Camp Mode with Model 3 and a tent

[Hogan]

I experimented with sleeping in the Tesla using Camp Mode, and while it did work, I found the twin-sized bed rather small for my 6'1" frame, and it was rather difficult changing clothes.

So, I began looking for an "SUV tent" that would attach to the open back so I could use Camp Mode to heat/cool the tent. I'm happy to share that I recommend the Napier Sportz SUV Tent with Screen Porch - Model 84000, even though Tesla does not come up on their website as a supported vehicle.

I wrote the following review soon after returning from my test campout:

It was 26º at night, and I was sleeping on a queen sized air mattress with the tent interior ~70º’s. I’d be nervous sleeping around mosquitos in hot weather, as sealing the tent-to-car interface looks like there are plenty of gaps for mosquitos, but perhaps it would work. The tent provides plenty of terrific zippers and tie-downs for screens and doors/windows. It’s relatively easy to setup once you practice once or twice. If you have questions, customer service is astonishingly friendly and accessible. Cabella’s customer service was also very friendly and helpful after an initial order mishap that was my fault. The only thing that keeps me from rating this tent 6 out of 5 stars is that other reviews regarding wind issues are very accurate. While I didn’t use all the wind tie-downs provided (I almost never do, and very rarely have any issues), I returned to find my tent nearly blown to Kansas!! Yikes!

Overall, I’m very happy with my first outing, and if you have a Tesla to heat or cool the tent, I recommended it very highly. Oh, btw....get a small fan to blow heat from the car to the tent....my second night was MUCH more comfortable after I bought a small fan!

One thing I forgot to note on the review is that Tesla doesn't (currently) allow the car to be locked while the hatch is open. It'd be nice to have the doors locked while I'm sleeping in the tent. Perhaps I'll Tweet Elon and suggest that. If you go for a hike, you can close the hatch and lock the car, enabling Sensor Mode. Also, you can zip the tent closed and drive away if you need to move closer to a trail head, or go shopping for something you forgot to pack.

It's been awhile since I've camped in the snow, and I'm really looking forward to being able to do that, and to do some winter hiking with this tent!

 

[run-the-joules]

Interesting. Agree that the model 3 is a bit too small for a comfortable sleep. i still do it from time to time on road trips and such but it's one of the reasons I want a Model Y.

 

[zerb012345]

Not gonna lie, I kinda want this! Thanks for sharing.

 

[skygraff]

Interesting.

Did it take much more energy to heat/cool the tent vs the closed car in camp mode? If it could be sealed to the bugs, would be great for those temperate nights when HVAC isn’t necessary but, aside from that, I sure like the simplicity of car camping with regard to tear down (no mold concerns). I’m 6’3” and find it immensely comfortable but agree that getting dressed is getting more awkward as I age.

As for the trunk, have you tried tripping the latch to make the car think it’s closed?

 

[Hogan]

Interesting.

Did it take much more energy to heat/cool the tent vs the closed car in camp mode? If it could be sealed to the bugs, would be great for those temperate nights when HVAC isn’t necessary but, aside from that, I sure like the simplicity of car camping with regard to tear down (no mold concerns). I’m 6’3” and find it immensely comfortable but agree that getting dressed is getting more awkward as I age.

As for the trunk, have you tried tripping the latch to make the car think it’s closed?

Derp...yes...tripping the latch works great! Car is locked and Sentry Mode is active while I’m sleeping and/or while I’m hiking away from the car/tent combo!

As far as energy...during both the fall camp and my recent winter camp, the 50amp provided about 32 miles of range per hour with campmode off. With campmode on, set at 82º, the car continued to charge, but at 1-8 miles of range per hour....averaging about 4. I’m comfortable with that, but would be worried using a 30amp at a high heat level campmode

 

[Hogan]

What fun! Winter camping with a Tesla and a tent rocks! I was more than a bit worried to find campsites weren’t plowed, but found a Cat driver to save the day! Only ten images are allowed to post...hope this conveys the wonder!

 

[ThomasD]

What was your range loss without it being plugged in?

 

[skygraff]

Nice!

I may have to invest in one for future long term camping. For the time being, for road trips and short trips like bike and camp weekends, think I’ll stick with car camping until I can’t get dressed inside. Maybe, by then, there’ll be a good ERV in my price range (cybertruck just needs a lav).

Keep having fun!

 

[leonar40]

Neat idea. Why does the tent not have some kind of bottom though? Or at least put it on a tarp? The only other thing I'll point out is that if you are going to hook up to power while at the camp site, you could just use a regular tent and an electric heater and have a much simpler setup. Still, neat idea.

 

[Vaillant]

Neat idea. Why does the tent not have some kind of bottom though? Or at least put it on a tarp? The only other thing I'll point out is that if you are going to hook up to power while at the camp site, you could just use a regular tent and an electric heater and have a much simpler setup. Still, neat idea.

It looks like the open bottom section is the “porch”, while the sleeping area does have a bottom.

 

[Hogan]

What was your range loss without it being plugged in?

Didn’t try that. Next time I should (briefly) just to see what the drain would be. Ditto for using a 30amp outlet instead of a 50amp.

 

[Hogan]

Neat idea. Why does the tent not have some kind of bottom though? Or at least put it on a tarp? The only other thing I'll point out is that if you are going to hook up to power while at the camp site, you could just use a regular tent and an electric heater and have a much simpler setup. Still, neat idea.

The photo without a floor is the screen room; it’s nice that it doesn’t have a floor so I can use a chair & table without risking the tent floor. The main room of the tent does have a floor.

Also...I certainly wouldn’t want to sleep in a tent with an electric heater running all night. The word “FIRE” comes to mind! That’s what’s great about the Tesla...all heat...no fire.

BTW....I really can’t figure out why folks buy these SUV tents for their ICE vehicles. Carbon Monoxide doesn’t mix with camping fun!

 

[Hogan]

It looks like the open bottom section is the “porch”, while the sleeping area does have a bottom.

Yup!

 

[Ryil]

I jumped online to see if there is a worry about having the hatch open all night in camp mode: will the 12-volt battery drain? It looks like that is not a concern at all?