How Much Can a Slate Tow / Haul - new page on Slate website

[sodamo]

The good thing is the truck has a relatively low bed height stock... which would make this easier. Curious if a zero turn would fit between wheel wells with the deck on.

Don’t think wife’s 54” EGO will.

 

[fxrdr31]

The Slate and Cybertruck have very different structures. I think the Cybertruck's exterior is supposed to be a load-bearing exoskeleton...so, I guess the tow mount is just on the external structure of the bumper. I don't know how it's constructed (the video thumbnail implies "GLUE?").

The Slate has a more conventional internal frame.

I think any tow connector would be attached to that internal structure, rather than a bumper that's sort of on the surface of it.

I see no reason to think the tow rating would be "proportional" (just over half of the claimed rating) to the Cybertruck.
Aside from their structural differences and the relative difficulty of 6000 pounds and a bit over 1000 pounds, the point of the CT is to be a very bold, superlative vehicle with big numbers.
They're going to claim the biggest possible number they can, and I'm not even criticizing that, because it makes sense for what it is, and 6000 pounds is still a lot more than the Slate can support.

The Slate is marketed and designed around affordability and practicality. You know Slate Auto isn't targeting impressive numbers, they announced an electric vehicle in 2025 with 150 miles of range (since increased to 205 on the new LFP cells).

I think when Slate gives a number, they're erring on the side of caution/underpromising and expecting people will use (and sometimes exceed) all of the capacity they claim to support.

From the photo you posted it looks very traditional in how it's made. Glue, spot welds and fasteners. All cheap to assemble quickly but still very strong unlike the cyber truck cast aluminum structure.

 

[Coaly]

The Slate and Cybertruck have very different structures. I think the Cybertruck's exterior is supposed to be a load-bearing exoskeleton...so, I guess the tow mount is just on the external structure of the bumper. I don't know how it's constructed (the video thumbnail implies "GLUE?").

The Slate has a more conventional internal frame.

I think any tow connector would be attached to that internal structure, rather than a bumper that's sort of on the surface of it.

I see no reason to think the tow rating would be "proportional" (just over half of the claimed rating) to the Cybertruck.
Aside from their structural differences and the relative difficulty of 6000 pounds and a bit over 1000 pounds, the point of the CT is to be a very bold, superlative vehicle with big numbers.
They're going to claim the biggest possible number they can, and I'm not even criticizing that, because it makes sense for what it is, and 6000 pounds is still a lot more than the Slate can support.

The Slate is marketed and designed around affordability and practicality. You know Slate Auto isn't targeting impressive numbers, they announced an electric vehicle in 2025 with 150 miles of range (since increased to 205 on the new LFP cells).

I think when Slate gives a number, they're erring on the side of caution/underpromising and expecting people will use (and sometimes exceed) all of the capacity they claim to support.

The Cybertruck bumper has nothing to do with the 2 inch receiver hitch. Nor is it glued on. It is bolted to the rear aluminum gigacasting.

if you think logically; if max tongue weight is 1000lbs, and in these videos they have to hold the front end down putting 6 times the maximum weight on it, you aren’t going to break it loading so heavy it lifts the front end. You aren’t driving that way, so the receiver isn’t going to tear off under normal use.

 

[Susan]

For small trailers, motorcycles, yard equipment, kayaks, camping setups, and weekend utility jobs — the Slate truck's projected 2,000-lb tow rating and 1,550-lb payload should be plenty.

I'm very glad that the payload is higher than expected. I had planned to get the extended range battery since I will be doing road trips. But with the new battery, I won't have to deduct an estimated 300 lbs from the payload. I will still need to deduct the weight of a cargo kit/Squareback exterior shell, but I'll be glad not to be pushing the limits of how much I can carry. The Slate now feels way more capable than the other trucks I comparison shopped.

I love that they specifically mentioned kayaks and camping trips. 💖 I have talked to Slate about this, and the amount of gear I like to take on trips (and how much everything weighs). It feels like they heard me. 😊

 

[Johnologue]

All cheap to assemble quickly but still very strong unlike the cyber truck cast aluminum structure.

The Cybertruck bumper has nothing to do with the 2 inch receiver hitch. Nor is it glued on. It is bolted to the rear aluminum gigacasting.

Okay, it's kind of funny that you both said the same thing, but "cast aluminum" is negative and "aluminum gigacasting" is positive.

if you think logically; if max tongue weight is 1000lbs, and in these videos they have to hold the front end down putting 6 times the maximum weight on it, you aren’t going to break it loading so heavy it lifts the front end. You aren’t driving that way, so the receiver isn’t going to tear off under normal use.

Okay, I know I've seen more than one story about the Cybertruck's bumper falling off. I typed "Cybertruck bumper" into DuckDuckGo and picked the suggested search of "...falling off", and it appears the torture test was in response to reports of owners having their bumpers fall off in, presumably, more normal use.

I also looked up the Cybertruck's specifications, and it indeed has an 1,100lb tongue weight rating (whether or not that was always the case, I haven't checked), along with the 11,000lb tow rating.

So yes, it seems they exceeded the relevant rating by six times to find a failure point, which would make it a pretty good result for the CT. Fair enough!

 

[Rocks]

Okay, it's kind of funny that you both said the same thing, but "cast aluminum" is negative and "aluminum gigacasting" is positive.

It's Tesla, so has to better, right? \s

The simping in real. That's why the reactions of the tesla faithful will be so funny when the Slate punishment boxes start rolling into the superchargers.

 

[fxrdr31]

Okay, it's kind of funny that you both said the same thing, but "cast aluminum" is negative and "aluminum gigacasting" is positive.


Okay, I know I've seen more than one story about the Cybertruck's bumper falling off. I typed "Cybertruck bumper" into DuckDuckGo and picked the suggested search of "...falling off", and it appears the torture test was in response to reports of owners having their bumpers fall off in, presumably, more normal use.

I also looked up the Cybertruck's specifications, and it indeed has an 1,100lb tongue weight rating (whether or not that was always the case, I haven't checked), along with the 11,000lb tow rating.

So yes, it seems they exceeded the relevant rating by six times to find a failure point, which would make it a pretty good result for the CT. Fair enough!

To me aluminum has no place in a vehicle structural frame like how the cybertruck as implemented it. The way aluminum reacts under stress compared to steel should be enough evidence. And if fords new EV is made like the giga casting I would stay away from it as well if you do any kind of towing. But this is all just personal preferences on what you find acceptable

 

[HTXSlate]

Perfect for my needs. 1,275 lbs jet ski and trailer. Add gear and fuel, well below the factory limits.
Great job Slate!

 

[Nivek]

Perfect for my needs. 1,275 lbs jet ski and trailer. Add gear and fuel, well below the factory limits.
Great job Slate!

Thats a heavy ski...

 

[HTXSlate]

She a big girl but not that big. When I checked online a few weeks ago I came up with 1,275. Today I’m finding 1,100. Sea-doo FishPro Scout that’s with an aluminum trailer. Manages to do 50mph with my 235lbs big boy arse on it

 

[Nivek]

She a big girl but not that big. When I checked online a few weeks ago I came up with 1,275. Today I’m finding 1,100. Sea-doo FishPro Scout that’s with an aluminum trailer. Manages to do 50mph with my 235lbs big boy arse on it

I was going to say, I thought seadoo sparks were around 500lbs. I ride standups, so the weight isnt really a concern.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

The internet is full of people trying to use ramps and riding their mower on them with it ending in comic disaster.

I had some interesting times with a 98 Frontier and an oversized lawnmower.

- in case you didn't realize that there is some basic geometry involved.

Or this?


Just examples.

 

[LevelHeaded]

I think the Cybertruck's exterior is supposed to be a load-bearing exoskeleton

That’s what they claimed in the marketing long before it was released, but it did not come to pass.

 

[cadblu]

Don’t think wife’s 54” EGO will.

Hmm. I have the EGO ZT42 which needs to be towed to the service center (display failed). I think the 42” will fit but I do need ramps. Can anyone recommend a good set of ramps for this application?

 

[Doctors Do Little]

Hmm. I have the EGO ZT42 which needs to be towed to the service center (display failed). I think the 42” will fit but I do need ramps. Can anyone recommend a good set of ramps for this application?

There are probably 20 between amazon, tractor supply, etc. As per first video above, would definitely want the longest folding ramp I could get, just to satisfy the math. Can’t wait for your video demonstrating it…in 9 months!