The YouTube channel The Quick Lane Truck is thought for pushing vehicles to their restrict. Based mostly within the Denver, CO space, the crew ceaselessly hauls massive masses throughout tough terrain. They topic a number of autos to the identical exams as a way to see the place every truck excels and the place every truck fails.
This latest comparability between the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Tremor showcases among the clear advantages of electrification when towing massive masses at gradual speeds and excessive elevations. Each vehicles shall be towing a really un-aerodynamic 10,500-lb load, maxing out the F-150 Tremor and almost reaching the Cybertruck’s max tow ranking.
Tesla Cybertruck Cyberbeast Climbing Hell’s Revenge
This $80,600 2024 Ford F-150 Tremor is powered by a 3.5 L Ecoboost that makes 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. The Ford sports activities a 10-speed computerized transmission and its turbo-charged engine ought to make it preferrred for towing at altitude.
Proper from the beginning, the F-150 was having points. As engine temps started to rise, Roman introduced up the truth that Ford is the one producer that gives asterisks with its towing capability. “If you’re speaking about towing ranking that Ford specifies, of their homeowners handbook they are saying that that you must scale back your general weight for those who’re climbing in elevation.”
It didn’t take lengthy for the F-150 to overheat on this 90°F day. Whereas climbing a 7% grade, engine coolant reached 239°F with engine oil spiking to 251°F. The automobile quickly de-rated itself, being caught in 2nd gear even with the accelerator to the floorboard. The truck started having hassle sustaining pace, dropping from 20 mph to beneath 15 mph in just some seconds.
Because the engine coolant climbed to over 250°F, the truck lastly warned the crew that the engine had overheated. At this level, Roman backed off of the accelerator to provide the truck time to chill down. “That is actually heavy. And the truck is struggling.”
Because the climb started to degree off, temperatures steadily got here down. However they weren’t out of the woods but. “It’s onerous to chill off your transmission and oil. As soon as they achieve temperature, there’s not many locations that temperature can go.”
To be able to scale back pressure, they really turned off the A/C, counting on the ventilated seats to maintain cool. Earlier than lengthy the truck began shedding traction as nicely, spinning its wheels. “I’m getting all-terrain tires slipping on this filth street.”
After manually switching to all-wheel drive, they started to strategy the height. At this level, posted pace limits dropped once more, additional lowering airflow. The truck started to de-rate itself as soon as once more as engine coolant reached 250°F.
Switching over to the Cybertruck was a a lot decrease stress expertise by comparability. The air suspension and 4-wheel steering work nice for consolation and maneuverability. It is usually good that as quickly as you plug in a 7-pin connector, the truck is aware of you might be towing and adapts accordingly. Though for those who ceaselessly tow completely different masses, the lack to save lots of pre-defined trailer settings within the Cybertruck is irritating.
They’re additionally not loopy concerning the placement of the rearview mirror cam on the middle infotainment system as an alternative of within the rearview mirror like different producers. However the number of different digicam views at their disposal could be very good to have when towing on the usually tough mountain roads of Colorado.
One other annoying issue with the Tesla is that it doesn’t allow you to monitor your temps as simply whereas towing. After the expertise with the Tremor, the crew was understandably on edge. But it surely turns on the market was no actual want to watch on the Cybertruck. The high-altitude towing proved to be easy with a succesful EV just like the Cybertruck. The automobile weight gave it good stability and the shortage of air density and gradual speeds don’t current an issue for cooling the way in which they did on the Tremor. “In comparison with the F-150 which very a lot desires air and has an enormous grill, I’m undecided that the cooling is as depending on the air flowing into the truck.”
On the highest factors of this check, the Cybertruck did seem to point out some pressure with noticeable whining from beneath the hood. However the truck didn’t situation any type of warning that it was being pushed past its limits. By the tip of the check, the battery and motor temperatures by no means received anyplace close to their most limits.
Nonetheless, to show the issue of towing in situations like this, the Cybertruck was averaging 3,351 Wh/mi, burning 24 kWh of the battery pack in beneath 8 miles. It will in fact burn via the battery fairly rapidly, however this can be a check of efficiency beneath pressure not vary. After all, due to regenerative braking, they regained an extra 11 kWh on the way in which down, utilizing 15 kWh for the entire spherical journey. “At occasions when towing with the Cybertruck, I forgot there was a trailer behind me.” Explains Roman. “It by no means detuned itself, it by no means overheated in any seen manner. So fairly impressed.”
In relation to towing, you’ve received to select the correct software for the job. So for native mountain towing like this, the Cybertruck may very well be your preferrred rig. However for those who want extra vary, different electrical vehicles just like the Chevrolet Silverado EV may be your finest guess.
“The very best vary we’ve seen towing with an EV is with the Silverado EV. It has an enormous battery.” The Silverado EV towed over 200 miles at freeway speeds with a big trailer, which bested the Cybertruck and F-150 Lightning by an enormous margin.
72 Images
