I read that the Tesla MY is good for this, including a camping mode designed for it. I suppose an M3 might also work, but would have less room to stretch out?
Are there other EVs that would be good for this, with a heat pump, something that’d serve as a camping mode, and enough space for two people to lie down and sleep with the back seats folded down?
Just get one that has outlets you can use. Set up a tent and power electric blankets inside your sleeping bags. Typical electric blankets run at 50 watts. So overnight at 8 hours of sleep you would only drain the battery by 0.4 kwh per electric blanket at most.
Rivian specifically has Camp Mode for this purpose. Climate control stays on. Lights are set to not disturb any camping neighbors. The vehicle self levels. R1S or R1T. Take your pick.
Dang. Sounds useful.
I’ve done some test nights in mine and it’s great. Got the exped mattress and it’s surprisingly comfy.
Once they update the software with controls from the backseat (only a matter of time, IMO) it’ll be a perfect one night bug out vehicle.
Looking to do the same but I’m just starting to get into camping. What mattress and sleeping bag did you use if you don’t mind me asking?
This is one the coolest things I read on this sub. I never knew a Rivian had all those features
I have the exped megamat duo. It is so ridiculously comfortable. Sometimes I think it’s more comfortable than my bed.
Looking forward to put it in my R1S when I finally get the car.
Ditto. Might never setup a tent again
Yes, the camping mode makes sleeping easy. The M3 can do it too.
TESCAMP Camping Mattress CertiPUR Memory Foam Car Mattress, Storage Bag & Sheet Provided, for Tesla Model 3, Y, Portable, Foldable, Space Saver, in Car Sleeping, Twin Size https://a.co/d/5y57RU0
Tesla Bjorn has the most videos sleeping and camping in tons of EVs. Good place to start.
I’ve slept multiple nights in a Model 3, and I think it would be very tight for two because of the narrowing of the passage between the seats. The Y would be a better pick from Tesla’s lineup.
The 3 would also be pretty claustrophobic having to crawl in through the side door and then sliding your legs into the trunk. I think you could do it in a pinch if you are short, narrow people on a thinner camp mat but not regularly. I would also agree the Y is the best choice from Tesla.
We bought an inflatable bed for the Y and tried it out in the garage. Still way too tight for my wife and I, and we are not large. No way the dog (12kg) would have fit as well.
On our Ioniq 5 the heater seems to take around 0.8kw once the car is warmed up to maintain the temperature, so assuming you arrive with a 60% charge you could run it for about 50 hours. And that’s with it set on 74F, if you kept it at about 66-68F and got in your sleeping bags it would use less power.
I’d cook at 74! What were the outside temps? Certainly not winter cold…
Hubby and I slept a night in the Ioniq and it was lovely!!! I want a slimmer mattress, but it’s quite workable. May not camp in a tent again!
Mercedes eVito Marco Polo camper van
Bjorn Nyland tests the camping options of a lot of EVs: YT.
Front and rear seats in the Nissan Ariya fold flat to make a good surface. There’s no specific camping mode, but just leaving the car on works fine for heat.
Is it loud? The heat pump in my Leaf cycles off and on about every 10 seconds when it’s on low and would be obnoxious if I was trying to sleep.
It does cycle the heat pump on and off, but is very quiet inside the car.
Family of four here. After having slept many nights at charging stations on long-distance road trips, I can confirm the Bolt EUV is absolutely terrible to sleep in.
I have done it, it’s fine with one of the cheap hatch tent/ cover things on Amazon. I pushed the front seats as far forward as they would go, put some storage bins that were the right hight in the rear foot well, added an inflatable mattress and was fine. With the hatch closed it would probably only work for one full sized adult ( diagonally). Ymmv, but I slept great.
Edit: I missed the family of four part. I don’t know that many EVs would work in that scenario. 2, sure. 4? I think you need a camp trailer or tent at that point.
I see people asking this, but have to ask: why?
If you’re wanting to actually camp, why not in a tent?
If traveling why not in a cheap hotel room?
Some people want all the outdoor parts of camping but not the tent parts.
Some people would prefer more sleeping comfort and ease.
Some people have loved camping in tents, but now are older and/or feeling too infirm to want to endure the colder damper weather at night.
Some people have a partner who is only willing to camp in more comfort.
Some people are worried about animals at night.
Some people want to camp at times, or in places, where a tent would be miserable.
Some people want a way to escape wildfire smoke.
Some people want to be able to travel and have places to sleep without using a hotel.
Some people want to live in their cars.
Some people find cheap hotels to now be way too expensive.
Some people find cheap hotels too often problematic.
Some people want to not deal with hotel reservations and availability.
Some people want to be able to wander at will and sleep wherever.
Etc.
Have slept in my Kona multiple times. First few times was a bit cramped with the hatch closed as the nubby is 6’2". Bought a cheap tent to go over the open hatch for our next road trip and it was very comfortable.
Interesting, thanks! So, not a tent designed for that, but just one that can help keep the elements out?
If so, were you able to get it to be mosquito-proof?
Taycan fails at this.