[ChasingCoral]

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado

images: Zack Whiting Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One o

tfltruck.com

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado
Pushing these prototypes near their limits.
By
Andre Smirnov
-
February 23, 2022

images: Zack Whiting
Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One of the trucks is towing a large tandem axle box trailer. As you can see in the images the Lightning with a trailer is using a weight-distribution-hitch (WDH), which means the truck is likely pulling a trailer that is loaded to over 5,000 lbs.

Big thanks to Zack Whiting for sending us these images.

This morning is the coldest February day on (123 years) record in Boulder, CO. The wind chill was -13F or colder this morning. The elevation of Boulder is just about 1-mile above sea level. All vehicles become less efficient in cold temperatures. Lots of extra heat is required to keep the cabin warm. Towing a trailer with a battery-electric pickup truck in these conditions really puts it to the test.

The driving range on the 2022 F-150 Lightning with a larger battery pack is listed at 300 miles by Ford. The Lightning is not yet EPA certified (as of this writing). As we have shown in our real-world testing – electric vehicles (Tesla Model X and Rivian R1T) can lose between 40%-65% of their range when towing heavy trailers. Cold temperatures will challenge these new EVs even further.

• 
• 
• 

It’s great to see that Ford is putting the F-150 Lightning to the test in a variety of real-world conditions. There is also an F-150 Lightning – maximum towing package – which provides additional cooling/warming for the battery system. The F-150 Lightning extended range is rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs with a maximum payload of up to 1,800 lbs. We cannot wait to put one of these trucks to the test.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado

images: Zack Whiting Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One o

tfltruck.com

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado
Pushing these prototypes near their limits.
By
Andre Smirnov
-
February 23, 2022

images: Zack Whiting
Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One of the trucks is towing a large tandem axle box trailer. As you can see in the images the Lightning with a trailer is using a weight-distribution-hitch (WDH), which means the truck is likely pulling a trailer that is loaded to over 5,000 lbs.

Big thanks to Zack Whiting for sending us these images.

This morning is the coldest February day on (123 years) record in Boulder, CO. The wind chill was -13F or colder this morning. The elevation of Boulder is just about 1-mile above sea level. All vehicles become less efficient in cold temperatures. Lots of extra heat is required to keep the cabin warm. Towing a trailer with a battery-electric pickup truck in these conditions really puts it to the test.

The driving range on the 2022 F-150 Lightning with a larger battery pack is listed at 300 miles by Ford. The Lightning is not yet EPA certified (as of this writing). As we have shown in our real-world testing – electric vehicles (Tesla Model X and Rivian R1T) can lose between 40%-65% of their range when towing heavy trailers. Cold temperatures will challenge these new EVs even further.

• 
• 
• 

It’s great to see that Ford is putting the F-150 Lightning to the test in a variety of real-world conditions. There is also an F-150 Lightning – maximum towing package – which provides additional cooling/warming for the battery system. The F-150 Lightning extended range is rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs with a maximum payload of up to 1,800 lbs. We cannot wait to put one of these trucks to the test.

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado

images: Zack Whiting Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One o

tfltruck.com

Spied: 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Is Towing a Large Trailer at -13F Wind Chill in Colorado
Pushing these prototypes near their limits.
By
Andre Smirnov
-
February 23, 2022

images: Zack Whiting
Take a look at these new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning prototypes undergoing high-elevation cold-weather testing in Boulder, Colorado. One of the trucks is towing a large tandem axle box trailer. As you can see in the images the Lightning with a trailer is using a weight-distribution-hitch (WDH), which means the truck is likely pulling a trailer that is loaded to over 5,000 lbs.

Big thanks to Zack Whiting for sending us these images.

This morning is the coldest February day on (123 years) record in Boulder, CO. The wind chill was -13F or colder this morning. The elevation of Boulder is just about 1-mile above sea level. All vehicles become less efficient in cold temperatures. Lots of extra heat is required to keep the cabin warm. Towing a trailer with a battery-electric pickup truck in these conditions really puts it to the test.

The driving range on the 2022 F-150 Lightning with a larger battery pack is listed at 300 miles by Ford. The Lightning is not yet EPA certified (as of this writing). As we have shown in our real-world testing – electric vehicles (Tesla Model X and Rivian R1T) can lose between 40%-65% of their range when towing heavy trailers. Cold temperatures will challenge these new EVs even further.

• 
• 
• 

It’s great to see that Ford is putting the F-150 Lightning to the test in a variety of real-world conditions. There is also an F-150 Lightning – maximum towing package – which provides additional cooling/warming for the battery system. The F-150 Lightning extended range is rated to tow up to 10,000 lbs with a maximum payload of up to 1,800 lbs. We cannot wait to put one of these trucks to the test.

So do we know if max towing reduces range? Key question for me as I like the extra cooling but won't sacrifice range for it.

 

[ChasingCoral]

So do we know if max towing reduces range? Key question for me as I like the extra cooling but won't sacrifice range for it.

Of course we know towing reduces range. That's simple physics. What we don't know is how much towing will reduce range.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Of course we know towing reduces range. That's simple physics. What we don't know is how much towing will reduce range.

That's not my question; I should have been more clear. The question is if having the max towing package in and of itself, reduce range? Some of have said just having it for better cooling may be good, but will it reduce range? I have no regular towing I would be doing, but should I get it anyway?

 

[btreece]

That's not my question; I should have been more clear. The question is if having the max towing package in and of itself, reduce range? Some of have said just having it for better cooling may be good, but will it reduce range? I have no regular towing I would be doing, but should I get it anyway?

That is my big question also. What exactly is the extra cooling buying us? Ford has not provided any technical documentation on what this extra cooling is. Is it just another exterior loop for the battery (ok) or is it internal cooling (better)? What is the extra cooling for the motors? How much weight does all this add and what is the range impact? I imagine the benefits are better battery life expectancy and possibly faster charging times - anything else?

 

[taxmanhog]

Got my watch notifications turned on for this channel!!

https://www.youtube.com/c/TFLtruck/videos

https://www.youtube.com/c/TFLEV/videos

 

[taxmanhog]

That's not my question; I should have been more clear. The question is if having the max towing package in and of itself, reduce range? Some of have said just having it for better cooling may be good, but will it reduce range? I have no regular towing I would be doing, but should I get it anyway?

Negatives: weight, electrical load = watts-?
Positives: thermal management enabling better power output = watts+?
End result +/-?

If you plan to sell the truck down the road, 3-5 years, having this option, though likely little use to you might be a valuable option to a prospective buyer.

 

[GDN]

If the additional tow package just adds additional cooling loops, but uses the existing cooling system I don't see any significant hit to weight, range, etc.

I'm hoping that they have a fairly well designed system this go round, but we know the Mach E was skewered by Munro for this very thing. Apparently Ford has already responded nicely and made some updates. Lets hope the Lightning design has taken note.

Another note - On the very basics we have about SR and ER batteries, none of the models show to have any less range than another, other than the Platinum and we know it to be 20 miles less than the Lariat. If this tow package affected range I think it would have been noted.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

If the additional tow package just adds additional cooling loops, but uses the existing cooling system I don't see any significant hit to weight, range, etc.

I'm hoping that they have a fairly well designed system this go round, but we know the Mach E was skewered by Munro for this very thing. Apparently Ford has already responded nicely and made some updates. Lets hope the Lightning design has taken note.

Another note - On the very basics we have about SR and ER batteries, none of the models show to have any less range than another, other than the Platinum and we know it to be 20 miles less than the Lariat. If this tow package affected range I think it would have been noted.

You nailed why I am wondering.....what caused the plat decrease in range? I've not gotten the invite to order yet, so if I'm pushed to MY23, this could be good for me as I think we will learn the answers to some of this.

 

[208]

So do we know if max towing reduces range? Key question for me as I like the extra cooling but won't sacrifice range for it.

The Max Tow package is not specked by Ford as reducing range (like the Platinum package is). It is doubtful the small weight and draw increase (if any) would cause a noticeable decrease in range.

It could certainly be argued that Max Towing Package would increase range; in the longer term. Temperature extremes is the enemy of the pack. A bigger cooling/heating system is the battery's friend, and will almost certainly help it keep more of it's capacity longer.

 

[208]

You nailed why I am wondering.....what caused the plat decrease in range? I've not gotten the invite to order yet, so if I'm pushed to MY23, this could be good for me as I think we will learn the answers to some of this.

Extra weight & wheel size.