Tesla Service UK / Guides / Towing & Caravans
Towing & caravans
What towing genuinely does to range, and practical guidance for UK caravan and trailer owners.
Last fact-checked: . General guidance — always check your own model's specifics and current official sources before relying on it for a decision.
Which models can tow
Which Tesla models are actually rated to tow?
Towing capability and rated maximum towing weight vary significantly by model — some Tesla models are rated for meaningful towing with a factory or approved tow bar, while others aren't rated for towing at all. Always check your specific model and configuration's official rated towing capacity directly with Tesla rather than assuming based on the vehicle's size or a different model's specification.
The range impact
How much does towing actually reduce range?
Significantly — towing adds substantial aerodynamic drag and weight, and UK owners commonly report range reductions in the region of 30-50% while actively towing a caravan or heavy trailer, compared with unladen range. This is a bigger effect than most owners expect coming from a petrol tow vehicle, where the fuel-consumption penalty while towing feels proportionally smaller against a larger energy reserve.
Practical guidance
Planning a towing trip
Given the scale of the range impact:
- Plan charging stops assuming closer to half your normal range, not your unladen rated figure.
- Check your specific tow bar and electrics are Tesla-approved or explicitly compatible, not just physically fitting.
- Confirm your specific model's rated maximum towing weight and nose weight before assuming a caravan or trailer is suitable.
- Practice manoeuvring and reversing with the combination in a quiet, open area before a real trip if you're new to towing generally.