Tesla Cybertruck Tows a Tesla Model Y, Doesn't Go Very Far

A Tesla Cybertruck owner decided to tow a Model Y on a U-Haul trailer. The pickup truck is a dual-motor all-wheel-drive unit. It has 600 hp and 7,435 lb-ft of torque (not really) on tap. The brand also promises an 11,000-lb towing capacity. The manufacturer-estimated range on a full charge is 340 miles, but a recent highway range test proved it couldn't go over the 255-mile mark when traveling at around 70 mph.

The vehicle was equipped with factory Goodyear tires and charged to 100%. The outside temperature was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (lightweight sweater weather). The trailer and the Model Y weighed about 6,600 lb, which is a little over half the maximum pickup truck's towing capacity. Just the crossover SUV alone weighs around 4,400 lb. Two humans and some cameras added an extra 200 lb of weight, but that goes to the payload capacity.

The driver chose a loop-style course with a mix of urban and highway driving. The trailer was rated for a maximum speed of 55 mph, but he went over it. The highway speed was almost constantly 65 mph.

The man also drove with the tonneau cover open because the temporary tags were put on the rear windshield. If the tonneau cover is closed, rear visibility is obstructed, but the aerodynamics are better. Fret not; the Cybertruck has a camera that works pretty nicely. It doesn't lag.

Facts and figures

The trip started at 83% state of charge. The EV displayed an estimated range of 262 miles with the A/C off but the fan running.

They arrived at a Supercharger after 55 miles of driving with 52% left in the high-voltage energy storage unit. The EV consumed nearly 37 kWh, translating into an efficiency of 665 Wh (0.665 kWh) per mile.

They chose to add some electrons back into the battery and left with a 65% state of charge or a 206-mile estimated range. On the way back, the consumption increased to 832 Wh per mile. The vehicle needed 46 kWh of energy to return to the point of departure.

The Cybertruck consumed 83 kWh for the 110-mile round trip with an average efficiency of 749 Wh per mile. That's 67.48% of the total battery capacity. That result tells us that the towing range on a fully replenished energy storage unit should be around 146 miles, assuming the same open car hauler, weather conditions, occupants, open tonneau cover, and Model Y.

The problem is that charging over 80% takes a lot of time. Going from 1 to 100% at a V3 Supercharger might take around two hours, whereas stopping at 80 or 85% should leave you with one hour to spare. Keep in mind that the pickup truck's charging curve isn't very good. It only pulls electrons from the grid at 250 kW until it reaches a 25% state of charge.

Realistically, most Cybertruck drivers would be looking at a total range of 117 miles when towing 6,600 lb with an open trailer that's lighter than an enclosed one.

The bigger picture

To put that figure better into perspective, the Chevrolet Silverado EV can tow 6,500 lb for over 240 miles, and you'd still have seven miles of range left to find an electricity dispenser. Moreover, it can take full advantage of 350-kW DC fast chargers. That huge 200-kWh Ultium energy storage unit may be heavy, but it certainly is good to have.

Then, there's the pre-tax and -fees cost: $79,990. It's easily out of reach for most tradespeople. Add the $16,000 range extender that takes a third of the bed space and improves range by adding 130 miles of Tesla-measured go, and things really start looking spicy. The first few units reaching Tesla employees and buyers also incur an extra $20,000 expense.

Now, long-haul towing might not be everyone's cup of tea. But for a pickup truck made by the world's most valuable automaker, which also happens to have forced every other player's hand to invest in zero-emission rides, this outcome isn't very encouraging.

If towing is a big part of your life, you would be better off with a gas-powered crew cab pickup truck. Most of them are cheaper, and if you don't live in California, they can have lower running costs because fast charging can be quite costly. They'll also save you valuable time because refueling takes about five minutes tops.

It's not all bad

The only real advantage is that Tesla has the best high-power charging network in North America. Using the built-in trip planner can save you a lot of hassle with planning the route. But then, you deal with the truck's charging capabilities that are not… Stellar, to put it mildly. You'd also have to look for pull-through spots if you don't want to unhook the trailer or occupy several parking bays.

Given all we know about Tesla's first 800V vehicle with low-power accessories running on 48V, it's becoming clearer and clearer that the Cybertruck is a lifestyle vehicle, a test bed for what's to come. In a way, it's like Full Self-Driving Beta – you pay to become a tester of an unfinished product.

At the same time, it would be unfair to forget about two other important rivals: the Rivian R1T (135-kWh large pack battery) and Ford F-150 Lightning (143-kWh extended range battery).

The former can tow a 23-foot 6,000-lb Airstream for around 150 miles on a single charge, while the latter can cover about 110 miles with a similar trailer. They aren't much better. Plus, you can't get an OEM range extender for these two.

Still, would I buy the Cybertruck? No. But I would lease the heck out of it! It's such a cool (bullet-resisting!) thing to have in your driveway and to take your kids to school or do the weekly shopping.

Sadly, the EV maker doesn't want people to experience this pickup truck for a few years and give it back.