Towing - Worst Case Scenario

[Pops]

Yesterday I picked up a cargo trailer and did its maiden voyage. The trip was 253 miles. This is a huge trailer, with a huge cross section, so this is likely the worse case scenario when towing with a CT. I think wind was a factor for me on this trip, but if I take these results as typical, I would only have about a 93 mile range 100%-0%, so more conservatively I will only be doing routes in ~80mile legs max.

Conditions:

• 80°f
• I was mostly going into a decent wind for the whole trip, based on the flags and grass movement I saw
• Mostly flat, no major elevation changes
• Side mirrors removed
• OEM lightbar installed
• I tried to stay between at 55-60mph (it was harder without cruise control working)
• PSI 65 (per manual)

Cargo Trailer Stats:
Box: 24'
Total Length: 29'
Weight: ~4000lbs
Height: 10.5'
Width: 8.5'

Charging stats:
398 kWh from superchargers
$127.36

Quriks/Issues:

• Cruise Control would not work (it should per the documentation)
• Turning the CT on and off, it will not always detect a plugged in trailer, and trailer mode needs to be turned on manually (this behavior is documented in the manual)
• Visibility with the cameras is acceptable, but I am installing side and rear cameras on the trailer itself for safer results.

Sponsored

 

[mongo]

Yesterday I picked up a cargo trailer and did its maiden voyage. The trip was 253 miles. This is a huge trailer, with a huge cross section, so this is likely the worse case scenario when towing with a CT. I think wind was a factor for me on this trip, but if I take these results as typical, I would only have about a 93 mile range 100%-0%, so more conservatively I will only be doing routes in ~80mile legs max.

Conditions:

• 80°f
• I was mostly going into a decent wind for the whole trip, based on the flags and grass movement I saw
• Mostly flat, no major elevation changes
• Side mirrors removed
• OEM lightbar installed
• I tried to stay between at 55-60mph (it was harder without cruise control working)
• PSI 65 (per manual)

Cargo Trailer Stats:
Box: 24'
Total Length: 29'
Weight: ~4000lbs
Height: 10.5'

Charging stats:
398 kWh from superchargers
$127.36

Quriks/Issues:

• Cruise Control would not work (it should per the documentation)
• Turning the CT on and off, it will not always detect a plugged in trailer, and trailer mode needs to be turned on manually (this behavior is documented in the manual)
• Visibility with the cameras is acceptable, but I am installing side and rear cameras on the trailer itself for safer results.

FWIW, when going 55, a 10MPH headwind increases aero drag by 40%.

FSD will not engage in trailer mode and doesn't fall back to TACC. TACC does work in trailer mode.

Did you set Autopilot to Traffic Aware Cruise Control vs Full Self Driving (if you have it)

Or
Set Autopilot Activation to double click? (No idea if this is enabled on non-FSD CT yet, just going from manual)

 

[Pops]

Did you set Autopilot to Traffic Aware Cruise Control vs Full Self Driving (if you have it)

Or
Set Autopilot Activation to double click? (No idea if this is enabled on non-FSD CT yet, just going from manual)

Thanks for the tip. FSD was off and it was set to CC. I will confirm the Autopilot Activation to double click next time.

 

[Docedward]

Was FSD set off on purpose or by default? I thought FSD was just enabled for towing recently.

 

[Pops]

Was FSD set off on purpose or by default? I thought FSD was just enabled for towing recently.

I turned it off, after reading the manual it said it would not work while towing. I am unsure if it was changed recently, but I didnt test it.

 

[mongo]

Thanks for the tip. FSD was off and it was set to CC. I will confirm the Autopilot Activation to double click next time.

If you have FSD then there is no double option (that I could find, at least). I tested TACC with trailer mode on (no actual trailer) and it worked for me.
v12 (2025.8.7 b3685a9c344b)
FSD 13.2.8

 

[Treynor]

Did you navigate the final destination and let the app tell you where to stop/charge OR did you see yourself having to search for the nearest super charger along your route?

I towed a covered trailer ( not as heavy) but still found my suggested route / stops too close to single digit charge remaining . I stoped at each available charger to keep my range anxiety down.

 

[Pops]

Did you navigate the final destination and let the app tell you where to stop/charge OR did you see yourself having to search for the nearest super charger along your route?

I towed a covered trailer ( not as heavy) but still found my suggested route / stops too close to single digit charge remaining . I stoped at each available charger to keep my range anxiety down.

I used the built in navigation and it definitely gave me range anxiety. I got to one charger with 1% and I still had to disconnect the trailer. It was a very close call. From that point on I would over charge the recommendation. If it said I could continue my trip at 63%, I would wait an additional 10%-15% charge.

 

[Lasttoy]

I towed 7500 pounds , 3600 miles
Got about 150 miles per 300.
Cost less than $700 for trip.

 

[mongo]

I used the built in navigation and it definitely gave me range anxiety. I got to one charger with 1% and I still had to disconnect the trailer. It was a very close call. From that point on I would over charge the recommendation. If it said I could continue my trip at 63%, I would wait an additional 10%-15% charge.

With the recent software update you can increase the trailer size and weight in its profile to better match actual range.

 

[charliemagpie]

We dont have the CT in australia, you can add the trailer dimensions in the profile and it will estimate range ?

What does it say for an RV :
7000lb
26 foot length
8.1 foot width

 

[mongo]

We dont have the CT in australia, you can add the trailer dimensions in the profile and it will estimate range ?

What does it say for an RV :
7000lb
26 foot length
8.1 foot width

What height?

 

[charliemagpie]

What height?

10 feet

 

[rawk619]

Did you have to drop trailer every time to charge?

 

[Pops]

Did you have to drop trailer every time to charge?

Charged 5 times, had to drop it 2 times.

Sponsored