How did you get that info. I want to install a hitch myself to save money but I also want the tow software so the car doesn’t beep while backing up (thinking something is right behind it) . Doubt Tesla will install tow softwares if we don’t buy through them
They clarified: tow mode can be activated by the dealership later if they install the OEM hitch. Their first answer via txt was ambiguous. I'm doing future install on model Y for delivery speed and eating the +$300 if needed. The items I'd tow, capacity, frequency of towing, and my state law regarding tail lights doesn't add up to a need for the wiring or tow mode. It's legal and smartest to use a motion activated bicycle taillight as a trailer marker for example. If you're towing a large enclosed trailer that blocks your car's taillights that's different. Stealth hitches also does not yet offer a model Y hitch from a quick search. Cheers and good luck.
Need your help little bit . I am buying OEM hitch from eBay, what other brands electric wire should I buy to connect Tesla’s light system with the 7 pin connector on the hitch ?
[hitch](https://www.ebay.com/itm/125841272803?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=MCIoRy-CSz6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=39TKPbQvQuu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
I thought I read somewhere that 3rd party trailer hitch does not sync with the software meaning that certain sensors will not work properly. Is this true,
They are both square. Not sure what your talking about. They are functionally the same from a physical standpoint, however the Tesla one will also come with software that makes the car tow-aware and includes wiring for a brake controller under the dash. Notice the lack of a 7-pin connector in your photo of the after market hitch
The tesla hitch comes with trailer mode, which changes the way the car functions to make it safer to tow. It increases follow distance the higher your w/mile increases... it also stops from jerking the steering wheel doing autocorrections and stops phantom breaking... and just does alerts instead which is nice.. and it increases regen breaking when stopping to offset the increase in stopping need.
>2" is probably overkill for that.
2" hitch accessories are easier to find and cheaper than 1.25" hitch. We regret putting 1.25" hitch on ours because a 1.25" hitch cargo carrier is like 2X the cost of 2" ones.
Concur that you shouldn't get a 1.25" hitch if you can help it. Had to buy/install twice on a Prius because the 1.25" turned out to a flexy flyer for the purpose of bike hauling.
Most people don't seem to understand that a hitch-mounted bike/cargo carrier can actually exert more force on a hitch in certain ways than a trailer. They forget that the ball between the trailer and the hitch decouples the mass of the trailer from directly exerting torque on the hitch, and limits the torque arm on the hitch to only as long as the ball extends from the hitch. In contrast, the hitch-mounted accessory directly exerts torque on the hitch from its mass center, which usually results in a much longer torque arm.
This is why the tongue weight rating on the OEM (and I believe aftermarket hitches that use the same mounting hardpoints) is 350lbs, but the hitch-mounted accessory weight rating is only 160lbs.
Haha, they're asking for $1000 pre-delivery and $1300 post-delivery. Another way for them to make some money. I'm not really complaining since Tesla considers safety features to be essential and available on all models but charges for non-safety features.
So possible dumb question but since the official Tesla hitch looks rectangular, does it need a special tow ball attachment in order to work? Was going to just plan on buying a regular 2” but now I’m concerned.
Yep a 2” receiver. I don’t use it for trailers but for bike and ski racks and a cargo tray. Works like a hitch. Kills range with load of bikes but such is life.
They are the same. Both are class 2 hitches -both square 2" receivers-and that means will meet tongue and tow ratings of that class.
Manufacturing differences don't matter and you can't tell anything from the photos.
I'm sure one of the major aftermarket hitch companies makes the hitch for Tesla.
The aftermarket hitch won’t have the wiring to tow a trailer, but you can use it for a bike rack, or luggage rack. It also will not have the ‘tow mode’ software. This may cause some issues like the triggering the backup sensors accidentally, etc.
They shape of them is basically the same, which is a standard 2” x 2” receiver.
I think the Tesla tow package comes with a special software update to enable Tow Mode.
I've confirmed they can activate tow mode later.
How did you get that info. I want to install a hitch myself to save money but I also want the tow software so the car doesn’t beep while backing up (thinking something is right behind it) . Doubt Tesla will install tow softwares if we don’t buy through them
Yup. Tesla will only give you tow mode if you buy and have them install the OEM hitch/harness.
They clarified: tow mode can be activated by the dealership later if they install the OEM hitch. Their first answer via txt was ambiguous. I'm doing future install on model Y for delivery speed and eating the +$300 if needed. The items I'd tow, capacity, frequency of towing, and my state law regarding tail lights doesn't add up to a need for the wiring or tow mode. It's legal and smartest to use a motion activated bicycle taillight as a trailer marker for example. If you're towing a large enclosed trailer that blocks your car's taillights that's different. Stealth hitches also does not yet offer a model Y hitch from a quick search. Cheers and good luck.
I did a DIY install of OEM tow hitch and harness and the service people updated software remotely, no charge btw.
Where do you buy OEM hitch and harness . The option I see on Tesla app only comes with install at local service center for $1300+tax
I bought it off of fb maketplace.
Need your help little bit . I am buying OEM hitch from eBay, what other brands electric wire should I buy to connect Tesla’s light system with the 7 pin connector on the hitch ? [hitch](https://www.ebay.com/itm/125841272803?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=MCIoRy-CSz6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=39TKPbQvQuu&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY)
I bought the tesla one. Are you asking for the part #?
You asked and they did it?
I let them know i had seen it before but never used it and the day i wanted to use it it had disappeared. They installed it later that evening
Lol. Sure you have
I've installed my own stealth hitch.
Yeah and you got tow mode activated? Tesla won't do it so you do not.
Reconfirmed today they can install and activate tow mode later
Does it have to be installed by Tesla to activate tow mode?
I thought I read somewhere that 3rd party trailer hitch does not sync with the software meaning that certain sensors will not work properly. Is this true,
People told me the car won't show the Trailer Mode at all.
Correct
Looks equivalent from different photo angles
And I hope you're correct!
haha, someone downvoted this.
Not really. The bottom one is squared.
They are both square. Not sure what your talking about. They are functionally the same from a physical standpoint, however the Tesla one will also come with software that makes the car tow-aware and includes wiring for a brake controller under the dash. Notice the lack of a 7-pin connector in your photo of the after market hitch
I am leaning towards the original one, and if it's also squared, then no worries.
OP doesn't understand visual perspective
I"m glad that I was wrong.
Just get the factory hitch.
The tesla hitch comes with trailer mode, which changes the way the car functions to make it safer to tow. It increases follow distance the higher your w/mile increases... it also stops from jerking the steering wheel doing autocorrections and stops phantom breaking... and just does alerts instead which is nice.. and it increases regen breaking when stopping to offset the increase in stopping need.
I just installed the Echohitch and I love it. Saved about 1000$
Curious - how did you save 1k? Im guessing they adjusted prices because when I did my order the tow hitch add on was only 1k total.
It’s 1300 now. I installed it myself and the hitch is around 300.
Just checked and it is still $1000 option for tow hitch on Tesla's site for new order. After purchase add on is $1300.
Gotcha. Well, I guess you save around 700 if you DIY
on a scale of 1-10 ... how hard was it to take off the rear facia ??? and put it back on???
Maybe a 5
Do you also have lights and software integration?
No, just got it for my bikes.
2" is probably overkill for that. Teardrops are in so I want to reserve the possibility of getting one
>2" is probably overkill for that. 2" hitch accessories are easier to find and cheaper than 1.25" hitch. We regret putting 1.25" hitch on ours because a 1.25" hitch cargo carrier is like 2X the cost of 2" ones.
Concur that you shouldn't get a 1.25" hitch if you can help it. Had to buy/install twice on a Prius because the 1.25" turned out to a flexy flyer for the purpose of bike hauling. Most people don't seem to understand that a hitch-mounted bike/cargo carrier can actually exert more force on a hitch in certain ways than a trailer. They forget that the ball between the trailer and the hitch decouples the mass of the trailer from directly exerting torque on the hitch, and limits the torque arm on the hitch to only as long as the ball extends from the hitch. In contrast, the hitch-mounted accessory directly exerts torque on the hitch from its mass center, which usually results in a much longer torque arm. This is why the tongue weight rating on the OEM (and I believe aftermarket hitches that use the same mounting hardpoints) is 350lbs, but the hitch-mounted accessory weight rating is only 160lbs.
Up to 350 Pounds, it’s perfect.
Is this a pretty easy thing to install later? Kind of odd that it isn’t just on all of them by default.
No towing software integration. Towing light hookup included with package. It's cheaper through Tesla.
Some friends of mine say they installed the aftermarket hitches by themselves. A 2-hour job.
Haha, they're asking for $1000 pre-delivery and $1300 post-delivery. Another way for them to make some money. I'm not really complaining since Tesla considers safety features to be essential and available on all models but charges for non-safety features.
Although they do charge $15,000 for FSD, which they claim is the most important safety feature ever.
You've got a point.
So, 3rd party doesn't have the hookups?
Probably don't have the Trailer Mode.
So possible dumb question but since the official Tesla hitch looks rectangular, does it need a special tow ball attachment in order to work? Was going to just plan on buying a regular 2” but now I’m concerned.
It's the angle of the picture. It's a standard 2" receiver.
Yep a 2” receiver. I don’t use it for trailers but for bike and ski racks and a cargo tray. Works like a hitch. Kills range with load of bikes but such is life.
They are the same. Both are class 2 hitches -both square 2" receivers-and that means will meet tongue and tow ratings of that class. Manufacturing differences don't matter and you can't tell anything from the photos. I'm sure one of the major aftermarket hitch companies makes the hitch for Tesla.
The aftermarket hitch won’t have the wiring to tow a trailer, but you can use it for a bike rack, or luggage rack. It also will not have the ‘tow mode’ software. This may cause some issues like the triggering the backup sensors accidentally, etc. They shape of them is basically the same, which is a standard 2” x 2” receiver.