[jrmgkia]

I've now done a few 120-150 mile tows with my Lightning, here are photos of two different Bobcat skid-steers each weighing about 8,000lb including trailer. Here is my summary to everyone who inevitably asks, "have you towed with it, how did it do?" What they really want to know is "does it have enough power to keep up with traffic" and "what about range/charging."

Power: Ridiculous amounts of power. So much power that the front tires really struggle for traction up to about 60 mph when you quickly accelerate, much of this is due to the tongue weight (a weight distribution hitch would help with this). I can't believe I'm saying this but I think the truck has too much power, and Ford should have saved some costs and weight going with smaller motors. I say this because it has more power than a sports car but doesn't have the suspension to match, after all it is a truck not a sports car. When it comes to towing it is the same thing, so much power! I pitted my UNLOADED 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins diesel against my Lightning TOWING AN 8,000 LB TRAILER and it wasn't even a race, the Lightning blew the doors off the Ram, which goes to further show how much power we are talking about.

Range/Charging: I get about 140 miles of range with this tow setup, so my navigation suggests a 10-15 minute charge at an EA DC station along my drive home, which is no big deal. The problem is there are only 2 out of the 6 stalls (in Yuba City CA) that you can access with a trailer, and I am really in the way for everyone else while charging. This hasn't been an issue so far, but as EV adoption increases this could be a very frustrating experience for myself and others. What I tell people is that if you want a truck to tow your boat to the lake, or do dump runs, or Home Depot equipment rentals, this truck is fantastic. But if you want to haul your travel trailer for 100s of miles a few times a year this truck would suck for that.

Anyway, just figured I'd share some pics/thoughts of Lightnings doing actual truck stuff.

 

[KElkhorn]

What were your speeds when towing, were they fairly consistent or was it frequent stop & go, etc?

 

[Spiffster]

I had my Fusion towed the other day and the guy who picked it up had a F-250 with a fancy flatbed with hydraulics and a winch. Had me thinking... I could do that with my Lighting for sure, has plenty of range for around the city towing trips. Was like 200 bucks for an hour of work (cheapest I could find). All I would need is a business presence / number on google maps and maybe 15k for equipment... just a thought at this point but I may pursue it as a side gig (but probably not).

100 miles (SR) would be plenty for in city / and surrounding suburb work.

 

[jrmgkia]

What were your speeds when towing, were they fairly consistent or was it frequent stop & go, etc?

It was a mixture of in town and highway, probably 80% Highway. averaging 60 to 65 miles an hour on the highway. Obviously if I slow down, I can extend my range further, but then I’m a nuisance to everyone behind me.

 

[Mr. Mazak]

140 miles of range. Is that with ER battery or SR?

Great posting. Thanks

 

[Busted]

With an ER battery, I got about the same range (maybe less) towing about 2500 lbs, but going 75. I think I averaged about 1.1 m/kwh.

 

[Voltz]

140 miles of range. Is that with ER battery or SR?

Extended. It's in the column under username.

 

[1typoman]

I've now done a few 120-150 mile tows with my Lightning, here are photos of two different Bobcat skid-steers each weighing about 8,000lb including trailer. Here is my summary to everyone who inevitably asks, "have you towed with it, how did it do?" What they really want to know is "does it have enough power to keep up with traffic" and "what about range/charging."

Power: Ridiculous amounts of power. So much power that the front tires really struggle for traction up to about 60 mph when you quickly accelerate, much of this is due to the tongue weight (a weight distribution hitch would help with this). I can't believe I'm saying this but I think the truck has too much power, and Ford should have saved some costs and weight going with smaller motors. I say this because it has more power than a sports car but doesn't have the suspension to match, after all it is a truck not a sports car. When it comes to towing it is the same thing, so much power! I pitted my UNLOADED 2018 Ram 2500 Cummins diesel against my Lightning TOWING AN 8,000 LB TRAILER and it wasn't even a race, the Lightning blew the doors off the Ram, which goes to further show how much power we are talking about.

Range/Charging: I get about 140 miles of range with this tow setup, so my navigation suggests a 10-15 minute charge at an EA DC station along my drive home, which is no big deal. The problem is there are only 2 out of the 6 stalls (in Yuba City CA) that you can access with a trailer, and I am really in the way for everyone else while charging. This hasn't been an issue so far, but as EV adoption increases this could be a very frustrating experience for myself and others. What I tell people is that if you want a truck to tow your boat to the lake, or do dump runs, or Home Depot equipment rentals, this truck is fantastic. But if you want to haul your travel trailer for 100s of miles a few times a year this truck would suck for that.

Anyway, just figured I'd share some pics/thoughts of Lightnings doing actual truck stuff.

Hey thanks so much for your towing information. I think your idea about smaller motors wouldn't work because the load would make them would overheat.