The YouTube channel The Quick Lane Truck is understood for pushing vehicles to their restrict. Based mostly within the Denver, CO space, the staff steadily hauls giant hundreds throughout troublesome terrain. They topic a number of autos to the identical checks 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 a number of the clear advantages of electrification when towing giant hundreds at sluggish speeds and excessive elevations. Each vehicles will probably be towing a really un-aerodynamic 10,500-lb load, maxing out the F-150 Tremor and practically reaching the Cybertruck’s max tow ranking.
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 splendid for towing at altitude.
Proper from the beginning of the 8 mile climb, the F-150 was having points. As engine temps started to rise, Andre brings 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 it is advisable to cut back your total weight should you’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 bother sustaining pace, dropping from 20 mph to under 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, Andre backs off of the accelerator to present the truck time to chill down. “That is actually heavy. And the truck is struggling.”
Because the climb started to stage off, temperatures regularly 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.”
As a way to cut 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 effectively, spinning its wheels. “I’m getting all-terrain tires slipping on this grime highway.”
After manually switching to all-wheel drive, they started to method 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’s also good that as quickly as you plug in a 7-pin connector, the truck is aware of you’re towing and adapts accordingly. Though should you steadily tow completely different hundreds, the lack to avoid wasting pre-defined trailer settings within the Cybertruck is irritating.
They’re additionally not loopy in regards to the placement of the rearview mirror cam on the middle infotainment system as a substitute of within the conventional rearview mirror like different producers. However the number of different digital camera views at their disposal are very good to have on the usually tough mountain roads of Colorado.
One other probably annoying issue with the Tesla is that it doesn’t allow you to monitor your temps as simply whereas towing. This understandably left the staff a little bit on edge following their expertise with the Tremor.
However it turns on the market was no actual want to watch motor and battery temperatures. The high-altitude check proved to be largely easy for a succesful EV just like the Cybertruck. The automobile’s weight offered good stability and the dearth of airflow didn’t current an issue for cooling the best way they did on the Tremor. “In comparison with the F-150 which very a lot needs air and has an enormous grill, I’m undecided that the cooling is as depending on the air flowing into the truck.”
In the course of the tougher part of this check, the Cybertruck did seem to indicate some pressure with noticeable whining from beneath the hood. However the truck didn’t problem any form of warning that it was being pushed too onerous. By the top of the check, the battery and motor temperatures by no means bought anyplace close to their most limits.
Nonetheless, to show the issue of towing in circumstances like this, the Cybertruck was averaging 3,351 Wh/mi, burning 24 kWh of the battery pack in beneath 8 miles. After all, because of regenerative braking, they regained an extra 11 kWh on the best way down, utilizing 15 kWh for the entire spherical journey.
In the case of towing, you’ve bought to choose the precise software for the job. So for native and regional mountain towing like this, the Cybertruck may very well be the perfect rig. “At instances when towing with the Cybertruck, I forgot there was a trailer behind me. It by no means detuned itself, it by no means overheated in any seen method. So fairly impressed.”
However should you want extra vary, different electrical vehicles just like the Chevrolet Silverado EV could be your greatest for now. “One of the 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. A spread extending pack has been promised for the Cybertruck sooner or later, however a launch timeline has not been introduced presently.
As all the time, it is a very entertaining video from The Quick Lane Truck crew so you should definitely watch the total video above which accommodates much more particulars. Have you ever subjected your electrical automotive or truck to any troublesome towing conditions lately? Tell us about it within the remark part under.
72 Images