We installed a Torklift hitch system on our Model S and took pictures documenting the installation, mounting a Saris Thelma hitch rack and Trek road bicycle, including the underbody and disassembled rear of the car. The pictures also include some shots of the barn with solar panel installation:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0wxhuneq80kvosy/v4tVTnX7WN
The Torklift hitch is a custom hitch for the Model S, available with two adapter - 1.5" and 2". It has detailed instructions on how to remove the rear bodywork, bottom panels, and bumper crossbars to install the hitch receiver. The system installs without structural drilling, using existing bolts and nuts that are part of the Tesla bumper system.
Installation is complex, and for most people should be done in a body shop. However, we have a lift in the barn and all the needed tools, so I tackled it myself.
Immediately inside the bumper cover is a stamped steel bumper cross member that is attached with eight nuts, onto studs that protrude from the aluminum body. This steel cross member covers an extruded aluminum reinforcement that is the main structural element inside the rear bumper, providing crash protection for rear-facing passengers in the jump seat (in cars so equipped).
The instructions are to remove the eight nuts holdng the steel cross member with a 17mm socket wrench, then remove eight more nuts that attach the aluminum crossbar, using a 15mm socket wrench. The trailer hitch is then mounted behind (forward on the car) both crossbars using the original nuts to hold all three crosspieces (including the new hitch) in place.
As I outlined in a separate post, we uncovered loose nuts for the steel bumper liner. The linked pictures include several that show a quality control issue when assembling my car. Three of the four nuts holding the right side of the steel bumper crossmember were barely threaded onto their respective studs. They were not even hand tight, but just started onto the studs, far away fom being seated. The fourth nut was properly torqued to 40 ft. lbs. (the torque recommended in the hitch instructions).
I seated and torqued the nuts upon installing the hitch, so no harm in our case, but it is in an area that cannot be inspected without major dissassembly, and it does make one wonder what else wasn't tightenned on this or other cars.... This issue is discussed fully in the other link, so no more about it here.
Returning to the hitch installation, there is a video on the manufacturer's website:
A small fitment issue required minor grinding on the hitch, and the two stud extenders were about 1/4" too long, so I trimmed them with a Dremmel cut-off wheel. Pictures of this are in the Dropbox link. Installation also requires cutting a pretty big hole in the bottom rear body cover, including the forward part of the plastic chrome finisher at the bottom of the bumper. The provided template suggests using a 4" hole saw on both ends of the oblong hole to get it started. I do not have a hole saw that big, so masked the surface to protect the paint and chrome, and transferred the template to the tape, drilled a starter hole, and used a jig saw to do the job. Cutting the bumper cover was the scariest part of the job.
The hitch worked great but does reduce battery range. Last night we drove 170 miles with it and a bike on a hitch rack. We began with a full max range charge (272 rated at start) and drove normally, Mostly 65 mph, some 75. We had 10 miles left on arrival, so lost about 90 miles of rated range due to a combination of low temperatures, slightly above average speed, and the rear rack. The hitch/rack/bike combo seemed to affect range about 10-15%, as we averaged 404 kwh, and normally average 340-350 on that trip at those temps (about 40 degrees) and speeds. However, we did have the headlights on as it was dark the entire way, and all of our prior trips over this route were with the lights off during the day.
Driving with the bike carrier and two road bikes are akin to pulling a parachute behind a vehicle designed for least air resistance. We did this because regular strap-on bike carriers can't be used with the aluminum body, and since the car is designed with specific attachment points for a roof rack, Tesla must have testing saying exterior wind disruption isn't terribly bad. I figure that a rear hitch mounted rack is less disruptive than having two bikes mounted on the roof.
Since we had almost no range cushion with a max range charge for this trip, I am further reducing range planning allowance for this car. We now think of the 85 kwh Model S as a 175 mile range car for normal trip planning, but 155-160 with the bikes on the hitch rack.
Thanks for this post. I have been looking at that hitch for a while and the video just made it look so easy I couldn't believe it.
Has anyone spoke with Tesla about any warranty issues? I really don't see it being a problem... just curious.
Thanks for the post-- I am also looking at that hitch for occasional bike transport...
I have not asked TM about how this would affect the warranty, but don't think it should have any impact. They have a provision already for a roof rack on pano-roof-equipped cars, and installation of the hitch does not affect anything about how the car operates, but does add another steel crossmember at the rear of the car. As noted above, there is no cutting or drilling of any structural part - just a plastic hole in the bumper cover.
However, were I to pull a trailer it could be another story - I doubt the Model S has a tow rating, or that the brakes and stability system is set up to deal with the weight of a trailer back there. That coudl perhaps affect warranty. I would think thatit can pull a small traler with a motorcycle, ATV or jet ski, butI would not do that.
We might put on a small open utility trailer weighing under 500 lbs. for trash runs to the dump (we don't have trash pickup at our farm), but don't think we will as we have farm trucks for that.
You need a Model X for trash runs! ;)
nice set of pictures. nice car, nice barn. looks like you have enough solar panels to power a small town. Definitely a green setup. It looks like you have fully embraced the future and have made me think about getting soar panels for my MS.
We do have green cars, and 112 solar panels, plus 100% LED lighting throughout the farm, and 10 geothermal wells, but without government subsidies none of those things would have happened. Being in the 1%, I find it fascinating that the current government has directly funded so much of my personal lifestyle. None of these benefits (deductions and credits) are available to people of average household income or lower. One person's loophole is another person's definition of investment.
What you see in those pictures is about $450,000 in government payments to my family in the form of renewable energy tax credits, farm grants, and business deductions, most of which were created by the green-focused current administration (although not the $7,500 payment we received to buy the Model S, which was a Bush administration program). I personally have a moral quandary with this given fiscal reality, but if they want to give us money to do stuff, we will do that stuff.
Dave don't give the the moral issue bull. If you had a moral issue with it you could have skipped the deductions and credits. Then again our government would probably audit you and give you the money anyway. That happened to my mom one year. FED audit and the government ended up owing her and extra 2k. They never audited her again. lol.
Dave's acknowledging that everyone else paid for his upgrades, etc., for purely theoretical benefit. The US could stop emitting CO2 entirely tomorrow, and it would take China, not to mention the rest of the BRIC crew, about 4 months to make up the difference and carry on. Except that their main customer would be no more.
Dave, A major part of tax policy is to encourage investments in places where the government (i.e. the people of the US) would like the economy to go. We subsidize oil through depletion allowances and all sorts of investment credits. We subsidize research and development of many different of industries. And we have chosen to subsidize renewable energy through tax policy. Until we get to a flat rate tax (which may be either good or bad), then you are not taking advantage of the system. You are in fact doing exactly what the system is hoping you would do. And putting people and companies to work as you do it (someone had to build and install all of that). So thank you, and enjoy.
I have an interest in towing a small light weight "canoe trailer" with a 60 Lb. canoe (as well as bycycle). I spoke with Tesla Configuration Rep. and was told would not impact Warranty. Of course my interest would likely impact range less than one or two adult passengers. I was told the motor would have plenty of torque which makes sense. Specifications show a standard 85 kWh Model S has 362 hp and 325 Lb-ft of torque. The one thing the guy said was be careful when accelerating since there will be no delay ..., direct transfer to trailer. That said you never do know ..., lawyers ..., fine print ..., and all.
@wonder - I would expect pulling a trailer will cost you far more than a couple of passengers due to drag.
jat;
yeah, unless the passengers are leaning out the window and playing "airplane"! Could happen ...
Could be! I should have enough range though. Can get to quite a few different local lakes within an hour or so one way. Most if not all will likely have access to RV type 40 amp outlets if I want to go that route maybe for a long weekend. Sure would be nice to have Superchargers between here (St. Louis area) up through Deluth, MN and over to Ely, MN (Boundary Waters Canoe Country).
If you are only going to use it for bikes, may i suggest a different approach ?
I have a question Dave, if you happen to notice this post.
Is there an electrical harness with the kit for the trailer lights?
I don't plan on pulling a heavy boat but if I get this hitch I might get one of those small utility trailers to pull a kayak, canoe or something very light. After having a roof rack on my Saturn I have no interest making the climb to the roof to get stuff any more.
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I didn't think anything could be as fun as owning the car, but after the last two weeks of the market, I'm starting to wonder...
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