TESLA all electric for towing...

[ultrarunner]

Saw a Tesla electric towing two jet skis this morning...

Did a quick internet search I found this picture of a factory Tesla in San Francisco with a tow setup.

Model X will have excellent towing capability. Despite photo, Model S will not offer option

And found this online video for hitch install with links for Nissan and Tesla.

Yes, Teslas Can Tow: Model S Trailer Hitch Installation (Video)

Despite opinions pro and con... Tesla has been a tremendous boon to the local economy and has brought back all the jobs lost and more when the joint GM/Toyota plant closed in Fremont in 2010.

When GM/Toyota closed the plant 4,700 jobs went with it... Tesla will soon have 6,500 in it's California workforce and it I can see expansion activity every time I drive by the plant...

Plans for the Tesla Model X SUV are also on track with factory tow package as standard....

Elon Musk... love him or not... he does seem to be able to make his visions reality and now with the Model X there will be a tow rated all electric SUV.

 

[ultrarunner]

Link to Nissan Leaf towing hitch install...

Want To Tow With Your 2012 Nissan Leaf? Now You Can

 

[sld]

I have a buddy that just drove the Tesla sports car. He said it accelerated so fast it reminded him of a carnival ride.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have a buddy that just drove the Tesla sports car. He said it accelerated so fast it reminded him of a carnival ride.

Never driven one... a few that I know say the acceleration is out of this world...

 

[Monster5601]

I wish Tesla would build an electric that I could afford, would be perfect for the wife's typical daily commute. Vehicle would need to be in the low 30K range.

 

[ultrarunner]

They say an affordable model is coming... don't think it will hit the 30k mark... some reports say mid 30's...

 

[sklunk]

Towing with an electric drivetrain actually makes sense. Electric motors develop more low-end torque than equivalent gas motors, and we all know torque is better for getting heavy loads moving.

I wouldn't be concerned about the electric drivetrain, I'll be worried about the chassis it's mounted in ...

 

[fordmantpw]

I wish Tesla would build an electric that I could afford, would be perfect for the wife's typical daily commute. Vehicle would need to be in the low 30K range.

Try the Ford Fusion Hybrid Energi. Electric range, and when the electric runs out, it switches over to gas.

 

[ttriff]

We tow a 1500lb rated utility trailer with our Toyota Highlander hybrid. It does a great job particularly at higher altitudes where it's not handicapped by the lower amount of available O2.

The only downside is the CV transmission. Since it lacks multiple forward gear choices (Drive (D) only) it's impossible to drop down to a lower gear when descending a steep hill.

 

[cqaigy2]

The CV on my car can be shifted to a lower gear. I shift down when going down a long grade, to save on the brakes. Wonder why they didn't make that available on the Highlander?

 

[ultrarunner]

If a person had an all electric with a trailer hitch they could in theory tow a battery charger behind them to extend range or more batteries...

I trailer hitch opens a world of possibilities.

 

[fordmantpw]

If a person had an all electric with a trailer hitch they could in theory tow a battery charger behind them to extend range or more batteries...

I trailer hitch opens a world of possibilities.

Why not just put it in the trunk?

Most electric cars have special chargers anyway.

 

[ultrarunner]

I was thinking one of those efficient gensets with a belly tank trailer mounted...

Something that can haul your camp gear and charge your electric to get back from the middle of nowhere...

 

[fordmantpw]

I thought that may have been where you were going, but had to be a bit of a smart aleck.

But wouldn't that negate the reason for having an electric vehicle...efficiency? That isn't going to be nearly as efficient as a regular ICE in a car. Maybe it would work in a pinch I guess.

EDIT: That makes sense after reading your second statement. Did you go back and add that because I didn't see it before I replied.

 

[BobRip]

I thought that may have been where you were going, but had to be a bit of a smart aleck.

But wouldn't that negate the reason for having an electric vehicle...efficiency? That isn't going to be nearly as efficient as a regular ICE in a car. Maybe it would work in a pinch I guess.

EDIT: That makes sense after reading your second statement. Did you go back and add that because I didn't see it before I replied.

You would not have to carry the engine around when you don't need it. This reduces energy demands.

 

[fordmantpw]

You would not have to carry the engine around when you don't need it. This reduces energy demands.

Yeah, that's why I mentioned it would work in a pinch. You wouldn't want to do it on a regular basis is what I was getting after.

 

[davrow]

If a person had an all electric with a trailer hitch they could in theory tow a battery charger behind them to extend range or more batteries...

I trailer hitch opens a world of possibilities.

Done. Over a decade ago. Rav Long Ranger

 

[flusher]

Not surprising. Electric motors generate their largest torque at startup--which is one of the reasons railroads use diesel-electric drive on their locomotives. And torque is what you need for towing heavy loads.

 

[zzvyb6]

My electric golf cart has a 2" ball on it that I use to move my trailers around the ranch with (snowmobile, boat, equipment and JLG trailer crane). However, I've also had to pull it back from the far corner of the property when there wasn't enough grunt in it to get me home.

It's perfect for this job with only one flaw: rear only brakes has some drawbacks....

 

[ultrarunner]

Here's a short video of the Model S assembly at the Fremont CA Tesla Plant.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/8_lfxPI5ObM?rel=0

The last time I visited the plant it was called NUMMI and spent the day watching Mom's Corolla being built to drive off... with much of the assembly being done the old fashioned assembly line method...