Towing a big caravan around the country with an electric SUV is now a reality



Tesla Model X 75D

Road Test

Imagine touring the country, big caravan behind, never having to stop at a smelly fuel bowser to fill the fuel tank again… Or having to worry about finding a fuel stop in a remote Outback region, full stop! Instead, the panels on your van or tow vehicle's roof harvest the sun's energy as you cruise along, topping up the vehicle's onboard battery that powers the electric motors propelling the wheels along almost effortlessly, quietly and with zero emissions... Or, if there's not enough sun, plug into a fast-charger at a roadside stop or caravan park that will get you charged up and back on the road in minutes... Sound farfetched? Maybe, but this scenario may not be too far into the future, with the first piece in the puzzle – a long range, all-electric SUV that can tow more than two tonnes – recently arriving in Australia.

Tow Test is go

In order to conduct what is most likely the first tow test of a Tesla Model X in Australia, we travelled to Adelaide’s Camperagent caravan dealership where director John Munro has just taken delivery of not only one of the first Model X Teslas in the country but also one of the first with the optional $1150 towing package.

A self-confessed electric car fan, Munro already had a Tesla S sedan in the garage before purchasing his seven-seat Tesla X last month. It’s an entry-level 75D with a 75kWh battery powering dual motors, one for each axle to deliver all-wheel drive traction.

Although there’s really nothing ‘entry level’ about this hi-tech vehicle, with a starting cost around $165,000 and various option boxes including premium stereo, soft leather, metallic paint and third row seats lifting the on-road price to $194,000.

Early adopter issues

As a veritable ‘computer on wheels’, early adopter issues are inevitable with cars like the Model X, and the first hiccup appears to be its inability to ‘recognise’ and operate the LED lights and brakes on a modern caravan, when connected via the factory-fitted, round plug trailer connector.

A common issue in the past with some European vehicles, it’s often traced to the trailer LED lights drawing insufficient current, and Munro has approached Tesla Australia for a ‘fix’ such as a ‘resistor box’ or LED adaptor kit. In the meantime, our tow test is confined to a nearby semi-private facility, well away from other traffic.

However, despite a 1900kg caravan in tow, it’s not a problem on our mainly bitumen course with the Tesla’s regenerative braking, which can be switched off, washing off speed quickly once I take my foot off the accelerator. As for acceleration, it’s real rush and unlike anything I’ve experienced in a tow vehicle, including a Toyota LandCruiser and RAM 2500.

With an estimated 386kW and at least 600Nm available from the get-go, the Model X gets up to speed very sharply and swiftly, not to mention quietly with just a whir from the dual motors and some tyre noise to disturb the ambience.

I call it quits at 90km/h but it feels like it could easily double that, surging almost effortlessly on only light throttle. It’s an addictive rush that most fossil fuel-powered tow tugs can only dream of delivering.

Driving solo, the Model X 75D is good for a 0-100km/h time of 6.2sec and a 210km/h top speed, so I can only imagine what it would be like towing with the top-spec 100kWh battery version that delivers 447kW and 1074Nm.

The Model X also feels very stable when towing, helped by a low centre of gravity, slick aerodynamic shape and close to 2500kg kerb weight. Munro’s Model X is fitted with the standard 20-inch wheels that allow towing up to the maximum 2280kg with the optional 22-inch wheels lowering that to 1588kg.

The height-adjustable air suspension offers some initial firmness but rides comfortably over some dirt sections, with just some minor wobble as the suspension makes minor adjustments while cruising at highway speeds.

Other highlights are a good turning circle and nice, lighting steering (in Comfort mode), while Trailer Sway Control (when operating) is a handy back-up feature.





All charged up

Back at the Adelaide dealership, I notice the battery range has dropped from 378km to 328km after our brief tow test, which involved plenty of stop-starts and fast runs.

Fitted with the 75kWh battery Tesla says the Model X will travel up 417km on a full charge, and the common consensus is that this would reduce by at least 30 per cent, or down to 300km when towing a two-tonne trailer.

The $230K-plus P100D offers a range of up to 565km (or perhaps 400km when towing) so would be a better proposition for the Big Lap.

At the moment there are only 11 Tesla ‘supercharger’ stations located between Melbourne and Brisbane on Australia’s east coast, which can deliver 270km into the battery in 20 minutes.

The Tesla wall unit that comes with the car tops it up at a more leisurely 40km per hour, or you can plug a charging cable straight into a regular power point for a 10-15km per hour, overnight charge.

While high pricing and range anxiety are a deterrent at the moment, the Model X’s comfort and practicality as a family SUV aren’t, with the optional third-row seats perfect for young kids and neatly folding flat when not in use.

There’s good storage throughout the cabin, while the lack of a conventional engine frees up space in both the front and rear boots for a combined storage capacity of some 2180 litres.

If you’re into gadgets, this mobile toy will keep you entertained for hours, particularly the iPad-like, very user-friendly command control touch-screen that provides superb, multiple camera angles, particularly the towing hitch set-up from behind.

Also jaw-dropping are the sweeping aerial views through the large panoramic windscreen, and ‘motorised’ everything. The only other hiccup during our brief drive was a disconcerting clunk from the motorised, double hinged, Falcon wing rear doors when opening.

Importantly, the futuristic Model X has enough familiar features to make it not too intimidating for those coming from less automated, combustion-engined vehicles. Munro is philosophical about ‘Version 1.0′ of his game-changing tow tug, realising there’s even better to come.

“By the time this thing rolls out more and the technology comes to provide a better range and people start using them as tow vehicles, they will sort out those things [like the brake and light issues] and they won’t be an issue,” he said.

2017 Tesla Model X 75D pricing and specifications:

Price: $166,488 (plus on-road costs)

Twin motors: Three-phase/four-pole AC induction

Output: 386kW/600Nm (combined, estimated)

Transmission: Reduction gear

Electric range: 417km (solo)

Towing capacity: 2250kg; 227kg tow ball

Safety rating: N/A

Warranty: Four years, 80,000km