CT Fenders and Side Cameras

[FutureBoy]

So from the images I've seen of the CT, it seems like the fenders that stick out from the SS sides are not made of SS. Since they also contain the side and rearview cameras, I'm wondering how these will hold up during off-roading. I've seen plenty of Jeeps and other ICE vehicles lose light assemblies, crush fenders, or get other major damage when the side of their truck hits a rock, tree, or another obstacle even when the vehicle is traveling very slowly.

Will the CT fenders and cameras survive such abuse? Seems like this is a potential weak spot and major repair item in the case of off-road ouchies.

I'm really not worried about the rest of the SS sides. A bunch of scratches will just be proof that your CT has had some real-life experiences. But losing the cameras could be a real blow to the pocket-book and potentially the driveability.

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[EVCanuck]

That was my thought too but I guess Tesla will design those for easy serviceability and camera lens covers might be made of the same material (aluminium oxynitride) as the windows or even sapphire, both are scratch resistant and have roughly the same hardness index.
The more people will break those parts the larger the secondary market will be for those parts, so I am not really concerned. Those windows on the other hand...

 

[Daweism]

Off-roaders crush and rip more fenders due to the wheels getting fully tucked and making contact with the wheel well than actually hitting the wheel well on obstacles. This is due to putting tires too large for the wheel well at full compression and or the suspension system not capable of properly handling the trail / course. You'll never have this problem with a proper set-up.

 

[Crissa]

I've still had stuff that sticks out taken off. Mirrors are basically expendable to rough-roading.

-Crissa

 

[ldjessee]

If you do not want it damaged, dented, or crushed, do not go off-roading.

 

[Dento]

If you do not want it damaged, dented, or crushed, do not go off-roading.

you can always sit in your easy chair and watch the world go by

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

So from the images I've seen of the CT, it seems like the fenders that stick out from the SS sides are not made of SS. Since they also contain the side and rearview cameras, I'm wondering how these will hold up during off-roading. I've seen plenty of Jeeps and other ICE vehicles lose light assemblies, crush fenders, or get other major damage when the side of their truck hits a rock, tree, or another obstacle even when the vehicle is traveling very slowly.

Will the CT fenders and cameras survive such abuse? Seems like this is a potential weak spot and major repair item in the case of off-road ouchies.

I'm really not worried about the rest of the SS sides. A bunch of scratches will just be proof that your CT has had some real-life experiences. But losing the cameras could be a real blow to the pocket-book and potentially the driveability.

Good point. If they put it through Baja they will find out. Or if they take it for just about any offroading. That said, the same can be said for mirrors except they are probably less costly to replace (maybe not the motorized ones). That said, these days the side mirrors can fold in when not needed so maybe they would be less likely to break off. I don't know; its been a long time since I offloaded with a truck and I never snapped a mirror off or even came close, but the bushes bordering my driveway have provided their share of entertainment on the side of our cars.

 

[Handy Artie]

I've still had stuff that sticks out taken off. Mirrors are basically expendable to rough-roading.

-Crissa

The best placement of a panoramic mirror in a UTV is under the polypropylene roof in the center of the front of the cage.

 

[HaulingAss]

If you do not want it damaged, dented, or crushed, do not go off-roading.

I get a lot of enjoyment and take a certain amount of pride in being able to tackle some good off-road challenges without breaking anything. It's all about understanding the ,limitations of your vehicle and being able to accurately gage the available traction in various situations.

That's not to say that I haven't broken, dented, and scratched off-road vehicles but it's not a very regular occurrence and it happens less often as one gains experience. I'm a big fan of stopping and getting out of the vehicle to survey the situation at the first hint of a challenge, not trying to brashly power through as if I didn't have the time to check it out.

 

[Gvardaman]

I think it is better to have those more expendable parts be easy to remove and replace.
If they were part of the body and SS, damage to them would be far more difficult/expensive to service. I was relieved to see that the fender flares were (or might be) replaceable. If they turn out to be too flimsy, I would expect an aftermarket vendor to make a more robust replacement.

 

[Bigvbear]

biggest concern (at least as far as i can tell) is the cameras. Assuming they are plastic fenders and will break off, but then you have the expensive camera (and wiring) that is now damaged and may need replaced. In the meantime what happens to your ability to use advanced auto pilot?

 

[Mini2nut]

I don’t see antiquated US laws regarding old school side mirrors changing anytime soon.

If US legislation regarding side view cameras does change I hope Tesla follows Honda lead and avoids Audi. The Honda e electric car, not sold in the US, supposedly has excellent side view cameras and monitors. The Audi is getting owner complaints about seeing the drivers knee reflection in the passenger monitor and therefore being useless.

Audi

Honda e

 

[HaulingAss]

I think it is better to have those more expendable parts be easy to remove and replace.
If they were part of the body and SS, damage to them would be far more difficult/expensive to service. I was relieved to see that the fender flares were (or might be) replaceable. If they turn out to be too flimsy, I would expect an aftermarket vendor to make a more robust replacement.

In my experience off-roading, you cannot make a part robust enough to handle all potential encounters. It will actually be better if the fender flares are flimsy and flexible plastic so they can take impacts without denting (like metal would) or breaking (like hard structural plastic would). The right plastic would just get smashed in (protecting the body slightly) and then pop back to it's original shape.

 

[FutureBoy]

In my experience off-roading, you cannot make a part robust enough to handle all potential encounters. It will actually be better if the fender flares are flimsy and flexible plastic so they can take impacts without denting (like metal would) or breaking (like hard structural plastic would). The right plastic would just get smashed in (protecting the body slightly) and then pop back to it's original shape.

Or perhaps something more like rubber? Kind of like a mudflap that sticks out to the side a bit. Only thing is the cameras. Not sure how much protection they would get. I like the idea of being able to record from the cameras while off road, but don't want to lose them to the road.

 

[Greg]

For me... I would buy a old used $1500 F-150, strip it down modify a few things then take it off road and beat the heck out of it. Then when I was finished I would climb into my nice clean $85,000 CT and tow my F-150 or what’s left of it back to the garage for more repairs and do a little body work with the sledge hammer. But that’s just me...