2020 Tesla Model X towing capacity
The 2020 Tesla Model X tows 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs depending on how it's built. The top number needs the 275/45R20 tires.
✓ From Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 101 ↗Checked 2026-09-292026202520242023202220212020
- 5,000
- Max towing, lbs
- 3,500
- Lowest rating, lbs
- 3
- Configurations
- 500
- Max tongue, lbs
Your exact truck
Which Model X is yours?
Trim / version?
Not sure? The label on your driver's door jamb and your window sticker list these.
So far
3,500 lbs – 5,000 lbs
3 configurations still match. Answer to narrow it down.
Check your trailer →Try it
Will it pull your trailer?
Use the trailer's GVWR (on its VIN sticker) if you don't know what it weighs loaded — the dry weight leaves out water, propane and gear.
Yes, in every configuration
Across all 3 configurations in the maker's guide.
▲ top rating 5,000 lbs
- Tongue weight ≈ 280 lbs — 10% of the loaded trailer, the figure Ford's towing guide uses (no more than 200 lbs up to 2,000 lbs). It counts against your payload, together with passengers and cargo.
- Needed at this weight: For trailers over 1,000 lbs – Tesla recommends a separate braking system appropriate for the weight of the trailer.
- ✓ up to 90% of the rating · ! 90–100% (little room for cargo, hills, wind — common advice, not a Tesla rule) · ✕ over the rating.
Read this before you buy
Why the numbers differ
The version counts too: 275/45R20 tires is rated 1,500 lbs higher than 285/35R22 tires with everything else the same (275/45R20 tires). p. 101 ↗
In real life
What 5,000 lbs means in trailers
Ford's towing guide sorts trailers into four weight classes; the classes describe the trailer, so they apply to any tow vehicle. With the right configuration the Model X reaches:
- Class I✓ Yes
up to 2,000 lbs
Small folding camping trailers and trailers for small boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
- Class II✓ Yes
2,001–3,500 lbs
Large folding camping trailers, single-axle, small- to medium-length (up to 18-ft.) trailers.
- Class III✓ Yes
3,501–5,000 lbs
Dual-axle or large single-axle travel trailers.
- Class IV✕ No
over 5,000 lbs
Largest travel and 5th-wheel trailers made for recreation.
Real trailers
Can the Model X pull these?
Similar boat package, not this model.Photo: Airman Nicole Sikorski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
G3 Boats · boat package · 23 ft
Sportsman 1710 (boat + motor + trailer package)
1,865 lbs boat + motor + trailer, before fuel and gear
✓ Any configuration
Similar utility, not this model.Photo: Xaver X. Dreißig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Carry-On Trailer · utility · 11.54 ft
5' x 8' GW2K Series 5X8GW2K (open utility, wood floor, gate)
2,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
nuCamp · teardrop · 15.5 ft
TAB 320 (Boondock)
2,069 lbs dry weight only — loaded will be more
✓ Any configuration
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 12 ft
5' x 8' CG3K Series 5X8CG (enclosed cargo, single rear door)
2,990 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Basecamp 20X
4,300 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 2 of 3 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Jay Feather Air 16RB
4,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 3 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.58 ft
Bambi 20FB
5,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 1 of 3 configurations
Needs the —.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 29.42 ft
Jay Flight SLX 260BH
6,500 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 26.08 ft
Imagine XLS 22MLE
6,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
7 heavier trailers the Model X isn't rated for
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 16 ft
6' x 12' CG7K Series 6X12CGR7K (enclosed cargo, tandem axle, ramp door)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar car hauler, not this model.Photo: Strubbl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Big Tex Trailers · car hauler
70CH-18 Tandem Axle Car Hauler (wood deck, 18' bed)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 31.17 ft
Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk
8,800 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Cullen328, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · fifth wheel · 29.83 ft
Reflection 150-Series 260RD
9,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 35.42 ft
Reflection 317RSTS
10,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · fifth wheel · 28.17 ft
Eagle Fifth Wheel 28RLT
11,400 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 35.5 ft
Eagle Travel Trailer 312BHOK
11,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ Too heavy
Weights are what each trailer maker publishes (retrieved 2026-09-27). We compare the trailer's GVWR — the most it may weigh loaded — with each Model X configuration's rating, and never a dry weight when a GVWR exists.
Fine print, made plain
What the rating assumes
Over 1,000 lbs
For trailers over 1,000 lbs – Tesla recommends a separate braking system appropriate for the weight of the trailer.
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 101 ↗
Equipment
Load the trailer so the tongue weight is approximately 10% of the total trailer weight.
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 102 ↗
Equipment
Set the suspension height to Low before towing.
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 102 ↗
Equipment
Trailer Mode must be on whenever you tow.
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 102 ↗
Tongue weight limit
SAE Class III, 245/45R19 tires
500 lbs tongue
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 101 ↗
Tongue weight limit
SAE Class III, 275/45R20 tires
500 lbs tongue
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 101 ↗
Tongue weight limit
SAE Class II, 285/35R22 tires
350 lbs tongue
Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, p. 101 ↗
Every rating assumes a 150-lb driver and passenger and no other cargo. Add people, gear or accessories and the trailer you can tow goes down by the same amount.
New to towing?
The five weights, in one picture
- Loaded trailer weight — must stay under the towing rating
- The rating “It assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15% (5th-wheel trailer), and driver and passenger (150 lbs. each).” Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and hitch must be deducted from this weight. p. 7 ↗
- Tongue weight — the part of the trailer pressing on the hitch
- “For trailers up to 2,000 lbs., tongue load not to exceed 200 lbs. For conventional trailers over 2,000 lbs., tongue load is 10% of loaded trailer weight. For 5th-wheel trailers, king pin weight is 15% of loaded trailer weight.” p. 7 ↗
- Payload — people and cargo the truck can carry
- “Payload is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.” And: “When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.” p. 6 ↗
- GVWR and GCWR — the two ceilings
- “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo).” “Gross Vehicle Weight PLUS Loaded Trailer Weight EQUALS Gross Combination Weight (GCW) GCW must not exceed GCWR.” Your GVWR is on the label on the driver's door jamb. p. 6 ↗
Towing it behind a motorhome?
Can you flat tow a 2020 Tesla Model X? No
Tesla says no — not with four wheels down.
From the maker's table
All 3 configurations
More Tesla towing capacities
Questions people ask
What is the towing capacity of the 2020 Tesla Model X?
From 3,500 lbs to 5,000 lbs, depending on engine, axle ratio, body and drive. The 5,000 lbs top rating is for the 275/45R20 tires.
Does the 2020 Tesla Model X need a tow package?
For trailers over 1,000 lbs – Tesla recommends a separate braking system appropriate for the weight of the trailer. Load the trailer so the tongue weight is approximately 10% of the total trailer weight. Set the suspension height to Low before towing. Trailer Mode must be on whenever you tow.
How much tongue weight can the 2020 Tesla Model X handle?
SAE Class III, 245/45R19 tires: 500 lbs. SAE Class III, 275/45R20 tires: 500 lbs. SAE Class II, 285/35R22 tires: 350 lbs.
Can you flat tow a 2020 Tesla Model X?
No — Tesla lists it as not towable with four wheels down.
Citing these numbers?
Can Tow That. "2020 Tesla Model X Towing Capacity." From Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America, Software version 2026.32, North America (PDF created 2026-09-22; HTTP Last-Modified Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:01:39 GMT). https://cantowthat.com/tesla/model-x/2020
Source: Tesla Model X (2015–2020) Owner's Manual, North America (Tesla, Inc., Software version 2026.32, North America (PDF created 2026-09-22; HTTP Last-Modified Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:01:39 GMT); retrieved 2026-09-29). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
3 ratings checked against the PDFHow we verify