In my travels, I’ve seen Subaru Foresters, Toyota 4Runners, and different inner combustion engine (ICE) vehicles transformed for automobile tenting, and so they pull it off simply positive. However once I crawl into the again of my Tesla Mannequin Y, I see how electrical automobiles are altering the automobile tenting recreation and fixing lots of the issues conventional automobile campers would possibly expertise. There’s nonetheless no onboard lavatory—however we’re tenting, in spite of everything.
Should you’re planning on buying an electric vehicle or already personal one and need to begin automobile tenting in it, listed below are 4 issues to think about earlier than you hit the highway.
Associated: Can you take a road trip in an electric vehicle?
1. If there’s a camp mode—use it
You probably have a Tesla, you’ll discover a “Camp” mode in your automobile’s local weather management settings. It was launched as a software program replace and does the next:
- Maintains airflow and temperature
- Permits inside lighting to be turned on or off
- Performs music or streaming companies
- Powers units
The perfect half? It solely makes use of about 10 p.c (or as much as 15 p.c if it’s chilly outdoors) of your battery for about 9 hours of steady working. I cost all of my units—telephone, laptop computer, smartwatch, and extra—whereas I sleep, and I even run a fridge. So there’s no want to fret about having to bundle up for a chilly evening, or waking as much as a useless battery.
2. Totally cost earlier than attending to your campsite
Whether or not your EV has a camp mode or not, I like to recommend charging the automobile to 100 p.c earlier than arriving at your campsite, in case of emergencies. Though I like tenting in my Tesla, I don’t have the power to refuel as successfully as my ICE counterparts. In contrast to with ICE vehicles, EV homeowners can’t simply carry a tank of electrical energy with us for a fast refuel, so we have now to spend slightly extra time on logistics. However Tesla’s Supercharger network is very large, and in case your automobile makes use of a unique charger, there are many methods to find charging stations close by. Additionally, due to regenerative braking, you’d be stunned at how a lot of a cost you may achieve going downhill.
I haven’t had a lot success discovering EV chargers at campgrounds. Should you’re at a personal campground, you would possibly be capable to cost with a standard outlet earlier than organising camp. Should you’re at an RV campground, you would possibly be capable to plug right into a 240-volt, 50-amp outlet. In my expertise, it may be troublesome getting an RV spot with out an RV, so you’ll want to ask. Chargers are a bit tougher to return by in nationwide parks and forests, however charging networks are expanding to those factors of curiosity.
Associated: EV-friendly camping is easier than you think
3. Take pleasure in extra storage
With out an inner combustion engine, Teslas and different EVs reclaim a number of the house that homes the shifting elements of a conventional automobile. With this added house for storage—notably the frunk (entrance trunk) and trunk—you may make the most of the inside automobile house for sleeping. I like to make use of the frunk to retailer my water supply in addition to my first-aid equipment, together with some automobile cleansing provides. In the meantime within the trunk, Teslas have deep wells which can be massive sufficient to suit a fridge, camp range, cooking provides, and charger.
I additionally counsel getting artistic with what you are able to do with an all-glass roof; I’ve a pill mount to look at TV and flicks.
Associated: Interested in buying an EV? Here’s where to start and what to look for
4. Sleep comfortably
That is nonetheless tenting so don’t count on to deliver your luxurious Tempur-Pedic mattress—however you may match a twin-sized, 6-inch reminiscence foam mattress that sleeps two folks comparatively comfortably. I sleep on a tri-fold mattress that permits me to flip one portion up to make use of as a platform and to present me entry to my trunk properly. Earlier than I name it an evening, I choose a seat configuration profile I labeled “Mattress.” This setting shifts my seat up nearly all the best way to the entrance of the automobile to raised accommodate my mattress. This fashion I don’t have to maneuver the seats up each time I need to arrange the mattress.
Start planning your next road trip
