Still Leary of getting my Slate

[atx_ev]

Pool maintenance, delivery vans, plumbers, electricians, drywall, flooring, masons etc.

The vast majority of tradesman are not hauling heavy stuff. Their stuff is big, oddly shaped, and very dirty.

If you need a large amount of something heavy at a jobsite it is getting delivered (drywall, rocks, dirt, stone, tile etc)

The slate can handle the smaller amounts of stuff that people would hand load into their truck.

 

[TPL]

Slate may have "picked" 1000 lbs, but they then engineered to that 1000 lbs. Going to 3500 lbs might bend the frame, overheat the drivetrain or cause other damage.
If you absolutely need 3500 lbs towing, then this just isn't the truck for you.

I believe that's the point. Slate picked 1000 lbs and then engineered to that number, instead of picking 3500 lbs and engineering to that number for more or less the same cost.

 

[E90400K]

So are you a structural and/or automotive engineer? Do you really think a tow rating is just a made up number that they can pick out of thin air? I'm pretty positive that a tow rating has some engineering behind it and it has that rating for a reason.

EDIT: I'll add this for education purposes. https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/towing-capacity-guide/

Where did I say "pick out of thin air"? I didn't. Stop reading your biases into what I write. I said I think Slate is being too conservative with its tow rating. I think that based on the trucks I have owned and my engineering background.

My 160-HP Ranger manual transmission STX 4x4 had a tow rating of 5,200 pounds. Yup, the SAE did not develop J2807 until 2 decades later and manufacturers didn't start using the test methodology (actual or simulated) until model year 2013, but it is not like any truck produced before 2008 or 2013 had tow ratings that were not based on established SAE engineering and safety protocols (i.e. picked out of thin air"). J2807 was mainly developed as standardized testing methodology so that consumers could confidently compare tow ratings between manufacturers and models. The existence of J2807 does not delegitimize tow ratings of pickup trucks prior to its implementation. Manufacturers do not "certify" to J2807.

Also, J2807 was developed for ICEV, which have different cooling requirements for the drivetrain, where ICE need to dissipate lots of heat vs. EV that have a lot lower starting waste heat threshold. Given that a Slate at 200 horsepower (vs. my 1987 Ranger) has a lot less drivetrain heat loss to deal with, its tow rating should be near or equal to my old Ranger. Given the 300 ICEV 2026 Nissan Frontier has a tow rating of nearly 7,200 pounds under J2807 the Slate should be much better than 1,000 pounds. We've seen the frame/chassis "Slateboard" design, it looks quite stout and as stout as my '87 Ranger or the 2026 Nissan. While J2807 does have trailering stability standards, it's possible Slate's short wheelbase contributes to a lower tow rating, but as an example, my 2-door Bronco with a 100-inch wheelbase is rated at 3,500 pounds for towing.

My reasoning explained.

 

[Shrink36s]

Where did I say "pick out of thin air"?

…

Earlier, you wrote…

… it is simply a matter of giving the truck a higher tow rating number.
..

That, sir. Is pulling out of thin air.

Yes, today’s standards do essentially delegitimization non-standard ratings from the past. They can’t truly be compared without knowing the standard.
However, that does not mean that the ratings of old were: A) made up, like you suggest (see above); or B) did not have some manufacturer methodology behind it either. They didn’t want to say, “this pickup can tow one million pounds!” and then risk being sued when someone actually tries that and break the vehicle spectacularly. They had some testing that gave them a number that made sense.

The rest of your ranting is conjecture and opinion without any sort of data to back it up, thus warrants no further response.

Good day.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

Just to be a broken record... my only real two issues with the Slate platform is the low tow rating and the 5-foot bed length. IMO, the bed should be 6-foot and the tow rating @3,500 pounds. This makes Slate more competitive with the extended cab Tacoma and extended cab Frontier.

But can they be converted to SUV?

 

[Ere]

The ford Ranger at my work that we use for towing weighs over 5000 lbs. this slate is around 3600 lbs. No way this will be able to tow 3500 lbs safely. Not being an engineer these trucks are apples and oranges. By the way all of the software recalls get very annoying. Last week they came out 40 min out of their way to come and update the towing module and it was at the dealership the week before for an oil change and whatever else. Get rid of the software garbage. Tesla seems to do a great job of getting software right, many others need to remove it from their cars. I will be getting a slate and putting in power windows. It will be a great second or third car/truck. . I am looking forward to repairing whatever is needed by myself and not by the dealer.

 

[E90400K]

Earlier, you wrote…


That, sir. Is pulling out of thin air.

Yes, today’s standards do essentially delegitimization non-standard ratings from the past. They can’t truly be compared without knowing the standard.
However, that does not mean that the ratings of old were: A) made up, like you suggest (see above); or B) did not have some manufacturer methodology behind it either. They didn’t want to say, “this pickup can tow one million pounds!” and then risk being sued when someone actually tries that and break the vehicle spectacularly. They had some testing that gave them a number that made sense. (I said that already...)

The rest of your ranting is conjecture and opinion without any sort of data to back it up, thus warrants no further response.

Good day.

No, it did not mean "pulling out of thin air".

Let's review. In post #23 I said, "I don't think Slate has to make any mechanical changes to the chassis to increase the tow rating, I think they just have to change the rating; it's too conservative, IMO." That means I think Slate is underrating the towing capacity of their truck (i.e. too conservative).

Under that context (i.e. Slate is conservatively underating the tow capacity of their truck), I followed with the next comment in post #28, "... (Slate) do not need to add any cost to the vehicle; it is simply a matter of giving the truck a higher tow rating number." Meaning they do not need to add cost to the truck by changing its chassis design (i.e. add cost) to increase the tow rating, because it can already handle a higher tow rating.

 

[null98115]

For my '22 Bronco most of the recalls are BS.

Could not agree more. My 2023 Maverick has had plenty of so-called recalls, but all they really are, are software updates. Literally no different than when an app gets updated on your phone. It's absurd to call these updates a recall.

 

[Aether1]

Just to be a broken record... my only real two issues with the Slate platform is the low tow rating and the 5-foot bed length. IMO, the bed should be 6-foot and the tow rating @3,500 pounds. This makes Slate more competitive with the extended cab Tacoma and extended cab Frontier.

It's not trying to compete with those makes though. If you're doing something such as construction or landscaping, or hauling large items constantly, you will look at most other trucks. The Slate will have some capabilities, but not to the same extent. I'm going for the SUV version myself because I like the sound of carrying some extra passengers, but at a lower price point than other vehicles (hopefully).

I'll leave this article as well. More truck owners don't even consistently use them as intended. Why do they use them? Americana and cool factor.

Most Pickup Truck Owners Don't Actually Do Any Truck Stuff

 

[Tom Sawyer]

What you seem to fail to understand

Okay, but you are missing my point entirely.

Stop reading your biases into what I write.

The rest of your ranting is conjecture and opinion

Really, I think you both are making good, valid points. I may not agree with them, but nevertheless it makes me wonder if defending your positions are as fun as they are to read... That being said, I'm no better and get caught up in this same stuff which speaks more to my ego than anything rational.

Again, I think there's lots of good points made and I'm sorry that online discussions sometimes go this way. I hope things can move past this and we can get back to complaining about waiting for Slate to get production rolling and report more solid info.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

The manufacturer has posted their rationale behind their tow rating.

Current guidance on towing from Slate.

HOW MUCH CAN A SLATE HAUL?
The Slate truck is rear-wheel drive and projected to have around a 1,400-lb payload and 1,000-lb towing capacity. But with EVs, towing isn’t just about numbers on a spec sheet — it’s about how electric power delivery, battery management, and vehicle architecture change the experience compared to traditional gas trucks.

TOWING: EV VS. GAS ENGINE
Gas trucks rely on combustion engines that hit peak power higher in the RPM range. EVs are different — they deliver max torque instantly. That means pulling a trailer with Slate will feel stronger off the line than a similar-spec gas-powered vehicle, even if the tow rating is modest.

But EV towing has a few unique considerations:

1. BATTERY SIZE AND RANGE

Towing pulls more energy from the battery — just like it burns more fuel in a gas truck. Depending on trailer weight, shape, and speed, range can decrease because the vehicle is pushing more drag and weight.

• Heavier loads = more energy consumption
• High speeds increase aerodynamic drag
• Hills and elevation changes draw more power

The Slate is designed for real-world use cases and daily utility, so its towing capacity is tuned around preserving range and ensuring predictable performance.

2. MOTOR AND DRIVETRAIN
Because the Slate is rear-wheel drive, its tow rating is optimized around traction, stability, and thermal limits. EV motors generate torque instantly, which is great for pulling — but sustained towing creates heat, and EVs need to protect motors, inverters, and battery systems from overload.

3. REGENERATIVE BREAKING [sic]
One of the biggest advantages of EV towing is regen braking. With a load behind you:

• The motor can recapture more energy going downhill
• Braking distances can feel more controlled
• You reduce wear on physical brakes

But regen has limits at higher speeds or with very heavy loads, which is why total tow capacity is carefully balanced.

4. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION AND HITCH DYNAMICS
EVs carry more weight low in the chassis thanks to the battery pack. That helps stability, but tongue weight, trailer sway, and hitch setup still matter just like in any gas truck.

SO…WHAT CAN SLATE REALLY HANDLE?

For small trailers, motorcycles, yard equipment, kayaks, camping setups, and weekend utility jobs — the Slate truck's projected 1,000-lb tow rating and 1,400-lb payload should be plenty. And the instant torque makes low-speed hauling (like backing a trailer into a tight spot) easier than with a gas engine. A Slate isn’t meant to replace a full-size tow rig, though. It’s built for everyday practicality, not heavy-duty hauling.

I've posted this before; forgive my repetition.

 

[E90400K]

It's not trying to compete with those makes though. If you're doing something such as construction or landscaping, or hauling large items constantly, you will look at most other trucks. The Slate will have some capabilities, but not to the same extent. I'm going for the SUV version myself because I like the sound of carrying some extra passengers, but at a lower price point than other vehicles (hopefully).

I'll leave this article as well. More truck owners don't even consistently use them as intended. Why do they use them? Americana and cool factor.

Most Pickup Truck Owners Don't Actually Do Any Truck Stuff

Okay, you'll get upset, so caution. The data cited in the Motor Biscuit article is from Axios. Axios a is hard left-leaning biased news source and their data is based on, "Averaged yearly surveys of 139–1,274 F-150 owners, 2012–2021". The F-Series truck sells around 1M units annually. So, who knows if that survey is close to accurate. I've been a pickup up truck owner for over 45 years and I live in an area of the country that is not recognized by people who script for Axios as legitimate society (i.e. they distain us - lol). Pickups in my hood get used for "pickup stuff" far more than rarely. Take what Axios publishes with a large grain of salt.

And I will again state most people who own minivans and 4-door sedans rarely use their vehicles to do "minivan" and "sedan" stuff. Most vehicles run around empty. That's not the point. The point is the vehicles can do heavy lifting (i.e. loaded to their maximums - carrying people or stuff or tow) when called upon by their owners.

 

[Aether1]

Okay, you'll get upset, so caution. The data cited in the Motor Biscuit article is from Axios. Axios a is hard left-leaning biased news source and their data is based on, "Averaged yearly surveys of 139–1,274 F-150 owners, 2012–2021". The F-Series truck sells around 1M units annually. So, who knows if that survey is close to accurate. I've been a pickup up truck owner for over 45 years and I live in an area of the country that is not recognized by people who script for Axios as legitimate society (i.e. they distain us - lol). Pickups in my hood get used for "pickup stuff" far more than rarely. Take what Axios publishes with a large grain of salt.

And I will again state most people who own minivans and 4-door sedans rarely use their vehicles to do "minivan" and "sedan" stuff. Most vehicles run around empty. That's not the point. The point is the vehicles can do heavy lifting (i.e. loaded to their maximums - carrying people or stuff or tow) when called upon by their owners.

And when people say the slate “needs” to do something it’s clearly not advertised as doing, they might not understand the point of what the product is and want something else?

Trucks have consistently been less fuel efficient than they could be to a certain point. Legitimately don’t even care about your argument either. More than one site has gathered similar info , this was just the first I could find. The consensus is still largely the same.

 

[Aether1]

“The Slate hasn’t been advertised to have a 3500 lb towing capacity, and that’s what I want!”

Thus isn’t that kind of truck. 🤣

 

[E90400K]

The manufacturer has posted their rationale behind their tow rating.

Current guidance on towing from Slate.

I've posted this before; forgive my repetition.

So, as I've suggested, the towing capacity is range limited because the Slate is an EV. The small pickup trucks of the 1980s (which seems a lot of people on this forum want to go back to based on their fond memories), all could tow well over 1,000 pounds using 120 - 160 HP small 4 and 6 cylinder engines from 2.0 L to 3.0L.