Tesla Motors: Towing With a TESLA Part 1 - Teardrop Camper Power Consumption, Autopilot & Handling

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• published: 27 Apr 2016
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Tesla Motors: Towing With a TESLA Part 1 - Teardrop Camper Power Consumption, Autopilot & Handling =============================================== So, you have all asked for it, and I am delivering. After having a Hitch on my first Model S 60kWh for nearly 2 years, and only towing a log splitter and a whole house generator to it's new owner (mostly used the hitch for hitch mounted cargo baskets, and that, I used a LOT), I have finally taken the plunge and purchased/bartered for a rather nice, Little Guy teardrop trailer. It is not the exact Teardrop I had in mind, but the price was Excellent! (In fact, so good that I have already re-listed the trailer to resell, and if I can sell, I will be able to get the style I was originally looking for. How about that!). Anyways, back to the details. I gave my preview video this past weekend, showing a candid shot of the trailer in my backup cam on a nice sunny day. That was driving to my parents from where I picked up the trailer. Now, the real test, driving home. That is, just over 120 miles home. The tests include, and shown in this video, are: -Autopilot---Does it function with a Trailer. Especially with a Model S that does not have the Model X's "Tow Mode" -Energy Consumption--- How much does the Teardrop increase power consumption -Handling--- How well does the Model S Handle with the Teardrop in tow This video was actually very impromptu. I was going to just do a few snippets, but ended up keeping the camera in hand for the entire first leg of the journey--- From Wisconsin Dells, Wi to Madison, WI's supercharger. So you get to experience it, the first real tow, same time I did. Some details: Trailer weight, as it sat in this video is approx 850Lbs. I did not have a measurement of the hitch weight at the time, but deemed it acceptable as I could still lift the trailer tongue. I later measured at home, and it slightly exceeded my shipping scale capacity (Capacity is ~120lbs, and it barely went over, so I estimate that the tongue weight was about 135Lbs). Now, a MAJOR note: I purchased it on a Saturday Morning. That afternoon, I checked the tire pressures, and they were all around 25Psi, slightly lower then recommended. Recommended tire pressure was 35psi. Max Pressure of the tires is rated at 50 psi. I proceeded to fill the tires to 43psi, to give better range and still stay below the max pressure for these trailer tires. Thought all was well. Towed the teardrop trailer home Sunday evening. I noticed Energy Consumption appeared to be higher then I was expecting based on previous towing of the Generator on my Utility Trailer (Of which, I estimate total weight of the generator + trailer to be about 600-700Lbs, so a bit lighter, yet, the generator was flat, so much less aerodynamic. Monday Morning, I checked the tires again, on the trailer, as well as my car. My cars rear passenger tire was down 10psi from my normal set. Enough to be lower, but not enough to trip the TPMS.... All 3! Trailer tires were at ~15 PSI!!! That is, both driven tires, and the spare!!!!! Strange I thought. Filled them all back up, and they have held perfectly for over a week. Later did I find out, my fathers truck, was magically also low, down to 20 psi from the 40 I had set his truck tires to the same time I did the trailer and my car. It seems, during that night, someone was going around letting air out of our tires (They also got the neighbor across the street from my parents motel!!!). So basically, And I take full responsibility for my stupidity, usually I check all tires again immediately before towing, The power consumption, WAS MUCH HIGHER then it should have been. I towed the trailer home with tires inflated to only ~15 PSI. Had they been at 43 like I set them to the travel trailer being pulled my my Tesla Model S 90D would not have had to work as hard. This is a important thing to note!!!! Adventure Series Coming!! ►https://www.facebook.com/KmanAuto ►https://www.YouTube.com/KmanAuto ►https://www.SuperchargerTravel.com ►http://astore.amazon.com/kman03-20 Kman's Approved Product Store islandbayy@yahoo.com 414-807-8354 Using my 90D Tesla Model S, and not a Tesla Model X or Tesla Model 3, I use Elon Musk's Technology, of Electric vehicles to pull a Teardrop Camper Travel Trailer. This is a great way to replace traditional camping yet still enjoy the great outdoors. I found pulling the Teardrop travel trailer with my 90D Tesla Model S does not interfere with the proximity sensors while tesla towing. Using Summon on the Model S also still works. Pulling a Camper with the Tesla model s was spectacular, and performed better then pulling trailers with my old 4x4 Nissan Xterra or Nissan CUBE. Just imagine what will happen when people start getting the Model 3, the world has changed as we know it with Elon Musk Tesla Motors Vehicles. Towing a Teardrop should also work on the Model S, Model X and Model 3. I foresee no reason autopilot will cease to function.