Model 3 tow hitch pictures
Hey guys,
Received my M3 today, LR AWD, just great, everything works, acceleration is insane, scared my wife.
I'm probably one of the first to receive the tow hitch in Europe, I received the offer 1 week after placing my order on April 29th. So I thought I'd share some pics:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJ1R7yii82bEPhJJ9
It's made by Westfalia. It comes in a nice case and has a lock with 2 red keys.
Picture 3 shows in which position must be the knob in order to insert it.
There is a plastic panel under the car, twist the 2 screws with a coin and the panel pops right out.
Remove the insert from the hole.
Insert the hitch all the way in until it clicks into position, at which position you can turn the small red key 180 degrees to lock and remove it.
Fairly standard. Last pic shows the electric socket.
Received my M3 today, LR AWD, just great, everything works, acceleration is insane, scared my wife.
I'm probably one of the first to receive the tow hitch in Europe, I received the offer 1 week after placing my order on April 29th. So I thought I'd share some pics:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJ1R7yii82bEPhJJ9
It's made by Westfalia. It comes in a nice case and has a lock with 2 red keys.
Picture 3 shows in which position must be the knob in order to insert it.
There is a plastic panel under the car, twist the 2 screws with a coin and the panel pops right out.
Remove the insert from the hole.
Insert the hitch all the way in until it clicks into position, at which position you can turn the small red key 180 degrees to lock and remove it.
Fairly standard. Last pic shows the electric socket.
0
Comments
What do you plan to tow?
Towing a Trailer
Warning: Do not use Model 3 for towing purposes. Model 3 does not currently support towing. Towing can cause damage and increase the risk of a collision.
Caution: Using Model 3 for towing before Tesla-approved towing components and accessories are available may void the warranty.
'the model 3 tow hitch is capable of towing trailers, ski and bike carriers that weigh up to 910 kilograms'
have fun!
@gmr6415 It's a new option Tesla is rolling out, it was offered to me one week after I ordered in May, I think it's available in Europe for now, I'm in Switzerland. Can tow 910 kgs.
And is a "can only be installed by the Factory"
option i.e. No retrofitting - for now.
Might be like that due to EU regulations.
And is in short supply.
I have some questions on your towbar pictures.
1. Is there a place on the thing where the trailer safety chain (usually via a shackle) can attach to the tow hitch anywhere as is required by some countries?
2. The electrical connection socket - is that a standard EU "trailer" hook up socket or will you need a special plug and wiring to convert the wiring to enable you to plug in trailers and such?
[and does the Tesla come with such a plug, or do they assume that most trailers will just plug in?
My only comment would be how weatherproof the connection will be due to road spray and such if its located where it is.
All up it looks like it will do the job thats for sure.
Euro’s get all the good stuff, CCS port, trailer hitches vs. their bumpkin US cousins.
1- Indeed I forgot to mention this. On the 5th picture in the album I shared you can see a black metal loop on each side of the hitch. This is where you can attach the trailer safety chain.
2- The car came installed with the 13 pins connector we can see on picture 10. It does fit the 13 pin connector on my trailer. I'm not a specialist on this but that seems to be the standard connector in Europe. Seems to correspond to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_standards_for_trailer_connectors
My trailer connector has the same 13 pins but only 7 are used.
I checked my online user manual (EUR version) and I see towing capacity = 910 kgs and Maximum Tongue Weight = 91 kgs. Funny enough, this is for 18" and 19" wheels, for 20" it says towing currently unavailable.
I've added the towing capacity and pin connections to the album linked in my first post, link again:
ttps://photos.app.goo.gl/cJ1R7yii82bEPhJJ9
10% tongue weight which is a US standard. EU standard is 2-4% tonque weight.
It looks like they built it to US higher tongue weight standard but then only offer it to EU customers. Good news there is it is set for US standards so should be available in US soon.
I'd totally buy a Tesla trailer hitch and Tesla CCS port conversion. Money to made there if Tesla is smart.
Its about $950 Euro or so. For the towbar.
It may seem a bit pricey, but it covers extensive installation processes in the factory.
Which for a normal towbar you either DIY it or pay some to do it. Plus certification afterwards.
So represents a good value if you want a towbar.
Thanks for that, that’s what I had hoped.
Either because of, or as well as (b) Model 3s with 20 inch wheels can't have towing added
Also wonder if the sheer acceleration of a performance might rip the tow bar off the vehicle due to acceleration?
And there seems to be a limited number of tow packages available - as many of the RHD folks (like those in AUS/NZ and no doubt the UK too) want it, but its only offered in the EU at the moment. Supposedly due to limited availability from the supplier.
So how soon the option will open up for more countries? I don't know.
But I do wonder if its a little more complicated than bolting the thing to the cars frame. Like the Torklift one is.
Seems there is electrical wiring, cutouts in the under tray area, and maybe suspension tweaks to handle the additional weight on the rear of the car both downwards and from behind.
I figure this because the "you can't add it later" note is made plain to all who are configuring new Model 3s in the EU. Seems that its not a DIY (or professional after market installer) product. Yet this manufacturer routinely ships to third party installers for other brands without problems. Including EU countries. So its not a "car is not certifiable if tow bar not factory installed" issue I think.
[part A]