Model Y Trailer Hitch - Under $300

Way better than getting the hitch from Tesla. Click the link and order right away.
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[@frederick6886]

Half way through just trying to take everything apart all I could think about was, "Tesla....take my money" lmao

[@chandankalra]

Exactly, I'd have the same thoughts

[@wolfejar]

Ha! A few days ago I placed an order for Tesla MY. I consider myself pretty handy and save money where I can. While watching this video, I logged into my Tesla account and added the tow hitch. Not to mention there is "Tow mode" software update that gets added to the vehicle as well from the factory.

[@Imkflow]

What about the trailer mode feature, does it work with this hitch or you don't need that feature at all.

[@gbb0131]

WOO HOO!! 1st comment.... Just saw Erik & David put theirs on as well. They had the same issue with that one bolt spinning :-). PS... Hey Karen

[@Jimbojam]

my question is, when Tesla does it, do they add the TOW mode software add-on, like the model X has... and if you do an aftermarket one, will they not add this feature?

[@paulm4176]

Did you get the answer for this?

[@TeslaPilot]

For a moment I thought I tuned into a Sandy Munro video! Nice job with the hitch installation!

[@billleever9672]

My son and I just finished installation in my brand new Model Y and it works/looks great! Took us about 2 hours. The hardest part was figuring out the tail light wiring harness removal (Note: the harness plug can be carefully pulled through the body opening so that you don't have to disconnect it from behind the body paneling). We did not have it jacked up and it was totally fine. Let me know if you need any help with your install. And thank i1Tesla for the video.

[@justingregoris3164]

Tesla told me they have to "program" the hitch. Is this true? Can I do totally by myself?

[@yonceydelatorre3802]

What happened to the hitch going for under $300?? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@lastchanceshop]

Can you provide the link for the hitch under $300 because I can't find it

[@petabb]

Wow now it's $600 and Tesla now is $1300, crazy inflation

[@dglennon20]

You should change the title. Teslarati has it for $400 and $600 with wiring harness.

[@thayne559]

After watching this I bit the bullet and had mine installed by Tesla. 😂 Were you ever able to get Tesla to install the towing software?

[@jrseda2217]

Does anything pop up on the dash ? Do you need a program update so the car knows its pulling a trailer? And last do the sensors freak out knowing something is in the back of the car ? Thank you

[@questioneverything9350]

After watching this video, I'm convinced $1300 for hitch installation is a good price at Tesla. And peace of mind is a bonus.

[@johnbahorski2404]

I saw DAErick do theirs this morning

[@iPhil77]

John Bahorski They had a stuck bolt on the driver side in the bottom of the bin.

[@johnbahorski2404]

Yes

[@mike77cos]

Exactly the same bolt, I think the moulding must be slightly out

[@i1Tesla]

I talked to him last night and he told me about his trouble with the bolt. I was hoping it was just his.

[@motofan16]

And he has the spinning nut as well...

[@fasousa4798]

its showing $399 on the site? how do you get it below $300?

[@toddwright662]

I bought and installed Torklift's hitch on my Model 3 last summer. They were great to deal with and it took me about 3-4 hours working very methodically (read slowly). I did not do the wiring yet because I really only intend to use it to use it to mount a rack for a recumbent bike.

[@tabaresr]

Will Tesla release the software for towing with an aftermarket install or will they charge you the $1,000 for it? Will the software adjust anything when it’s time to tow?

[@mr.blahblah4731]

Wonder if Tesla is going to have some software update with their hitch.

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

Yes, they do. You won’t be able to use AP while towing with the factory installation. Aftermarket Installations won’t have that limitation.

[@Resist4]

Hopefully with the price!

[@blackmoon925]

@@dennisschlieckau8723 So actually you just pay more for less. ;) But if you put some kind of carrier (cargo, bike, winch, etc.) on the hitch, the AP is also switched off, because the rear sensors are constantly detecting an obstacle. It's not even possible to avoid that by deactivating the affected sensors, because then the system will recognize that as a system error and also switch off AP. I've tested it all. (in Germany, though)

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

@@blackmoon925 I'm not sure what the regulations are in Germany regarding Aftermarket Tow hitches. I've heard some countries restrict you to factory only installations. Which in that case, would likely have the disabled AP feature. I there is KZbin video of an Aftermarket hitch installed on the Model 3 in US. They did tow testing and one of the side benefits of it being an aftermarket installation they were able to use AP. Kyle from (Out of Spec motoring) did the testing.

[@blackmoon925]

@@dennisschlieckau8723 Just to clarify: When towing a trailer with an aftermarket hitch, the AP works. I was just referring to carriers.

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

Brian, when you install the lighting kit. Be aware that 12v power is available under the rear seat. You don’t need to go all the way too the 12v battery. Just Watch (electrified garage) Hanshow trunk kit install for reference.

[@jeffbransky6499]

Dennis Schlieckau Normally the wires are connected to the rear tail lights in an after market setup. When the brakes are applied they light up on the car and trailer. Same for the running lights. When the turn signals are used, they flash on the trailer and car. Often the turn signal flasher switch has to be swapped out because the turn signals will flash too fast due to the additional load of the trailer lights. Since the Tesla is a computerized car, the flasher may act differently than traditional devices when additional load is encountered.

[@dennisschlieckau8723]

JEFF BRANSKY I’m fully aware of that issue in some cases with older cars that use load flasher units. Tesla doesn’t use an old school load flasher. The audible “click” is generated by the computer through the front speakers. In the case with Tesla, the aftermarket lighting adapter kit that Brian has uses inductive pickups on the taillight and signal wires. No load is drawn from the factory wires, only a current signal. The 12v power source feeds the lighting module and trailer lights independently from the factory wiring. As far as I’m aware, you cannot direct tap the factory wires like you could with older vehicles. That’s why you need the independently powered lighting module.

[@sethjacoby73]

Wondering how you’re dealing with autopilot not working because of the obstruction it senses

[@geoffhawkes]

This is probably the best EcoHitch assembly video I've seen, thank you! Looks very straightforward, just go slow and have some patience. I'm about to add this hitch and reached out to Tesla to see if they could sell me the 7-pin adapter directly. They said it's not listed yet in the Model Y part list but I'm sure it will at some point. For reference here's the (potentially identical) part for the model X: 1046032-00-C. Happy to get to know my car better and save $700 on parts. Cheers.

[@amar3690i]

It took me from 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm 7 hours including two home deport runs that wasted about two hours. My advice , get all the tools you need to do this, and it’s better to pay the $1000 to Tesla. I broke a couple of clips in my brand new Y and now I am regretting every moment I decided to do this. And oh , the hitch come without the wiring, so if you want the wiring, you will be very close to what Tesla is charging. Plus your time and broken pieces.

[@gregwatson8246]

So, the factory tow option eliminates the original aluminum crash bar ! A lot of people don’t realize this. That would compromise the rear crash protection and integrity of the vehicle. Not sure how this was approved by the factory or the government. No way I’d want that crash bar gone. That’s what makes this eco-hitch receiver so good, you keep the crash bar.

[@flyingyakdeath]

Why do they come wt plastic washers? Plastic creeps, displaces over time, eliminating the clamping force of the stud.

[@GregHassler]

I have the Model 3 Torklift hitch. Looks like pretty much the same process. Those plastic caps on the taillight actually screw off, not pry.

[@Fullfrontalfatherhoody]

Just installed mine. Thanks so much!! What did you do for the custom cover plate? I definitely don't like the metal pull they provided to attach on the outside. I was thinking to maybe use magnets to remove it. Put a magnet on the inside and then use one to pull it off from the outside.

[@Supersteps]

Do you have a link or the name of the wrench set you have ? I bought one but it didn’t come with all the sizes I need. Thanks in advance

[@jayko23]

Price seems to no longer be $300 but $400 before any additional wiring parts . It’s a bummer price went up.

[@TeslaRebuilders]

Lol those pesky push pins.... having flashbacks... thanks Brian!

[@remickpalenciatinoco3776]

Someone at tesla didn't strip it. I saw you had your drill tightening that one.

[@alfs3]

hmmm...only a 350lb tongue wait means you can't haul a street motorcycle on it so now i'm wondering what tesla's tongue weight is...

[@froggy0162]

There’s no longitudinal part of the towbar that extends forward? That seems like it’s missing a key element for strength and integration with the frame of the car...

[@jack91522]

They are $370 on their site, not under $300

[@44kas88]

I have the unit for my P3D. Installed it a year ago. Need a no cut trailer light kit..

[@PIPERBOYWILLIAMS]

Rather pay a grand

[@philoso377]

Wrote this before video ends. Like to know adding this after market hitch on model Y can void Tesla warranty or not ?

[@i1Tesla]

NO

[@7saxby]

That $1000 is looking pretty easy

[@midnighttoreo]

over tail light screws off

[@SatorisDojo]

It's worth paying 1k for tesla to install the hitch. Imagine how many plastic pieces you could break, how many clips could break, how many little things you will run into like this gentleman did with that tub screw. The list goes on and on, if you're buying a 50k $ car, spend the extra 1k, seriously.

[@oboys1502]

Did you need to purchase tesla tow software

[@HowardFeinstein]

Do you still recommend?

[@garyclark6747]

Three hours at $100 each plus the $300 part leaves not much room for mistakes or tools if you don’t have them. Luckily you can now order this from Tesla while ordering the Model Y but for the already delivered vehicles it looks like a good option. I’m left wondering as you about the difference between the Tesla harness versus the one you received. Love to hear about that but if I’m ordering a Y it’ll come with the hitch. So glad the wrap kept in place. I did start to cringe with all pops and snaps. It was nothing to drop my 2011 bumper because I had to but a new car. 😱 #GoodJob

[@domg7359]

Tesla SC has said you can add it afterwards for same price. It's not available yet. The real Tesla one comes with software unlock of tow mode which will having towing specific features you won't get with this aftermarket one.

[@i1Tesla]

You don't make 100 per hour when you aren't at work. Your free time is FREE. It wasn't very hard to do.

[@Duxa_]

@@i1Tesla Time is never free, you have finite minutes on this earth. When you die, how much would those extra 3 hours of spending with your wife or kids be worth? Definitely not 'nothing'. I took a Model Y delivery before they offered the hitch. So im considering adding one. Curious about sensor freak out when it thinks there is a car on your bumper. Seems like turning them off is essential to avoid phantom acceleration (where car is trying to avoid collision). Its $1200 to install after delivery from Tesla. May be worth it if sensors do weird stuff.

[@ggua92722]

Hey Brian, thank you for sharing this great DIY video. I’m ready now to install the tow hitch in my MY 😃. You know, I lost my chance when those jack stands were $125. Checked few days later and they had gone up $50. So probably more $175 now. But yeah, I need a pair of those. Thank you.

[@natnathutchins]

For my MY do you have to take her to Tesla for the trailer software? Wondering if I should purchase this one or the $1200 from Tesla

[@remickpalenciatinoco3776]

You don't need tow software.

[@rayofvictory]

Great installation video! I will pay the additional $700 and let Tesla handle at factory

[@Jimbojam]

when you order it from Tesla you get the tow mode software package, which I think would be worth the difference in the long run for safety and performance reasons.

[@brosario5235]

@i1Tesla, how did you wire the brake connector wires and what aftermarket harness did you buy?

[@davidbraner156]

Did you/were you going to make the wiring vid? Can't find it if you did. Nice work on the main install vid.

[@davidbraner156]

First off. Great vid. Well thought out and very informative. Could I get some clarity on one thing? I am looking to have a couple bikes on the back of the car. So to me the 2" tow hitch with a flat bed bike rack that can double as a cooler holder if we have a full car sounds like the right thing to do. BUT, I want FSD to continue to do its magic. I paid for it and frankly long road trips are what I want it for the most. One of the comments down below claims the sensors will be going off and it will turn off over time. Is that true? Thanks in advance for any info on this!

[@JimGrohol]

What are the closest replacement plastic retaining clips for the Y? I'm going to be installing this same hitch on my MY and would like some extras before I begin.

[@imho7250]

One thing I’ve never seen on any Tesla video is the subject of electric trailer brakes and how electric cars can make better use of the kinetic energy when deemed safe by the software. Everyone seems to think surge brakes are the only brakes out there, but most campers use electric brakes before it gives the driver much better control. This simple software update will ensure Tesla sells only its hitch package (since they can choose not to enable it for aftermarket hitches), and it could slightly reduce the huge range loss of towing with conventional brake controller or surge brakes. Our tow vehicles just had a brake controller mounted where the driver can reach the overriding and bias controls. So I wonder if Tesla added this, which existing controls can be used to adjust the integrated brake controller so that you can run full auto but also manually override.

[@HowlerBikeVlogs]

as a toyota mechanic, the bumper and hitch installation seems to be fairly industry standard, apart from the mis-threaded bolt from factory, that doesn't really happen on toyota's, but the clips tesla uses seem way more resilient and easy to unclip, i've broken numerous of those on toyota's, they get full of dirt and debris, even after only 10k miles. also pretty cool that you keep the crashbar, on some models i've done the tow hitch crossbar actually replaces the crashbar, making it stronger but less of a crumple zone.

[@swss12]

I had the exact thing happen to me on the 3. The rivnuts are not set well on these cars. You need to slowlllly remove the bolts into rivnuts.

[@MesQueUnClub09]

I have the same problem with the bolt, what did you end up using in its place?

[@FahvergnugenRS5]

So many bumpers coming off today. It’s painful! Haha

[@tide4113]

Great video. Do you know what is the ground clearance from the bottom of the hitch? just curious in case hooking a motorcycle carrier.

[@larryrcmanf]

I found on older hitches with model S had galvanic corrosion due to different metals between hitch and car...is there any concern on this one of that happening? I am concerned aftermarket if it will cause the corrosion

[@alfs3]

thinking about wrapping my Y with the same matte wrap but in black instead but yours looks badass!

[@nphenri]

Bought my trailer hitch but waiting to install it till get your tutorial on how to install the electrical component. Any idea when you might do this? Thanks for your videos. Really enjoying them.

[@kleycardona6435]

no way! nor for me.

[@jimmyle5437]

Can you test the trailer with wh per mile comparing with the x? Could not find anyone do this comparison

[@KevinFreitas]

Gearing up to do this on our Y -- thanks for the walkthrough! Any recommendations on a torque wrench? What do you use? Cheers!

[@pushkarbelsare7245]

What i would suggest (Also what i always do ) is to take pictures of what you were removing. makes things easier for reference .

[@richgey1]

DAEric had same bolt / captive nut do the same thing!

[@MrArtist7777]

Thanks amigo, appreciate you videoing this as I'm buying a Model Y and will definitely get this hitch as I hate trucks, but have a nice little trailer for haulin' stuff.

[@dani43321]

The thumbnail reminded me of some kind of Czech videos

[@kevinalmeida7159]

thats the model 3 hitch hahahaha model y has hitch wire harness included in car and model 3 you have to buy separately to add it

[@akelleith9325]

Paying $1000 for tesla to install seems worth it

[@TheNJ54]

As I watch this I wonder, why would anyone take their car apart?

[@tomraniere2703]

Brian -- Erik ALSO had big problem with One Nut underneath -- I think the same place as you did ...?? Hmmmm - a Problem with one of the Robots at Tesla ...???

[@i1Tesla]

Or just two cars with the same thing

[@SHendrixx2]

I might be late but what happened to the army green!? That was sweet!

[@Cj90RAK]

thank you sir, this is a very helpful video

[@ThisIsTeslaTrippin]

Definitely interested in what you hear from Tesla on that factory wiring for the hitch. If that part is available by itself, that’ll be the way to go wiring-wise. (I’m familiar with that wiring harness you used, it’s a universal one that can go anywhere, I installed the exact same one on my Mazda).

[@DeeRickDup]

I need this for my Model 3

[@xxZerosumxx]

They make one too

[@jiaj1985]

Sooo glad i just paid Tesla to do it 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@dimplezdimples8451]

That price is out the window...

[@alfs3]

damn those are some badass jack stands - what brand is that?

[@frankbommentre590]

We’re you able to complete the entire install without damaging your PPF on the rear bumper? I want to get a hitch installed but am concerned my PPF will be damaged in the process.

[@amar3690i]

Don’t do it your self. Take it from someone that have damaged his brand new car

[@justinfowler2857]

Let us know how well it tows and the range. Thanks.

[@hanzelnuts8446]

Awesome video Brian.👍👍👍.

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

I had a cross-threaded license plate screw when I first received my model 3. When I got my permanent plate is when I noticed. It made it a real pain to attach the permanent plate.

[@phillipingram1434]

Another great video. Looking forward to the actual use video. Good to see solid options vs. the $1,000 Tesla option.

[@alighanem9111]

What are the torque specs on the crash bar?

[@rcjhkc]

Really looking forward to towing videos with the Model Y. I'm interested how it compares to the X. Thank you for doing these.

[@CCGR-2024]

It does look like having two people would make it easier, but you made it look easy to do by yourself! Thanks for sharing this video.

[@mr.blahblah4731]

Brian said I was great! TAKE THAT GRANDMA!

[@henryhilliii2616]

Great video do you have one for model x?

[@lholdsworth2474]

You need a lift kit better rubber

[@NRV44]

Good but not for all for sure to install

[@barbaraprichard2635]

Does the wiring harness come with the hitch kit?

[@MemphisMG86]

ho much KG you can tow with this ?

[@tz230]

Thank you!!

[@tonyc6996]

Well I guess it's better that they overtightened that bolt than just having them missing like on my 3 🙄

[@meinecraft1809]

Actually it looks like he stripped it himself. In the first clip he tightend it insted of loosing it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@lholdsworth2474]

Cool

[@jonathanvallecillo2848]

Don’t worry daerik channel had the same issue.

[@jonathanvallecillo2848]

That bolt that kept spinning

[@exil3dlivecom]

Does anyone know what size the nylon washes are? The ones the bolt between the hitch and frame? Also... been told you can use ZINC washers instead and are better?

[@bdeemter1234]

That’s a hitch receiver.

[@shirleyshiff5156]

film?

[@TonyPham-Creations]

Classic Brian - taking things apart! Great detailed install, thanks Brian!