Vertical load limit vs. tongue weight limit

[DeadSetElectric]

That's a shame. I guess we will need to develop an upgraded hitch system to hold more weight for these types of applications.

Tell me where to enter my cc information lol

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[mongo]

That's a shame. I guess we will need to develop an upgraded hitch system to hold more weight for these types of applications.

That assumes the hitch receiver is the weak point. (Unless you are going with a full subframe to different hard points)

FWIW, the manual states what the test criteria were, it doesn't give any indication of where the actual limits are.

 

[CybertruckCovers]

That assumes the hitch receiver is the weak point. (Unless you are going with a full subframe to different hard points)

FWIW, the manual states what the test criteria were, it doesn't give any indication of where the actual limits are.

The best solution would be to have an engineer look at how and where the hitch connects to the frame and determine if any structural reinforcements can be made.

 

[BannedByTMC]

The plan has always been range extender + space camper + electric dirt bike on the hitch. Now it looks like I can’t put the bike on the hitch so I could either get a trailer and waste half my range

A small trailer, ideally enclosed, narrow, and aerodynamic, shouldn't impact your range that much. Or a small flatbed trailer with the bike on it's side and an aerodynamic cover over it.

Just having the bike mounted the way you do will disrupt airflow and reduce range to some degree.

 

[Kahpernicus]

Neat note from the UP bumper

With the steel UP INVINCIBLE® HD Rear Bumper, you can now lift an entire Cybertruck up from the rear bumper, a feat just not possible with the factory plastic bumper and trailer hitch.

 

[Woodrick]

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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:


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This picture shows a great concern. Let's say the wheelchair weighs 100 pounds (probably more though).
If it was directly sitting on the hitch, it would present a vertical load of 100 pounds,
But in the picture, it's center is nearly 3 feet out with a carrier that I'll just ignore right now. At three feet out, it now has a vertical moment of 300 ft-lbs. At 10 feet it has a vertical moment of 1000 ft-lbs.

Now bounce that over a speed bump. On the way down, I think that it's easy to understand that the weight decreases, by how much depends on the effective force and assuming 1 G, that means that the weight goes to 0 on the hitch.
But ow going up that speed bump, assuming the same forces, that car, which has a vertical moment of 300 ft-lbs, now becomes 600 ft-lbs.

It all comes back to the simple experiment of holding a gallon of milk next to your torso, how long can you hold it. Now hold it at arm's length, how long can you hold it.

When you hitch a trailer, the car is only carrying it about at the end of the hitch, even a speed bump doesn't increase it that much. The weight of the trailer is on the trailer's wheels, not the hitch.

 

[mongo]

The weight of the trailer is on the trailer's wheels, not the hitch.

Don't forget inertia (rotational and otherwise). Even with zero tongue weight, the trailer is going to resist vertical hitch acceleration.

 

[dantodd]

The best solution would be to have an engineer look at how and where the hitch connects to the frame and determine if any structural reinforcements can be made.

Isn't that what Munro is supposed to do? Might be interesting to hear his take on this

 

[DeadSetElectric]

We did it. Tesla will be updating the user manual to the correct vertical load limit. It will be more than double what it currently says. Thanks to all that questioned this. And to the ones that downplayed our concerns, you were wrong. I’m stoked to finally put this to rest.

 

[CybertruckCovers]

We did it. Tesla will be updating the user manual to the correct vertical load limit. It will be more than double what it currently says. Thanks to all that questioned this. And to the ones that downplayed our concerns, you were wrong. I’m stoked to finally put this to rest.

Is this really true? I sure hope so! That load limit would really foul up my outdoor recreation plans. I’m dealing with 188 lbs total with my e-bike and Kuat rack setup.

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Is this really true? I sure hope so! That load limit would really foul up my outdoor recreation plans. I’m dealing with 188 lbs total with my e-bike and Kuat rack setup.

You would be surprised at how many hate comments I got (mostly on FB) for raising this concern. This is something I’ve been trying to chase down for months and yes I finally got confirmation the owners manual will be updated to the correct number. Your setup will be exactly half of what it’s rated for. Big win for truck owners.

 

[CybertruckCovers]

You would be surprised at how many hate comments I got (mostly on FB) for raising this concern. This is something I’ve been trying to chase down for months and yes I finally got confirmation the owners manual will be updated to the correct number. Your setup will be exactly half of what it’s rated for. Big win for truck owners.

You won’t be getting any hate from me! Thank you so much for getting those corrections made! I can’t wait to take my truck to the bike trail!

 

[ED2016]

Here is another idea if you are ready to modify your truck and not to worry about hitch warranty etc... by welding two additional 2" mounting points where better distribute the load to both sides connection points to main body rather than just single point in center - this will further stablize and increase 160Lbs rated load weight limit safely ... however you may need to also customize your bike rack as well with two/three connection points - See red marks for additional 2" receiver to be welded - also if you ok with 3-4 inches sticking out of plastic bumper...

 

[ThatGuyBo]

You would be surprised at how many hate comments I got (mostly on FB) for raising this concern. This is something I’ve been trying to chase down for months and yes I finally got confirmation the owners manual will be updated to the correct number. Your setup will be exactly half of what it’s rated for. Big win for truck owners.

Appreciate you putting in the time and effort to get this answered and corrected.

 

[DeadSetElectric]

Appreciate you putting in the time and effort to get this answered and corrected.

I’ll admit I did it because I needed to know for my own setup, but glad the community can benefit as well

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