Slate towing trailer (video) -- 104 degrees heat, 3500 ft grade

[sodamo]

Fair enough, rereading it, I get that impression. I just think the bigger screen makes the info easier to see. This can also just be solved by getting a heads up display come to think of it.

I have come to really like the HUD in my Tundra, Subaru not so much. I do wonder if that could be an accessory type add. Would not suggest currect resources be diverted.

 

[Bayfire2441]

I have come to really like the HUD in my Tundra, Subaru not so much. I do wonder if that could be an accessory type add. Would not suggest currect resources be diverted.

Oh, absolutely not, I meant more of an aftermarket one. Plenty on the market although I'm not sure how good any of them are. Never used one.

 

[sodamo]

Oh, absolutely not, I meant more of an aftermarket one. Plenty on the market although I'm not sure how good any of them are. Never used one.

Hmmm, maybe something to put on my list for after I get my Slate.

 

[Bayfire2441]

Hmmm, maybe something to put on my list for after I get my Slate.

I think I might do the same as well. It's an ever growing list for a vehicle I don't have. The Slate is gonna be one of my first times messing with car audio.

 

[HTXSlate]

Now that I think about it we are putting a lot of focus on the towing, which is understandable since it’s the first time we’ve seen it. But I don’t think that was the purpose of the footage otherwise it would have just been showing the utility you can have despite the limited towing capabilities.

I think this video was more to show how they are stress testing the prototype. Putting the truck in high temperature, with a load in the bed, and towing something to ensure that even under those unoptimized conditions the Truck will still perform reliably. Not breakdown or overheat.

As for why test towing in general when most people aren’t going to tow with it, as some have asked on Reddit. Well the answer to that goes more with my initial reaction: Most people aren’t going to be towing but it’s still good they are testing since some will still want to despite the drawbacks and especially when this hits the used market you are going to be people pushing this truck to its limits and nearly torture testing it. So if the truck offers basic towing capabilities, testing those capabilities during the prototype phasing is a good thing.

My jet ski and trailer is just under 1,000 pounds. Not that the Slate would be the primary towing choice. Good to know if need be, it can.

 

[1yeliab_sufur1]

but doesn’t the 5x8 not have the handle bar things?

 

[AZFox]

45mph at 104°F. 🤔
It's a start.
Now do 65mph at 110°F.

Edit: This year in Phoenix, AZ there were 37 days where the high temperature was at or above 110°F.

 

[KJRaven]

1) Tire and fender proportions.
2) Extra vertical supports on the front.
3) The Davis Dam test is a technical tow rating requirement. For their stated tow rating goal, an obviously empty 5x8 meet the test requirements while an obviously empty 4x7 would be meaningelss.

The trailer clearly shows that it is a 5x9, so you are both wrong, lol.

It does look like the 5x8 trailer though, the 5x9 trailer on the U-Haul site has a full ramp. maybe this is one that the ramp was damaged and they modified, or they have more than what is advertised on their site.

 

[BahamaTodd]

For some background, they are conducting their tow rating testing. The “Highway Gradeability” test is done at Davis Dam. This is just one variable contributing to the finalized towing capacity. Its not just about being able to accelerate and brake.

Motor Trend: SAE J2807 Tow Tests - The Standard

 

[moondawg]

45mph at 104°F. 🤔
It's a start.
Now do 65mph at 110°F.

Edit: This year in Phoenix, AZ there were 37 days where the high temperature was at or above 110°F.

45mph is not a randomly chosen speed. Most manufacturers target 45 on this test as it is a clear demonstration of passing the test. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAE_J2807

I've spent the better part of a week running this test over and over in a Dodge Ram at almost 40,000 lbs... It's a long, boring climb at 45mph! (those runs were in a dually so the "pass" speed is only 30mph, but the truck could still pull close to 45)

 

[Driven5]

The trailer clearly shows that it is a 5x9, so you are both wrong, lol.

Good eye!

That's interesting though, as it would also mean they did the test noticeably above their stated tow rating... So they're either doing that for an additional safety factor or considering upping the rating a couple hundred pounds.

In addition to the possibility of some rampless 5x9's floating around, it's also possible that the tailgates are interchangeable and they swapped it over to reduce aero drag (or even just for appearances) for the test.

 

[ScooterAsheville]

Nobody is mentioning tow range. Which I think is fine, because most of you will just tow a tiny boat or small offroader ten miles to a nearby lake. When I see these towing demos by any OEM, I immediately think "Hand it over to TFL and have them do the Ike Gauntlet". Now that's an honest towing test.

I didn't notice whether they specified large or small battery. Did I just miss that in the video?

 

[Bayfire2441]

Nobody is mentioning tow range. Which I think is fine, because most of you will just tow a tiny boat or small offroader ten miles to a nearby lake. When I see these towing demos by any OEM, I immediately think "Hand it over to TFL and have them do the Ike Gauntlet". Now that's an honest towing test.

I didn't notice whether they specified large or small battery. Did I just miss that in the video?

I have not seen the battery size mentioned anywhere. You might be able to guess based on the dashboard but its not high quality enough to be sure. I do hope we get a longer video at some point about the testing. Would love to see if they did brake testing or not.

 

[KevinRS]

Good eye!

That's interesting though, as it would also mean they did the test noticeably above their stated tow rating... So they're either doing that for an additional safety factor or considering upping the rating a couple hundred pounds.

In addition to the possibility of some rampless 5x9's floating around, it's also possible that the tailgates are interchangeable and they swapped it over to reduce aero drag just for the test.

Things like upping the rating are a possibility. Apparently the test has very detailed requirements for the trailer, so I doubt they swapped tailgates to reduce drag unless the spec allows that. The number that we have for towing, range, etc. are the same numbers released back in April, and are likely their target numbers they were designing for. In designing, they wouldn't have designed to hit those numbers exactly, but would have aimed somewhat higher, so they wouldn't be advertising 1000 lb tow in April, then revise down to 900 or 800 when they actually start taking orders and shipping.
At some point they will likely release real numbers and they won't be exactly 1400 payload and 1000 towing, those numbers are round numbers, for example for my car:
GVWR: 3,389 lbs
Curb Weight: Around 2,468 lbs
Maximum Payload: Around 921 lbs
The rated weights are usually specific, to the pound numbers, and not a round multiple of 100 pounds.
If in testing they find it can pass with an extra 87 pounds, that is what it will be rated for.

Also I'm thinking, if they are doing this testing, the test vehicle must be significantly close to the production vehicles, at least in the components that impact the tests, so any differences seen from the early display/show models at the events, more likely what we get will be closer to this test vehicle.

 

[bartflossom]

I think I might do the same as well. It's an ever growing list for a vehicle I don't have. The Slate is gonna be one of my first times messing with car audio.

Have fun doing the audio. It's easier than it seems. I've done so many in my life. First was a quadraphonic 8-track in a Ford Falcon. I've never done a double-din though. Looking forward to it.