Vertical load limit vs. tongue weight limit

[DeadSetElectric]

I have asked this question on Facebook. I have tweeted Wes Merrill. There was an article written about my concerns and I am still not any closer to an answer.

This is directly from Tesla website. Cybertruck can only support 160lbs vertical load on the hitch before causing damage.

What’s interesting is Cybertruck shares the same load limits as the model Y. Was Tesla just lazy and copy/paste the same limits? Or is it really this low?

Most manufacturers don’t distinguish between vertical load and tongue weight limits. Usually tongue weight limit is 10% of towing capacity. So an F150 has about 700-1000lbs tongue weight limit.

160lbs is nothing on the hitch. Is this true? Why is Tesla the only manufacturer to differentiate vertical load limit and tongue weight limit?

Article for reference: https://www.torquenews.com/11826/te...rtical-loads-model-y-no-more-160-lbs-or-2/amp

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[DeadSetElectric]

And before I get attacked, this is the reason I’d like to know.

 

[GFleck]

Valid question for that use case

 

[Woodrick]

And before I get attacked, this is the reason I’d like to know.

Yes, loads like this are what the vertical load limitation applies to.
That looks like the wheel carrier is quite a ways out from the vehicle and the moment created by what looks like a hefty bike is pretty large.

Now drive down the street and hit a bump, the moment on the hitch may surpass 1,000 pounds.

There's another thread on this subject.

Here's an example, get a gallon of milk and hold it in your hand, now raise your arm straight out.

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Definitely understand the concept but 160lbs limit on a “bullet proof” truck? Really?

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Valid question for that use case

lol the amount of hate I’ve gotten just asking this question is wild

 

[firsttruck]

I have asked this question on Facebook. I have tweeted Wes Merrill. There was an article written about my concerns and I am still not any closer to an answer.

This is directly from Tesla website. Cybertruck can only support 160lbs vertical load on the hitch before causing damage.
....

160lbs is nothing on the hitch. Is this true?
Why is Tesla the only manufacturer to differentiate vertical load limit and tongue weight limit?

I agree 160lbs for cargo/ bike carrier is way too low.

But Tesla is NOT only vehicle manufacturer that specifies a different maximum
weight for hitch mounted cargo/bike/mobility carriers than what is specified for trailer tongue weight.

Some vehicle manufacturers say cargo/bike/mobility carrier weight + load in carrier should NOT exceed 50% of vehicle's maximum tongue weight limit. (See many GMC/Chevrolet/Cadillac vehicle manuals).

Toyota claims some of it vehicles (including vans, SUVs) can support hitch mounted cargo carrier / bike carrier / mobility scooter / motorcycle carrier loads limits from 350lbs to some as high as 800lbs.



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2022 Chevrolat Silverado 1500 ( pickup truck )
https://www.chevrolet.com/support/vehicle/manuals-guides

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

....
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest hitch extension available to position the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, choose a carrier that positions the load as close to the vehicle as possible.

Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, is no more than half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

------------------------------------------

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban 1500 Owner's Manual
https://experience.gm.com/ownercent...21-chevrolet-tahoe-suburban-owners-manual.pdf

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

....
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest hitch extension available to position the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, choose a carrier that positions the load as close to the vehicle as possible.

Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, is no more than half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

------------------------------------------

2024 Cadillac XT6 SUV
https://www.cadillac.com/bypass/pcf...CAD_XT6_OM_en_US_U_86805472B_2023SEP22_2P.pdf

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

....
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest hitch extension available to position the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, choose a carrier that positions the load as close to the vehicle as possible.

Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, is no more than half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

------------------------------------------

Toyota Mobility Solutions - Hitch Load Guidelines
https://stage-cdn.tm.aemsites.toyota.com/hitch-load-guidelines

Mobility equipment dealers offer scooter and hitch load wheelchair carriers designed to mount on tow hitches. Although towing hitches are designed to carry and pull items, vehicles have limitations on the load that can be applied to the hitch.

Maximum Tongue Weight is the maximum amount of weight that can be applied vertically to a tow hitch. Mobility equipment that mounts to a tow hitch applies weight vertically to the hitch. In general, the maximum tongue weight is calculated as 10% of the vehicle's towing capacity rating. The towing capacity values for Toyota vehicles are based on using a genuine Toyota towing hitch and can be found in the Toyota Owner's Manual.

Confirm the weight of the mobility equipment being installed. Ask the mobility equipment dealer for product weight information for both carrier and scooter. The total weight of the equipment should not exceed the maximum tongue weight of the vehicle.

.....
Maximum
Tongue
Weight Vehicle model

500 lbs Highlander ( SUV ) with 3.5L V6 Engine
350 lbs Highlander ( SUV ) Hybrid
500 lbs 4Runner ( SUV ) All
700 lbs Sequoia ( SUV ) All, depending on models*
810 lbs Land Cruiser ( SUV ) All

385 lbs Sienna ( van ) All (with Towing Package)

350 lbs Tundra ( pickup truck ) AWD


------------------------------------------


Boss Truck Accessories - Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier -Instruction manual
https://www.discountramps.com/images/art/04100 Boss-instructions.pdf


* Do not overload. Maximum capacity is 350 lbs. on a hitch receiver with maximum tongue weight rating of 500 lbs. Maximum capacity is 400 lbs. on a hitch receiver with maximum tongue weight rating of 750 lbs. See chart below

Do not exceed the tongue weight limit for your vehicle or the tongue weight limit for your hitch receiver.
These may be two different figures. It is your responsibility to ensure that your hitch receiver tongue weight limit is equal to or less than the limit for the vehicle. This should have been determined at the time the hitch receiver was installed.

To determine the maximum weight capacity of your Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier, see the chart below:

------------------------------------------

 

[CyberGus]

lol the amount of hate I’ve gotten just asking this question is wild

Maybe it's because you impugned the Cybertruck by calling it a Cyber "Truck"

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Maybe it's because you impugned the Cybertruck by calling it a Cyber "Truck"

lol the hate has been from the “cyber” owners, not “truck” owners

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Tesla is NOT only vehicle manufacturer that specifies a different maximum
weight for hitch mounted cargo/bike/mobility carriers than what is specified for trailer tongue weight.

Some vehicle manufacturers say cargo/bike/mobility carrier weight + load in carrier should NOT exceed 50% of vehicle's maximum tongue weight limit. (See many GMC/Chevrolet/Cadillac vehicle manuals).

Toyota claims some of it vehicles (including vans, SUVs) can support hitch mounted cargo carrier / bike carrier / mobility scooter / motorcycle carrier loads limits from 350lbs to some as high as 800lbs.


------------------------------------------

2021 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban 1500 Owner's Manual
https://experience.gm.com/ownercent...21-chevrolet-tahoe-suburban-owners-manual.pdf

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

....
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest hitch extension available to position the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, choose a carrier that positions the load as close to the vehicle as possible.

Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, is no more than half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

------------------------------------------

2024 Cadillac XT6 SUV
https://www.cadillac.com/bypass/pcf...CAD_XT6_OM_en_US_U_86805472B_2023SEP22_2P.pdf

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

....
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest hitch extension available to position the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This will help reduce the effect of the trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and the rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, choose a carrier that positions the load as close to the vehicle as possible.

Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, is no more than half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

------------------------------------------

Toyota Mobility Solutions - Hitch Load Guidelines
https://stage-cdn.tm.aemsites.toyota.com/hitch-load-guidelines

Mobility equipment dealers offer scooter and hitch load wheelchair carriers designed to mount on tow hitches. Although towing hitches are designed to carry and pull items, vehicles have limitations on the load that can be applied to the hitch.

Maximum Tongue Weight is the maximum amount of weight that can be applied vertically to a tow hitch. Mobility equipment that mounts to a tow hitch applies weight vertically to the hitch. In general, the maximum tongue weight is calculated as 10% of the vehicle's towing capacity rating. The towing capacity values for Toyota vehicles are based on using a genuine Toyota towing hitch and can be found in the Toyota Owner's Manual.

Confirm the weight of the mobility equipment being installed. Ask the mobility equipment dealer for product weight information for both carrier and scooter. The total weight of the equipment should not exceed the maximum tongue weight of the vehicle.

.....
Maximum
Tongue
Weight Vehicle model

500 lbs Highlander ( SUV ) with 3.5L V6 Engine
350 lbs Highlander ( SUV ) Hybrid
500 lbs 4Runner ( SUV ) All
700 lbs Sequoia ( SUV ) All, depending on models*
810 lbs Land Cruiser ( SUV ) All

385 lbs Sienna ( van ) All (with Towing Package)

350 lbs Tundra ( pickup truck ) AWD


------------------------------------------


Boss Truck Accessories - Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier -Instruction manual
https://www.discountramps.com/images/art/04100 Boss-instructions.pdf


* Do not overload. Maximum capacity is 350 lbs. on a hitch receiver with maximum tongue weight rating of 500 lbs. Maximum capacity is 400 lbs. on a hitch receiver with maximum tongue weight rating of 750 lbs. See chart below

Do not exceed the tongue weight limit for your vehicle or the tongue weight limit for your hitch receiver.
These may be two different figures. It is your responsibility to ensure that your hitch receiver tongue weight limit is equal to or less than the limit for the vehicle. This should have been determined at the time the hitch receiver was installed.

To determine the maximum weight capacity of your Hitch Mounted Motorcycle Carrier, see the chart below:

------------------------------------------

So we’re saying cybertruck has the lowest limit out of all you mentioned?

 

[Woodrick]

Definitely understand the concept but 160lbs limit on a “bullet proof” truck? Really?

What does bulletproof have to do with hitch capacity?

In general, most bulletproof vehicles have reduced capacities from their non-bulletproof equivalents, because the armor weighs a lot.

Just put the bike in the bed!

 

[DeadSetElectric]

What does bulletproof have to do with hitch capacity?

In general, most bulletproof vehicles have reduced capacities from their non-bulletproof equivalents, because the armor weighs a lot.

Just put the bike in the bed!

lol we’re just making excuses now on a limitation. If we are truly limited to 160lbs because of the limitations of aluminum vs steel then I think that’s important to know. Simple question. It didn’t make sense to me it shares the same limit as model y and is considered a “truck”

 

[Spacenoddle]

I really don't think there should have the difference between vertical weight limit and tougue weight limit from the basic physics standpoint.

 

[Woodrick]

I really don't think there should have the difference between vertical weight limit and tougue weight limit from the basic physics standpoint.

It's the moments, a very basic physics issue.
Classically explained as Archimedes said "Give me a lever long enough and I can move the earth."

100 lbs at 1 ft from the attachment point it 100 ft-lbs of force.
100 lbs at 2 ft is 200 lbs.
The center of gravity of the bike is probably 3 ft from the fulcrum and is 300 lbs.

Go over a bump and then dynamics kick in and the load goes much higher.

 

[Kahpernicus]

Best I can figure is that Tesla had a choice to make on the safety vs function of the tow hitch compared to a frame truck.

The setup on the CT has a crumple zone in the rear which inherently makes its "weaker" compared to a truck with a rigid rear.

Most tow hitches on pickups actually reinforce the frame further.

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