The Tesla Cybertruck has been dissected from the moment the carmaker handed over the first ten vehicles to their respective owners. To prove the towing capacity to potential customers, Tesla performed the absolute pull test.
They took a Tesla Cybertruck, a Ford F-150 Lighting, a Rivian R1T, but also a diesel-powered Ford F-350 to the track and coupled a self-propelled tractor pulling sled to each of them. The sled they have to pull weighs about 35,000 pounds (15,876 kilograms). As the bo slides forward, the weight increases and eventually stops the pickup truck pulling the assembly.
The first to go was the dual-motor, all-wheel drive Ford F-150 Lightning, with 462 horsepower (468 PS) and 775 lb-ft (1,050 Nm). It sports a curb weight of 6,973 pounds (3,163 kilograms) and a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds (3,855 kilograms).
The next up was Rivian's pride and glory, the R1T. For the test, Tesla went for the quad motor variant, which is actually, the only one currently available. The four motors, each mounted on a wheel, generate 835 horsepower (847 PS) and 908 lb-ft (1,231 Nm) of torque. 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms) is its towing capacity, and 256.81 feet (78.26 meters) is as far as the R1T goes pulling the sled.
Tesla brings a diesel truck into the game. The Ford F-350 SRW Diesel is powered by a V8 that delivers 475 horsepower (482 PS) and an impressive 1,050 lb-ft (1,424 Nm) of torque. The diesel Ford comes with a curb weight of 7,440 pounds (3,375 kilograms) and sports a jaw-dropping towing capacity of 21,900 pounds (9,974 kilograms). The F-350 pulls the weight as far as 262.98 feet (80.1 meters).
And then, there is the Tesla Cybertruck with a tri-motor setup, 845 horsepower (857 PS) and 10,296 lb-ft (13,960 Nm) of torque. Its towing capacity is of 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms), equal to that of the Rivian R1T, but with a curb weight of 6,850 pounds (3,107 kilograms).
The trailer is coupled to the trailer hitch of the Cybertruck, and the EV starts driving. The box slides to the load bed of the vehicle until it can’t drive anymore. But that is after 317.75 feet (96.9 meters), the longest distance covered by any of the pickup trucks in the test.
The Tesla Cybertruck has been spotted towing heavy trailers before. Back in September, the electric pickup truck was caught on the onboard camera of a Rivian R1T towing a large trailer on public roads in an attempt to test the towing capabilities of the model.
Years ago, when the pickup truck was unveiled, Tesla claimed that the Tri Motor Cybertruck could pull 14,000 pounds (6,350 kilograms), while the Quad Motor Cybertruck was able to drive with 15,000 pounds (6,804 kilograms). But figures have changed over the years, with the Tri Motor now being capable of pulling 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms).
Which pickup truck is absent from the pull test? Yes, that's right, the Hummer EV.
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