Mods to Increase Tow Capacity

[Nivek]

They announced the 1000# capacity long before they ran that test. My guess is they were designing to a 1000# capacity.

My guess is that Slate will be able to tow the leaked 2000lbs, but nobody will know for 2 days. The tow testing performed had significant weight in the bed plus trailer weight. Best thing to do is wait 2 more days before drawing any conclusions.

 

[atebit]

And please stop using multiple quesiton marks in a question. One is sufficient.

And spell “brakes” correctly.

 

[Trace26]

For those who are worried about the Slates towing performance.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

For those who are worried about the Slates towing performance.

Lord! You know that was FL. I recognize redneck improvisational genius anywhere.

 

[Trace26]

On a more serious note, this is kinda crazy.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

On a more serious note, this is kinda crazy.

That is crazy. I want Telo to win….but as they say in the hitherlands, “if I had a dog that ugly, I’d shave his arse and make it walk backwards…”

 

[Shrink36s]

That is crazy. I want Telo to win….but as they say in the hitherlands, “if I had a dog that ugly, I’d shave his arse and make it walk backwards…”

I actually like the look of the Telo. I don’t like the price of the Telo. Interviews don’t give me the same confidence in quality as Slate interviews either.
I do hope they survive, and thrive.

 

[KevinRS]

The likely main reason they designed to a low tow rating is range. If towing even a 2000 lb trailer is going to cut range in half, mainly due to drag, they didn't want to overpromise.
It would be nice sure if it can tow 2k, but not a dealbreaker. Without it I just won't tow at all most likely, with it, potentially I tow rental equipment from a home improvement store about 7 miles away.

 

[phidauex]

Those are cool videos, but the issue isn't really the ability to tow something heavy, it is the ability to tow something heavy at high speeds over a long period of time while maintaining stability, braking integrity and cooling capabilities. Just getting something heavy up to speed is not a major accomplishment, and not really predictive of the towing capacity.

Heck, my wife used her '94 Civic to tow my Mercedes 300TD (3400lb curb weight) up to 40 mph so I could start it up and get it to a fellow shop to replace the starter. I wouldn't say that the Civic therefore has a 3400lb tow rating.

 

[Doctors Do Little]

I actually like the look of the Telo. I don’t like the price of the Telo. Interviews don’t give me the same confidence in quality as Slate interviews either.
I do hope they survive, and thrive.

Reminds me of the Valais Blackface sheep on Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 - like, what happened to its face?

 

[KevinRS]

Those are cool videos, but the issue isn't really the ability to tow something heavy, it is the ability to tow something heavy at high speeds over a long period of time while maintaining stability, braking integrity and cooling capabilities. Just getting something heavy up to speed is not a major accomplishment, and not really predictive of the towing capacity.

Heck, my wife used her '94 Civic to tow my Mercedes 300TD (3400lb curb weight) up to 40 mph so I could start it up and get it to a fellow shop to replace the starter. I wouldn't say that the Civic therefore has a 3400lb tow rating.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J2807 the wikipedia page shows a summary of the tests.

 

[phidauex]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J2807 the wikipedia page shows a summary of the tests.

I like how they picked Davis Dam. I'm imagining a bunch of car testing engineers getting together and bullshitting over beers and talking about the shittiest road they've ever pulled a trailer over, and then deciding to pick that for the test.

It is a really aggressive set of tests - I like that it is at least a standard, but a conservative standard. I'm not out here advocating for people to commit a heinous crime such as playing a little fast and loose with an automotive Operating Manual, but if someone goes over the rated amount by a few % to pull a utility trailer across town, I'm not going to worry myself.

 

[BlackFlagBop]

I actually like the look of the Telo. I don’t like the price of the Telo. Interviews don’t give me the same confidence in quality as Slate interviews either.
I do hope they survive, and thrive.

I was in the same boat - I was originally looking at the Telo before coming to Slate, but the price tag didn't agree with what little sensibilities I have.

 

[HTXSlate]

We can end this thread as far as I’m concerned. 2K towing is all I need. Original post is a moot point now.

 

[atx_ev]

The likely main reason they designed to a low tow rating is range. If towing even a 2000 lb trailer is going to cut range in half, mainly due to drag, they didn't want to overpromise.
It would be nice sure if it can tow 2k, but not a dealbreaker. Without it I just won't tow at all most likely, with it, potentially I tow rental equipment from a home improvement store about 7 miles away.

highway towing wont be good, but in town at lower speeds it will probably be great.