--- title: "Tesla’s Official Cybertruck Camping Attachment Looks Absolutely Laughable" description: "Tesla's tent attachment for its Cybertruck looks like a massive, $3,000 disappointment that falls far short of the original vision." date: "2024-03-09" modified: "2024-03-09" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/tesla-cybertruck-tent-attachment-sad-wreck" categories: - "Advanced Transport" - "Tesla" tags: - "cybertruck" - "tesla" - "the digest" --- # Tesla’s Official Cybertruck Camping Attachment Looks Absolutely Laughable ![]() *\Image: Tesla\* ## Tent Mode In [early marketing materials](), Tesla showed off a futuristic-looking tent attachment that would allow Cybertruck owners to turn their pickup into a sporty off-grid camper. But now that the EV maker has started shipping the accessory, it looks more like a massive, $3,000 disappointment — dare we say ripoff? — that falls far short of those original renders, looking more like something from a homeless encampment than a glitzy camping add-on. The "Basecamp" tent attachment, which covers the six-foot bed of the pickup truck and extends it with an awning, went on sale just after the carmaker showed off the production version of the Cybertruck late last year. As [spotted by *Electrek*](), one owner over at the Cybertruck Owners Club forum wasn't particularly impressed, showing off pictures that bear almost no resemblance to the original 2019 renders — not even Tesla's updated [2023 visuals](). "FWIW, at this point my overall take on the Basecamp is similar to my take on the CT in general," [wrote]() the user, who goes by TownBiz. "It’s awesome and brilliant in many ways but flawed in a few areas." ![]() *Credit: TownBiz via Cybertruck Owners Club* ![]() ![]() ## Less-Than-Premium Other than costing just shy of $3,000 and looking like it has very little floor space, Tesla recommends Cybertruck owners bring their vehicles in to have special attachment rails attached to the truck bed. Then, owners have to fiddle around with loose bolts, requiring them to "blindly reach" into cavities in the truck bed, according to TownBiz. "After you remove them a few times it’s not terrible, but between removing the bolts and then forcefully popping out the Aeroflap, it just feels like a less than premium experience," they wrote. Tesla also promised a "Tent Mode," which was rumored to allow the vehicle to self-level itself on a sloped surface, which is "currently MIA," according to TownBiz. Apart from a painful installation and missing features, the attachment does have at least one advantage over other alternatives. "Otherwise, as mentioned the design is great because you can store gear under the stowed Basecamp," TownBiz argued. In short, three grand is a lot of money that could buy Cybertruck owners some serious outdoor equipment — including a much larger and better tent. But then again, these are people who [shelled out up to $100,000]() for a "rugged" pickup that seems to get stuck [almost]() [everywhere](). **More on the Cybertruck:** *[Feeble Cybertruck Shuts Down in Real Towing Contest Against Other Truck]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()