Does anybody have a Gravity with a trailer hitch?

[codys21]

Hey, just wondering if anybody has a Gravity with a hitch, and if so, what it looks like. The couple of photos I found in an image search are not up-close photos. I'm wondering if it looks more "aftermarket" or more integrated.

Aftermarket design:

Integrated:

If the Gravity looks more aftermarket, I'm curious if something similar could be done to the Air. I'd love to get a hitch for our Air (not for towing), and it looks like U-Haul may do so, but nobody has gone to their Tempe facility to get one custom fitted yet.

 

[borski]

All of the ones delivered in December came with the accessory. It is integrated, really cleanly, actually.

 

[niceInBoston]

All of the ones delivered in December came with the accessory. It is integrated, really cleanly, actually.

Would you happen to know what the hitch weight limit is? I'm worried that it will be limited to less than the normal 10% of the trailer weight (it should be 600 lbs..) if it's removable.

We have a Model X with a supposed 5000 lb tow weight limit, but the hitch weight limit is officially much less.. 150 lbs IIRC, because it's a removable hitch that installs vertically from beneath the vehicle. (I actually bought a permanent heavy duty non-removable hitch to replace the stock one, so I can have a stronger hitch for towing trailers and campers. I'm not sure the Gravity's unique tail design and limited production would enable aftermarket hitches, though)

 

[boydracing]

Trailer hitch is a huge deal for us in carrying our two or three mountain bikes. Happy that is looks integrated.

 

[borski]

Would you happen to know what the hitch weight limit is? I'm worried that it will be limited to less than the normal 10% of the trailer weight (it should be 600 lbs..) if it's removable.

We have a Model X with a supposed 5000 lb tow weight limit, but the hitch weight limit is officially much less.. 150 lbs IIRC, because it's a removable hitch that installs vertically from beneath the vehicle. (I actually bought a permanent heavy duty non-removable hitch to replace the stock one, so I can have a stronger hitch for towing trailers and campers. I'm not sure the Gravity's unique tail design and limited production would enable aftermarket hitches, though)

I have no idea. Would I find that listed somewhere?

 

[jered]

I have no idea. Would I find that listed somewhere?

It would be in the manual. Here's the equivalent for the Tesla X: https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modelx/en_us/GUID-7A684E2F-D43E-4A0E-AD21-811B04CE53BB.html

The hitch receiver is designed to support vertical loads of up to 120 lbs (54 kg) when the load is cantilevered rearward within 24 inches (63 cm) of the hitch receiver, such as when carrying bikes on an accessory rack.

When you tow a trailer, you're primarily pulling it forward against rolling resistance in line with the tow hitch receiver but you don't have to "hold up" the weight from the hitch or bar. When you have a bike carrier, that weight is unsupported other than from the hitch, so you have gravity torquing the socket where the removable hitch receiver attaches to the frame.

IIRC from your (sorry, I mean @TribbleTrouble 's) other thread, there's a removable panel on the bottom of the vehicle and a hitch receiver that twist-locks in, like on the X. I expect the vertical load restrictions to be similar.

 

[borski]

It would be in the manual. Here's the equivalent for the Tesla X: https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modelx/en_us/GUID-7A684E2F-D43E-4A0E-AD21-811B04CE53BB.html

When you tow a trailer, you're primarily pulling it forward against rolling resistance in line with the tow hitch receiver but you don't have to "hold up" the weight from the hitch or bar. When you have a bike carrier, that weight is unsupported other than from the hitch, so you have gravity torquing the socket where the removable hitch receiver attaches to the frame.

IIRC from your (sorry, I mean @TribbleTrouble 's) other thread, there's a removable panel on the bottom of the vehicle and a hitch receiver that twist-locks in, like on the X. I expect the vertical load restrictions to be similar.

I’ll look in the manual, but I didn’t see it there yet. I expect the rest of your post is accurate.

 

[boydracing]

It would be in the manual. Here's the equivalent for the Tesla X: https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/modelx/en_us/GUID-7A684E2F-D43E-4A0E-AD21-811B04CE53BB.html

When you tow a trailer, you're primarily pulling it forward against rolling resistance in line with the tow hitch receiver but you don't have to "hold up" the weight from the hitch or bar. When you have a bike carrier, that weight is unsupported other than from the hitch, so you have gravity torquing the socket where the removable hitch receiver attaches to the frame.

IIRC from your (sorry, I mean @TribbleTrouble 's) other thread, there's a removable panel on the bottom of the vehicle and a hitch receiver that twist-locks in, like on the X. I expect the vertical load restrictions to be similar.

Typically, limit on the small hitches are less than 500 lbs - on the hitch as jered is stating.

 

[borski]

Would you happen to know what the hitch weight limit is? I'm worried that it will be limited to less than the normal 10% of the trailer weight (it should be 600 lbs..) if it's removable.

We have a Model X with a supposed 5000 lb tow weight limit, but the hitch weight limit is officially much less.. 150 lbs IIRC, because it's a removable hitch that installs vertically from beneath the vehicle. (I actually bought a permanent heavy duty non-removable hitch to replace the stock one, so I can have a stronger hitch for towing trailers and campers. I'm not sure the Gravity's unique tail design and limited production would enable aftermarket hitches, though)

All good.

 

[borski]

Looks like an Oris AK41 custom manufactured for/with Lucid.

ORIS AK41 Detachable Hitch - ORIS

www.oris-automotive.com

 

[niceInBoston]

All good.

Thanks borski!

I read through the Oris site, and the Dos and Don'ts are extremely informative.
https://www.oris-automotive.com/en/retrofit-hitches-for-the-north-american-market/dos-and-donts/

Unless it's a very special Oris product, it does sound like it will be similar to the Model X in that you are limited to ~150 lbs for bike racks + bikes (which is usually plenty except for some e-bikes), and 50% / 300 lbs limit for most other non-towing loads -- I assume because they are levered outwards and have the potential for high dynamic loads. I guess they're less worried about the dynamic forces of tow loads because the force is much closer to the hitch.

I also had no idea that so many different hitch tools & toys were available! Anyone planning to use their Gravity to hunt deer or grill?

 

[borski]

TIL!

 

[chazglenn3]

I NEED a hitch mounted hammock in my life!

 

[brianman]

Now I suddenly want a hammock.