Person relaxing inside a Tesla Model Y on a Teraglide camping platform, reading a book and showing the headroom above the bed under the glass roof

Will I Have Enough Space Above My Head?

This is one of the most common questions we get from Tesla campers: Will the space above my head feel comfortable enough?

The honest answer is: it depends on the setup you choose, your height, and your mattress thickness. Some people want more air above them. Others want a deeper drawer and more storage underneath the bed. That’s why we offer different platform heights.

In a Tesla Model Y, the glass roof helps the cabin feel more open than many other cars. Tesla’s own interior dimensions show generous headroom front and rear, which is one reason the Model Y works so well for car camping. See Tesla Model Y interior dimensions here.

Our headroom guide for Tesla Model Y

Here is a simple way to picture the difference between our main platform heights:

  • CORE — 14 cm / 5.6 in platform height → 28 in to the sunroof
  • PRO Low — 20 cm / 8 in platform height → 26 in to the sunroof
  • PRO Standard — 25 cm / 10 in platform height → 24 in to the sunroof

So the choice is not really “good vs bad”. It is more like this:

  • CORE = the most headroom
  • PRO Low = the best balance between headroom and storage
  • PRO Standard = the most storage underneath

What changes when the platform is lower?

A lower platform gives you more room above the mattress, which usually means:

  • it feels easier to sit up inside the car
  • changing clothes is more comfortable
  • the cabin feels lighter and less enclosed
  • it works especially well if you read, relax, or spend time inside the car during bad weather

The trade-off is that the drawer or storage bay underneath is a bit smaller. It still fits cooking gear, water, soft bags, and general camping equipment — just not as much as the taller setup.

What changes when the platform is higher?

A higher platform gives you more usable storage underneath the bed, which is great if you want:

  • a deeper drawer
  • larger storage boxes
  • more cooking gear under the bed
  • extra room for power stations, water, or road-trip essentials

The trade-off is that you lose some space above your head. Many Tesla owners still find it comfortable because of the glass roof and the open feel of the Model Y, but the higher setup is more about organized travel and storage efficiency than maximum sitting space.

How to know if the headroom is right for you

A few simple things help you decide:

  • Your height matters. If you are taller and like sitting upright in bed, the lower setup is usually the safer choice.
  • Your mattress matters too. A thicker mattress feels softer, but it also eats into headroom. REI’s advice on sleeping pads is a good reminder that thickness and support should be balanced, not just maximized. See REI’s sleeping pad guide.
  • Your camping style matters. If you mostly sleep and then get outside, a taller platform with more storage often makes sense. If you like reading, changing clothes, working on a laptop, or spending time inside the car, extra headroom is usually worth it.
  • Your gear matters. If you carry more cooking gear, larger boxes, or want a cleaner “everything under the bed” setup, the standard height can be the better long-trip choice.

Frequently asked question: Will I have enough space above my head?

In most cases, yes. But the best option depends on what feels more important to you:

  • If you want more space above you: choose CORE
  • If you want a balanced setup: choose PRO Low
  • If you want more storage below you: choose PRO Standard

Another important point: a Tesla’s interior usually feels more open than the numbers suggest because of the glass roof. So even when the platform is higher, many people still feel comfortable sleeping inside.

What we usually recommend

  • Choose CORE if headroom is your top priority.
  • Choose PRO Low if you want a great all-round setup for sleeping and storage.
  • Choose PRO Standard if you travel with more gear and want the biggest storage benefit underneath.

If you want to see how quickly the platform works in real life, read: Effortless Car Camping: Set Up Your Teraglide Platform in Minutes.

If you want more help with sleep comfort, mattress choice, and nighttime setup, these are also useful:

And if you’re ready to compare actual platform options, start here: Teraglide PRO Camping Platform or browse all Teraglide car camping platforms and beds.

In short: more headroom or more storage — both work well. The best setup is the one that matches how you actually travel.

ブログに戻る