Can Tesla Cybertruck Beat America’s Favorite Truck In Torture Towing Test?

The Tesla Cybertruck faced America’s favorite pickup, the Ford F-150, in a grueling hot-weather towing torture test. Facilitated by The Fast Lane Truck YouTube channel, the test was designed to push both vehicles to their limits, revealing surprising results that could make you think twice about your biases against electric trucks.

The test was conducted under scorching summer conditions and an uphill climb of 3,000 feet, with the Ford F-150 Tremor, powered by the 410-horsepower V6 EcoBoost engine, serving as the baseline. Meanwhile, the Cybertruck comes with two electric motors, producing up to 600 hp. Both trucks were loaded to their maximum towing capacities, each hauling a heavy loader weighing approximately 10,500 pounds, almost maxing out the Cybertruck’s impressive 11,000-lb towing capacity.

Consistency Is The Key

The F-150’s trailer management system and weight distribution hitch were tested as it climbed a steep mountain road, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation. It struggled to maintain optimal performance as the environment heated up. The engine coolant temperature also rose, reaching levels above 240°F, prompting warnings and a temporary loss of power to prevent overheating. It entered a protective limp mode twice, too.

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Meanwhile, the Cybertruck’s electric powertrain managed the heat to its advantage. Its onboard systems, including adaptive regenerative braking and a comprehensive temperature monitoring system, ensured the electric pickup remained within safe operating range throughout the climb. Despite the increasing noise from the motors, the Cybertruck did not need to enter limp mode, maintaining a consistent performance.

Range Took A Hit, Though

The Cybertruck was impressive during the climb, but as expected, it used a lot of energy while on the strenuous climb. Previous real-world tow-testing showed the Cybertruck losing more than half of its claimed 340-mile range (without the expensive and heavy range extender), and that was only while towing a 4,000-lb camper. What more when it’s at its limit?

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Then again, we could say the same for the Ford F-150, which should have consumed more fuel during the stressful test. The difference is that the Tesla truck had the chance to regain energy down the hill, which wasn’t possible with the Ford pickup.