Late final yr, I made the choice to put in a towbar on my Tesla Mannequin 3, getting ready for a week-long tenting journey alongside the NSW south coast. I had been considering this improve for fairly a while, notably as a result of I discovered a towbar extremely helpful on my earlier automobile for transporting bikes and towing a small tenting trailer.
Beforehand, my household had taken the Mannequin 3 on a protracted weekend tenting journey with none trailer, leading to a cramped and irritating expertise with 4 individuals attempting to suit the necessities. On that event, we managed with two small mountaineering tents and a folding desk and chair set strapped to the roof racks.
This time, nonetheless, the addition of a trailer allowed us to carry our bigger household tent, tarps and poles for establishing shelter, in addition to extra snug chairs and an even bigger desk. Plus, the roof racks have been left free for surfboards, which was one of many fundamental causes for our vacation within the first place!
Towing with the automobile was hardly a problem. I solely needed to disconnect the trailer as soon as to quick cost on our manner residence, and aside from that, I did not even discover it was there. I discovered that towing with an electrical automobile was a lot much less burdensome than I anticipated. Nevertheless, exterior elements, such because the climate, did contribute to an eventful tenting expertise.
### Towbar Set up and Prices
Initially, there have been rumors that Tesla would provide an official tow package deal for the Mannequin 3, however that hasn’t materialized in my location. About 4 years in the past, I inquired with a Canberra-based firm that marketed towbars for the Mannequin 3, however they have been dealing with provide points, which led me to desert the thought at the moment.
Fortuitously, there are actually a number of aftermarket choices accessible, making the set up course of a lot simpler. After conducting analysis, I settled on an EV Stealth Options towbar, as I wished one thing that may very well be hidden or disconnected when not in use. They supply towbars for numerous fashionable electrical automobile fashions, together with Tesla, BYD, MG, Hyundai, Kia, Polestar, and Volvo.
Moreover, realizing that EV Stealth is endorsed by each the Tesla House owners Membership of Australia (TOCA) and the Australian Electrical Autos Affiliation (AEVA) additional boosted my confidence of their merchandise. Additionally they have a community of accepted, skilled installers throughout all states and territories.
The set up went easily and took only a few hours. The full value amounted to $2,490—comprising $1,990 for the towbar and hitch mixture and an extra $500 for set up. If towing is not wanted, the hitch alone is priced at $1,599, which might save $400.
Putting in and eradicating the towbar or hitch is comparatively easy and takes solely a few minutes. Nevertheless, as a result of low floor clearance of the Mannequin 3, it may be tough to see what you’re doing, so I typically discovered myself mendacity on the bottom to make sure it was locked into place correctly throughout my preliminary makes an attempt.
### Minimal Affect on Effectivity
I used to be desirous to see how the trailer would have an effect on the automobile’s effectivity, and I used to be pleasantly shocked by the outcomes—it was higher than anticipated. I used to be towing a small trailer measuring roughly 5 x 3 ft, weighing round 200 kg when empty, and it was principally stuffed with mild and hulking gadgets like camp chairs, a desk, coolers, and meals.
On my journey down the coast, the journey meter recorded an effectivity of 207 Wh/km, and for the return journey, it was 215 Wh/km. To place this into perspective, that’s about 20% greater than the 180 Wh/km I used on one other journey to the identical vacation spot with out the trailer however carrying a totally loaded automotive and surfboards on the roof.
These effectivity figures have been corresponding to my earlier expertise with an EV9 highway journey, which recorded 210 Wh/km—a automobile spacious sufficient that I might have averted towing for tenting altogether.
### Climate Challenges
Earlier than embarking on the journey, the climate forecast indicated just one or two days of rain throughout our tenting week. Nevertheless, the truth was fairly totally different, as the primary important downpour occurred on the very first afternoon, simply earlier than we had completed establishing the tarp for shelter.
Over the next days, rain continued to sporadically dampen our camp, stopping towels and garments from drying out fully. On the second night time, heavy rain seeped via an outdated mountaineering tent the place considered one of my youngsters was decided to sleep, regardless of warnings about its questionable waterproofing.
On the identical night time, I found the within of the Mannequin 3 boot had gotten moist, which was uncommon because it had by no means occurred earlier than, even throughout torrential downpours up to now. Fortunately, the contents have been minimal, principally consisting of towels that absorbed the water and a library ebook that tragically received ruined.
I’m nonetheless uncertain how the boot turned moist, however I think a leaf or gum nut interfered with the rubber seal. Alternatively, the boot might not have been fully closed, as the difficulty didn’t come up once more for the remainder of our journey.
After returning residence, I dismantled the boot lining and located the thick foam padding beneath nonetheless damp. Following a couple of days of drying out, I reassembled all the pieces as soon as I ensured it was fully dry.
Finally, after three days of soggy tenting and worsening climate forecasts, we have been lucky sufficient to be supplied a cabin on the caravan park after a cancellation. We gladly accepted, grateful for a stable roof over our heads because the rain continued to plague us all through the week.
### Floor Clearance Issues
Nevertheless, the cabin had its drawbacks, notably the excessive curved gutter on the entrance, which was difficult for the Mannequin 3 to navigate safely. Initially, I managed minor scrapes whereas coming into and exiting, however on the ultimate day, backing as much as connect the trailer led to some injury that can want repairs.
The Mannequin 3’s low floor clearance is maybe my most vital frustration and may deter these eager to take the automobile on tenting journeys or unpaved roads. Whereas some Mannequin 3 house owners have efficiently ventured on tough filth roads, having further floor clearance will surely alleviate stress. It will additionally profit these with steep driveways, as I need to choose my method rigorously to keep away from scraping the highest with three passengers within the automotive.
I’ve appeared into choices for a elevate package, such because the Mountain Go Efficiency 1.75” elevate package or the Unplugged Efficiency filth and snow suspension, although I’m hesitant to change the inventory suspension. If in case you have experiences with these kits or know somebody who does, I’d respect your suggestions.
### Trailer Mode Software program Limitations
Apparently, the European house owners guide for the Mannequin 3 discusses a trailer mode accessible via the automobile’s dynamics web page within the settings, which seems to require further software program from Tesla, as this feature doesn’t seem routinely once I join the trailer plug.
The guide signifies that Autopilot is disabled in trailer mode, however one can nonetheless use adaptive cruise management with longer following distances. I used to be shocked to search out that Autopilot remained accessible whereas towing; I briefly engaged it to test, though the display screen appeared a lot dirtier than earlier than I took the photograph.
With out the trailer mode, the automobile interprets the presence of one other automotive tailgating it, resulting in the rear parking sensors triggering when reversing, which generally is a bit irritating. On the optimistic facet, I discovered the rear digicam’s place very best for aligning with the towbar, making it straightforward to connect with the trailer.
### Conclusion
In abstract, I found that towing a small and light-weight trailer with an electrical automobile had a comparatively minor impact on effectivity, consuming solely 20% extra vitality than when driving the identical loaded automotive with out towing, though this impression might range for bigger or heavier trailers.
There’s additionally a necessity for extra public charging bays outfitted with towing-friendly stalls to facilitate handy charging for these touring lengthy distances whereas towing. A search on Plugshare for 50+ kW trailer-friendly places reveals simply over 50 chargers throughout the nation, with important gaps on fashionable routes similar to Sydney to Ballina.
General, including a towbar to my Mannequin 3 has considerably enhanced its versatility. In case you are contemplating a towbar to your electrical automobile, I’d wholeheartedly suggest it and need I had accomplished it sooner. Final however not least, I sincerely hope for higher climate on our subsequent tenting journey!
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