Flat towing Slate truck

[rotsy63]

I think this is the perfect size for a 'toad' vehicle. However, I know that with electric cars, weight can be an issue, and they don't have a true neutral gear, which is another problem. I understand that flat towing can damage the battery. The towing problem could be solved by having a true neutral gear, disengaging the transmission and battery. Many motorhomes have built-in generators, so the battery could be charged using that when a charger can't be found.

 

[eStang]

Not likely to be feasible. Unless they equip the motor with a clutch to disengage the driveshafts, the regen created by towing would overcharge the battery.
But you could put it on a trailer.

 

[SlateModGarage]

I can see this truck blow up with Motorhome owners for a simple pull be hind car. Why small jeep are high demand with them and other small easy to pull cars.

 

[Lynn]

I ordered one for the very purpose of four-down flat-towing behind a moho..

FWIW, I flat-tow my electric car, a custom British sports car with a modern Mazda MX5 manual transmission that does not permit flat towing. (For the techies, the transmission isn’t well lubricated if the input shaft isn't turning.) In order to tow it, then, we developed the following:

1. The electric motor turns freely if it is not at all electrified, fully disconnected from EV batteries and EV computer.

2. The car has THREE electrical switches:

A. The regular "ignition" switch, which now also powers the drive / regen subsystem of the EV computer. This switch also operates the steering wheel lock.

B. 12-volt switch. It powers all "regular" 12 systems (headlights, running lights, turn signals, wipers, etc), but that system includes the basic operational power for the EV computer.

C. High-voltage switch on the large wiring from the EV batteries.

3. To flat-tow, these three switches are as follows:

A. "Ignition" switch ON. This makes sure that the steering wheel is not locked.

B. 12-volt switch OFF. Depowering all subsystems, including the main EV computer.

C. High-voltage switch OFF to make sure that no stray generated voltage reaches the big EV batteries.

From this point, hitch up the car, shift it to a high gear, set switches as above, and go.


For further discussion, there are some technical considerations involving brake lights and turn signals on the towed vehicle, but also a low-tech solution.

One matter I am still working on is powering the on-board brakes, which will be required. No need for Slate to provide this, however. Tgid-party braking systems for four-down towed vehicles are commonplace.

Finally, the Slate truck will need a base plate, which is typically supplied by large for-down towing companies like Blue Ox. However, not every imaginable car is covered by their supplies, including not for my old British sports car. (No surprise.) To that end, I designed a tow plate and had it built by a local welder. What approach will be required for the Slate truck just depends on its popularity as a four-down towed vehicle.

😀
Lynn