Towing with a Tesla

[GaryB]

Just seen this on Facebook, looks like battery range is the least of your worries…..

 

[RogerL]

Wow! That looks like the rear crash structure has separated from the main bodyshell.

 

[GaryB]

Yep, it’s a dramatic structural failure for sure!

 

[otherclive]

Sent the photos to my grandson who has just had his new Tesla a couple of days. Caravan must have had good handbrake with movers engaged when the driver nailed it.

 

[Mel]

This must also mean that…………….
The caravan was well built 😲
mel

 

[Mr Plodd]

Apparently, according to a pal who has one, they are only rated to tow 750kg.
Wonder what the trailer in the picture weighs? There IS a handbrake lever, so it's clearly braked ! .

 

[GaryB]

This one appears to be a model Y which has a 3500lbs/1600kg limit. Looking at the damage it must have been towing a house!

 

[ProfJohnL]

This must also mean that…………….
The caravan was well built 😲
mel

If the caravan didn't move, then pulling force from the car only goes through chassis of the caravan, it may not stress the caravan body. so it only proves the chassis was well built.

 

[GaryB]

I’m not sure how they’re constructed but whatever jointing technique they use it’s clearly not been done well here or it’s fatigued through work hardening or such. I think they’re an aluminium monocoque?

 

[Mel]

If the caravan didn't move, then pulling force from the car only goes through chassis of the caravan, it may not stress the caravan body. so it only proves the chassis was well built.

Well, at least some part of it was well built. Still 😲
mel

 

[Beachball]

it just pity we cannot see what caravan he was pulling all the rear crash structure separate from car .

 

[otherclive]

Our grandsons Tesla is a Model Y AWD Long Range and the braked towing weight is
1600 kg. He has no plans to tow😂 But he’s planning camping next year.

Model Y Camping Tent - Tesloid Canada

Tesloid's Model Y Camping Tent fits to the Model Y's tail space. Set up a camping post around your Model Y.

tesloid.ca

 

[GaryB]

The towing limits seem to be based around US “trailer hitch” class limits. 2000lbs (900kgs) class 1 and 3500lbs (1600kgs) class 2.

I was bored last night so searched high & low for more information on the one that failed in the picture but drew a blank.

 

[Tobes]

Concensus from the internet was that this was either a DIY or poor aftermarket hitch designed for a bike carrier, not to tow, and was attached to the bumper, not the unibody structure. Its not a Model Y (which has a hatch not a boot) and could be 3 or an S which has no tow rating at all.

https://www.reddit.com/r/RealTesla/comments/16eiigo

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/RealTesla/comments/16eiigo/when_towing_a_caravan_doesnt_go_as_planned/?rdt=44802

 

[GaryB]

Model S has a 1000kg limit which looks to be the model here. It’d be interesting to know exactly what they were pulling,

 

[Raywood]

My feeling is the tow bar was fitted incorrectly, but if the caravan did not move it might also be its handbrake was on, although that should not have caused the damage.

 

[otherclive]

My feeling is the tow bar was fitted incorrectly, but if the caravan did not move it might also be its handbrake was on, although that should not have caused the damage.

It’s movers might have been engaged.

 

[toad a caravan]

This must also mean that…………….
The caravan was well built 😲
mel

 

[toad a caravan]

With all that leccy about a it's a wonder it's not a static caravan now..trulyly shocking

 

[otherclive]

Had a look inside my grandsons new Tesla Dual Motor. The car is black and to my eye not an attractive shape. It would suit a 155mm turret. Inside it’s all leather but black except for a strip resembling faux birch across the dash. Nicely made but not a particularly nice place to be. Whereas Volvos, RR or Jaguars have a much nicer interior design.

 

[Dustydog]

Had a look inside my grandsons new Tesla Dual Motor. The car is black and to my eye not an attractive shape. It would suit a 155mm turret. Inside it’s all leather but black except for a strip resembling faux birch across the dash. Nicely made but not a particularly nice place to be. Whereas Volvos, RR or Jaguars have a much nicer interior design.

I agree , very automaton, AI, dull and uninspiring looks. Now the curves on my Austin A35 van were legendary😉

 

[trevormonty]

I agree , very automaton, AI, dull and uninspiring looks. Now the curves on my Austin A35 van were legendary😉

My mum had one of these. Quite capable tow vehicle assuming you didn't want to tow anything heavier than a bike. Route couldn't contain any hills and best done with good tail wind and fit cyclist.

 

[Tobes]

Had a look inside my grandsons new Tesla Dual Motor. The car is black and to my eye not an attractive shape. It would suit a 155mm turret. Inside it’s all leather but black except for a strip resembling faux birch across the dash. Nicely made but not a particularly nice place to be. Whereas Volvos, RR or Jaguars have a much nicer interior design.

They are quite "marmite" cars. I don't like the lack of the driver display on the model 3 and model Y, but Volvo are doing that with the EX30 too. I am also not a fan of the outside. BUT if it were a choice for me between a Tesla Y or going back to a combustion engine, it would be an easy choice. I would take pretty much any EV over a combustion car now. And that also gives me pause for thought. If my choice were between an ICE that could tow the caravan, and an EV that couldn't meaning I would have to give up the caravan, I am not sure I would take the ICE just to keep the caravan...

 

[otherclive]

They are quite "marmite" cars. I don't like the lack of the driver display on the model 3 and model Y, but Volvo are doing that with the EX30 too. I am also not a fan of the outside. BUT if it were a choice for me between a Tesla Y or going back to a combustion engine, it would be an easy choice. I would take pretty much any EV over a combustion car now. And that also gives me pause for thought. If my choice were between an ICE that could tow the caravan, and an EV that couldn't meaning I would have to give up the caravan, I am not sure I would take the ICE just to keep the caravan...

Not denying they are good cars but the external and internal aesthetics don’t do anything for me. But if offered one as the company chariot I would say “ yes please”