John Faires@johnfaires
Top 5 Things My Cybertruck Did on a Camping Road Trip That No Other Vehicle Could
I've never really been a big camper. Exploring new places has always appealed to me, but the hassle and discomfort of traditional camping kept me from committing to it or really giving it a go.
Then I took the Cybertruck on a proper multi-day camping trip across several states, and it genuinely changed my perspective. Here are the five things that made traditional camping feel outdated, primarily because of capabilities that no other production vehicle comes close to matching.
True Full Self-Driving (with some supervision)
We covered over 2,500 kilometres through winding mountain highways and incredibly complex interstates with overpasses, merging traffic, and multi-lane exits. The truck handled all of it flawlessly. I've had FSD since version 10 and have watched it evolve dramatically, but it's on a trip like this where you truly understand its value. Running to the grocery store for milk doesn't test it. 2,500 km of varied terrain in a single week through different weather does. I could actually relax and take in the scenery with my best friend passenger instead of staring blankly at a road that looks the same no matter what state you're in. The cumulative fatigue that usually builds on long drives was almost nonexistent. It turned the driving itself into an incredibly enjoyable part of the trip.
The Best Auto-Leveling Suspension (for flat sleeping)
The Cybertruck's adaptive air suspension is a standout feature for camping. In CyberTent Mode, it automatically levels the entire truck bed, even on sloped or uneven terrain, using four-corner independent air suspension with one of the widest adjustment ranges of any production truck. A few competitors have auto leveling systems (the Rivian R1T's camp mode comes to mind), but none match the Cybertruck's combination of range of adjustment. Most trucks just don’t have it, and you would have to pull out leveling blocks.
Serious Power, Zero Compromise (no fuel cans to fuss with)
This is where the Cybertruck really separates itself. With up to 9.6 kW of power available through the bed outlets, I ran a portable fridge, space heater, cooktop, air fryer, Nespresso machine (this was the cherry on top), Starlink for solid internet, and string LED lights to light up the campsite - all simultaneously. It handled it all with minimal battery drain (9-10% a night). No generator noise, no gas cans, no fumes. That usual discomfort of camping just disappeared. It's like having a silent, invisible power grid at your campsite.
The Complete Cybertruck Ecosystem
The official CyberTent is really well designed. Once you've done it a couple of times, setup takes roughly 7 minutes. It has zero meaningful impact on range since it stores directly in the bed. The official cyber bins slide in perfectly underneath, aligned with the grooves in the bed, and between that and the massive tonneau bed, frunk, and protected under-vault, the organized storage is incredible. My core camping gear now lives permanently packed in the Cyber bins and ready for spontaneous trips. Add in CyberTent Mode in the Tesla app, with full lighting control and outlet control, and it genuinely takes the setup and packing part of camping off the stress list.
Smart Trip and Adventure Planning with Grok Built In
Tesla rolled out Grok integration last year, and it's a game changer. It handles navigation naturally, but the real value is the contextual awareness. I was able to say "We're in the Redwood forest in California, where can we see the biggest and most impressive trees?" and it understood exactly what I meant, suggested a few great spots, and built the route and entered it into navigation. It made exploration feel effortless rather than like a chore of googling and research from the passenger seat. This came in handy for quick stops for snacks along the way as well. No fussing.
Bonus:
The premium 15-speaker audio system with dual subwoofers is genuinely one of the best stock sound systems I've ever heard in any vehicle. The soundtrack while cruising through epic scenery was next-level (especially when the truck is in control).
Without question, the Cybertruck has improved essentially every aspect of camping, and road tripping. For me, it’s made me excited for my next adventure.
Cybertruck owners, has this truck changed how you camp or road trip? What's your favourite "only possible in the Cybertruck" feature? Would love to hear your stories below!
