Are the specs achievable?

[ajdelange]

I sometimes think a PHD in engineering is required to understand these cars and he doesn't have one of those but he does know a hell of a lot more about manufacturing a car than I do.

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[kev12345]

usually when you build a truck suited for off road, you sacrifice towing and payload due to the softer suspension. towing rigs aren't usually good for off road due to being too stiff. tesla claims the cybertruck will do it all. again i have to ask, why has nobody built this yet? maybe cybertrucks will be purpose built for different tasks like other trucks?

 

[ajdelange]

Clearly because they didn't know how to or, if they did, determined that they couldn't offer it at a profit.

You know what some of the trades are and thus arch an eyebrow when you see a vehicle offering things that generally preclude one another. You are right to do so. The presumption is that just as Tesla offers today a portfolio of vehicles that no one had done before nor, for that matter, that they can do now, they (Tesla) will continue to break new ground in the future,

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I sometimes think a PHD in engineering is required to understand these cars and he doesn't have one of those but he does know a hell of a lot more about manufacturing a car than I do.

I think a PhD in engineering would be overkill for such knowledge. In fact, I don't know any PhDs that are in manufacturing operations (and I work for Siemens research). I am pretty sure that whatever Sandy Munro's background is it has been more than adequate to prepare him for what he is doing now. He's at the top of his game.

 

[Oaktree]

Because other manufacturers suck.

E X A C T L Y!!!!!

 

[ldjessee]

usually when you build a truck suited for off road, you sacrifice towing and payload due to the softer suspension. towing rigs aren't usually good for off road due to being too stiff. tesla claims the cybertruck will do it all. again i have to ask, why has nobody built this yet? maybe cybertrucks will be purpose built for different tasks like other trucks?

I think it is because of the highly variable suspension and having access to lots of torque right from the beginning that will allow it a wide range of capabilities right from the factory. Also add in complete computer control of the motor, brakes, and suspension means that there are capabilities that Tesla could do that other manufacturers just cannot do.

The PR stunts of electric vehicles (Ford F-150 EV and pulling train cars; Tesla Model X and pulling an airliner) shows that in the right conditions, pulling something heavy is not that hard. Other considerations, like stopping and handling, keep the approved towing load down to more reasonable numbers.

Like the Jeep Gladiator I was considering before the CyberTruck was revealed, it has a horrible towing capability, mostly because of suspension and the gearing on the transmission.

With the variable suspension and electric motor torque curve and performance, the CyberTruck I think will not be hampered as the Jeep Gladiator is in towing.

But, the only way to know for sure is to wait until they start delivering and see them get tested. I am not wanting to be first for a few reasons... 1) I want the bugs and such worked out, 2) I want to see how the CyberTruck does when taken to real off roading challenges, 3) I need to save up to afford it anyway.

 

[ajdelange]

I think a PhD in engineering would be overkill for such knowledge. In fact, I don't know any PhDs that are in manufacturing operations (and I work for Siemens research). I am pretty sure that whatever Sandy Munro's background is it has been more than adequate to prepare him for what he is doing now. He's at the top of his game.

I'll just point out that R. J. Scaringe has a PHD in automotive engineering from MIT, no less, and that some of the intricacies of the magnetic design of motors and control algorithms cetainly look like PHD level stuff to me.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I'll just point out that R. J. Scaringe has a PHD in automotive engineering from MIT, no less, and that some of the intricacies of the magnetic design of motors and control algorithms cetainly look like PHD level stuff to me.

Me too, but design is not operations is it? I didn’t say I don’t know anyone with a PhD in vehicle design. In fact, most everyone I work with does, but I was trying to be clear to steer My comment away from design and research.

 

[ajdelange]

I guess I don't see how the different departments got into the discussion. All I said was that I sometimes think a PHD is required to understand these cars.

 

[Jhodgesatmb]

I never disagreed with you friend; I just think that what you said makes the most sense at the design level. I find Mr Munro’s evaluations very informative and backed by a world of first-hand experience. To understand how these things work and why they are designed the way they are would probably require many PhDs.

 

[Bigvbear]

usually when you build a truck suited for off road, you sacrifice towing and payload due to the softer suspension. towing rigs aren't usually good for off road due to being too stiff. tesla claims the cybertruck will do it all. again i have to ask, why has nobody built this yet? maybe cybertrucks will be purpose built for different tasks like other trucks?

The term that pops into my head is "Jack of all trades, master of none"

as for the towing aspect. electric motors are high torque units and can pull a lot of weight, the limiting factor may not be the towing (or pulling) capacity, but the stopping capacity. Remember there the more weight the higher the velocity of the object you are pulling, can the brakes handle stopping that weight.

 

[ajdelange]

Keep in mind that the motors are symmetric machines meaning that they can produce torque in either direction and absorb torque in either direction.

 

[CRASCH]

Are the cybertruck specs really achievable for the price listed? if so, why have the other manufacturers not built anything like it? Ram TRX is pretty badass but still doesn't compare and it will be EXPENSIVE. How does Tesla get 3500lbs payload and 16" of ground clearance with air suspension that can drop it to the ground? TRX has a measly 1300lbs payload and 8000lbs towing.

The reason that both the Ford Raptor and the Ram TRX payload and towing are rated lower is due to how the trucks perform towing in their stock configuration. That begs the question why is the CyberTruck's preliminary rating higher. Tesla believes it can achieve those numbers. Towing isn't just how much weight the truck can pull. Towing involves maintaining safe control of the truck and trailer combination. This of course includes breaking, cornering and maneuvers in various conditions. Payload also has similar safety requirements. My speculation is that the combination of the low center of gravity and being able to achieve a low ride height enable the Cybertruck to safely carry and tow larger loads. This is the reason your two examples have lower tow ratings in their TRX and Raptor configuration than the standard RAM 1500, and Ford F-150 do respectively.

 

[Crissa]

EVs have lots of advantages to towing:

A) Massive amount of possible braking power with regeneration augmenting brakes.

B) High torque for overcoming rolling resistance.

C) Low center of gravity, for stability.

D) High vehicle weight for additional traction.

E) More room, computer control, and electrical power management to add crazy components like the adaptive suspension.

F) Tesla is pushing EVs to be computers on wheels, so sensors and driving software can 'see' and drive a trailer nearly perfectly.

-Crissa

 

[JeffnReno]

I just want the truck to come in at the price quoted without any extra expense besides adding FSD, doc fees, registration, and insurance. What I fear is the price will be there but if you want the onboard compressor, AC outlet, Homelink, premium connectivity, vault cover, etc. that will cost you an additional $$$$. Look at how they cut out things with the Model 3. No more frunk carpet or hooks, no 14/50 mobile charge adapter, no lifetime premium connectivity, no Homelink, etc. Even the size of the frunk has recently changed. Remember the early buyers crying about the headliner material change? We'll just have to wait and see how it plays out and hope for the best.