Tesla starts shipping $3k Cybertruck tent, looks nothing like what was unveiled
Tesla’s $3,000 “Basecamp” tent for the Cybertruck is drawing fire for its price, appearance, and divergence from early concept renders, with many comparing it unfavorably to far cheaper truck bed and rooftop tents. Some commenters note that high prices are common for first-party and premium vehicle camping add-ons, and that the production tent may be more practical than the original glossy mockups. Others see the product as part of a broader pattern of overhyped, lifestyle-oriented accessories aimed at affluent buyers, amplified by polarized reactions to Tesla and Elon Musk.
Design & Aesthetics
- Many find the tent ugly, saying it looks like a “blanket with some frames” and mismatched with the truck’s polygonal aesthetic.
- Others say the production tent is visually acceptable and cleaner than older “car-tent” designs, if still underwhelming for the price.
- Comparisons are made to past odd vehicles/tent combos (GDR car tents, Trabant, Pontiac Aztek package), often to mock both the Cybertruck and the tent.
Price & Market Comparisons
- A dominant view is that ~$3,000 is a ripoff for what appears to be an aluminum frame plus fabric, compared to $200–$300 truck-bed tents or ~$300 roof tents from third parties.
- Counterpoint: in the context of first-party automotive accessories (e.g., expensive racks, tonneau covers, tow hitches, Porsche and F-150 tents), $3,000 is characterized by some as high but not anomalous.
- Even some who accept the price level for “overlanding gear” still question whether this specific product delivers equivalent value.
Functionality & Use Cases
- Confusion and debate over classification: bed tent vs rooftop tent vs hybrid, since it raises sleeping height and still allows some bed storage.
- Pros cited from the original review (via commenters): relatively light, can remain mounted during travel, integrates with the truck’s rails, and is quick to deploy; teardown is said to be fussier.
- Missing integration with the vehicle’s HVAC is flagged as a major functional drawback.
- Elevation off the ground is noted as useful for avoiding animals, insects, frost, etc.
Expectation vs Reality / Advertising
- Many complain it looks nothing like early concept renders; some ask when this level of divergence becomes misleading or “a lie.”
- Others point out it does resemble more recent promotional videos, and that original renders with a mesh roof were never realistic for a real tent (rain protection).
Broader Tesla/Cybertruck Sentiment
- Strong criticism of Cybertruck owners as status/prepper cosplayers who overpay for impractical accessories.
- Some push back on this stereotyping and on emotionally charged “dupe”/“ripoff” rhetoric.
Meta: Article & Thread Quality
- Several call the linked article clickbait with selective framing to fuel Tesla/Cybertruck hostility.
- A few argue that the original owners’ forum review is more balanced, and lament that the HN thread devolved into a flamewar rather than a nuanced product discussion.