Tesla Model Y Towing

What is towing in the Tesla Model Y like? We hooked up our travel trailer to find out just what it's like.

Our trailer weighs in at just over 3,000 lbs, and limiting our luggage to be at the max towing capacity of 3,500 lbs in the Tesla Model Y was a challenge. That said, we set off with a full charge and learned a lot about towing in the Tesla Model Y.

We added the Tesla tow hitch to our Model Y a few days before our trip and had a successful drive. Having the right equipment to tow is crucial to a successful tow. We had a weight distribution hitch, sway bar and brake controller.

We had no issues towing the trailer, but it was quite the drag on range. Weight is only one factor that will impact range when towing in the Tesla Model Y. The size of the trailer, and its aerodynamics have an equally large impact on range.

When camping in the Tesla Model Y, or towing a camper, you will want to bring along proper charging equipment. You cannot just get a standard adapter from 30 to 50 amp, you need one that is specifically wired for a Tesla charger.

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[louismorejohn]

Drive 55 mph, enjoy the scenery, travel more safely, lower blood pressure and go farther on charge for less cost. It's the journey, not the destination. It works. I do it.

[e_rawk]

I just did a similar trip with my Y, with a trailer much like yours. Pretty close to the rated limit. I reduced the tongue weight by a lot, because that was definitely over the 350 mark when I started. I got similar consumption as you did - between 900 and 950 at around 65mph. Other than the range, it tows like a dream. Not bad for short trips!

[RobertBratt]

This is exactly what I’ve been wanting. Thank you. My wife and I are planning on a Model Y in the spring and we’ve looked at upgrading to a camper trailer in the near future as well. The layouts and size we’ve looked at is near identical to what you’ve got here so it was relevant to what we were thinking. Sadly it shows that for our needs and road trips, with the current state of superchargers in the area, that a Y towing the right size camper for our lifestyle won’t work. And I still haven’t successfully talked her into a cybertruck over the Y as her vehicle. Thanks again!

[gary]

That was the best video I have seen on towing with an electric vehicle. Most videos are not owners and give unrealistic data. Thank you for taking the time to make this video it was really thought-provoking. I will have to think about my next car this has really made me stop and consider what to buy next.

[Geckogold]

Thanks for sharing, and breaking down the energy costs. That brick sure sapped a lot of efficiency from your Model Y. But it was awesome to see this.

[GunPilot]

Thank you for doing this towing video I have wanted to know this information for the longest time. I go camping in my model Y all the time and I've been trying to talk the wife into doing a trailer trip. Thank you for your service coming from an 82nd guy.

[stephschambs]

Major props!! I would have seen 4% and had a panic attack lol! Love the vid man!

[scottgraham]

Super interesting, thank you for experimenting for all of us.

[gardencompost]

Thank you for this video. My wife and I are retired and want to travel around the US, and Canada, camping. We are on the list for a cyber tuck, but feel it is more than we need. Your post is convincing us maybe the model Y is more our speed. We are putting a sleeping bed in my wife’s CR-V, but after viewing your bed setup in your Y in another video, we are looking into a Y instead of the Cybertruck. We have a motorcycle trailer fitted out with a kitchen and all for camping with the CR-v. The proverbial lightbulb went off above our heads, yeah, the Y would be Much better in our stimulation.

[IceburgEVolution]

This video 99% might put me over the edge to trade "up" to a Model Y. I won't be able to use it this summer--but it will be worth the wait!! Thank you for the attention to detail and all of the information. Love the channel!

[desertdan]

This is a good video because it shows and proves perfectly what we truck people have been saying. I am a guy who works and tows with a truck and has for 35 years. We have been telling people that there is going to have to be a huge change in battery tech, capacity and charging to make towing any distance viable. For Electric trucks they have to be able to tow or pull full load for 500 miles or Electric is never going to replace the tail pipe. I am not saying that it is impossible, I am just saying that this is the reality that we live with. With the range anxiety you were dealing with, just imagine it being a work day or a time deadline where you have got to be somewhere no matter what. Now imagine it is an emergency service of some type or Ambulance or Fire truck that relies on a huge power draw for many more accessories on the vehicle.

[dwdw]

I really appreciate that you documented your experience for us.

[dr.marshallblue]

I really enjoy our videos. Thanks for your time and effort.

[tanglemac]

I grew up in Brown County, and I was nervous for you thinking about you pulling that trailer up and down those hills in the state park with so little charge left. Glad you made it!

[satajet]

I am blown away that you were able to tow that. I have that camper with a different layout and tow with a Jeep Liberty. And it is a bit much for that.

[theunknown]

Great video thanks for sharing!
Something I noticed towing recently with my Model Y was that my initial trip was way higher than my return and it was because my trailer batteries were not fully charged before leaving so they just pulled extra juice from the car.

[thomasruwart]

Love the video!
Here's my take on towing:
Someone on another YT Channel posted a video a couple days ago where he towed a 2, 480 pound pop-up camper trailer and got about 519 W/mile.
Turns out I just towed a 1, 240 pound U-Haul open 5×9 utility trailer with a ramp (ramp is important here) for 170 miles at freeway speeds. I managed to get an average of 577 W/mile.
Compare to the camper that was twice the weight of my utility trailer yet got significantly better energy usage. The culprit was that ramp on the back of the U-Haul trailer that stood 5 feet straight up and caught a lot of wind hence creating significant drag.
My conclusion is that wind resistance has a larger [negative] impact on energy usage than does the weight of the trailer.

[noahpalmieri]

If someone pulls up and shares a V2 supercharger on the same circuit with others available I just always point it out to them. Really a win win for both of us so they're always happy to know

[arash]

Super video! I applauded for $10.00 👏👏👏

[TheTechofTech]

What a fun family adventure while getting some really useful info for other Tesla owners! My wife and daughter do not like sleeping in a tent, and we don’t have a trailer, so I end up camping inside my Model 3 by myself.