[Jerm2006]

Yes, Out of Spec Motoring also did a test showing that Aero has a significant range affect with EV trucks compared to Weight. They basically took a light trailer for lawn mowers that has a grated back ramp. With and without weight they ran a distance, then with and without a board blocking the grating at the back of the trailer to create a big flat surface that would increase aero drag. The results were pretty conclusive for that test as well.

Basically for towing with EVs, aero should be the first concern, and I see a big transition in campers, and trailers going to more aero designs to sell to EV buyers.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Motor Trend put a Lightning Platinum through a towing test with a camper they say "nearly maxed out its 8,500-pound towing capacity".

Their results show that the Lightning struggled to get over 100 miles with different trailers.

Tow No! The Ford F-150 Lightning Struggled in Our Towing Test

We towed 3100-, 5300-, and 7200-pound travel trailers with Ford’s electric truck and didn’t get very far from home.

www.motortrend.com

The Results: How Far Can A Ford F-150 Lightning Tow?

Important note from the article:
"We targeted an average speed of 70 mph, but construction at the beginning and end of our route meant our speed was slightly lower than we were aiming for. All three tests were at least consistent, with average highway speeds between 64 and 67 mph."

 

[jodgey]

Yes, Out of Spec Motoring also did a test showing that Aero has a significant range affect with EV trucks compared to Weight. They basically took a light trailer for lawn mowers that has a grated back ramp. With and without weight they ran a distance, then with and without a board blocking the grating at the back of the trailer to create a big flat surface that would increase aero drag. The results were pretty conclusive for that test as well.

Basically for towing with EVs, aero should be the first concern, and I see a big transition in campers, and trailers going to more aero designs to sell to EV buyers.

I don’t tow a lot, but that would transfer the ice as well. You just drain the gas tank faster when towing?

 

[FM_Jack]

We should also note that the XLT and Lariat models are more efficient than the Platinum, stretching the same battery pack to an EPA-rated range of 320 miles. Cherry-picking the right trim and options could buy you a few more towing miles.

This. I'm actually getting sick of any more reviews in this regard because 1) it is already established (even by Ford Execs) that if you are really going to tow a lot and over long distance, don't get the Lightning 2) they all keep using the Platinum trim which has less towing capability. So these established review houses aren't proving anything.

Hell, get a big box to tow loaded with nothing and I bet you get crap miles as well.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

This. I'm actually getting sick of any more reviews in this regard because 1) it is already established (even by Ford Execs) that if you are really going to tow a lot and over long distance, don't get the Lightning 2) they all keep using the Platinum trim which has less towing capability. So these established review houses aren't proving anything.

Hell, get a big box to tow loaded with nothing and I bet you get crap miles as well.

Have to agree on this. Frankly, if you are regular tower over any kind of distance, you would be foolish to get a Lightning. It will be a long, long time before EV's are competitive in that space.

 

[ChasingCoral]

1) it is already established (even by Ford Execs) that if you are really going to tow a lot and over long distance, don't get the Lightning

Have to agree on this. Frankly, if you are regular tower over any kind of distance, you would be foolish to get a Lightning. It will be a long, long time before EV's are competitive in that space.

I'll push back on this and say the conclusion is more nuanced than this. If you are going to tow a lot and over long distances, you need to be aware of the limitations and trade-offs. You will stop more and spend more time charging. However, some folks are willing to make that sacrifice for the cost savings and environmental benefits you gain driving electric. It's not foolish, but a question of priorities. What we need are well-educated consumers.

Hell, get a big box to tow loaded with nothing and I bet you get crap miles as well.

Yes, Out of Spec tested that one using a big wind-catching panel. Towing range is crap. That's why parachutes slow down top fuel dragsters.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

I'll push back on this and say the conclusion is more nuanced than this. If you are going to tow a lot and over long distances, you need to be aware of the limitations and trade-offs. You will stop more and spend more time charging. However, some folks are willing to make that sacrifice for the cost savings and environmental benefits you gain driving electric. It's not foolish, but a question of priorities. What we need are well-educated consumers.

Coral, have to remember I'm in South Dakota. "Some" is very few in my part of the world, and if you are regularly hauling cattle/horse or whatever trailers over long distances, yes you would be foolish as you don't even have chargers to use. It all depends on you circumstance. Heck, I would love to see how folks would deal with horse trailers at the typical DC fast charging set up when which we don't even have.

 

[ChasingCoral]

Coral, have to remember I'm in South Dakota. "Some" is very few in my part of the world, and if you are regularly hauling cattle/horse or whatever trailers over long distances, yes you would be foolish as you don't even have chargers to use. It all depends on you circumstance. Heck, I would love to see how folks would deal with horse trailers at the typical DC fast charging set up when which we don't even have.

Agreed. You are certainly in one of the worst case states, too. My point is it depends on the kind of long-distance towing you are doing and your priorities and use case. Currently, the Lightning is a very poor fit for towing in SD. Not so bad for towing in some states. Again, that's why we need well-educated consumers.

My hope is when SD gets around to implementing their DCFC plan that they will be attentive to the need to charge while towing. However, I could see some states potentially installing chargers badly for political reasons.

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Agreed. You are certainly in one of the worst case states, too. My point is it depends on the kind of long-distance towing you are doing and your priorities and use case. Currently, the Lightning is a very poor fit for towing in SD. Not so bad for towing in some states. Again, that's why we need well-educated consumers.

My hope is when SD gets around to implementing their DCFC plan that they will be attentive to the need to charge while towing. However, I could see some states potentially installing chargers badly for political reasons.

I posted the plan in another thread. Very well done and thought out. They have to build out the Interstates first before they are allowed to move the more rural areas. They plan also plans for a least one charger where one could be towing and pull in.

After that is done, they are going to look at population centers off the freeways and geographic diversity. (The northwest corner is so sparsely populated, I'm curious what the heck they are going to do there.....) I did not completely understand it, but I think there is some tribal build outs that will also help which are partially separate. (Some kind of corridor from MN to SD for tribe member movement.) They estimate the Interstate build out will be about 3 years, so guessing about 5 years until we see some rural chargers off the Interstates.

 

[2023 lighting]

#1 there isn't going to be a nationwide charging network in 3-5 years. There will be more and more but as far as what's planned it will take well more than 5 years!

#2 Motor Trend must be planning to buy a freightliner with a sleeper cab and write an article about how hard it is to park at movie theater and how it won't fit in parking garages.

Seriously it would have been better if the Lightning came without a hitch.

 

[208]

#1 there isn't going to be a nationwide charging network in 3-5 years. There will be more and more but as far as what's planned it will take well more than 5 year

Tesla is nation-wide, (I have been coast to coast multiple times now), & is planing to add CCS by the end of the year. 🤔

 

[THEsocalledfan]

Tesla is nation-wide, (I have been coast to coast multiple times now), & is planing to add CCS by the end of the year. 🤔

It is going to depend on how much fed money they get to see that expansion..... I'm not counting my chickens yet.....

 

[Bandit]

Most of these towing tests have involved towing largish and heavy trailers. (ie worse case) Have there been any more likely use case tests? How about some EV range tests involving a bass boat, a popup camper, or a 4 wheeler and trailer? That's going to be a more common use for EV towing.