Back before the pandemic and Elon Musk’s social media obsession, there was the insanity of the Cybertruck reveal, which appeared to be an elaborate joke to many people, myself included. “Really,” I thought as the cover was pulled away. “You’re going to build that and expect people to buy it?” Hundreds of thousands of (refundable) pre-orders poured in, once again proving that I should write about vehicles, not design or sell them. I was in Texas for the eclipse, and when I pulled into a Texan fast-food staple, Chuy’s, there one sat! It’s not totally surprising seeing how most Cybertrucks are made IN Texas, but it was still odd to see one in the flesh, er, steel, after so many years.
Like the Buck Rogers-esque SpaceX Starships and sci-fi (and likely soon to be AI-enabled) Neuralink human-machine mind-meld tech, Elon was dead serious about the Cybertruck, and yes, I’m now starting to see some on the road. They are… big. And weird. And oddly compelling. But can they overland? The jury is out for now, but that didn’t stop Elon and team from teasing overlanders back at the reveal with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Cybertruck bed-based tent setup, or at least a render of it, as seen below.
Now, the $2,975 bed-based tent setups, initially called “Basecamp” but now called “Cybertruck Cybertent” (likely due to a copyright/trademark issue over “Basecamp”), are beginning to be delivered to early buyers, and the reviews are… mixed. For one, they don’t look much like the original render (above) – and really, most things don’t translate well from render to product, especially almost five years later. But on the other hand, it doesn’t look much worse than a lot of other bed tent setups out there, either. The original render included what appeared to be a kitchen setup on a slide-out; so far, that’s not on the options list, but the aftermarket will likely step up.
Tesla Basecamp Cybertent Features
Tesla says the Cybertent is a “geodesic air-frame design,” which means inflating it rather than threading poles through holes. The original render was fairly sharp-edged and transparent; the current deliverable is less so, which is expected for an inflatable design. Tesla says an air pump is included with the tent, as are an awning and tent poles for the awning section, as well as stakes and a repair kit. Tesla says the “ultra-light” tent inflates in minutes without needing “any structural poles.” No weight is specified.
Stowed, the Cybertent fits in a housing similar to many soft-top rooftop tents, but it remains in the Cybertruck’s bed, which the company refers to as a “vault” since the motorized metallic tonneau cover provides security against access. The tent floor sits on a platform above the bed of the Cybertruck, allowing for storage underneath the tent base or likely slideouts in the near future. The Cybertruck does not have typical wheel wells in the bed section, and it has slightly inclined sidewalls instead. The Cybertent also utilizes the tailgate in the down position for a bit more room. The following images are from Tesla:
The tent features a “tactical gray kaleidoscope-patterned” nylon interior, screened windows for airflow, and an “ultra-soft mattress.” The outer shell is “water resistant,” but Tesla does not specify what material is used. Naturally, there will be no shortage of power to charge phones and all else since the Cybertruck is carting around an enormous battery and has both 120-volt AC and USB ports in the bed as standard.
According to this very in-depth review on an owner’s forum, the Cybertent can accommodate two adults or maybe two adults and a small child (or fur baby), and overall, it gets good marks. The owner says setup takes 10 minutes, and he believes the tent is made by Heimplanet, which specializes in inflatable shelters. However, he also says packing the tent up can be a challenge and lists a few other complaints as well. He contributed this video:
Tesla does list some caveats on the tent’s web page, including non-compatibility with Tesla accessory MOLLE gear storage panels and a few other notes. However, Tesla says that shipping and installation of the Cybertent at a Tesla service center is included in the price.
Will the Cybertruck be able to overland, and will the Cybertent be a worthy companion out in the wild? It seems to have the basics in order, at least, and going forward, future iterations will likely see improvements. We’d love to get a closer look. If you’re a Cybertruck and Cyber tent owner and will be attending one of the Overland Expo events, contact us.
