Towing capacity?

[MyFirstMuatangPlugsIn]

If what you hear is true, that would be the end of my order. Even a 1 1/4 hitch would allow bikes.

No hitch by even aftermarket? Then no sale. Ford can give me my $500 back.

Ford, are you listening?

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[bjmsam]

Am I missing something? I'm in the U.S. and need a 2-inch receiver hitch on my Mach E.

It's hard to know, as these two answers seem mutually exclusive:

We had the opportunity to speak with Ford Mach-E managers at the 2019 LA Auto Show today and we're happy to report the following answers. We hope you find it informational!


Q: Are US tow raings available yet?

A: US tow figure has not yet been certified.


Q: Will there be a trailer hitch available?

A: Not for the U.S.

 

[MyFirstMuatangPlugsIn]

Are there 2 assembly lines or does Ford just not like us?

 

[Billyk24]

It's hard to know, as these two answers seem mutually exclusive:

Tesla model 3 has the same issue. The EU version does have a hitch option but the current USA version does not. Only difference is the right hand drive of vehicles.

 

[bjmsam]

Tesla model 3 has the same issue. The EU version does have a hitch option but the current USA version does not. Only difference is the right hand drive of vehicles.

Most of the European Union (even before Brexit) is left hand drive.

 

[Billyk24]

Here is a right hand drive Tesla headed for the UK:

 

[bjmsam]

The Tesla tow hitch option is available for the entire European market and is not limited to the UK and the Republic of Ireland where vehicles are sold with right hand drive. Sorry if I am missing your point.

Countries for which Tesla sales are published (in this list, all but Ireland are left hand drive):

Country	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
Norway	1.983	4.040	4.039	3.481	8.460	8.614
Netherlands	1.195	1.469	1.891	2.149	3.317	8.604
Germany	204	814	1.582	1.908	3.332	1.905
Switzerland	213	496	1.556	1.701	2.024	1.452
France	37	328	708	945	1.368	1.252
Sweden	5	265	996	1.160	1.283	1.228
Belgium	148	521	820	859	1.151	878
Austria	50	136	492	717	900	473
Italy	8	52	134	241	482	464
Spain	1	15	10	57	388	326
Finland	2	94	146	121	248	172
Ireland					49	120
Denmark	112	460	2.736	176	98	96
Luxembourg					155	86
Czech Republic					80	85
Slovenia	3	n/a	8	11	11	11

 

[Billyk24]

Here is an USA Tesla model 3 with an Ecohitch: Tesla does not offer a hitch option for the Model 3. Meaning if the Mach E does not have a hitch option, it might be possible to obtain one via a third party vendor.

 

[MyFirstMuatangPlugsIn]

Well I hope Ford can understand the desire for at least a receiver option and some moderate Towing capacity. It seems like if the launch is almost a year out and the European version gets a receiver, it would be a possibility to get it here in the US.

Please Ford? I haven't been without a Ford in the driveway for 25 years. Don't make me buy a Tesla.

 

[bjmsam]

Please Ford? I haven't been without a Ford in the driveway for 25 years. Don't make me buy a Tesla.

Or a Toyota RAV4 Prime...

 

[Billyk24]

Or a Toyota RAV4 Prime...

If the RAV4 Prime is an air cooled HVB, I would stay away from it at all costs. Unable to maintain normal HVB temperature during the warm summer months. This will lead to degraded HVB capacity.

 

[bjmsam]

MotorTrend:
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Is an SUV Short on Utility
Ground clearance and towing capacity are severely lacking

 

[MachSpeed]

MotorTrend:
The Ford Mustang Mach-E Is an SUV Short on Utility
Ground clearance and towing capacity are severely lacking

Motor trend is notoriously anti Ford I won't have anything to do with that garbage. While Ford is labeling the Mach E as a SUV it is in realty more of a CUV in size and style.

 

[bjmsam]

Well, MT's assessment is consistent with ours. The Mach-E is a sporty crossover. To manage expectations, Ford really should market it accordingly. I do hope a proper BE-SUV will be offered soon!

 

[TheSteelRider]

The Fast Lane Car did two trials with towing behind a Model X, and essentially came to the conclusion that towing (in America at least) with any of "Today's" EVs is not very practical.

Short Tow Ep 1 -
Short Tow Ep 2 -
Long Tow -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjklex38lkQ

If you watch both videos, in fact, they gave up on the long tow and swapped back to an ICE to finish the journey. They conclude in the Short Tow videos about the same, but the disclaimer on those was the short tow was uphill.

Regardless of your take on TFL and if you think they are biased or not, the last video linked above for the Long Tow, I _highly_ recommend anyone considering towing with an EV in America to watch.

An interesting complaint from them that I had not considered is that currently the overall vast majority of charger stations are "pull in" not "pull through", meaning that (if you don't want to block 1/2 dozen chargers) you would need to disconnect the trailer, charge, then reconnect the trailer.

(Disclaimer: I do not own an EV, so my opinions are somewhat uninformed or at least not based on experience)

With that disclaimer out of the way, my personal feelings are that attempting to tow with any of "Today's" EVs (meaning those that are out or coming out in 2020) is not practical for anything other than a short city trip.

That said, personally, I'd rather the Mach E not even have hitch attachments / etc. so they can save on vehicle weight. Just my personal opinion, realize others may / probably disagree!

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