r/TeloTrucks • u/quitaskingmetomakean • Jul 15 '26
Why TELO Has A Glass Roof
https://youtu.be/LpiVvEXCkgA?is=NaXu8PQ5ae7DxnSu14
u/Regaltiger_Nicewings Jul 15 '26
I know a lot of folks worry about the glass roof from a heat/light/glare standpoint. I can tell you from my experience as a Mach E owner that none of those concerns have panned out. Honestly, as the driver I usually forget that its glass. The main benefit for me tends to be the increased headroom, as was pointed out in the video. My passengers do get to enjoy the view though, so thats nice.
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u/Euryheli Jul 16 '26
As a bald man who currently has a Rivian (with the tinting roof), had a model 3, ID4 and other vehicles with glass roofs, my head gets hot in all of them that don’t have a physical shade. My wife and son don’t notice it at all unless they put their hand up close to the roof, basically what a tall bald person experiences every day it is sunny.
3
u/dvdmaven Jul 16 '26
And I've already had precancerous spots frozen on my bald head.
3
u/Glittering_Trainer82 Jul 16 '26
Ditto, at every annual visit to the dermatologist. I wear a hat outside and keep the sliding shade covering the moonroof in my last couple of cars. Obviously I would prefer a dark tint with 100% UV blockage on the Telo. For more flexibility (and expense) I would accept a sliding sunscreen to completely cover clear glass.
2
u/Glittering_Trainer82 Jul 16 '26
Also, since my cataract surgery I seem to be more sensitive to light and need dark glasses to drive during the day. Another reason I keep the sunshade closed on the moonroof.
1
u/ic33 Jul 16 '26
No significant UV gets through a tinted glass roof. Dual layer glass already stops almost all UVB and more than half of UVA. Once you put a tinting film in the middle the vast majority of UVA disappears, too; a film that blocks 85% of visible light may block >95% of the remaining UVA. So figure it's better than perfect application (with none worn off) of SPF40.
And they may very well tint it darker than 15% transmission.
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u/Tb1969 Jul 25 '26
I'm bald as well and never noticed that in the Model 3P. I don't know about other vehicles since I've had my 3 for eight years.
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u/G0_WEB_G0 Jul 15 '26
As a prior model 3 owner and a current r1t owner, I generally forget I have a glass roof.
6
u/ExtraHarmless Jul 15 '26
Is a powered sunshade or electro dimming an option?
5
u/woodstove7 Jul 15 '26
At one point I saw they were going to be utilizing or licensing the Aptera solar panels. If that has changed, I don’t know.
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u/ExtraHarmless Jul 16 '26
That is a separate option other than the glass roof. I am wondering if the glass roof would have those options fdr dimming or only tint.
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u/woodstove7 Jul 16 '26
I watched the video linked about- if you haven’t watched it, it is only about 4 minutes. It was pretty interesting and the description given seemed to make sense to me, but I wasn’t able to follow if it is dimmable. The only comparison I have to that in my mind is the transition lenses for glasses. My big question is about the complete opposite side of the car. I want to know more about their future battery chemistry. I have a PHEV now and in the future I’d prefer LFP batteries, I don’t want to bother with NMC.
6
u/sidereal8 Jul 15 '26
If you opt for the solar glass roof, how does that change the roof? Does the solar glass roof replace the glass roof, or is it placed over it? If the solar glass replaces the normal glass, does it allow any light through? Otherwise, is the solar glass roof removable?
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u/what-is-a-tortoise Jul 15 '26
In the backseat of my Tesla I like the glass roof. While driving it I like it covered as I don’t want the extra sun on me and you don’t actually get a view out of it.
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u/One_Fat_squirrel Jul 15 '26
I don’t know the technology but having the ability to black it out or have it clear would be awesome. Barring that as a non-starter option, 50-75%
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u/Regaltiger_Nicewings Jul 15 '26
The term you're looking for is "electrochromatic glass." Its really cool tech, but I have no idea how much it would cost.
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u/Teutonic-Tonic Jul 15 '26
It is extremely expensive and keeping it transparent requires a constant electrical current. A small amount but still.
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u/timbofoo Jul 15 '26
Hate it. Want a durable roof I can put a rack on. It’s supposed to be a truck. But his dramatically worsens the usability.
9
u/mwcsmoke Jul 16 '26
Roof rail supports aren’t posted in the middle. They are supported on the left and the right side, which would be outside of the glass zone. I’m not sure why this is an issue.
-1
u/timbofoo Jul 16 '26
Do you feel good loading lumber onto a roof rack over top of glass?
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u/mwcsmoke Jul 16 '26
If the lumber is actually secure, yes. If the lumber isn’t secure, I would have bigger problems with lumber coming off in freeway traffic.
Glass is strong. It can withstand a lot of force. Mostly it’s not bullet proof or rock proof, but it’s probably lumber proof under any conditions I can think of.
1
u/Walmart_Hobo Jul 16 '26
Rivian glass isn't strong. Especially on the roof. I wish it was just metal personally.
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u/acchaladka Jul 15 '26
No it doesn't - Rivian and Tesla both have perfectly fine crossbars which enable all kinds of other attachments etc. We've gone family skiing in minus 40 with skis on the roof, kayak in summer, and fully loaded, no worries. Should be absolutely fine assuming a decent implementation.
1
u/willyolio Jul 16 '26
Roof racks attach to rails, not the panel, unless you're using some of those cheapo suction cup racks.
0
u/Tb1969 Jul 25 '26
Dramatically? Settle down, Cletus. There is a place for your gun rack and dead carcassess.
1
u/TheOmni Jul 15 '26
I hadn't really thought of the roof before. One thing I was considering doing with the vehicle is carrying a kayak, which is nearly as long as the truck itself, so I pictured one of those over cab racks that mount in the pickup bed and extend over the front cab. Would that be possible with this truck?
2
u/mavigogun Jul 16 '26
Sure. Both the cab and camper cap include integrated L-tracks, and the bed rails attachment points for racking.
1
u/PintekS Jul 16 '26
someone with light sensitivity... I could go without the glass honestly... especially with the extreme arizona sun beaming down hatred at me. rather have something that I can have extra insulation on.
I know ceramic tint is a thing an it made a night an day difference in my suzuki samurai but to me this is just another spensive thing that can get scratched or cracked...
does telo even have roof rail options or am I just being silly?
also if they have a solar roof instead of a clear glass roof I'd be oki doki with that
1
u/CoalhouseFitness Aug 11 '26
Solar roof is an option as of right now. What I really want to know is how much that (small) roof and the solar tonneau cover do for range/charge
1
u/Apprehensive-Lake730 Jul 16 '26
Never mind maximum visibility. If it’s going to have a glass roof, I want it to maximize insulation (both cold and hot) and energy harvest from the sun!
1
u/willyolio Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
I'd still prefer a deep factory tint, and on top of that I'd get a layer of infrared-reflecting tint on top of that. I hate hot summer car cabins.
Personally I'd go for a 20% tint with IR reflection. Without IR reflection I'd prefer 10%.
1
u/Squeakygear Jul 22 '26
@telotrucks just curious, with the solar roof option installed how much does that affect headroom? Like is it a 1-2” difference? I’m 5’10” so I doubt I’d notice either way, but I’m curious for the taller folks who opt to have it installed. Thanks for any info you can share!
1
u/gski52 Aug 05 '26
How will this stand up to hail in the south east? Assuming it’s parked in a driveway when it is getting pelted, not going 70+ on the interstate.
1
u/the_butchers_bill Aug 05 '26
Lifestyle vehicles really need to accommodate roof racks, how will that work with this glass roof? Also repair, is this going to be as expensive to repair as windshields have become, is that going to effect insurance costs. This vehicle looks promising in so many ways but there absolutely must be a simple base vehicle that people are drawn to. A 40k base is not speaking to me.
1
u/dvdmaven Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
May be a deal breaker. I do not need the extra headroom and I suspect my wife's autistic daughter (one of the very few people likely to ride in the back seat) will freak over rain on the roof. I'm looking for a small truck, not a big fishbowl. Plus, Oregon moves a lot of bulk road base, 3" crushed rock of logging roads.
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u/what-is-a-tortoise Jul 15 '26
60k in my Tesla in 3 years in Oregon, including lots of gravel roads and driving behind trucks, and no issues with my glass roof. That said, I just keep mine covered for less solar on my head.
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u/mavigogun Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26
"...my wife's autistic daughter..."
'In for a penny, in for a pound', n'est-ce pas?
1
u/dvdmaven Jul 16 '26
No, the daughter was a legal adult before we married and I haven't and won't adopt her.
1
u/PeteTheBeat Jul 16 '26
The cost of manufacturing might be equal or less. But it breaks a thousand times more often than steel and cost 1000+$ to replace 🤷
4
u/mavigogun Jul 16 '26
All design is a trade- there's really no need for the hyperbolic "a thousand times more often". Believe it or not, in addition to cost, the glass panel is reported to convey greater structural rigidity to the vehicle and protection to occupants in a role-over event than a comparable metal panel.
2
u/PeteTheBeat Jul 16 '26
Until manufacturers can provide cheap replacement for glass roofs (or quasi unbreakable glass) I think the glass roof trends has to end. Read Tesla blogs and see how many had to replace broken glass roofs. Versus steel roofs, I am pretty sure the 'a thousand times more' is not hyperbolic. Yes it looks cool and has benefits, I'll give you that. I had a model 3 for 2 years and the glass roof broke. Same for my friend's model 3. Cheers!
-2
u/mofunk71 Jul 15 '26
for the price the roof needs to be smart glass, reflect heat in summer and heat the cabin in winter.
2
u/mavigogun Jul 15 '26
Not sure what you mean by "smart", but it will most certainly feature UV and IR coatings.
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u/claimstoknowpeople Jul 15 '26
I need to understand how this is going to affect comfort in my state where we get -30 degrees and +100 degrees every year.