Tesla Model 3 - Tow Bar won't attach?!

If your tow bar is difficult to fit then STOP and book a service appointment. Save yourself the hours of time that I spent trying to fix the issue myself. In this video I show you how easy it should be to fit the tow bar and what I tried to fix it.

Please subscribe to this channel! 🔔 🔔

Accessories in this video:

[justinvictor]

Thanks for this video. After having the car for almost six months I finally got around to installing the tow bar. At first it didn’t go all the way in and I then took your advice and booked a sevice appointment. However, I finally got it working by pulling the knob out a little when the tow bar was in place. Doing so meant it engaged fully. So much in fact that it’s then difficult to come out! To be honest I’d rather have out difficult to remove than if it dropped out while I’m driving!

[joejaud]

I currently have the same issue with my tow hitch, it kinda locks in but i cant remove the key from the lock of the hitch. This also led to an accident with my trailer where it was going of at 80km/h! I am currently waiting for 4 months already to get my tow bar replaced, this is some big minus points for tesla. I will try your tips, maybe i can fix it this way without waiting maybe another 4 months for a new tow bar.

[lucaspersonalOG]

I just got a new Model 3 LR Highland in Europe with the tow hitch. Mine as well did not connect. I think I’ll call Tesla service tomorrow.

[garystimson]

TRY THIS FIRST. Clean and grease the tow hook / hole. My tow hook was near impossible to get to stay in so I added it to a service appointment when I took it in for another issue. They noted that it was slightly corroded and cleaned / greased it. Now it locks in and comes out very easily.

[PN-TM]

I had the very same issue and was sure that Tesla service needed to replace the mount on the car. To my surprise, this is what I found in the report from the service technician: 'I removed corrosion from inside the trailer hitch receiver and confirmed that the issue is no longer present.' Everything works well now.

[jsj]

I had some issues with my hitch, actually I think I had them for the last 2½ years but it wasn't until a few weeks ago I had a REAL problem... the hitch fell off while towing my trailer!!! YIKES, luckily I was only doing 15-20km/h or so and could reattach it and keep driving. After that I noticed that the handle (the one you turn) didn't snap all the way and left 2-3mm between handle and the actual hitch. I couldn't lock the hitch, actually don't think I have ever been able to do that but at least now I couldn't. The bloody thing just wouldn't snap correctly. Today I had a Tesla ranger come look at it and hey presto, 5 minutes later it was working like a charm. It turns out the little wings on the side needed a bit of fling (because of corrosion), similar to what the video showed. And he also went to town inside the hitch-hole in the car, he mentioned there's often also a bit of corrosion up top in that, that prevents the steel-ball from popping all the way out. After that he gave it all a bit of oil and closed my service appointment (no charge, very nice).

[DanielMuir]

A note of warning ⚠️ *Don't* think it's OK to use when it's sitting fixed in place but the handle hasn't fully spun closed. I was foolish enough to do this (it seemed quite solid) and had the bad scenario of the towbar, bike rack and bike dropping off. Fortunately it happened at low speed and remarkably no harm was done but it could have been a lot worse.

[tattabridge]

Nice vid with concentrated tips. I’m struggling to remove mine, like many others. I’m a bit hazy about the locking key and whether to spring the plastic but to get the locating ball bearings to withdraw.

Any advice ???

[iowgtr]

Did they say what was wrong with it. Mine is tight to fit and takes a good shove, however I live on an island so it's not too easy for me to just drop off at the SC.

[bro_]

It seems Tesla doesn’t give option tow hitch at Canada?

[Rolmaconglobal]

Mine is coming on 23rd (Chinese) with Towbar. What Bike carrier did you choose? Are Towbar fitting issues common? This was the first problem I had seen

[Raouf]

I'm having similar bike holder and one of my biggest concerns to move to the Tesla M3 is that the carrier plus the 3 bikes are going to be too heavy! Has the weight been an issue with you?

[Maxtheburn]

Just tried fitting mine (3 day old car) and it was stubborn and then clicked in, now i cant remove it…..mobile service booked.