YouTuber tests how far Cybertruck can tow 11,000lbs in freezing temperatures

  • Independent trials of the Tesla Cybertruck are underway
  • Its ability to tow big loads is one thing fans of the car really want to know about
  • And is this ability impacted by extreme weather conditions? One YouTuber decided to put it to the test

Published on Jan 22, 2024 at 5:22 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones

Last updated on Jan 24, 2024 at 1:24 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Alessandro Renesis

The first independent tests of the Tesla Cybertruck are in – and it seems its ability to tow large loads is significantly impacted by cold weather.

It’s thought that previous impressive tests of the Cybertruck and its towing abilities may not have been all they seemed.

YouTuber JerryRigEverything was able to borrow a Cybertruck to test its towing abilities in some pretty harsh and freezing conditions.

READ MORE! Tesla owner shares first electric bill in a year and the price leaves people shocked

The dual motor, all-wheel-drive CyberTruck was charged to 100 percent the night before the test.

The Tesla battery probably maxed out “at around 2am in the morning”, according to the YouTuber.

It then sat for six hours “still plugged in, before coming out of the garage and being connected to the trailer”.

You can watch the extreme test in the video below:

YouTube/JerryRigEverything

He loaded the Cybertruck up with its max load of 4990 kg (11,000 lbs) with an old school Hummer – and put it through its paces in freezing conditions.

We reported last week that EV users – and Tesla owners in particular – are having some issues in cold weather.

Some users said batteries weren’t charging, while others died altogether.

Tesla released a statement via its website, advising owners to keep the battery charge level above 20 percent in the winter.

“We have made several updates to improve your driving experience in freezing temperatures, including better overall thermal performance, quicker Supercharging and improved cabin conditioning,” it said.

However, the YouTube challenge still saw the Cybertruck put out 166 km (103 m) of range.

Youtuber, Zach, was able to drive the Cybertruck 145 km (90 m) using 108 kWh for an average of 1,193 Wh per mile.

The truck wasn’t drained to zero percent charge by the end of the test – there was two percent remaining in the tank.

The Cybertruck’s battery pack is about 123 kWh of energy capacity.

At an average of 1,193 Wh, it means the vehicle could have driven about another 16 km (10 m) before dying.

Some commenters were quick to point out that being in the garage ahead of the test, rather than sitting in the cold for longer, may have compensated for the loss of range from the cold temperature significantly.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie

user

All Supercar Blondie contributors undergo editorial review and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and authority in automotive journalism. After gaining her BA Hons in French and English at the University of Nottingham, Amelia embarked on a vocational diploma from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This led to numerous opportunities, from interning at Vogue to being on the small team that launched Women’s Health magazine in the UK, which was named the PPA Consumer magazine of the year for three years running. As Health, Beauty and Fitness editor, Amelia personally received a Johnson & Johnson Award and was shortlisted for both PPA and BSME titles. Since then, Amelia has created content for numerous titles and brands, including the Telegraph, 111 Skin, Waitrose, Red magazine, Stylist, and Elle, as well as being Head of Content at Vitality and Editor in Chief at INLondon magazine. “My superpower is translating technical jargon about the mechanical workings of a supercar into a relatable story you’ll want to share with your friends after you’ve read it.” After joining the SB Media family as a senior journalist in September of 2023, Amelia’s role has evolved to see her heading up the SEO output of the editorial team. From researching the most ‘Google-able’ key terms to producing evergreen content - it’s been a time of hard work, growth, and success for the editorial team and the Supercar Blondie website. “I like to think of myself as a ‘method journalist’. In other words: I live and breathe whatever I am writing about. When writing about fitness, I trained as a personal trainer, and as a beauty editor, I completed an ‘expert’ in scent diploma with the Fragrance Foundation. “During my tenure at Supercar Blondie, however, I did something I never thought possible: I passed my driving test at the age of 36. One day I’d love to train as a mechanic to better understand what happens under the hood, too. “My sweet spot is providing readers with a ‘takeaway’ (read: something new they didn’t know before) after reading every one of my stories. While I don’t claim to be an expert in the automotive world, I know the experts and bodies in the field to rely on to provide our readers with an informative and thought-provoking story every time they visit the site.”