JerryRigEverything tests Tesla Cybertruck's towing abilities

Max McDee, 20 January 2024

When it comes to grabbing headlines, Tesla Cybertruck is the king. It has garnered significant attention, especially when it comes to its impressive 11,000 lb towing capacity. However, recent real-world tests have shed light on some rather eyebrow-raising results. First was the real-life towing range test with rather underwhelming results. And now, JerryRigEverything took the matters in his own hands.

The youtuber Zack at JerryRigEverything decided to put the Tesla Cybertruck's towing capabilities to the test. Strapping an 11,000 lb Hummer to the back of this all-electric pickup, JerryRigEverything set off on a journey through sub-freezing temperatures. The outcome was far from what Tesla enthusiasts might have expected.

The trip, albeit brief, was a lesson in the harsh realities of electric towing. The Cybertruck managed to cover a mere 90 miles before its battery called it quits. To put this into perspective, a different Cybertruck owner towing a lighter load of 6,000 lb achieved around 115 miles of range under seemingly better conditions.

This test revealed a startling range, which is far from the numbers Tesla enthusiasts typically celebrate. The conditions during the test were described as the "worst conditions possible," and this reality check serves as a reminder that real-world performance can differ greatly from manufacturer claims.

JerryRigEverything tests Tesla Cybertruck's towing abilities

JerryRigEverything's test wasn't just about distance; it was a showcase of the Cybertruck's energy consumption. The average energy consumption for the 90-mile journey came in at a staggering 1,193 Wh per mile. For context, this is over 1 kWh of energy used per mile, which might make efficiency-conscious EV enthusiasts cringe. The same numbers for the metric crowd are 745.6 Wh/km.

However, it's important to note that Zack didn't push the truck to the absolute brink. There was still a modest 2% of the battery left, suggesting that the Cybertruck could have eked out another 10 miles before it was truly stranded. Not that you should ever try that.

JerryRigEverything tests Tesla Cybertruck's towing abilities

Tesla's official EPA rating for the all-wheel-drive Cybertruck falls in the range of 318 miles - 340 miles, depending on the tire configuration and the vehicle trim. But Zack's extreme towing test showed that real-world range can plummet when hauling substantial loads. With 35" all-terrain tires, the Cybertruck's projected 340-mile range dwindled.

Despite the range challenges revealed by JerryRigEverything's test, the Cybertruck showcased its capability to haul close to its maximum tow rating over respectable distances. The silver lining here is the shockingly low cost of refueling – a mere $13 to top up the battery after the journey.

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Reader comments

when it drops to -10C or lower; tesla model 3, Y and S lose 10% charge per day when parked outside. that is a big deal. I wonder what happens to cybertrucks

"worst conditions possible" What a joke. 33°F is around 0.5°C. Where are those worst conditions? He didn't even turn heating to high. So basically the range can drop even more. That's not a truck. That's a joke.

  • keaton

Wow, someone finally testing a truck, like a truck.

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