Having driven my MS for a year now, and with more than 47,000 miles on it, I have started thinking about the usage on one of my other vehicles. It's a 2006 Dodge 3500 Turbo Diesel long bed 4 wheel drive pickup truck. Sure, it's a stretch; You could even say that if there's a connection to a MS, or even the MX, it's definitely more than a stretch.
However, several thoughts have percolated up to the surface.
First, it will need to tow (more than 5,000 lbs), and get good range, even when towing. All wheel drive is a given.
Drive Train:
Would the D series fit the bill for propulsion? It certainly has low end torque, and it could utilize the Tesla motor controller / motor system. It wouldn't need to be geared for the top speed, and lower gearing would give it better oompf for getting up to speed, with a towing load. Regen braking would certainly help on slowing down the rig, but I would think it will need to have a heftier cooling system for the motors, controllers and battery pack. I think the geartrain would also need to be beefed up. A P90D differential system on steroids. Sure, if we see an issue with drive trains on the MS's, it would have to be significantly beefed up. However, it would need to be geared for towing, not ludicrous or insane mode.
Suspension:
It also would need to be much beefier. Aluminum / steel / titanium? Aluminum body panels. Having a heavy duty frame would bite into range, but I have always felt that the tow vehicle needs to be substantial. Going off-road does need a substantial suspension, and going over rocks, curbs, etc has to be repeatedly tolerated, without damage.
Body:
Aluminum body panels can save weight.
Battery Pack:
Here's the rub. Pulling huge power out of the pack under acceleration with a decent towing load would heavily tax the pack. I don't think an 85 or 90 pack would be anywhere near adequate. I think 2 of the 85's battery pack's could be stacked / mated / married, and that would be adequate. Sure, we're not talking about a $60K vehicle, but traveling down the highway with a bed loaded, or pulling a decent trailer would be something I'd like. Yes, charging a 170 kW pack would take a bit of time and energy, but compare it to a reasonable range.
Tires / Rims:
Take a note from the big rigs and Class A RV's. Put on 19.5's or 22's, with aluminum rims, like some big rigs, RV's and pickup's have gone with.
Other thoughts:
In light of the VW diesel engine emission debacle, how nice would it be to drive a pickup truck that's clean. No nitrous oxide emissions, no black smoke, no filling up a 35 gallon (or larger) fuel tank. Don't need any esoteric rear wheel doors, but just a nicely equipped towing beast that's a ZEV with the 17 inch screen and goodies.
Now, I'm not saying it would be easy to make, and not knowing the limitations that Tesla has to work within, I'm assuming it's more of a scaling thing. My Dodge 3500 comes in at just less than 8000 lbs with a full tank bit no load. Due to federal weight restrictions, with a 2000 lb payload, my vehicle has a Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight of 9990 lbs. The MX P90D is about 5500 lbs, if I'm recalling what I've read correctly. Doubling the pack would add another ~1500 lbs. Going in this direction would entail some weight reductions in some areas, but would entail more beefier (weighty) construction. If it couldn't be done within the 8000 lb maximum, there still would be other options. 3/4 ton rating, re-evaluating options, lighter weight bed. However, a heftier battery pack is pretty much mandatory.
Just my thoughts.
Scotty
However, several thoughts have percolated up to the surface.
First, it will need to tow (more than 5,000 lbs), and get good range, even when towing. All wheel drive is a given.
Drive Train:
Would the D series fit the bill for propulsion? It certainly has low end torque, and it could utilize the Tesla motor controller / motor system. It wouldn't need to be geared for the top speed, and lower gearing would give it better oompf for getting up to speed, with a towing load. Regen braking would certainly help on slowing down the rig, but I would think it will need to have a heftier cooling system for the motors, controllers and battery pack. I think the geartrain would also need to be beefed up. A P90D differential system on steroids. Sure, if we see an issue with drive trains on the MS's, it would have to be significantly beefed up. However, it would need to be geared for towing, not ludicrous or insane mode.
Suspension:
It also would need to be much beefier. Aluminum / steel / titanium? Aluminum body panels. Having a heavy duty frame would bite into range, but I have always felt that the tow vehicle needs to be substantial. Going off-road does need a substantial suspension, and going over rocks, curbs, etc has to be repeatedly tolerated, without damage.
Body:
Aluminum body panels can save weight.
Battery Pack:
Here's the rub. Pulling huge power out of the pack under acceleration with a decent towing load would heavily tax the pack. I don't think an 85 or 90 pack would be anywhere near adequate. I think 2 of the 85's battery pack's could be stacked / mated / married, and that would be adequate. Sure, we're not talking about a $60K vehicle, but traveling down the highway with a bed loaded, or pulling a decent trailer would be something I'd like. Yes, charging a 170 kW pack would take a bit of time and energy, but compare it to a reasonable range.
Tires / Rims:
Take a note from the big rigs and Class A RV's. Put on 19.5's or 22's, with aluminum rims, like some big rigs, RV's and pickup's have gone with.
Other thoughts:
In light of the VW diesel engine emission debacle, how nice would it be to drive a pickup truck that's clean. No nitrous oxide emissions, no black smoke, no filling up a 35 gallon (or larger) fuel tank. Don't need any esoteric rear wheel doors, but just a nicely equipped towing beast that's a ZEV with the 17 inch screen and goodies.
Now, I'm not saying it would be easy to make, and not knowing the limitations that Tesla has to work within, I'm assuming it's more of a scaling thing. My Dodge 3500 comes in at just less than 8000 lbs with a full tank bit no load. Due to federal weight restrictions, with a 2000 lb payload, my vehicle has a Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight of 9990 lbs. The MX P90D is about 5500 lbs, if I'm recalling what I've read correctly. Doubling the pack would add another ~1500 lbs. Going in this direction would entail some weight reductions in some areas, but would entail more beefier (weighty) construction. If it couldn't be done within the 8000 lb maximum, there still would be other options. 3/4 ton rating, re-evaluating options, lighter weight bed. However, a heftier battery pack is pretty much mandatory.
Just my thoughts.
Scotty