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The YouTube channel The Quick Lane Truck is thought for pushing vans to their restrict. Based mostly within the Denver, CO space, the crew steadily hauls giant hundreds throughout tough terrain. They topic a number of automobiles to the identical exams in an effort 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 vans will likely be towing a really un-aerodynamic 10,500-lb load, maxing out the F-150 Tremor and almost reaching the Cybertruck’s max tow score.
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 very best 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, Roman introduced up the truth that Ford is the one producer that gives asterisks with its towing capability. “Whenever you’re speaking about towing score that Ford specifies, of their homeowners handbook they are saying that it is advisable cut back your total weight in case 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 car quickly de-rated itself, being caught in 2nd gear even with the accelerator to the floorboard. The truck started having bother sustaining velocity, dropping from 20 mph to beneath 15 mph in only a few 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 laborious to chill off your transmission and oil. As soon as they acquire temperature, there’s not many locations that temperature can go.”
To be able 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 properly, spinning its wheels. “I’m getting all-terrain tires slipping on this filth street.”
After manually switching to all-wheel drive, they started to method the height. At this level, posted velocity 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 might be towing and adapts accordingly. Though in case you steadily tow totally different hundreds, the shortcoming 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 rearview mirror like different producers. However the number of different digital camera views at their disposal could be very good to have when towing on the customarily tough mountain roads of Colorado.
One other doubtlessly annoying issue with the Tesla is that it doesn’t allow you to monitor your temps as simply whereas towing. This understandably left the crew just a little on edge following their expertise with the Tremor. But it surely turns on the market was no actual want to observe the Cybertruck throughout this torture check.
The high-altitude towing proved to be easy with a succesful EV just like the Cybertruck. The car weight supplied good stability and the shortage of air density and sluggish speeds didn’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.”
In the course of the harder part of this check, the Cybertruck did seem to indicate some pressure with noticeable whining from underneath the hood. However the truck didn’t subject any type of warning that it was being pushed past its limits. By the top of the check, the battery and motor temperatures by no means bought anyplace close to their most limits.
Nonetheless, to exhibit the problem of towing in circumstances like this, the Cybertruck was averaging 3,351 Wh/mi, burning 24 kWh of the battery pack in underneath 8 miles. In fact, due to regenerative braking, they regained an extra 11 kWh on the way in which down, utilizing 15 kWh for the entire spherical journey.
In relation to towing, you’ve bought to choose the appropriate instrument 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.” Explains Roman. “It by no means detuned itself, it by no means overheated in any seen approach. So fairly impressed.”
However in case you want extra vary, different electrical vans just like the Chevrolet Silverado EV is likely to be your finest for now. “The most effective 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 vary extending pack has been promised for the Cybertruck sooner or later, however a launch timeline has not been introduced right now.
As all the time, this can be a very entertaining video from The Quick Lane Truck crew so you’ll want to watch the total video above which comprises much more particulars. Have you ever subjected your electrical automotive or truck to any tough towing conditions lately? Tell us about it within the remark part beneath.
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