ICE Loss of Range While Towing

[ttshowbiz]

With everyone talking about the Cybertrucks loss of range while towing, I thought I'd remind us all that ICE vehicles can also lose significant range while towing.

Over the weekend I drove my 2014 F-150 from Draper UT to Mesquite NV. Behind my truck I was towing a Polaris RZR UTV on a double axle trailer with a combined weight somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500 lbs. My truck has a 36-gallon fuel tank and without a load can typically go more than 500 miles on a tank (typically gets 13-15mpg).

On this road trip however I averaged 8.4mpg and was only able to make it 270 miles before needing to fill up. And because of the inaccurate range estimates given by the truck's computer when towing, I was forced to detour 15 miles off the freeway in the middle of nowhere to fuel up.

So yes, the Cybertruck will undoubtedly lose range when towing/hauling. But don't forget that ICE trucks lose range too.

TLDR: Towing a UTV with my F-150 decreased its range from 500+ miles to less than 275 miles.

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[Garden_Aum]

With everyone talking about the Cybertrucks loss of range while towing, I thought I'd remind us all that ICE vehicles can also lose significant range while towing.

Over the weekend I drove my 2014 F-150 from Draper UT to Mesquite NV. Behind my truck I was towing a Polaris RZR UTV on a double axle trailer with a combined weight somewhere between 3,000 and 3,500 lbs. My truck has a 36-gallon fuel tank and without a load can typically go more than 500 miles on a tank (typically gets 13-15mpg).

On this road trip however I averaged 8.4mpg and was only able to make it 270 miles before needing to fill up. And because of the inaccurate range estimates given by the truck's computer when towing, I was forced to detour 15 miles off the freeway in the middle of nowhere to fuel up.

So yes, the Cybertruck will undoubtedly lose range when towing/hauling. But don't forget that ICE trucks lose range too.

TLDR: Towing a UTV with my F-150 decreased its range from 500+ miles to less than 275 miles.

Thank you for provided a real world example of range loss. I have driven that section of I-15 many times and know about the other factor that impacts range: speed. I found the drives really boring and would drive a bit above the speed limit (in the past).
What was the average speed for your road trip?

 

[ttshowbiz]

Thank you for provided a real world example of range loss. I have driven that section of I-15 many times and know about the other factor that impacts range: speed. I found the drives really boring and would drive a bit above the speed limit (in the past).
What was the average speed for your road trip?

The speed limit varies between 70, 75, and 80 mph on that trip. I don't typically speed and usually stick to the speed limit. The majority of that drive is an 80 mph zone so I'd guess my average was around 78-79 mph.

 

[Garden_Aum]

The speed limit varies between 70, 75, and 80 mph on that trip. I don't typically speed and usually stick to the speed limit. The majority of that drive is an 80 mph zone so I'd guess my average was around 78-79 mph.

80 MPH speed is definitely going to impact range. The next test will be to drive the same route with the Cybertruck with the same load and see if it has the same range limitations. If that is the case, then we can definitely assert that the range of the trimotor is comparable to the ICE you drove.

 

[ttshowbiz]

80 MPH speed is definitely going to impact range. The next test will be to drive the same route with the Cybertruck with the same load and see if it has the same range limitations. If that is the case, then we can definitely assert that the range of the trimotor is comparable to the ICE you drove.

I'll be taking the same route with the same load when I get the Cybertruck so I'll be sure to compare the decrease in range.

 

[rjo71342]

I'll be taking the same route with the same load when I get the Cybertruck so I'll be sure to compare the decrease in range.

i just sent elon a tweet to the forum and asked for him to roadtrip for testing and stats

 

[OneLapper]

The OP makes a great point that seems to be lost on most people. All ICE trucks take a huge hit on fuel economy when towing.

I'll use my buddies 2019 Ford F150 Ecoboost as an example since the CT is supposed to be a class competitor. He usually gets low teens highway and mixed driving. Last fall we each took our trucks and trailers (mine is a 2wd 2003 Dodge dually Cummins 6spd with 4:10 rearend towing a 4700 pound 27' Airstream, two dirtbikes and 6500 watt Honda generator in the bed) to a enduro race in western NY. He was towing a 14' enclosed trailer with two bikes and gear.

Over the 600 trip, at 75mph he was at less than 8 mpg, down from 15. I was getting 14.7mpg down from 18-19 empty.

The diesel gets much better fuel economy loaded and unloaded compared to the gasser. Also, his truck heated up on the hills to the point where he was getting worried and had to back out of the throttle. The Cummins didn't blink an eye, never slowed down on any hill.

He recently traded in the F150 and bought a 2020 F350 diesel, $70k.

So in short, the CT will suffer the same fate while towing. I estimate a 50% reduction in range, maybe more or less depending on speed, weight, and wind resistance. I don't see why people are all up in arms over this.