Cybertruck Hitch Fails in Weight Test, Prompting Durability Questions
In a recent stress test, the Tesla Cybertruck’s frame failed under pressure, raising questions about its long-term durability compared to conventional pickup trucks. The test, conducted by YouTuber JerryRigEverything, involved applying downward force to the Cybertruck’s hitch.
Unlike traditional trucks that use solid steel frames, the Cybertruck employs a cast aluminum frame to reduce weight. While Tesla has been praised for pioneering gigacasting technology in the automotive industry, the choice of aluminum is now raising some concerns.
According to Tesla, the Cybertruck has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 lbs (4,990 kg). To test the frame’s strength, JerryRigEverything used a crane scale to measure the force on the hitch, using a large excavator to apply the pressure.
It is important to note that this test evaluated tongue weight, which refers to the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch, and not towing capacity, which measures the vehicle’s ability to pull weight horizontally. While the two are distinct stress tests, comparing them directly can be inaccurate. Ball-mounted hitches typically experience a tongue weight of 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, according to many manufacturers.
In the test, after sustained pressure, the Cybertruck’s hitch began to crack and ultimately snapped completely at just over 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg). Aluminum lacks a fatigue limit, causing it to weaken with each stress, a characteristic not shared by steel. This indicates that Cybertrucks towing heavy loads frequently could potentially see their frames degrade over time.
The test, however, applied weight downward, while most towing force is exerted outward. As a result, the Cybertruck should not have any major issues if it keeps its trailer load under its capacity. JerryRigEverything considered the possibility that hitting a large pothole at 80 mph (129 km/h) with an 11,000 lb load may generate enough force to harm the Cybertruck’s frame. Tesla likely accounted for such scenarios when designing the vehicle and determining its capacities.
For comparison, the team also tested an old Ram 2500. It withstood a 10,500 lbs (4,763 kg) tongue weight load without any issues. These tests are prompting vehicle enthusiasts to question whether Tesla has more work to make the Cybertruck a true workhorse.
