Is it true the Model S has no tow hook?

eelton · Feb 5, 2013

I've read there's no tow hook on the Model S. So how do they pull it up the ramp onto a flatbed truck?

Maybe I'm expecting the worst, but I've read about disabled S's that need to be flatbedded--for instance, with 12V battery issues. Well, my garage is underground, down a ramp with a 6.5 foot clearance (height). I've had a towed out, and it was a fiasco--we had to push the car to the bottom of the ramp and then use a long winch cable (attached to the tow hook) to pull the car up the ramp, all the while blocking traffic and annoying the other people in my condo building.

So what happens if I have a dead Model S down there?

steve841 · Feb 5, 2013

There's a pamphlet in the glove box that shows towing instructions using what looks like the A arms as a strapping point ...

eelton · Feb 5, 2013

Ah, OK. I hope I never have to explain that to the AAA guy, but it's good to know there's *something*.

steve841 said:
There's a pamphlet in the glove box that shows towing instructions using what looks like the A arms as a strapping point ...

dsm363 · Feb 5, 2013

I also put the digital version of this on my phone and iPad in case I lose it.

FlasherZ · Feb 5, 2013

There are J "fingerhook" attachment points beneath, but no traditional "big-hook" pieces. The flatbed operator asked me about it as he was loading and unloading my car for the auto show. I handed him the card and he said "oh, wow, that's kinda cool..." Apparently provisions are better than most cars on the Model S.

Johan · Jul 29, 2013

Interesting find from the "Roadside assistance manual" PDF I found uploaded just now to my MyTesla page.

Apparently the EU Model S has an attachable tow hook under the nose cone:

TSLA Pilot · Sep 29, 2013

Johan said:
Interesting find from the "Roadside assistance manual" PDF I found uploaded just now to my MyTesla page.

Apparently the EU Model S has an attachable tow hook under the nose cone:
View attachment 27016

Frankly, I'd think we should have this for US market cars as well . . . .

brianman · Oct 1, 2013

TSLA Pilot said:
Frankly, I'd think we should have this for US market cars as well . . . .

Another retrofit to put on the list.

towman26 · Dec 21, 2013

Since I am in the towing industry and own a Tesla I was shocked to see that Tesla went backwards in the towing of the MS. Most cars made use theTow Eye attachment to pull the car onto the flatbed or to pull the car from snow. What Tesla did instead is go backwards in time to hook like we did in the 70s.I contacted one of the engineers form the factory after we did the Get Amped test drive and saw they took the Tow Eye out. He said that with the tow eye reinforcement the car was too strong for the front end low speed impact test. So they went to using the front or rear suspension arms to pull it on the flatbed. I talked to him about that and if the car won't roll it will bend the arm, and sure enough they bent, so after that test the made the suspension parts that we (towing people) hook to thicker & stronger. Me, I would prefer the Tow Eye because of the potential damage on the front end.

Puyallup Bill · Dec 21, 2013

Thanks for that bit of insight, towman. Boy, unintended consequences.

Although I have never had to use the towing eye on other vehicles, I sure wish we had it back on the Model S.

jerry33 · Dec 21, 2013

The European Model S does have a tow eye.

jbruce · Dec 21, 2013

Hmm, I wonder if the towing hook points on the suspension arms have anything to do with all the mis-alignment problems people are experiencing?

jerry33 · Dec 21, 2013

jbruce said:
Hmm, I wonder if the towing hook points on the suspension arms have anything to do with all the mis-alignment problems people are experiencing?

Unless they have had the vehicle towed, I wouldn't think so. Tie-downs during transport are problematic with every car and that's where I believe most of the problems originally start. (Of course, alignment machines with the wrong specs don't help any)

Chris TX · Dec 21, 2013

My 2 week old car DOES have the tow eye. It's under the frunk's floor mat.

VIN# 264xx

Mayhemm · Dec 22, 2013

Great news!

Chris, does your owners manual (or whatever other documentation the car has) reflect the addition of a tow eye?

jkirkebo · Dec 22, 2013

jerry33 said:
The European Model S does have a tow eye.

Yep, but sadly it only attaches in the front. We really should have a rear attachment point too, so we can pull the car out from a snow drift or a ditch easier.

jerry33 · Dec 22, 2013

jkirkebo said:
Yep, but sadly it only attaches in the front. We really should have a rear attachment point too, so we can pull the car out from a snow drift or a ditch easier.

Hang 'em with a new rope and they still complain

(Sorry, no offence meant.)

Chris TX · Dec 22, 2013

Mayhemm said:
Great news!

Chris, does your owners manual (or whatever other documentation the car has) reflect the addition of a tow eye?

Yes, it shows the tow eye and how to pop off the nosecone to access the threaded attachment.
However, there is no place in the rear of the car for it to connect to.

jerry33 said:
Hang 'em with a new rope and they still complain

(Sorry, no offence meant.)

Careful, Jerry. Unfortunately, not everyone is a Texan

liuping · Dec 22, 2013

Chris TX said:
My 2 week old car DOES have the tow eye. It's under the frunk's floor mat.

VIN# 264xx

View attachment 38864

I just noticed this in the frunk last night while unpacking the car.

I was surprised since I though there was no tow hook on the Model S. Mine is almost a month old, so they've been adding them at least that long.

jcaspar · Dec 22, 2013

Mine has the recess for the eyelet but it's not there. Got mine 11/2/13

Chris TX said:
My 2 week old car DOES have the tow eye. It's under the frunk's floor mat.

VIN# 264xx

Is it true the Model S has no tow hook?

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