FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything about fit, the platform, sleeping on the road, and ordering — grouped so you can find your answer fast.
🚗Fit & choosing your platform
We have ready platforms for the most popular vehicles. If yours isn't listed, we design and build one just for it — we locate the same model, make a 3D scan for a perfect fit, and finalise the design with your approval.
Because each custom build is made from scratch, here's the typical timeline:
- 2–3 weeksto locate and 3D-scan the same vehicle
- 2–3 weeksto design and confirm the fit with you
- 4–7 weeksto manufacture and prepare for shipping
Start with our custom platform page or email us — we're happy to help.
CORE is the streamlined sleep platform; PRO adds the lifting system, drawer and easy sub-trunk access. The chart below breaks it down:
There isn't enough space in Model 3 / S for a proper drawer. In Model S, the mid-section cut removes foot space and a step down leaves only a small gap. For Model 3, height is limited by the trunk shelf. In both, our lifting system still gives you easy access to the area underneath.
🛏️The platform: features & specs
We use only quality-certified plywood:
- Bamboo (15 mm) — eco-friendly, strong and stylish, with a sleek natural finish and excellent stability.
- Hex birch core (18 mm) — durable, non-slip plywood with a textured hexagonal surface, resistant to moisture, wear and impact.
Plenty for two adults. The bed platform is tested to support up to 180 kg of evenly distributed weight. The main drawer holds up to 80 kg, and the clip-on table up to 15 kg.
Yes — that's the whole point. The platform creates a fully flat, level surface across the trunk (and folded seats, where applicable), so there are no gaps, slopes or seat ridges to sleep over. Paired with our fitted mattress it sleeps like a real bed.
Exact sleeping length depends on your vehicle. Each product page lists the bed dimensions for that car so you can check the fit for your height before ordering.
The platform is the bed base. We also offer a self-inflating foam mattress sized to fit, which you can add to your order for the complete sleep setup.
You always have storage space under the frame, whether the platform is folded or unfolded. The PRO lifting system gives easy access to the bottom of the trunk, so you can use your sub-trunk space efficiently.
The PRO version gives you access to a fridge in the Model Y sub-trunk — its legs keep the bed base open and the drawer slides without blocking the fridge. The CORE version can be lifted for access but has no mechanism to keep it propped.
We also stock EcoFlow power stations and portable AC units that pair well for off-grid trips.
No drilling, no modifications, no damage. The platform rests inside your trunk and can be taken out anytime — your car stays completely standard.
PRO versions arrive in a flat pack with simple assembly; all tools and Swiss-made connectors are included. Some CORE versions come pre-assembled. Once it's in, you can set it up or fold it away in seconds.
🌙Sleeping & life on the road
Yes, when you ventilate properly. Always keep some fresh airflow — crack two windows slightly for cross-ventilation (insect mesh helps), and never run a petrol engine to stay warm while you sleep.
In an EV like a Tesla, Camp Mode keeps the cabin climate comfortable and circulates air safely overnight with no fumes. For the full rundown, see our guide: How to ventilate your Tesla overnight.
In an EV, running Camp Mode overnight typically uses only a modest amount of charge (it varies with outside temperature and how hard the climate works). Starting the night with a reasonable charge level leaves plenty of range for the morning.
In a petrol car, don't idle the engine to power things — use a portable power station instead. Our EcoFlow units run lights, a fridge and devices all night without touching your car battery.
It's allowed in most places if you do it right — usually you can sleep inside a legally parked vehicle, but not "set up camp" outside it. Rules vary by country and council.
We've broken it down country by country: Is it legal to sleep in your car? — country guides (New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Europe & Japan).
Always fold the platform fully into the trunk and secure it with the supplied straps before driving — never drive with it open or extended. It's built for camping comfort and travel, not as a crash-tested safety device, so treat it like any large load in your vehicle. See our Product Use & Safety page for full guidance.
Wipe it clean and dry it fully after any spills, rain or condensation, and store it somewhere dry. Bamboo parts, like the clip-on table, benefit from occasional oiling to protect the surface. It's also worth checking and tightening the bolts now and then.
📦Orders, delivery, payment & support
Every in-stock and standard platform comes with a handy delivery calendar — just pick the date that suits you, whether it's a free weekend, the start of a road trip, or the day you're back home. We plan everything around your date, so there's no guessing and no refreshing the tracking page.
Need to adjust? You get one free date change up to 14 days before delivery.
Yes — we ship worldwide, with free shipping to New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, Japan and Europe.
For New Zealand, Australia, the USA and the EU, all taxes and duties are included in your price — nothing extra to pay on delivery. For Canada and Japan, local taxes are billed by the carrier when your order arrives.
Business customers can request a VAT/tax invoice — just email us at info@teraglide.com with your VAT number.
Prices are shown in your local currency, based on our NZD pricing, so the exact amount can vary slightly with your bank's exchange rate at checkout. Need an invoice in your currency? Just email us at info@teraglide.com.
We accept returns within 14 days of delivery for eligible, unused items in their original packaging — just contact us first so we can arrange it. Custom-made and made-to-order products can't be returned for change of mind.
See the full Returns, Refunds & Warranty Policy for details.
Yes. Every Teraglide is covered by a 1-year warranty against manufacturing defects — we'll replace any faulty part free of charge, including shipping.
After the first year, we keep supporting you with free replacement parts for manufacturing-related issues for up to 5 years from delivery (you just cover the shipping).
Still have a question?
Email us anytime at info@teraglide.com — we're happy to help.
New to Camping? Start Here — Your Friendly Guide to Getting Outside
From tents to car setups, here’s everything you need to know — including where it’s legal to sleep in your vehicle.
What Is Camping, Really?
Camping isn’t just about tents and campfires. At its core, it’s about stepping out of your daily routine and sleeping somewhere different — often in nature, sometimes in a car, sometimes in a van or even on a beach. You don’t need to be an outdoor expert. You don’t need fancy gear. You don’t need to disappear into the forest for days. Even one night away — by a lake, on a hilltop, or at a quiet campsite — can clear your head and help you recharge.
✨ Why People Love Camping (Even Just for a Night)
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Don’t need a hotel
With the right setup, you can definitely save money on bookings
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It’s a mental reset
Nature is quiet, no Wi-Fi required.
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It’s flexible
Leave on Friday, sleep by the ocean by nightfall.
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It’s affordable
Many campsites are free or cheap.
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It’s family-friendly or solo-friendly
You pick your style.
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It’s empowering
Especially if you’re traveling alone.
If you’re just starting out, don’t overthink it. Camping can be as simple as you want it to be.
Pros & Cons of Every Camp Style
Ground Tent
It’s the traditional choice — but it has pros and cons.
Pros:
- Cheap and easy to buy gear
- Works well at campgrounds
- Ideal for group or large family setups
Cons:
- Takes time to pitch/take down
- Gets cold, noisy, and wet
- Not great in strong winds or early morning rain
- Needs to be dried every morning to prevent mould.
Roof Tent
It looks cool and saves ground space, but…
Pros:
- Off the ground (feels safer)
- Combines with any car
Cons:
- Expensive
- Increases fuel use and is bulky on off-road
- Climbing after a nice, relaxing evening with friends can be unsafe.
- Can’t drive anywhere once you’ve set it up
- Not ideal for windy conditions
- Needs to be dried every morning to prevent mould.
Campervan
Buy or rent a van already set up for travel.
Pros:
- All-in-one living space
- Certified “self-contained” for legal camping in many regions
- Ideal for long trips or working holiday visas
Cons:
- Expensive ($60K–100K+ to buy, $150–300/day to rent)
- Higher running costs (fuel, rego, maintenance)
- Can’t really use it as your daily car
- Feels like a commitment
Car Camping
This is where the world is heading. With products like the Teraglide PRO, you sleep flat in your own car, store gear under the bed, and set up in under a minute.
Pros:
- Lockable = safety
- Weatherproof
- Sleep like on a bed, not across uneven seats
- Travel with kids, a dog, or solo
- Use the car as usual during the day — the platform folds into the trunk
Cons:
- You’ll want curtains or window shades
- You need to find legal overnight spots (see below)
What Makes Car Camping So Easy?
Here’s why more beginners start here:
- It’s discreet. No one sees a big tent or van.
- It’s safe. You lock yourself inside.
- It’s convenient. No setup, just park and sleep.
- It’s tidy. Organise gear under the platform — no more cluttered backseat.
- It works with any car. You don’t need a van or SUV — we custom-fit to your model.
Is It Legal to Sleep in Your Car? Country Guides
Wondering if you can legally sleep in your car? Short answer: almost everywhere, yes — if you do it the right way. We've broken it down country by country so you can plan overnight stops with confidence.
Pick your destination
New Zealand
Yes in approved spots — DOC sites & holiday parks. New self-containment rules for 2025/26.
Read the guide →Australia
Legal in much of the country — councils vary. Rest areas good, tourist towns restricted.
Read the guide →USA
Varies by state & city. BLM land and many rest areas friendly; cities often restricted.
Read the guide →Canada
No federal ban — local bylaws rule. Crown land, campgrounds & many Walmarts work.
Read the guide →Europe
A patchwork — resting OK, camping often not. Germany & Scandinavia relaxed; Portugal strict.
Read the guide →Japan
Strong shachū-haku culture — Michi-no-Eki roadside stations, low-impact one-night stays.
Read the guide →Never slept in your car? Start small.
Try a night on our fitted mattress this weekend — the cheapest way to feel why people love car camping. When you upgrade, we credit its full price toward the LEVEL platform within 30 days. Then you get a flat bed, real storage, and a 60-second setup.
Explore Teraglide platforms →Heads up: rules change and vary by region and municipality. Each guide is general information, not legal advice — always check the latest local rules and signage before you stay overnight. Guides last reviewed June 2026.
🔋 Got an EV? Want to Camp Off-Grid?
If you’ve got an electric car, car camping is even simpler:
- Tesla’s / EV's Camp Mode keeps the climate comfortable overnight. You lose just ~8–20% battery over 8 hours
- EcoFlow power stations help run your lights, charge gadgets, or power a fridge — no fuel, no noise
Want the Easiest Setup?
Teraglide PRO platform is our answer to:
- Wet tents
- Noisy campgrounds
- Sliding off your mattress in the night
You get:
- A flat, slatted sleeping surface (no sags or bumps)
- A full-length drawer with a bamboo table for cooking or storage
- Gas lifts for easy access to your car’s sub-trunk
- A fold-away design so you can use your back seat when you’re not camping sets up in under 1 minute — no tools needed.