Tips for Camping in Your Tesla

Tesla might be a luxury car, but that doesn't mean you can't take it with you while camping. Camping inside or with a vehicle can be uncomfortable if ill-prepared. Even with the most luxury of RVs, you're still essentially in your car, just with a bed and some camping gear. Camping in a Tesla is no different than that.

This article is not meant for seasoned campers who have done it dozens or hundreds of times. You probably know this stuff already. However, if you're somebody who doesn't like roughing it and you drive a Tesla, then this Tesla camping guide will help you a lot.

If you follow these tips and invest in the ultimate Tesla camping accessories, then your camping experience inside any Tesla model can be significantly improved.

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3 Ways to Camp With Your Tesla

Camping Inside the Vehicle

Sleeping inside a vehicle has become a common practice among Tesla owners, and there are all kinds of makeshift setups people have come up with to make it work. The seats in most Teslas fold down completely to make for a nice flat surface, so you have plenty of space to work with.

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A common setup includes building custom window covers or installing thin plastic sheeting across the windows to help hold in some warm air at night while not restricting your view too much during the daytime. Many people use thin yoga mats or camping pads for extra padding when sleeping on hard surfaces, but it may be smart to invest in something more comfortable if you plan on spending an extended amount of time in the car.  

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Camping on the Roof

Many people also choose to sleep on the roof of their Tesla. There are rooftop tents available that can be installed on top of a roof rack. You should use high-quality racks and pads to keep your car from getting dinged up. There are two types of rooftop tents: softshell and hardshell. Softshell tents are larger and offer more space, but they are flimsier and may not hold up to harsh weather conditions.

Hardshell tents are smaller than soft shell tents and offer more protection against water, sand, rocks, etc. These types of tents typically have the ability to be locked, so your belongings won’t go missing while you sleep. Most people will use these hardshell tents for an extended period of time until they reach their destination or other accommodations become available. The downside with this type of Tesla camping option is that it requires more setup time.

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Using a Trailer

For those who prefer to camp regularly, a camper trailer is perfect for a trip that involves camping with a Tesla. These trailers vary from small pop-up trailers that provide basic shelter and sleeping arrangements to large travel trailers with two levels, bathrooms, full kitchens, and multiple beds. The downside of this type of camping option is the price associated with renting or purchasing one.

The vehicle you will be using needs to have a tow hitch installed on the back end so you can pull a trailer behind your car. When choosing an RV or camping trailer, the weight will need to be considered to make sure it’s not too much for your Tesla. Make sure there are no obstacles blocking the view from your rearview mirror when driving, such as bikes or skis. When you’re towing a trailer, be sure it’s properly attached because the last thing you want is for it to come unhooked, causing damage to your camping equipment, your Tesla, and anything that may be in its path.

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3 Must-Haves When Tesla Camping

Pack Warm Clothes

This might seem obvious, but bring plenty of warm clothes for both cold nights and mornings. If you don't have any warm clothes, then get some! You need an insulated coat, long pants, and gloves for winter camping.

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Bring a Good Sleeping Bag

A good sleeping bag is important for campers everywhere. If you've never bought one before, then get one that best fits your needs. Go into any sports store for advice about what type will work best in colder weather conditions. The main thing is to make sure it's comfortable enough with plenty of room inside for movement while fastened up by zippers. It's also possible to buy inflatable pillows, which are really convenient because they don't take up much space when deflated.

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Bring a Good Sleeping Pad

I would recommend sleeping on a "self-inflating" sleeping pad, if you have one, which is good for insulation and comfort. However, it can be more of a hassle having to find something to blow air into pumped valves with. Shop around at your local REI or camping store nearby for better deals on all kinds of camping equipment that are available online. They will probably have some great tips about what shoes to wear, too, depending on what outdoor conditions may be like during the time you're traveling around in your Tesla.

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Other Considerations When Going on a Tesla Camping Trip

Range and Charging

An awesome thing about camping with an EV is that you can plug in your electronics to charge. There are a few different charging options while camping. It’s possible to find an RV park that has standard power hookups or brings in generators throughout the night for you to plug into. You can slow charge your Tesla with any 120V source—just use your ordinary charging cable and plug it into a normal household power outlet. If your campsite has no plugs, make sure your Tesla is fully charged and that you have enough charge to get back home. If you’re worried about not making it back, have someone follow behind you in another car so that they can tow you out!

Need to charge during your trip? Download our free Optiwatt app to see when it’s cheapest to charge your Tesla!

Vehicle Capabilities

If you've already chosen your campsite, with outlets or not, you'll also want to know about the following features that will help elevate your Tesla camping experience.

All Wheel Drive: AWD helps when it comes to camping because it gives the vehicle more traction on slippery surfaces, allows for better handling and control, and can help enormously when climbing hills. One could theoretically drive straight from their campsite to the top of a mountain without any issues at all.

Autopilot: If you’re driving far to reach your campsite, having Autopilot for those long stretches of interstate or highway is not only convenient but also somewhat safer. It's very nice knowing that your car is keeping itself in its lane/on the road without you having to intervene too much.

Map + GPS: The Tesla Maps app is great for planning your route and tracking your path. It's also nice knowing that should you need help, there are folks out there just waiting to chat with any Tesla driver!

Suspension: The vehicle's suspension is important to consider for those uneven terrains. A flexible suspension can help save your vehicle from damage.

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All-terrain tires: No matter how good your suspension may be, you'll still want to avoid large rocks. Having an all-terrain tire will allow you to explore some off-the-beaten-path locations while giving the car a wider footprint, which is ideal for keeping it on the road.

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Who Says You Can't Camp With Your Tesla?

Teslas are extremely versatile and can make wonderful camping companions. As much as we love them, they’re not without their limits, though. For example, Tesla Superchargers are only available in urban areas, far away from most campsites. This means you can't simply plug in at night and "instantly" be back on the road again. Still, with proper preparation and the right Tesla camping accessories, it’s fairly easy for anyone to become an expert and have a great Tesla camping experience.

No matter where you are on your trip - you need to know everything about your Tesla, know when charging is cheap, and have a complete overview of your car. That’s why registering your Tesla and downloading our free Optiwatt app is the logical thing to do!