The Tesla Cybertruck hasn’t exactly worked out, and the controversial vehicle’s $3000 “Basecamp” tent accessory seems to be the latest letdown for the vehicle’s early adopters. Early renders showed a futuristic covering that would transform the truck’s bed into a glamorous camping space. Unfortunately, that isn’t what customers seem to be receiving.
Instead, Cybertruck owners who stumped up the extra $3,000 seem to be receiving a slightly cheap-looking, windowless, polyester tent with an interior akin to one of those bags delivery drivers keep pizza warm in. Looks can be a little deceiving here, as the materials used are allegedly of good quality. Despite this, it is still a far cry from what was promised — like many other elements of Elon Musk’s electric truck. Plus, there could be some quality control issues with the tent’s assembly, as the stitching on one of the nylon webbing straps appears to be coming apart after just one setup.
Recommended Videos
Installation also seems to be a problem. The rooftop tent was billed as something easy to install. According to a poster on the Cybertruck Owners Forum, the initial installation has to be performed by staff at a Tesla service center, and subsequent setups are not “significantly easier than setting up a standard tent on the ground.” One issue is the Basecamp’s weight, which may make it unwieldy and challenging for some people to get into place. There’s also an opportunity to lose a couple of bolts during a tricky part of the setup, which customers are expected to manage by feeling alone.
Related
- Toyota invests another $1.3B in US factory to build all-new, 3-row electric SUV
- Tesla Cybertruck: Great in a crash, terrible in the snow
- Tesla Cybertruck vs Ford F-150 Lightning: Which one is better?
Amazingly, some built-in features are also missing. According to the poster, the truck should have a special “tent mode,” which uses the truck’s suspension to level out the back end if you’re parked on uneven ground and primes the built-in power outlets for any camping accessories you have. This is different from the available “camping mode.” Unfortunately, this feature has yet to be implemented.
This is the latest in a long line of Cybertruck disappointments
Pre-launch, you would think the Cybertruck’s appearance would be its only controversy. Despite looking like a low-polygon render of a moon buggy, the vehicle was meant to outpace sports cars, tackle any terrain up to and including lakes, and be built with micron-level precision.
Right off the bat, the truck was more expensive than originally billed and had a greatly reduced range. There was also a little sleight of hand during the launch event when lead designer Franz von Holzhausen bounced a baseball off the truck’s window. The original incident involved a steel ball shattering the pane, so we can assume that hasn’t been fixed.
Since its release, owners have reported that it’s absolutely awful offroad and even struggles in a few inches of snow. The “stainless steel” body panels have shown evidence of staining and corrosion. As with many Teslas, those panels are also poorly fitted, with uneven panel gaps and other quality control issues present. All in all, Tesla’s tragic tent is just another letdown in a long line of Cybertruck disappointments.
Editors' Recommendations
- Obermeyer vs Helly Hansen: Which puffy jacket is right for you?
- Poor Tesla: The Cybertruck was just outdone by a Subaru Crosstrek
- Jackery just revealed the coolest rooftop tent we’ve ever seen (Hint: It’s electric!)
- The truth about van life: 5 realities of living in a camper van no one talks about
- The Tesla Cybertruck takes on a Lamborghin Urus, and the results left us torn
- Auto
Tesla Cybertruck delivers on some promises, falls painfully short on other expectations
Will Tesla Cybertruck reservation holders back away due to unkept promises?
The Tesla Cybertruck is finally here. The newly launched Cybertruck maintains the divisive look of the prototype, but the irresistible numbers leading up to and during the original reveal in late 2019 fall short.
When Elon Musk introduced the Cybertruck in November 2019, most observers immediately declared love or hatred for its stainless steel exterior design. Musk said deliveries would start in late 2021, but few listeners took the delivery date seriously due to the delayed launches of the Tesla Model X and Model 3.
Read more
- Auto
The Tesla Cybertruck starts at almost $61,000 and it’s finally available for delivery
Even though the Cybertruck is ready for delivery, you may have to wait until 2024
When the Tesla Cybertruck was first announced in 2019, Elon Musk promised it would be available for less than $40,000. Initially, it was supposed to go into production in 2021, but Tesla postponed it multiple times over the past five years. It was so difficult trying to produce the Cybertruck to meet market expectations that even Musk said in an earnings call that "we dug our own grave."
Everything you need to know about the Tesla Cybertruck
The long wait is over and the Tesla Cybertruck is finally available for delivery. However, its starting price is $60,990, which is almost $20,000 higher than what was promised in 2019. Well, we can’t say we’re surprised considering that a lot has happened over the past five years — from the COVID-19 pandemic to the global chip shortage and inflation, which completely disrupted the auto industry and affected the Tesla Cybertruck price.
There is another catch — the RWD Cybertruck model, which is priced at $60,990, won’t be available for delivery until 2025. If you want to order a Cybertruck right now, you’re only limited to the AWD model sold at $79,990 and the Cyberbeast model that starts at $99,990. The dual-motor AWD model comes with a range of up to 340 miles, while the Cyberbeast is rated at 320 miles. If you want the cheaper RWD Cybertruck, you have to compromise with an estimated range of 250 miles.
Read more
- Auto
I checked out the Tesla Cybertruck in person – here’s what I think
Does the Tesla Cybertruck measure up to the buzz?
Tesla Cybertrucks are finally starting to appear in stores across North America. Some love it and some hate it, but our recent visit to the Bellevue, Washington, location provided an up-close encounter with this polarizing EV.
The Cybertruck has undeniably captured the public's attention like no other vehicle before it, putting it along the lines of the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Its unconventional design, mystical aesthetics, and notorious CEO have propelled it into the limelight, generating both fervent enthusiasm and vocal skepticism. The discourse surrounding this electric vehicle has been nothing short of extraordinary, with discussions highlighting its strengths, weaknesses, and the polarizing nature of its appearance.
Read on to learn more about the intricacies of the Tesla Cybertruck, including its features, performance capabilities, challenges in production, and a stepping stone for prospective buyers keen on being part of the electric vehicle revolution.
Interior and exterior of the Tesla Cybertruck
On first glance at the initial photo releases, this author wasn't sure who in their right mind would drive a vehicle that looks straight out of the pages of a teen's dystopian novel. However, when seeing it in person, there's no doubt about it, The Tesla Cybertruck is a dystopian nerd fever-dream. It looks so distinct that they didn't even bother to put the Tesla logo on it. Elon Musk's message is clear: You've never seen anything like this before.
Tesla boasts its Cybertruck has a nearly impenetrable exoskeleton of ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless steel that is corrosion and dent-resistant -- the same alloy that SpaceX's Starship is made of. With 100 cubic feet of exterior, lockable space, a towing capability of 11,000 pounds, a payload capacity of 2,500 pounds, and adjustable suspension, the Cybertruck will be able to handle some tough adventures.
Peeking inside, the Tesla Cybertruck interior can hold six passengers in two rows of three seats. The team at Tesla has gone for a plain and minimalist feel for the interior, which some think is a bit on the boring side. That said, the truck features Tesla's signature glass roof, which helps make it feel roomier than it is.
Many people have also been concerned that the back row might not have enough headroom due to the triangular slope of the roof, but the specs are out and the 39 inches seem to be adequate for most people who have had the opportunity to test drive it.
Drivers are greeted with a 17-inch display and a yoke-like steering mechanism, coupled with an electrifying acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds -- it may feel more like a fighter jet. Netizens speculate that the Cybertruck will have a range of around 300 miles based on a post from the famous YouTube tech reviewer MKBHD.
Read more
