Flat Tow support for Slate truck in the works [confirmed]

[The Weatherman]

How does one flat tow an electric vehicle? Does the motor just free spin or do they have an electric coupler?

and has there been more confirmation on flat towing the slate?

we just got back from a trip towing our RZR on a trailer 400 miles so we had something we could biz around town with

I am
Not aware of a an EV that is suitable for flat towing. That doesn’t mean there isn’t one, but none I know of.

The issue is with electric motors regenerating under tow. That electricity has to go somewhere and there in lies the problem. A normal regen is short and limited. An EV being towed is going to be generated at high levels for long periods and will heat up the motor to the point of failure and the battery is not going to be capable of storing an indefinite amount of energy and would be damaged as well.

Now we all know most anything is possible with the right amount thought, design and engineering, but the reward just has not been seen as worth the cost.

A small light weight trailer or maybe a dolly since the Slate is only RWD.

 

[skidoofast]

I am
Not aware of a an EV that is suitable for flat towing. That doesn’t mean there isn’t one, but none I know of.

The issue is with electric motors regenerating under tow. That electricity has to go somewhere and there in lies the problem. A normal regen is short and limited. An EV being towed is going to be generated at high levels for long periods and will heat up the motor to the point of failure and the battery is not going to be capable of storing an indefinite amount of energy and would be damaged as well.

Now we all know most anything is possible with the right amount thought, design and engineering, but the reward just has not been seen as worth the cost.

A small light weight trailer or maybe a dolly since the Slate is only RWD.

Dolly wouldn’t work since the back wheels would still be on the ground

it would be nice if there was a disconnect on the motor to disengage the rear axle to allow flat towing, guess I just have to wait and see

also it might be best to get a small car trailer like U-Haul has so we don’t cause unnecessary wear on slates tires and axle and suspension

 

[The Weatherman]

Dolly wouldn’t work since the back wheels would still be on the ground

it would be nice if there was a disconnect on the motor to disengage the rear axle to allow flat towing, guess I just have to wait and see

also it might be best to get a small car trailer like U-Haul has so we don’t cause unnecessary wear on slates tires and axle and suspension

I agree that small light trailer would be your best option. So you can’t dolly a vehicle with front tires on the ground? Haven’t I seen tow trucks towing that way?

 

[Whitesands]

Vehicles can be towed on a dolly with the rear wheels on it. Just have to lock the steering to do so.

 

[Luxrage]

I agree that small light trailer would be your best option. So you can’t dolly a vehicle with front tires on the ground? Haven’t I seen tow trucks towing that way?

Each car is different but they sell little tow-straps you can hook to the bottom of the seat rail for manual seats to hold the wheel in one spot. I know some of my older cars have a few degrees of movement on the wheel even when locked. Some people tie the seatbelt around it and buckle it in but that might not be good for modern seatbelt retractors/tensioners.

 

[AZFox]

The Slate's De Dion suspension will have the differential attached to the frame and two half-shaft axles. Maybe whatever connects the motor to the diff could be able to be disengaged somehow.

Another way to do it would be to offer alternate rear hubs with a locking/unlocking feature similar to the locking front hubs of a 4X4.

 

[hbuck]

I asked about flat towing support for the Slate truck and here was their confirmation:

Hi Joe,​

​

Great question! Towing a Slate behind a motorhome is exactly the kind of adventurous, off-grid thinking we're excited to see from future drivers.​

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We're happy to share that flat towing is actively in the works to be supported for Slate, including highway towing behind larger vehicles like RVs. Stay tuned for more specific guidelines and recommendations as we get closer to launch to make sure everything's smooth and road-trip ready.​

​

Let us know if you'd like to be added to our updates list for towing and travel-related features!​

​

Cheers:+​

​

Kathryn || Slate agent team​

This is great! I can’t wait!