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.​

​

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!

 

[Thutchis]

This is great! I can’t wait!

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.​

​

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​

I am looking for a towed to replace my 96 Geo Tracker. The Slate would be perfect.

 

[Trace26]

I've heard the reason EVs can't be flat towed is the motor will try to make power when being towed and that power doesn't have anywhere to go causing damage to the inverter. Will be interesting to see how Slate tackles this problem.

I'd think some un-locking hubs might be an option. But that would entail the customer remembering to unlocking them.

 

[Thutchis]

That would be the simplest solution . But the memory issue would be huge. Especially for us older folks. 😁

 

[KevinRS]

Flat tow, especially behind an RV can have some complications. My grandfather used to do it with his scouts, they had manual locking hubs on all 4 wheels. Part of the issue is the geometry of where the rear wheels of the RV are and how far they are from the hitch. If he made a moderately sharp turn, like out of a gas station driveway, the front of the scout would first be pulled in the opposite direction that the RV is turning, then as the RV moves forward, the direction abruptly switches. He had the steering wheel tied in place, but the wheels still turned some, then got dragged.
A dolly or trailer is still probably the best idea, because it can follow the RV's motion better, and reduce abnormal wear on the tires, suspension, and steering components.

 

[atx_ev]

saw someone flat towing a maverick behind an RV today.

 

[atreis]

Flat tow, especially behind an RV can have some complications. My grandfather used to do it with his scouts, they had manual locking hubs on all 4 wheels. Part of the issue is the geometry of where the rear wheels of the RV are and how far they are from the hitch. If he made a moderately sharp turn, like out of a gas station driveway, the front of the scout would first be pulled in the opposite direction that the RV is turning, then as the RV moves forward, the direction abruptly switches. He had the steering wheel tied in place, but the wheels still turned some, then got dragged.
A dolly or trailer is still probably the best idea, because it can follow the RV's motion better, and reduce abnormal wear on the tires, suspension, and steering components.

When flat towing, you want the front wheels to be able to turn (side to side) freely so that it can follow the RV around tight turns. If towing on a dolly with a swivel plate, strapping the steering wheel can keep the side of the car from hitting the fenders on the dolly.

There are some limitations though. You can't back up for more than 2-3 feet. This is also true when towing with a dolly. I've done both and by far prefer flat towing. (Story: Had someone block me in at a gas station once. I asked them to move, and they got huffy and said, "People should learn how to drive those things ..." A lot of people just don't know that it's not possible to back up for any distance without unhooking when flat or dolly towing.)

Any time you're towing something, vehicle, trailer, doesn't matter, there will be limitations on turning radius. One has to judge the location and decide to make another choice before turning. Not all gas stations are usable.

My current TOAD is a '19 Ford Fiesta. I plan to replace it with the first available flat towable BEV. Right now the contenders are Slate and Telo. (FWIW, at least some trims of the Maverick are flat towable, but I don't want another ICE.)

 

[Thutchis]

If you are at all interested in flat towing the Slate, I suggest you send a message on their web site and letting them know. The more interest shown, the better the odds are they will incorporate the feature. You can send a message at: Slate Contact Page

The big issue of course is uncoupling the rear axles from the motor. But also we would need them to work with towing equipment manufacturers like Blue Ox and RoadMaster to create base plates that attach to the frame. Of course Slate needs to design attach points into the frame. Also, a modular plug for a 3rd party wiring harness for turning and stop lights.

 

[EV Wrench]

Well there is one now..The Mustnag Mach-E. Could not believe when I found this on my car...

Borge Warner has a drive system that provides torque vectoring and the ability to disconnect the motor from the wheels. Seems to be aimed at EU and China products.