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Tesla’s Cybertruck, once dismissed as a tech-bro fever dream, is starting to carve a reputation that goes beyond aesthetics or stock tickers. It’s proving its worth not on Twitter or TED stages, but in dirt lots and real-world rescues.
Cybertruck Frunk Winch Pulls 25,000 lb Semi from Mud
Braden Smith, a Cybertruck owner, recently used his electric pickup to pull a semi-truck, yes, a real one, out of the mud. And the kicker? He did it with a frunk-mounted winch. No drama, no paid actors. Just torque, traction, and a shocked trucker watching the future unfold from his rearview mirror.
“From owner (Braden Smith): He was pretty surprised I pulled his stuck semi out at the campground with the Cybertruck.
It’s a frunk winch (Mission winch) powered by a 12V battery mounted in the frunk.”
The quote, along with photos and follow-ups, sparked a frenzy on the Cybertruck Owners Club forums. Comments ranged from practical advice to flat-out awe, “Insanely cool,” said one; another asked if those tanks on the back were rocket launchers (spoiler: they’re for welding).
Cybertruck Cyberbeast Towing Specs: 11,000 lb Capacity, Hitch Limits & Range Impact
- The Cyberbeast boasts a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, aligning it with other electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T. This capacity enables it to tow sizable loads such as large trailers or boats.
- Equipped with a 2-inch hitch receiver, the Cyberbeast supports various towing accessories. However, Tesla specifies a vertical load limit of 160 pounds on the hitch assembly, which is notably lower than traditional trucks that often support up to 1,100 pounds. This limitation may restrict the use of heavier hitch-mounted accessories.
- The Cyberbeast includes towing-specific features like a digital trailer brake controller accessible via the central touchscreen or steering wheel scroll wheel. It’s important to note that towing significantly affects the vehicle’s range; for instance, pulling a 7,500-pound trailer can reduce the range by approximately 50%, depending on conditions.
But buried in all the enthusiasm was a notable figure, the estimated weight of the semi. Even without a full load, a tractor unit can easily tip the scales at 20,000 to 25,000 pounds. Now, the Cybertruck’s rated towing capacity tops out at 11,000 pounds in its Cyberbeast trim, which means this pull wasn’t just impressive, it was technically miraculous, aided by physics, terrain, and smart execution.
As several seasoned forum veterans pointed out, this was drag reduction and leverage, and not just the Cybertruck flexing its muscles. The semi wasn’t sunken axle-deep; it was bogged down just enough to need assistance. Braden’s frunk-mounted Mission winch, powered by a 12V battery system, was doing the heavy lifting, not by hoisting, but by nudging. A user broke it down best, “The winch just had to overcome the drag force. The weight was on the semi’s own tires.” That distinction matters, it means the winch wasn’t pulling dead weight, it was simply coaxing an unwilling giant to move again.
Why Synthetic Rope Beats Steel Cable in High-Tension Recoveries
Of course, anytime you’re dealing with high-tension recovery work, there’s risk. Winch cables, especially steel, have been known to snap with lethal consequences. One user cautioned about the “triangle of doom,” where a failing line can turn into a steel whip.
But Braden’s setup was smart: synthetic rope instead of steel cable. As one off-roader put it, “Synthetic just drops. No whip of doom.” It’s a key detail, one that shows this wasn’t some TikTok stunt for clicks. It was a thought-out recovery done with the right gear, on the right terrain, by someone who’s clearly done this before.
Cybertruck Cyberbeast’s 10,296 lb-ft Power Explained
And that brings us to the Cybertruck itself. Tesla’s all-electric pickup was ridiculed for its angles and armor, but beneath the controversial design is a drivetrain with instant torque and 10,296 lb-ft of wheel torque in the Cyberbeast trim. Unlike combustion trucks that need revs and gearing to deliver pull, electric motors throw down power instantly.
Cybertruck Charging & PowerShare Features: 154 mi in 15 Min, 11.5 kW Output & OTA Upgrades
- The Cybertruck utilizes Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network, which, as of 2025, comprises over 7,000 stations worldwide. Equipped with an 800V architecture and 4680 battery cells, the Cybertruck can add up to 154 miles of range in just 15 minutes at compatible Superchargers.
- Tesla’s PowerShare feature enables the Cybertruck to provide up to 11.5 kW of power to external devices, other vehicles, or even a home during outages. This includes multiple outlets: four 120V outlets (two in the cabin and two in the bed) and one 240V outlet in the bed.
- Tesla has implemented OTA updates to enhance the Cybertruck’s performance, including improvements to the charging curve for faster charging times and the addition of features like battery preconditioning for third-party fast chargers.
Combine that with Tesla’s finely tuned traction control, and you’ve got a truck that doesn’t just match its ICE rivals, it often outperforms them, especially when conditions get slick or soft. This rescue was proof of its versatility. And the frunk-mounted winch? Let’s call that Tesla’s answer to the power-take-off unit.
What’s particularly compelling is how Smith and others like him are reshaping the Cybertruck’s identity from tech novelty to practical machine. He’s not an influencer or a YouTube showman. He’s a farm-based user applying the Cybertruck in ways few expected.
The forum lit up with interest in his winch setup, with users asking about wiring, mounting points, and battery drain. One even debated giving up their frunk fridge to install a similar rig. Cybertruck owners are adapting, tweaking, and turning the Cybertruck into a modern-day multi-tool.
How Real-World Owners Turn Cybertruck into a Versatile Multi-Tool
In this moment, the Cybertruck feels less like a vehicle and more like a philosophy. It’s a statement that function and form don’t have to follow tradition. Smith’s story, equal parts grit and ingenuity, could’ve been ripped straight from a Super Bowl ad, minus the voice-over and CGI. But it wasn’t Tesla PR, it was a real user solving a real problem.
Whether it’s on farms, in the backcountry, or at a muddy campground, owners like Smith are rewriting what utility looks like in the 21st century. Not with noise and fumes, but with silent confidence, and maybe a stainless-steel exoskeleton.
So let the skeptics scoff. Let the purists cry foul. While they’re arguing on forums or polishing their chrome, guys like Smith are pulling semis out of the mud with a truck that doesn’t need gas, doesn’t idle, and doesn’t apologize. And if you ask him whether he plans to sell it? He doesn’t even hesitate.
“This truck is everything I wanted.”
Utility, after all, isn’t a spec sheet, it’s what you can do when no one else can.
Have you installed a winch in your Tesla Cybertruck yet? Let us know how it went in the comments below!
Image Sources: Tesla Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
