The YouTube channel The Quick Lane Truck is thought for pushing vans to their restrict. Based mostly within the Denver, CO space, the group incessantly hauls massive hundreds throughout troublesome terrain. They topic a number of automobiles to the identical assessments in an effort to see the place every truck excels and the place every truck fails.
This current comparability between the Tesla Cybertruck and Ford F-150 Tremor showcases a number of the clear advantages of electrification when towing massive 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 automated transmission and its turbo-charged engine ought to make it superb for towing at altitude.
Proper from the beginning, 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. “If you’re speaking about towing score that Ford specifies, of their house owners handbook they are saying that it’s essential 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 under 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 present 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 exhausting to chill off your transmission and oil. As soon as they acquire temperature, there’s not many locations that temperature can go.”
So as 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 effectively, spinning its wheels. “I’m getting all-terrain tires slipping on this dust highway.”
After manually switching to all-wheel drive, they started to strategy the height. At this level, posted velocity limits dropped once more, additional decreasing 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. Additionally it is 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 incessantly tow completely different hundreds, the lack to save lots of 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 usually tough mountain roads of Colorado.
One other annoying issue with the Tesla is that it doesn’t allow you to monitor your temps as simply whereas towing. After the expertise with the Tremor, the group was understandably on edge. However it turns on the market was no actual want to watch on the Cybertruck. The high-altitude towing proved to be easy with a succesful EV just like the Cybertruck. The car weight gave it good stability and the shortage of air density and sluggish speeds don’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 needs air and has an enormous grill, I’m undecided that the cooling is as depending on the air flowing into the truck.”
On the highest factors of this take a look at, the Cybertruck did seem to point out some pressure with noticeable whining from beneath the hood. However the truck didn’t subject any sort of warning that it was being pushed past its limits. By the top of the take a look at, the battery and motor temperatures by no means bought wherever close to their most limits.
Nonetheless, to show the issue of towing in situations like this, the Cybertruck was averaging 3,351 Wh/mi, burning 24 kWh of the battery pack in beneath 8 miles. It will in fact burn via the battery fairly rapidly, however it is a take a look at of efficiency beneath pressure not vary. In fact, because of regenerative braking, they regained an extra 11 kWh on the way in which down, utilizing 15 kWh for the entire spherical journey. “At occasions 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 means. So fairly impressed.”
In terms of towing, you’ve bought to choose the best device for the job. So for native mountain towing like this, the Cybertruck could possibly be your superb rig. However in case you want extra vary, different electrical vans just like the Chevrolet Silverado EV is perhaps your greatest wager.
“One of the best 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.
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