Trick to get FSD working with the tailgate down

[Urander]

Just doing some truck things today, but the load was just a bit too long to close the tailgate. After sitting in traffic for over an hour, I really missed FSD.

While charging, I decided to try something. I manually spun both side tailgate latches into the locked position so the truck thinks the tailgate is closed. FSD worked without any issues, even though the rear camera was pointing straight at the ground

Not saying you should try this, but it definitely caught me by surprise!

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[Beetlebug62]

Wow, great hack.

 

[CyberT]

Thanks for sharing that

 

[BlueLightning]

Wow, awesome, a costly integrated FSD $5k safety system they could have left off for better affordability.

Joke. Glad it worked, good hack when you got too much stuff!

 

[Ozark Cyber]

Thanks for the tip, where are you going for the trial run with the new full lenght tent prototype?

 

[Urander]

Thanks for the tip, where are you going for the trial run with the new full lenght tent prototype?

We’re going back to Moab to test our new tent, and after that, we’ll take it to Boca Chica Beach for the next Starship launch. Thinking about Alaska once things warm up a bit.

 

[Chris9702L]

Now if you can get FSD to work while pulling a trailer!

 

[Aces-Truck]

Thanks for posting about this trick. Now that it's in the open on social Media, I predict sometime soon, a software update will take this away.

 

[Ozark Cyber]

We’re going back to Moab to test our new tent, and after that, we’ll take it to Boca Chica Beach for the next Starship launch. Thinking about Alaska once things warm up a bit.

Drove up to Alaska June 2024 in our Model Y. Had to stay in a couple of campgrounds overnight for charging to make it. Later that summer BC hydro opened fast chargers all along the Alaskan highway making it much easier now. The yukon is still a challenge because of slow chargers in spots especially Beaver Creek Yukon. We camped inside our Y at night and stayed warm dry and comfy at night but we had a lot of rainy days for our hiking. Staying in a rooftop you might seriously consider a heat source for those damp chilly nights. It was a fun and interesting trip.

 

[Texarado]

Now if you can get FSD to work while pulling a trailer!

There is. I don’t recommend it In urban/suburban areas or other places with lots of cars. If you connect your trailer, it defaults to tow mode. Turn off tow mode. The trailer brakes still work. FSD works as well. Now, if you hit a bump and the truck realizes how heavy your load is in the back, it will prompt you to immediately takeover. My experience is with smaller trailers (think small U-Haul or Boy Scout), it’s fine. For my airstream, it’s not great.

What I love about FSD is that it allows you to focus more on what’s happening around without staying hyper focused on the lane. The trailer hack eliminates all of those benefits because you’re hyper focused not knowing if it will disengage. All said, there’s a hack. I just wouldn’t recommend it and I don’t do it anymore.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

All I can say is you are playing with fire when you do this if you wanted to use FSD.

I assume FSD uses all camera's as input for working correctly and now you just made it a bit less safe as you stopped using the back camera. So any input on what is going on behind you that may pose a issue at some point is now no longer available for the FSD system to adjust.

 

[Texarado]

All I can say is you are playing with fire when you do this if you wanted to use FSD.

I assume FSD uses all camera's as input for working correctly and now you just made it a bit less safe as you stopped using the back camera. So any input on what is going on behind you that may pose a issue at some point is now no longer available for the FSD system to adjust.

Correct. It’s literally not worth the anxiety it produces. You have to be even more alert than if you’re driving by yourself. You never know when FSD wants to change lanes and your point is exactly the reason. Again, it’s the reason I don’t recommend it. Is there a hack? Yes. Would I do it? No.

 

[getsometom]

Neat trick. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jahansolu]

I think Tesla should make a TSD (Trailer Self-Driving) which would only incorporate the side and front camera only to stay in the lane - aka Adaptive Cruise Control w/ assisted steering. It won't be able to change lanes, however it will relieve the driver from having to remain super focused as @Texarado mentioned earlier. If there is any chance (in the future) to connect the rear camera of the trailer and integrate it into the FSD system, that would be awesome - though I won't hold my breath.

 

[kdn]

Seems like in this world of super technology it should be easy to install a rear view camera to replace the tailgate camera when towing. Wireless to the rear of the trailer being towed should be easy also if the tailgate is down for longer loads. I will be hauling a 24" HDPE culvert in a few months on a 480 mile trip. I want to haul it with the tailgate down rather than have the culvert hang over the closed tailgate. I will probably use the tailgate hack but a camera substitute is very desirable.

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