Tesla Locks Trailer Mode Software program Towards Third-Occasion Hitches

In right now’s absurd market, it’s onerous to seek out the precise automotive. With chip and supplies shortages nonetheless working rampant within the auto trade, individuals are usually caught shopping for no matter shade, trim stage, or choices bundle they will discover on a neighborhood lot. For a lot of consumers, this implies turning to dealerships or third-party suppliers to get these previous few equipment, however it appears Tesla is just approving of the previous — blocking house owners of third-party trailer hitch receivers from utilizing the corporate’s Trailer Mode software program.

On its floor, the transfer makes some sense. In spite of everything, there’s nothing stopping me from duct-taping a 2.5″ receiver to a Mannequin Y after which suing Tesla when its Trailer Mode fails to maintain my 40-foot yacht securely connected to the automotive. However, as The Drive explored, the state of affairs isn’t fairly so clear-cut.

For those who reside in the UK, you’ll be able to’t purchase a first-party tow bundle in your Tesla. They’ve been out of inventory for months, with no return date in sight. You possibly can, nonetheless, decide up a third-party hitch that’s constructed to sure requirements of high quality and power — the identical requirements to which Tesla’s personal hitch is held. However, if you happen to do buy one among these third-party receivers, don’t be shocked when Tesla calls for you take away it.

The Drive spoke with a Tesla proprietor to whom this request was made, and who was advised by the corporate that his automotive “isn’t capable of tow something, because it doesn’t have the tow bundle put in.” The specificity of the wording even poses guarantee questions — if an proprietor is explicitly advised their automobile can’t be used for towing, then doing so may void that manufacturing unit protection.

The complete piece on The Drive is price studying, and poses some attention-grabbing questions on persevering with producer assist because the automotive trade more and more strikes in the direction of a service strategy. I, for one, will proceed to do my towing as God supposed — with a precariously overloaded UHaul rental.