Official Tesla Tow Hitch or 3rd Party?

Official Tesla Tow Hitch or 3rd Party?

Author
Discussion

daveknott5

Original Poster:

732 posts

226 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
So, just placed an order for a Model 3 - my question is, should I go for the official Tesla Tow Hitch fitted at the factory or is it cheaper to get a 3rd party tow hitch fitted?

Anyone got any advice?


skilly1

2,745 posts

202 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
Defiantly order a Telsa one, there is no 3rd party available in the uk apart from one that is suitable for a bike rack. I regret not getting it and you can't retro fit a Tesla one.

https://etowbars.com/uk/Towbars/Tesla-Towbars/Tesl...

Edited by skilly1 on Wednesday 1st December 11:58

daveknott5

Original Poster:

732 posts

226 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
Hmm, I'd only need it for a bike rack and that link you posted seems to be almost half the price of the £1300 Tesla official one.....

skilly1

2,745 posts

202 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
Not sure if that includes any electrics though for £699. Plus you have to install yourself.

stevemcs

8,989 posts

100 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
Go genuine, there is no cutting into looms and no get out if there are any issues with the wiring system

daveknott5

Original Poster:

732 posts

226 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
quotequote all
Good advice - hadn't considered that - thanks all!!

hab1966

1,104 posts

219 months

Wednesday 1st December 2021
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Also check the manual relating to the loading on the Model 3 tow hook.

I wanted to carry 3x mountain bikes using my Atera Strada DL3 but reading the manual made me decide not to due to the limitations imposed. The Tesla bike carrier only carries 2 bikes so thats fine, but anymore than that or possibly 2x electric bikes is probably a no-no.

I'll either get a roof mount system for my model 3 or put a tow hook on the wifes car and use that when we go biking.

Heres Johnny

7,469 posts

131 months

Thursday 2nd December 2021
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You need to order at the time of ordering the car (ie factory fit), as you can’t retrofit the official one to a M3 after the event. (There is talk the MY will be a retro fit).

You also need the official one, things like parking sensors will complain otherwise when you have something on the back.

daveknott5

Original Poster:

732 posts

226 months

Thursday 2nd December 2021
quotequote all
hab1966 said:
Also check the manual relating to the loading on the Model 3 tow hook.

I wanted to carry 3x mountain bikes using my Atera Strada DL3 but reading the manual made me decide not to due to the limitations imposed. The Tesla bike carrier only carries 2 bikes so thats fine, but anymore than that or possibly 2x electric bikes is probably a no-no.

I'll either get a roof mount system for my model 3 or put a tow hook on the wifes car and use that when we go biking.
Hmmm, I was hoping I can mount my Artera bike rack on the tow bar, which has capacity for 4 bikes (combined weight of 53Kg).... This may be a deal breaker for sticking with my order.....

gangzoom

6,776 posts

222 months

Friday 3rd December 2021
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The Tesla manual states 55kg nose weight for all the cars, S/X/Y/3.

The stated limit on the tow bar (made by 3rd party) seems to be 100kg, and thats certified.

https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/tesla-mode...

hab1966

1,104 posts

219 months

Friday 3rd December 2021
quotequote all
I think this is the important bit (from the manual) and after seeing this i decided against the tow bar for our requirement.


daveknott5

Original Poster:

732 posts

226 months

Friday 3rd December 2021
quotequote all
Hmmm, 4 bikes + the weight of the cycle carrier itself is 67kg....

The carrier does have guideline straps that ensure the carrier is "tethered" to the boot - but even so - I would expect that the centre of gravity would still exceed the 55Kg limit.

This would mean that I'd effectively be limited to 2 bikes on the rear carrier + would also need to purchase £430 roof bars to put 2 bikes on the roof ....