Electrified Garage: How to Install a Torklift Ecohitch 2.0" Trailer Hitch on a Model 3

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

Instead of drilling the hole for the hitch on the diffuser Tesla does sell the updated one that’s on the newer Model 3’s with the hitch door on it. I believe it’s part# 1135410-00-A for about $140.00. Just thought I’d throw this info out there. Hi Cris n Chad.

[@thomasbihn]

How does one go about ordering a part like this? Just a service request other?

[@80spodcastchannel]

always fun to watch a pro make it look easy and routine..

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

Chad knows his Tesla sh💩t. He’s the man.👍

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

Really, wish you would have installed a trailer lighting kit to show the Professional way to do it.

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

I think the hitch is more for a bike rack and not as much for a trailer. Imagine Chris on a bike. 🚲🤣🚲😂🚲

[@Trackaddik]

Thank you so much! Great video, thanks for taking the time to get all the detail. That little electrical connector between the body and bumper was such a pain to get disconnected. And the tip on the Torx 25 screw on the inner fender was so appreciated. I would have had a tough time guessing why it was not coming out while using the wrong tool. Subscribed!

[@UtahValleyEV]

Love the subtle "Betrayed" in the background. lol Awesome video.

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

Rich is the man! And I guess Chris and Chad are too.

[@markhaferling6320]

Thanks so much for creating this video. I was able to get an Ecohitch installed on my 2018 Tesla 3 in about one hour by following your steps. Really weird thing though is when I took off the bumper mounting brackets, they were both completely filled with water. There's tons of buildup inside and on one of them, the three bolt heads are completely rusted inside the bracket...have you come across this before? Other than that, the install went great. My Ecohitch only came with two bolts welded in place on each side for mounting the bumper, the third bolt had to be installed using a backer wrench from the backside of the hitch. This meant I had to install the bumper to the hitch before bolting the hitch to the car's frame. Other than that, it went exactly as you showed. Thanks again for the great video...saved me loads of time and headaches!

[@carlschuy]

Thank you for another outstanding and detailed instruction video. Installed the eco-hitch and this video helped save $$$

[@ClunnEVs]

[@wilsonzuluaga4968]

I just did mine! Thank you for your video. I watched a few and this by far was the best!!!

[@ClunnEVs]

Thanks just got a model Y appreciate this info

[@ryanlaporte906]

Ya'll really need to have some shops on the West Coast. I know a great spot for a facility in Ukiah, CA.

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

It’s great to see Chris get hitched. LoL . Great detailed video.👍

[@erikjohnson4181]

Next video should be the trailer lights wiring!

[@merkman2587]

Really do appreciate all the work yall put out for people to see and learn from. Any ideas on finding/using a 12v power source near the back to tap a ZCI zero connect interface flat 4 trailer wiring kit into? its the wiring kit that came with my Eco hitch.

[@ElectrifiedGarage]

Yes, we do those all the time, I'm in the process of doing a video just on the trailer harness install. I grab Power from under the rear seat B+ for those.

[@sirdork]

@@ElectrifiedGarage Any progress on this video?

[@joetripp123]

@@ElectrifiedGarage any update on the trailer harness install video or at least a bit more details about finding the power under the rear seat? I've also heard you can get power from under the driver's dash via a spade terminal in VCLEFT.

[@pollywollydo]

Masterclass. Thank you👍

[@BlazerRox]

Awesome video. And, I love that torque wrench! LOL

[@joetripp123]

For drilling through the plastic undercover - the instructions state if using 3 1/2" saw to go 26-3/4" and for 4" saw to go 26-1/2". In your video at 14:31 you state you are using a 3-5/8" saw and using 27-1/2". That seems confusing since 3-5/8" is between the listed 3-1/2" and 4" options yet your length is longer than either one by at least 3/4". It should be closer to the 3-1/2" option. Have you found over time installing these that this measurement is better or something? Thanks! 3-1/2" saw = 26-3/4" 3-5/8" saw = 27-1/2" 4" saw = 26-1/2"

[@anthonybha4510]

Thank you Chad!!!

[@seanmccarthy7760]

Does anyone make a hitch for a model S ? GREAT VIDEOS BTW !

[@tan69420]

very helpful. thank you

[@JoelSapp]

Nice job. Like your channel!

[@ewxlt]

Hey Chad, do you remember what size wrench you used to remove the hitch bolt? Is it 24mm?

[@grant3226]

20:06 trolling... hahaha :D

[@OmarsGarage]

Can you do these for the Model X? Also is there anyway to open up trailer mode on a Model X other than at a service center?

[@mikehainsworth747]

What is different about the performance model? Why don’t they offer the tow bar option on it

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

Michael Hainsworth. I heard it was due to the Performance Upgrade Package having a lower ride height. With the added tongue weight rating the potential to hit the pavement with the hitch adapter goes up. Especially going in and out of sloped driveway entrances.

[@ozirissanchez8454]

Hi I am looking to mode the performance of an Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV I am wondering if their could be away you guys could do a ghost 2 or even a stage 1. let me know

[@stevenh2502]

What about trailer lights? Is their a kit?

[@anthonyreynolds2365]

I've been told from other owners that the wiring already exists on all Model 3's since late 2019. I will confirm if this is true when I install mine onto my December 2019 (2020 model year) build

[@macca779]

Anthony Reynolds it doesn’t. I wired in my own harness splicing into the cars lights. Not a big deal. But not a job for a novice.

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

That’s something EV Tuning should come up with. A plug n Play trailer light wire harness for All models S,X n 3. Chris or Chad should get on top of that before someone else comes up with it. 🤷

[@niceride]

@@anthonyreynolds2365 The wiring referenced is a 12Vdc connection near the drivers area. On 2018 Model 3 there's a vacant blade terminal for always-on 12Vdc that has a wire going to it in later models. The wiring goes towards the very rear of the vehicle, and was confirmed to be connected to trailer wiring on Model 3 vehicles sold in markets that are offered with tow bar option. I would like to see EG Chris show a retrofit for those earlier models and also how to wire a trailer controller kit for that power source instead of direct to the 12V accessory battery.

[@niceride]

Today I ran that VCLEFT connection via 5mm spade crimp terminal on 14awg wire today for my late 2018 Model 3 AWD to the rear powering a trailer light controller included with the Stealth Hitch (not ECO HITCH Stealth) kit including towing upgrade. You need to use a non-insulated spade crimp terminal ; insulated terminals would not fit deep enough to make contact (or you would have to force it in that is not easy to do). Fishing that wire from front to back is not too terrible but having the car on a hoist to work at knee/hip level is helpful. You will want to watch Ingineerix video "Tesla Model 3 - How to safely get 12v for accessories" kzbin.info/www/bejne/mImxm5qvp8h6pNE for the technical overview and then the update follow-up video "Tesla Model 3 - UPDATE: How to safely get 12v for accessories" kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3XIXomge8x_ibM to get an idea of where you're going to stuff your hand into the foot well connections to feel out that VCLEFT connection and stab the spade connector into. The car is definitely designed to be taken apart and put back together with minimal tools but not having much experience there were some broken push rivets and clips along the way. For some clues taking apart the trim panels along the way look at Michael Bodner video "Installing the Tesla Model 3 Power Trunk!" kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6S9gqWgaZJnjtE from 19 minutes onward, and of course this video here from Electrified Garage. Note that this VCLEFT connection used to behave like a switched power source and its behavior was changed at some firmware update to be active whenever the car is awake. DO NOT HOOK DIRECTLY TO THE 12V BATTERY. Take the time to run this wire. It's less than $20 in materials and a pain in the ass but totally doable by someone with basic hand tools. You could also take the opportunity to add an aux 12Vdc outlet to the rear of the vehicle off this same connection so long as you're not exceeding 10A between trailer lighting and the additional load.

[@potpal]

What was the protectant spray you used?

[@camdendavis4370]

Yes i was early this time!!!

[@anthonybha4510]

The most "un-Chad" Chad there is!

[@tommymairo8964]

1:07 What's the name of this tool? It's awesome!

[@ElectrifiedGarage]

Its a Milwaukee 1/4 ratchet

[@buaan]

What are the pipes for on the rear of the car?

[@80spodcastchannel]

POWER SUPPLY FOR THE RECHARGING PORT... those are fat wires.... not "pipes"

[@totallynotabot1246]

@@80spodcastchannel i think he meant the one at 13:45

[@buaan]

Curtis Hartung yeah those metal pipes, there are discharge cut outs in the bottom of the bumper for them; like an exhaust pipe but this not having being ICE what are they for?

[@fiehlsport]

He has an aftermarket exhaust on the car that is app controlled to make ICE sounds.

[@WatchRichRebuildsChannel]

Speakers so Chris’s car can make fart sounds while driving. 😂

[@Kazz52321]

Do you think the Model 3 can tow the same amount as a Model Y? The US spec model 3 isn’t rated for towing yet aftermarket hitches say 3500 GVWR. Would that be reasonable to assume that it will do the same as the Model Y?

[@ElectrifiedGarage]

So the tow rating of the Euro 3 is a towing capacity of up to 910 kg (2,000 lbs), so that would be a safe load, I know the hitch can take more but Im unsure of the vehicles (body/suspension) capability. I have seen more towed but it is at the owners discretion to go to that limit.

[@Kazz52321]

@@ElectrifiedGarage really appreciate the info. I decided to keep it under 2000 just to play it safe.

[@kevo212]

thanks, what mm is that receiver bolt?

[@ElectrifiedGarage]

It is a 24mm or a 15/16"

[@stevedutcher3875]

I have a Chevy Bolt EV, do you have any idea what kind of Scanner I can use to read & Erase Crash codes? I have a car light on the dash that has a padlock through the car lite up, which doesn't allow car to go to Drive or reverse only neutral and Park. This also stops the car from charging.

[@tommymairo8964]

Ahh, a electric car lift is expensive. Also, people live in apartment don't have private garage to lift cars.

[@wallyheindl3270]

Cost? Load capacity?

[@skodbolle]

aaaaaand there goes your warranty.....

[@ElectrifiedGarage]

They would never void your warranty for a trailer hitch unless a complete hack installed it.

[@skodbolle]

@@ElectrifiedGarage they do here in Denmark, I have it in writing from Tesla when I asked to if I could install it on my Model 3 Performance.

[@Randydaudt]

You didn't take the bumper off, you removed the bumper cover.

[@JRP3]

And the bumper.