Ever wonder if Teslas can tow? Many prospective Tesla owners question whether their vehicles are as powerful as advertised and wish to tow loads using their Teslas.
Since 2008, Tesla’s five models of electric vehicles have revolutionized what it means to be a car in the modern world.
Thanks to the company’s eye for streamlined designs and innovative green solutions, Tesla has established itself as the leading voice in the EV market.
Key Takeaways:
Going off of power and performance alone, any Tesla vehicle could theoretically tow a trailer or boat.
However, not all models are designed to pull heavy weights and the Tesla Roadster doesn’t even come with a tow package.
That being said, though, the Tesla Model X and Y are perfect vehicles for towing small campers or trailers.
If you own a Tesla and are wondering whether your vehicle could successfully tow a rear trailer or camper, continue reading to learn more.
This guide will go through all five Tesla models and discuss whether they are built to carry a load. Keep in mind, though, that your vehicle may need an additional towing package if it does not already have one.
Tesla Model X Towing
To keep things simple, let’s move from the largest Tesla and to the smallest, starting with the Model X.
The Tesla Model X is a compact sports utility vehicle designed to seat up to seven people, depending on its configuration.
It has a range of up to 333 miles on a single charge and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds.
The Model X is the largest and heaviest Tesla model, measuring just shy of 200” in length. It offers a total of 1,020 horsepower, achieving consistent performance over 333.
With a curb weight of over 5,000 pounds, the Model X is a beast of a vehicle that’s capable of towing 2 ½ tons.
The SAE tow package III includes a 2” hitch receiver that can support up to 500 lbs of tongue weight, outclassing a standard Jeep and placing the Model X in the same class as a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
This is more than enough strength to tow a commercial camper or boat without trouble.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is the second largest vehicle in the company’s lineup, coming in just under the Model X SUV.
It’s a compact crossover vehicle that offers up to 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded. The Model Y can also tow up to 3,500 pounds and reach 60 mph in as little as 4.3 seconds.
Like the Model X, the Model Y comes standard with a 2” hitch receiver, although it’s only rated to support 160 lbs.
It’s also worth noting that the towing package is not available on all Model Y trims. This feature only hit markets in 2020.
If your Model Y did not come with the towing package, you can still use it to tow small campers and trailers using an aftermarket attachment, however, you will not have the same towing capacity as a Model Y that did come with the towing package.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is the company’s midsize sedan, coming in just under the Model S. It has a range of up to 322 miles and can go from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds.
The Model 3 is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the all-wheel-drive option providing up to 518 horsepower.
In 2021, Tesla finally released a tow package for the Model 3 after years of hinting that they would do so but the smaller vehicle is less durable than other options.
Unlike Models X and Y, the Model 3 can only tow a maximum weight of 2,000 lbs, ruling out any chance of pulling a camper. It does, however, allow owners to pull a small trailer or bike rack.
The Model 3 tow package includes a 50mm ball coupling, which can support up to 120 lbs of vertical weight, although Tesla is careful to note that you shouldn’t overload the coupling, as it can damage your vehicle and affect performance.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is the company’s flagship sedan and the first non-sports car that they ever released.
It has a range of up to 402 miles and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, making it the fastest-accelerating car in production.
The Model S is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, with the all-wheel-drive option providing up to 1,020 horsepower.
Unfortunately, though, the Tesla Model S is not specked with a tow package, meaning that you’ll be unable to put that horsepower to work.
The design and chassis of the Model S aren’t exactly shaped to support a trailer hitch anyway, so we recommend avoiding aftermarket hitch accessories to protect the integrity of your vehicle.
Tesla Roadster
Although Tesla officially ceased production on its iconic roadster in 2011, the company has announced that it will reissue an updated and improved version of the vehicle starting in 2023.
The new Roadster will reach top speeds of 250 mph with acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds, carrying on the title of the world’s fastest car.
Like the Model S, though, both the original Tesla Roadster and its 2023 reincarnation are not designed or specked to tow a load.
They are high-performance sports cars by nature and should not be used to pull campers, trailers, or boats. Attempting to do so could damage the chassis of the vehicles and affect performance.
The Bottom Line On Tesla Towing
Tesla may present itself as a luxury brand but these vehicles are some of the most powerful on the market.
With so much power, it’s well within reason that any model could tow a small trailer, camper, or boat.
However, not all Teslas come with a towing package and those that do may not be able to tow as much weight as other cars on the market.
When in doubt, always refer to your Tesla owner’s manual to see what the maximum towing capacity is for your specific model.
Remember, towing a load will put additional strain on your vehicle and may affect its range, so be sure to plan your trips accordingly.
