With Camp Mode, Tesla ushered in a new era of car campers. Quiet climate control, a multimedia entertainment display, a glass roof, and a large flat rear area that easily fits 6′ adults with a mattress mean that hotels on long long drives are now preferred. It can also be a great camping option for those who don't want to sleep on the ground, a comfortable bed, or a great place to relax and (Netflix and?) catch up with that special someone.
When my dad got sick during Covid, I spent a lot of time on the road from New York to Ohio. I was traveling at night and usually started to get tired somewhere near the middle of Pennsylvania. Instead of getting a COVID-friendly hotel room, I'd just pull into a parking lot at or near a Supercharger. At the time, I was using a Havnby outlet mattress, which was comfortable but didn't have the back support of a thick mattress. Because I only planned on sleeping for about 4-5 hours, the mattress was very efficient and saved a lot of time and money.
Unfortunately, the release mattress has some disadvantages. For one thing, it leaves plenty of room on the sides and bottom for things to fall. Phones, glasses, and wallets all fell through these gaps, especially after being tossed and turned. The worst part is that the pillow often falls down behind/between the front seats.
Also, in terms of support, the mat does not have a lot of support for the hips and back and requires occasional movement during sleep to avoid pain.
So that's the big one inflatable the mattress fits…
The Havnby air mattress fits inside a bag that can be stored in the Model Y subfloor “tub” or in the trunk in case of emergency and that is where mine usually stays. I can also easily put in some extra sheets, a blanket and a pillow/case too. This is good because you never know when the sandman will arrive during a long trip.
Deflating an air mattress can be done in less than 60 seconds and as you can see in the video above, it can be done with one hand. Steps:
- Put down the rear seats (can be done from the back)
- Turn the tub down and put the bag down.
- Lay the deflated mattress on your left side
- Get a simple 12V adapter and plug into a simple plant. Turn the dial to “inflate”.
- As it sprays, take the sheets and put them on
- Grab a pillow and a blanket and it's time to sleep!
The air mattress extends to the edges of the seats and the back and hugs the doors and wheel wells, not only ensuring a high amount of square footage of the car camping square but also making it difficult for things to fall over the sides. Measuring 4.5 inches and going down to 7 degrees of seatback, the air mattress, when inflated, is many times more comfortable than other mattresses. I have noticed that it is always very windy not just for one night but for many.
If I had one complaint, it would be the quality of the 12V adapter wire, which seems to be very thin. I haven't had any problems in months of use, but if I had to guess which part would eventually wear out/break, it would be this one. Of course, this can be a quick and cheap fix.
Tesla makes its own air mattress that's the same price as the Model Y but it's thinner, has different inflation and generally doesn't work.
If space and budget are flexible, you can do what I do and put a mattress up air mattress for a comfortable, yet portable solution. With a glass ceiling and great sound, I'm tempted to give up my regular bed and sleep in the clear night under the stars!
The experience has been amazing. You can listen to music or watch movies in the glass-roofed, temperature-controlled space.
Grab a Havnby Tesla Model Y mattress ($249) or their many other Tesla accessories in the online store and get a free gift. Makes a great hard-to-buy holiday gift for Tesla Model 3/Y owners. Check out other options at Electrek's Tesla Shop.
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