- Tesla Cybertruck tow hitch stress test reveals potential design flaws.
- The cast aluminum to which the tow hitch is attached to is just 3/16 inches thick.
- With a very high tongue weight, the whole rear section of the EV snapped off.
You might remember last year’s Jackass-style WhistlinDiesel video where he put a Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 through a bunch of grueling “stress tests.” The main takeaway of that video was that the Cybertruck’s tow hitch—together with a consistent chunk of the cast aluminum frame—was ripped apart, raising questions about the electric truck’s ability to tow the rated 11,000 pounds safely. Meanwhile, the gas-powered F-150 with a steel frame still had its tow hitch in place at the end of it all.
Some pointed out that the rear part of the frame might have broken when the tow hitch hit a big block of concrete and then sheared off while towing. The problem is that there was no way of knowing for sure. But there is now. Another YouTuber, Zack Nelson of JerryRigEverything fame, put his own Cybertruck through a slightly more scientific test to see how the hitch fares in extreme conditions.
To quickly recap, Tesla’s electric pickup is rated to tow up to 11,000 pounds (4,990 kilograms). Meanwhile, the maximum tongue weight—that’s how much mass sits directly on the tow hitch—is capped at 1,100 lbs (499 kg). The tow hitch is attached to a cast aluminum frame.
So, what’s different this time? Nelson used heavy construction equipment to push down on the Cybertruck’s tow hitch. A crane scale was used to quantify how much weight was put on the tow hitch.
At 10,000 lbs (4,525 kg) pushing down on the hitch, some creaking noises could be heard. Then, at 10,400 lbs (4,717 kg), the whole rear section of the frame ripped off, putting an end to this stress test. Again, this is the equivalent of an improperly balanced trailer with a massive amount of tongue weight.
However, as Nelson points out in the video below, there are some situations where even a properly balanced trailer could transfer its whole weight on the tow hitch, such as big potholes at highway speeds. “If I see a Cybertruck towing on the freeway, I would not want to be anywhere close to that thing,” the YouTuber said.
To make matters worse, some questionable building methods were revealed. For starters, the thickness of the cast aluminum frame is very thin, measuring between 3/16 and 1/8 of an inch. That's 4 and 3 millimeters, which is good for vehicle weight, but not great for long-term strength. Furthermore, some sections seem to be held together with glue and rivets.
With the whole rear section of the car ripped apart, no fewer than 28 error codes appeared on the central infotainment display and the EV would not move under its own power. What’s more, considering the whole bumper came off, even the safety chains would become detached from the vehicle and allow the trailer to dangerously wander on the road by itself.
By comparison, a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with prior damage was subjected to the same test and its steel frame came out unscathed. The tow hitch was still in place after being subjected to 10,700 lbs (4,850 kg) pushing down on it.
