Towing a Camper with a Tesla || 2021 New Apex Nano 194BHS || Sn. 3, Ep. 30

Our new camper is here! 🙌🏻 We found a great little bunkhouse our 2020 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus can tow and we take it for it's first drive. ⇟⇟⇟MORE BELOW⇟⇟⇟
We picked up our 2021 Coachman Apex Nano 194bhs from the dealer (with the truck, because the dealership had not heard of a Tesla before) and brought it home for it's first drive with our Tesla Model X. Find out how our first 30 miles towing went and how far we think we will be able to drive while towing.
↞↞↞↞A WORD FROM TLT↠↠↠↠
As always, please help support our channel by hitting the subscribe button, liking this video, and leaving us a comment. We absolutely love sharing our adventures with you and we get pretty darn excited for every comment we get! We'll see you on the trail!
↞↞↞↞IN THIS VIDEO↠↠↠↠
■ Want a Tesla? || ts.la/steven29621
■ Apex Nano || coachmenrv.com/travel-trailer...
■ Grand Design RV || www.granddesignrv.com/
↞↞↞↞CONNECT WITH US↠↠↠↠
■ Subscribe || bit.ly/tltsubscribe
■ Facebook || bit.ly/FacebookTrailLessTraveled
■ Instagram || bit.ly/TLT5RVInstagram
■ Twitter || / traillessrv5
■ On the Web || www.traillesstraveled.org
↞↞↞↞CREDITS↠↠↠↠
■ Our amazing music is from Epidemic Sound!
■ Featured Songs:
🎵Let Me Know in Time by Tomas Skyldeberg
↞↞↞↞OTHER STUFF↠↠↠↠
■ Trail Less Traveled, All Rights Reserved
■ Do your own research before making travel or RV decisions. We are not professionals or experts in RVing or travel. These videos were created solely for entertainment purposes.
■ We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
#tesla #teslatowing #modelx #apexnano

[@Mileageova]

Love your channel! 🎉Greetings from Toronto! 🙌🏼

[@yesiamsmrt]

5:36 is why I never like to tow alone. Sometimes you just miss things. Good catch.

[@AllElectricFamily]

Now that you say something it does look like he was about to drive away with in unhooked how we edited the footage! 😅 Oops! What was actually happening there is the coupler wouldn't lock in, so we pulled the car forward a bit so the mechanism could slide into place. But, you're 100% right, each of us go through the checklist before we take off to make sure everything is done and safe before we go!

[@1StrangeAdventure]

Love the Tesla! I think this is the first time I actually saw someone towing with it. Found you guys on the KYD live stream. Thanks for sharing!

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks for jumping over here! We think it will be possible, but it’s going to take some planning and getting used to!

[@deanwebster]

Congrats on the new rig! Great video!

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thank you!! We think we are really going to enjoy it. Hopefully restrictions are lifted enough soon so we can go test it out!

[@vrenelectrique]

wow my wife and I have a boler style trailer with our Y and we love it! just congratulations on your video!

[@elizabethmerchant538]

Yaaaassssssss I’ve been dying to see a tour of this exact model. Can’t wait to see your next video!! If you haven’t filmed it yet, I’m super curious about the size of the outside storage, how big the storage is under the bed, and what you think of the bathroom. Plus of course every inch of the rest of the space 😂

[@AllElectricFamily]

Be sure to check in on Sunday! ❤️

[@kenzonikolai1469]

InstaBlaster.

[@RossYoungblood]

This video is terrific! We just upgraded from a White Water Retro 155 ~1800# to an R-Pad 195 which is within 1’ and 100# of what you are towing. I’m coming from towing with small SUV, and now Tesla for 3 years. My last Crew Cab long bed was a 2000 F250 V10, so it’s been 17 years since I pulled with that. So it’s awesome to get your first hand experience switching to a model X. We have FREE supercharging, so it takes a bit more sting out of charging every 2 hours on a long road trip. I think there are maybe 2 legs on one on Yellowstone and one to Phoenix where we may fall below 100 miles with terrain. We have a CHAdeMO adapter. Certainly get one if you don’t have one already ~$550. But these take some practice. In the Pacific Northwest, Webasco has CHAdeMO chargers just about everywhere in Oregon and Washington State. ~42kwh. But these chargers are slow, often you must call to have them reset, so not 100% reliable as Superchargers are. Also recommend a power hitch Jack as we found you have to unhitch to charge every two hours. This made a big difference on our 1800 mi Yellowstone trip. Night and day faster. We did a 3200 mile trip in 2019, and all our other trips in the Tesla were less than ~200mi. Thanks Sooo much for these videos. Helps with the plunge to EV RV towing. It helps to know I’m not the only crazy one out there pulling an RV with our Tesla.

[@AllElectricFamily]

❤️ Thank you for watching and all the great info! We'd love for other charging networks to catch up to the reliability of Superchargers. We are also glad to know we're not the only crazy ones towing with an EV!

[@davidshira4224]

@@AllElectricFamily we are looking at towing with our Model X. We purchased tow package with the X giving us place for tow hitch and what I think is the 7 pin connector that hooks up,to trailer. In Model X manual page 86 there is discussion about wiring ip to break controller. What is this all about? It looked like you just hooked up the 7 pin connector to the trailer. Is there some additional wiring required that comes into the bracket controller up on the drivers side inside the car?

[@chovis38]

Would have loved to hear more info on the trip, and feedback. We recently towed our Travel Lite Falcon from Chicago IL to Rapid City SD with our 2017 X 90D...and was a struggle to get more than 100 miles per FULL charge. I assume this was a Raven X long range in the video? Wondering how that affects efficiency vs our X. You REALLY have you plan your trip down to every detail when towing with the X. It pulls it just fine, and the regen braking makes the electric brake controller for the trailer unnecessary. The auto leveling suspension is fantastic as well.

[@AllElectricFamily]

That sounds like a good setup. Yes we have the raven long range plus with epa of 350. I assumed it would be around 100-125 mile range with towing but also know it depends on the wind. We did 60 MPH in this video. What speed did you find was the best? We are going to try and do a more in-depth test this week that involves a supercharger stop. We want to go camping but current situations that is frowned upon so we are looking for things to do. It did pull really easy and the regen braking was amazing with the trailer behind it.

[@Scott-sm9nm]

I have 60K roadtrip miles over two Model Xs. The best indicator of my range is using the 30 mile graph (vs 5 you are showing) *AND* looking at the top right of that graph to see what 'projected XX mi range' says. That is projecting based on your 5/15/30 mile option.

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks for the advice! We will need tips like this to help.

[@joshoddvids7316]

This is so cool

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@jerminemhyne4620]

Anything special on the Tesla tow hitch, or pretty much straight forward with the hitch provided by Tesla that connects in the bottom? Thank you

[@AllElectricFamily]

Nope, other than how it connects into the bottom of the car it’s just a normal hitch. But it can get a bit greasy because of that connection under the vehicle so we kept a gallon ziplock bag in the car so we could cover the greasy part!

[@silversax01]

You were outsode of Tesla tow spec as soon as you put that much of a hitch rise on it. Curious how your hitch is holding up as there have been reports of issues of deformation/loosening of the removable receiver with that much rotation force (due to the high rise).

[@AllElectricFamily]

Very interesting to know--we hadn't heard that. So far the hitch has held up well and the camper tows great. Something to definitely keep an eye on. Thanks for watching!

[@Scott-sm9nm]

The X has anti-sway software: "Trailer Sway Mitigation -- When trailer sway is detected, the Model X electronic stability control system attempts to apply the appropriate amount of braking to minimize trailer sway. The instrument panel briefly displays the traction control system indicator. Pressing the brake pedal when the system is actively braking to mitigate trailer sway does not cancel this automatic braking."

[@AllElectricFamily]

Technology is awesome! We will have to document how well this works. We are just getting started and having fun with it. If you have any other info send it our way. Thanks again.

[@Resch60gmail]

I tow a 24 ft trailmanor that is just as high as the x removing the AC unit did the trick i avg over a full charge with 60mph 374 watt per miles

[@AllElectricFamily]

Interesting! We just looked that camper up. We may have to see if there is one around here we can test out some time! Thanks for sharing! Happy camping!

[@Resch60gmail]

@@AllElectricFamily No problem we camp all over the west coast from canada to the Mexican border ( just not now with covid19) we tested a 27ft as well not much difference it is just 2 ft to long to fit in my garage , the 24 fit just fine

[@AllElectricFamily]

Good to know!

[@inspiredtosoar3526]

Sweet setup

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks, we enjoy it!

[@aaronbounds1336]

New to the channel. Only. 5 minutes in...I hope you all have a CYBRTRK on order. That thing should suit your needs great!

[@AllElectricFamily]

Welcome, yes we hope an electric truck will be more capable.

[@aaronbounds1336]

@@AllElectricFamily Thanks. Glad you made an EV channel. If you have an F-350 and a T M X, I would think you can both afford and benefit from as well as save serious piles of $ from a tri-motor CYBRTRK. Towing, hauling, comfort, tech, durability, you know all the stuff. I don't know your exact life circumstances, but I bet it will work. Can't wait to see towing videos of that stainless steel bohemeth. I wonder if it can have a front mount snow plow (although it looks like you might not get too much of that where you are).

[@davidew98]

That thing is tiny for 3 kids and 2 adults, WOW! Where is the long term update!

[@freetrailer4poor]

There are lance 1475 and jayco slx 7 foot up to 19 feet I am looking at. But I want to try car camping. Then you can go anywhere and spend a night in motel every couple days.

[@downkim9032]

is it possible to use FSD with towing somethig? thanks!

[@AllElectricFamily]

No. It automatically recognizes you have something hooked up and will kick you out of autopilot or not even allow you to engage. It would be awesome if it did!

[@brians7419]

New subscriber here. Thanks for sharing. At some point, many of us will tow with an electric vehicle. (Note: old guy here. I know nothing about these vehicles but really appreciate the info.)

[@AllElectricFamily]

Welcome! We came from a big diesel truck so it is a change for us but have really enjoyed it so far. Steve has learned to slow down which is a good thing. We enjoy providing the info and appreciate you following along.

[@richkar1127]

You can only go 100 miles at a time?! Then to charge at a super charger you have to unhook the trailer as most I've seen around Nebraska aren't pull through like gas stations but more parking spot style. Then you have to stop for an hour and a half (if it's a supercharger) to charge to full to go another 100 miles? You camp real close to town? Just hope this is a better idea than it sounds to me. Edit: Forgot to ask: How much did your test change when the trailer was fully loaded and doing 65mph?

[@AllElectricFamily]

We are pretty much crazy. 🤣 But, the challenge sounded fun. Plus I’m pretty sure Steve loves to give me range anxiety and push the cars range. We will see how it goes, it could be a terrible idea! 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣

[@richkar1127]

@@AllElectricFamily I'm not trying to say it's a bad idea! Maybe great for you guys! I'm just not sure it's for me just yet but am curious to know how well it works!

[@AllElectricFamily]

We’re curious too! We’ll be documenting it all, the good and the bad! Thanks for following along!!

[@richkar1127]

@@AllElectricFamily Looking forward to it.

[@ggtr0nic]

Thanks for Sharing : so what is the X consumption? Kwh/100km ?

[@AllElectricFamily]

It’s alot😀! For this trip it was 51kWh/100 km. We will have a lot more info on this in the future. Thanks for watching.

[@ggtr0nic]

Not so bad ... 50mph consume a lot less while doing my USA DodgeCaravan/trailer tour in 2007: from 22L/100km to 16L/100km ! ... i hope the TriMotor CT will have a 200kwh ? we need to chill while RVing yvesauger.com/canyon/045.jpg

[@vivekkaushik9508]

Your kids are cute. Happy family. Godbless.

[@AllElectricFamily]

You are so kind! Thank you!

[@Hondocracker]

Driving 60mph looking at a huge screen on the dash, towing an over weight trailer. What could go wrong ?

[@AllElectricFamily]

The trailer is 1700 lbs under the towing capacity of the vehicle. From the outside it does look like it would be over weight. Thankfully nothing went wrong.

[@DomKirby]

Does it have a brake controller?

[@AllElectricFamily]

No, we had to put one in the car. It was pretty easy to install just needed to follow a wire diagram and plug it in. Thanks

[@leticiaaraya4234]

Estaciones para trailer, solar stations en vez de solar City!! El clima está impredecible, hay que moverse todo el tiempo y.... Es mas barato que comprar una casa, con star link para tele trabajo y el tesla pone, llegamos de el Ártico a la Antártica, no hay límites!!

[@MrTimbo1997]

How about brake controller for electric brakes

[@AllElectricFamily]

We use the Tekonsha Prodigy P2, it works very well.

[@tramvaj12]

Nice video. Just one correction you can have wats per hour or wats per mile. If you have speed you can calculate each other. But wat per hour per mile can mean only that you drive one mile per hour. So basically in this situation wats per hour is basically same as wats per mile. So basically if you drive 60 mph and have consumption 900 wats you are consuming 60x900 wats per hour or 54 kw per hour

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks for the info

[@amypletcher4411]

Did I miss something? You guys bought a new camper? Sold your other one? Cute!

[@AllElectricFamily]

We wanted to try towing with an electric vehicle and something smaller! We kept the other rig and will be renting it out. We love it too much to let it go, so we are going to try the rental route. Thank you!!!!

[@amypletcher4411]

@@AllElectricFamily so does it work out for you or you probably have not been out yet due to Covid-19?

[@AllElectricFamily]

We haven’t been out yet. Keeping our fingers crossed for next weekend! 🤞🏻

[@emiliojacaman690]

Wait until you pack all your stuff in there and then do the test again, that number will go up. You might get less than 100 miles on a full tank of electricity.

[@AllElectricFamily]

Weight has very little to do with how far an EV can tow a trailer. It has much more to do with the aerodynamics of the trailer than weight, as we have shown in several of our other videos.

[@EduMiguel16]

Where do you get the money and time

[@AllElectricFamily]

Grit & determination!

[@DrBradyHurst]

Does auto pilot work while towing a trailer? There’s almost no KZbin videos on this. As you know, long halls with the trailer can be exhausting and if auto pilot works… It would be a game changer!!

[@AllElectricFamily]

No, it doesn't work while towing. :(

[@prakashpatti5721]

So, for 100% charge, you will get around 100 miles with a 5000 pound tow?

[@officialyasir]

Prakash Patti about 115 miles with their load of almost 4,800 lbs

[@AllElectricFamily]

@yas is correct. Which in most cases will get us to the next super charger hopefully! 😂

[@prakashpatti5721]

@@AllElectricFamily hopefully cyber truck can increase the towing range to 215 miles..

[@AllElectricFamily]

We hope so, too! We can't wait to get our hands on one!

[@falcon7350]

i have been towing a camper with my chevy volt for a year now .. not sure why this is so big , The Model X sucks for cargo , no roof rack and no room inside of it , PS i am a big Tesla fan boy . but just a full time RVer here telling the truth

[@AllElectricFamily]

That’s awesome you’ve been towing with an EV! Have any tips? We are still new to all of it. We are also jealous that you are a full time RVer. One day we hope to be able to hit the road full time!

[@thebrock12]

It’s amazing how much torque the electric car has

[@AllElectricFamily]

It's truly incredible. With batter packs along the floor of the car for a lower center of gravity and awesome torque they're great for towing--we just need to get that range up so you can get a little further before it's the best way to tow!

[@MrWayout55]

Not even one mention of how much does the trailer weigh fully loaded and how much your car can tow? Remember, to be safe, your car should not tow more than 80% of your cars max. towing amount. Your tiny car might be able to pull that trailer but I agree with the dealer, you won't pull it safely ! Especially with a wife and three children in with you. Good Luck !

[@AllElectricFamily]

The rig is 4,758lbs fully loaded. Crazy enough the payload capacity of this car is within a couple of hundred pounds of the Ram 2500 we had a couple of years ago, and that could tow up to 12,000lbs. We also don’t plan to travel with water because the more weight the more energy we are using. We should be safely within the cars limits. 🙂

[@MrWayout55]

An "X" Tesla can tow 5,000 pounds, 80% of that is 4,000 pounds, that's what you can pull safely. 5,000 pounds is more then half of a Dodge 2500, you should listen to the dealer !!!

[@frankieg6919]

@@AllElectricFamily I would like to see the door sticker showing the payload capacity. Payload and towing capacity are 2 totally different things. Google shows a payload capacity on the model x of 12330-1254 pounds. That wouldn't be close to 2500 (3/4 ton) from any manufacture. My Silverado payload is 2900 pounds.

[@Psychopappy]

No sway bar towing the rv. Not safe...

[@AllElectricFamily]

The sway bar was ordered and on its way.

[@ralphjones1071]

I love Teslas and camping, but also enjoy traveling more than 1.5 hours at a time. It's a cool idea.

[@AllElectricFamily]

We are very curious to see how it goes. It could help us stop and smell the roses a bit....or it could be terrible. Only time will tell! 🙂

[@chovis38]

It's really a non issue...when we're charging, we all jump in the trailer to use restroom, eat, and relax. Makes supercharging go by even faster.

[@josephbenadam]

Actually you must stop every 2 hours drive for a rest by law. I don't know how is in US

[@MrDanbouc]

Torsion bars would help

[@AllElectricFamily]

We ended up putting sway control kit on that helped. Thanks.

[@ronstandley5635]

Look at the sidewall of your trailer's tire. There is a maximum speed rating you need to be aware of. I'm willing to bet the max speed rating is not 75-80 MPH - even on your old rig. Be safe for your kids sake.

[@AllElectricFamily]

This is a regular argument in our house--the speed limit while towing is 65mph or less in many states...we hope Steve can learn to slow down a bit towing with the Tesla (so far he has)!

[@deshia1471]

I'm so lost about how to figure out if my 2011 Honda Pilot will tow this with one adult and three children....two of them are teens. If a Tesla can .my Pilot should be able to.

[@AllElectricFamily]

I don’t know if the pilot would. I would start with looking up its towing capacity the. Looking at the sticker in the driver door frame for payload “hitch weight” limits.

[@kounoupidi]

I have checked your towing videos. Something must be wrong with your setup. In Europe the average consumption with similar situation is around 600wh/m, far less than the 1000 you routinely average. Are you sure the trailer brakes are not engaging constantly? For reference see bensmann.no/towing-caravan-tesla-model-x-europe/

[@AllElectricFamily]

I think that caravan is likely more aerodynamic than ours. It sits much lower to the ground than ours and doesn’t appear to have much on the roof like a large A/C and multiple vents. We will double check the break control, but we don’t have any signs that the breaks are constantly engaged.

[@MikeHawk1009]

194BHS and P3D+ owner here. You're nuts :) I contemplated getting an X and just dealing with the range limitations. Yeah, no. We tow with a Chevy Avalanche and even then the 194BHS it is at the limits of our TV. Welcome to the club! Come over to the Coachmen Apex TT Life facebook group, it's a wealth of knowledge facebook.com/groups/442018796136676/

[@AllElectricFamily]

😂 We like to keep it interesting! I am on the Apex group, it's been very helpful...I just haven't posted a whole ton! Thank you for watching!

[@Chris.Donley]

Yikes, I'll just say it up front, that is not a safe towing situation. The numbers may match up, but your pushing the limit. It's not just tow capacity and payload, it's "Frontal Area". As an example the "FA" limitations of a F-150 is 64sq feet. That trailer is probably pushing close to that. The "FA" of the tesla is much, much lower I'm sure. My guess is 30-40sq feet. Hit any sort of heavy crosswind and I wouldn't want to be behind the wheel. A Scamp 16' or Larger Casita would have been a much better match to that Tesla.

[@AllElectricFamily]

We will have to look into those campers it was a hard decision because we know the aerodynamics of this trailer will affect it and we have a family that needs to fit in it. Thanks for the comment.

[@chovis38]

Traveled to South Dakota towing a travel trailer with our X, and 30mph head winds....vehicle and trailer stayed stable and safe...without tow bar assist.

[@chovis38]

Also, we just got back from our Grand Canyon trip... 3950 miles roundtrip... 4100 lbs fully loaded..... awesome trip, no trailer sway, and totally confident towing. The auto level air ride suspension makes a huge difference.

[@MrNismopro]

Kudos for towing with a Tesla, I just don’t see going a long distance towing 5k efficient with time. You’re going to spend a lot of time charging. I think you’d be good in a half ton diesel, IMO. Great video nonetheless!👍🏼

[@davewelch1932]

Did you actually check with your insurance company. You get into an accident your insurance will be null and void. I have pulled construction trailers for 25years. With 3/4 -1 ton trucks. With tandem axles. Easier towing. Including loaded cargo trailers. Pulling is easy "CONTROLLING A TOW" is difficult. I've seen that to. Everything is based on total weight of vehicle plus tongue weight. Including passengers fuel and loaded trailer. ( trailer is 20% of total gross weight). Nothing worse than getting into a vacation and getting into accident because of irresponsibly. You are the driver. Take your pickup. Guaranteed it will pull and stop it.

[@AllElectricFamily]

Thanks for you input.

[@MyplayLists4Y2Y]

Channel has potential, but you guys come across as "Dan & Debbie Downer" -- why so pessimistic all the time?

[@AllElectricFamily]

I think we were more nervous than pessimistic. We were hopeful it was going to work out, but if it didn’t we just spent a lot of money for nothing. Hopefully some of our upcoming videos will have a more confident tone since we have figured out that we should be able to get where ever we want to go! Thanks for watching!

[@RossYoungblood]

I totally understood your reaction. We’ve been towing with our model X for 3 years. Just bought a bigger trailer which is nearly exactly like yours. My thoughts are, if it doesn’t work, buy a truck. But I have free supercharging, and the thought of retiring with this car and touring America and Canada with zero fuel cost makes the thought of charging stops do able. However I really need to make 100-120 mile legs to get to Yellowstone every few years.

[@LivingTheDream21]

Why does he sound like a debbie downer and she's more up beat. She makes for a more entertaining video, yes give us a reaction or some feedback.

[@AllElectricFamily]

Yes I agree😀. I was nervous it being the first time. It’s going to be a lot more fun as I get used to it. Thanks for watching.

[@kylecagle29]

Definitely not smart hauling a trailer that close to the maximum weight limit. It can be done, but shouldn’t.

[@AllElectricFamily]

We have towed a lot of miles with this set up and with several other set ups as well. We have had an F-150, Escalade, Ram 2500, Ford Excursion, and an F-350. We've towed a 33' trailer, 37' trailer, and this 22' trailer. The numbers that many people ignore is tongue weight and payload--they're likely to be exceeded before your towing capacity. We're within the limits of the tongue weight, payload for the car (even with cargo & passengers considered), and the overall towing capacity. The Tesla offers some features that make it a very capable tow vehicle (outside of range, which we feel we may have the answer for in our next video). The Model X is heavy--when the car weighs more than the trailer, the trailer can't push the car around (and the trailer pushing the car around is something we have experienced in every other vehicle we've had to tow with, but we have not experienced it in the Tesla). Another feature is the regenerative breaking, which is very similar to engine breaking offered by diesel trucks. We have encountered some decent grades while towing with the Model X and barely have to use the breaks. Teslas also offer sway control breaking in their towing mode. In all honesty, towing with the Tesla is closer to towing with an F-350 than anything if you're comparing how it handles a load. As long as you're within your towing limits, payload, and tongue weight you need to consider your experience towing, how your vehicle handles and how you will use the trailer to make a decision that is safe for you.

[@texasstu8822]

Good luck! I saw this article.. perhaps it has info of use to you? www.greencarreports.com/news/1122487_towing-a-camper-with-a-tesla-model-x-thank-elon-for-superchargers

[@AllElectricFamily]

We will check that out! It will be a challenge, but we think we are up for it! We also hope we can figure out some ways to make it a bit easier!

[@texasstu8822]

@@AllElectricFamily I'd be concerned over steep grades, as well, if it were I. Enjoy!

[@AllElectricFamily]

Lucky for us we live in the plains. 🤣 We may get out to Colorado one day, but we probably have some time to figure out before we can make it out there!🤞🏻