third of the time I would have needed to drop the trailer or wait with the tailgate down for a particular charger stall.
One last observation was the rear wheel steer is super helpful for backing up a trailer. I don't tow enough to stay proficient at backing up a trailer, especially with my 90 degree city driveway entry (always with a car parked directly across from driveway) and long narrow drive to get to a garage behind the house. With the rear steer I was able to do it one shot without the several pull forward and get back on line maneuvers! I was not expecting that benefit.
I have been towing motorcycles with different trailers with my X for six years, and was interested if putting the motorcycle in the bed would improve my transport experience. My current setup is a minimal open single trailer that is light enough I can lift off hitch and lock to a cone with 2” ball in a parking spot when there is not a supercharger that can allow for trailer access (pull thru or low usage to block 3 spots). The X is a bit of a pain as I need to get on my knees or lay on the ground to disconnect the safety cables and trailer wiring. Truck benefit is those connections are presented more cleanly and can get while just leaning over.
I tested a Yamaha GTS (1000cc sport touring bike with reasonable aero) and a BMW GSA (large adventure bike with bad aero) in two configurations; with aluminum panniers, top box and extra 2” taller windscreen (in low position), and with panniers off and windscreen in a folder aero position. I was going to remove the windscreen but was missing a tool during the test run. Both bikes are 600 lbs. Dual motor foundation series, front aero shields removed as I had been off roading and not put back on yet. Between 81-88F for all tests over a few different days.
I changed the tow receiver to a forged 2” drop from slight rise used on the X, the forged adds 1” from pin to ball so a bit more clearance from the tailgate to the motorcycle tire and there are no tongue weight concerns with the truck vs. the hidden hitch on the X.
I purchased a single ramp to get the bike in the bed for this testing, and just did S&M level of tie downs as I did not have a wheel chock in the bed. Worked fine for this test. Overall the load and unload was as sketchy as all the YouTube videos lead me to expect, and I nearly had a disaster on unload. If I was to haul in the bed regularly I would buy a slide rail system (https://ultimatepowerramp.com/) and eliminate all the risk. Light motocross bikes seem more appropriate to use a ramp, and I would be comfortable to routinely tie down those without wheel chocks.
Here is the summary table of results.
In general all the results align with logic, I was hoping there would be a better improvement with the bike in the bed. The ~5% extra savings in the bed is likely not worth giving up all that storage space. I could certainly do it on a solo trip, but that would not work on a family trip where I also brought a bike. It is worth the 5 minutes to take the accessories off the big bike to improve aero and gain ~5%, and there is plenty of room in the vault to store everything. I definitely preferred driving the truck with the bike in the bed vs. on a trailer, with the exception of no rear view camera as you view pavement with the tailgate down. I have the rear view mirror removed and would likely need to put it back on if that was the path forward, although the view is amusing and not particularly helpful. While the truck tows perfectly, it is nice not to have to worry about the trailer in traffic.
Overall I was surprised to see the control test at 295 miles or range at 75 MPH, I have never driven that slow for a cross country leg. I do get about 50 miles further in the truck vs. my 2018 X in travel segments as I have now done similar >1,000 mile trip routes to compare. The charge rate also keeps stops to under 30 minutes vs. more stops at 45 minutes in the X.
I have 10k miles on the truck in 3 months, and with many supercharge visits, I think it probably better to have the trailer and be able to drop it rather than not be able to reach the V3 chargers with the bed down. Around the midwest and southeast about a third of the time I would have needed to drop the trailer or wait with the tailgate down for a particular charger stall.
One last observation was the rear wheel steer is super helpful for backing up a trailer. I don't tow enough to stay proficient at backing up a trailer, especially with my 90 degree city driveway entry (always with a car parked directly across from driveway) and long narrow drive to get to a garage behind the house. With the rear steer I was able to do it one shot without the several pull forward and get back on line maneuvers! I was not expecting that benefit.
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