They Promised 11,000 lbs, But Tesla’s Latest Reveal Will Blow Your Mind!

Tesla’s Cybertruck has stirred some waves with a recent update to its owner’s manual. Last month, Tesla included a surprising detail: the Cybertruck’s tow hitch is rated to carry the same vertical load as the Model Y, capping out at 160 lbs—or about two bicycles. For a vehicle marketed as a powerful, versatile truck, this limitation sparked disappointment and questions among buyers.

The Cybertruck manual states, “The hitch assembly is designed to support vertical loads up to 160 lb (72 kg). Exceeding this maximum weight can cause damage.” Naturally, many prospective owners who planned to use the truck’s towing capability were taken aback. Until now, Tesla has remained silent on the matter, but some customers even canceled their orders over this issue.

In a surprising move, Tesla’s lead Cybertruck engineer, Wes Morrill, recently addressed the concerns directly, providing much-needed clarity. Tesla has also revised the Cybertruck’s manual to offer a more detailed explanation.

To understand Tesla’s response, it’s important to differentiate between the tow rating and the vertical load rating. Morrill uses the tow rating to clarify the vertical load rating, which has caused much of the confusion. Generally, a vehicle’s vertical load rating is around 10% of its total tow rating. For the Cybertruck, which has a tow rating of 11,000 lbs (5,000 kg), the expected vertical load would be around 1,100 lbs (500 kg). However, the manual’s previous reference to 160 lbs left many scratching their heads.

This discrepancy is what Morrill addressed. He explained, “Wanted to answer tow-hitch accessory questions with a few examples. There are many different accessories, but the relationship is clear. To simplify it, when you increase the distance away from the hitch, the load capability goes down. The 11,000lb tow rating isn’t absolute.”

Wanted to answer tow hitch accessory questions with a few examples. There are many different accessories, but the relationship is clear.

To simplify it, when you increase the distance away from the hitch the load capability goes down. The 11,000lb tow rating isn't absolute.

You… pic.twitter.com/Lcd7EgwQ8S

— Wes (@wmorrill3) October 30, 2024

He used a simple analogy: imagine holding a heavy weight close to your chest—it’s much easier than holding that same weight with your arms extended. This principle applies to the Cybertruck’s tow hitch, where the load-bearing capacity changes with the distance and type of accessory attached. Tesla has now updated the owner’s manual, providing clearer instructions along with illustrations.

The updated manual features an image showing a Cybertruck with various tow hitch accessories, each affecting the hitch’s capacity differently. The illustration shows a trailer, motorbike carrier, and a four-bike carrier, each positioned at different distances from the hitch. The closer the center of mass is to the hitch, the greater the load capacity.

Tesla notes:
“Examples of type of carrier and general distance from the hitch pin:
1. Trailer (heaviest)
2. Motorbike carrier (lighter)
3. Four bike carrier (lightest)”

In other words, the Cybertruck’s hitch can support its maximum 1,100 lb vertical load when towing a trailer since the load’s center of gravity is lower and closer to the hitch. However, as accessories move further from the hitch, the vertical load capacity decreases.

Morrill also shared a second screenshot from the manual, providing more details on how different accessories affect the load capacity. Tesla explains:

“The load that the hitch receiver can support varies based on the configuration of the accessory carrier. The maximum tongue weight—the downward force on the trailer hitch—of Cybertruck is 1,100 lbs (500 kg). The maximum weight decreases when the center of gravity (the effective center point of the load) of the accessory carrier is farther from the trailer hitch.”

Tesla’s manual includes a table outlining how various accessories impact the hitch’s load capacity. For example, a four-bike carrier has a vertical load limit of 220 lbs (100 kg), while a motorbike carrier, with its closer center of mass, allows for a 375 lb (170 kg) limit. For a trailer ball, the Cybertruck maintains its full 1,100 lb rating.

While Tesla’s detailed response clears up the confusion, questions remain. At a 375 lb limit, carrying certain motorbikes may still pose a challenge. As more owners start putting the Cybertruck to the test, we’ll see if these adjustments to the manual help address practical towing needs.

What’s your take on the Cybertruck’s towing capabilities? Share your thoughts in the comments, and stay tuned to torquenews.com/Tesla for the latest updates.