The Slate is rated to tow 2,000 lb — enough for a small utility trailer, jet skis, a pair of dirt bikes, or a compact teardrop camper, but not most travel trailers or large boats. Add a hitch with the $99.99 2-inch receiver kit, plan for tongue weight eating into payload, and expect a real range hit while towing.
How much can a Slate truck tow?
The Slate is rated to tow 2,000 lb — and the honest read is that it’s a light-duty tow vehicle, not a hauler. That number comfortably covers a small utility trailer, a pair of jet skis, a couple of dirt bikes, or a compact teardrop camper. It does not cover most travel trailers, large boats, or car haulers. Knowing which side of that line your trailer falls on is the whole game.
We’d rather set the expectation correctly than oversell it. Two thousand pounds is genuinely useful for a lot of weekend jobs; it’s just not full-size-truck capability, and pretending otherwise gets people into trouble at the ramp.
What 2,000 lb actually tows
| Can tow (within 2,000 lb) | Probably can’t (over 2,000 lb) |
|---|---|
| Small utility / landscape trailer | Most travel trailers |
| 1–2 jet skis on a trailer | Large fishing/ski boats |
| 1–2 dirt bikes or a small ATV | Car haulers / heavy equipment |
| Compact teardrop camper | Large enclosed cargo trailers |
| Small cargo trailer | Dual-axle toy haulers |
Always weigh the loaded trailer, not the empty one — gear, water, and fuel add up fast and it’s the total that has to stay under 2,000 lb. Confirm your specific trailer’s loaded weight before committing [VERIFY per trailer].
Getting a hitch on your Slate
A hitch is an accessory. Slate’s configurator lists:
| Item | Price | Install |
|---|---|---|
| 2” Rear Hitch Receiver Kit | $99.99 | Moderate |
| Hitch Holder (mounting bracket) | $55.00 | Moderate |
The 2-inch receiver is the standard interface — it accepts common ball mounts, and off the truck the same receiver runs hitch-mounted bike racks (Slate lists 2-bike platforms around $599). What’s not confirmed is whether the hitch kit includes a trailer wiring harness for lights and brakes; don’t assume it does — verify the harness and connector before you tow anything with lights [VERIFY wiring]. Trailer-brake requirements at this weight also vary by state [VERIFY].
The two things that surprise people
1. Tongue weight eats your payload. Roughly 10–15% of a loaded trailer’s weight sits on the hitch ball, and that counts against the 1,550 lb payload budget — not towing. Tow near 2,000 lb and you can lose 200–300 lb of payload to tongue weight before the driver climbs in. The Slate can’t simultaneously max towing and payload; plan them together.
2. Towing hits EV range hard. Weight plus the aerodynamic drag of a trailer drops range faster in an EV than in a gas truck, and regenerative braking recovers less on grades under load. Slate hasn’t published a towing-range figure, so treat any number you see as unverified [VERIFY] and plan charging stops conservatively — especially since unhitching to reach some chargers is its own hassle.
Planning a tow rig? Check tongue weight against your build with the payload math guide, and price the hitch and accessories in the database so there are no surprises at checkout.
How to set up the Slate for towing
- Confirm your trailer’s loaded weight is under 2,000 lb — with a margin.
- Add the 2” receiver kit ($99.99) and verify the wiring harness situation [VERIFY].
- Do the tongue-weight math so payload survives passengers and cargo.
- Plan a shorter range day and map charging around the route, unhitched where needed.
- Load the trailer properly — ~60% of cargo ahead of the axle for stable tongue weight.
Towing is a Moderate install and a decision you can make after delivery, so there’s no need to load the hitch into your order unless you’ll tow from day one — see order now or add later.