After Driving Across America With Tesla FSD, I Want One Thing: A Self-Driving Camper Van

Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) has changed my road trips. After using it in our Cybertruck, I want that kind of driving assistance in a camper van. It still requires me to remain attentive, responsible for the vehicle and ready to take control.

We've spent years crossing the country in camper vans, visiting RV manufacturers and exploring along the way. I love the road, but long hours behind the wheel can leave me too exhausted to enjoy the destination.

Riding as a passenger in Tesla's Cybercab was a separate experience from supervising FSD in our Cybertruck. Together, those experiences got me imagining what a self-driving camper van could mean for RV travel. Tesla has not announced a camper van; this is my idea, not a production vehicle or a promised product.

And after our latest road trip, I'm convinced the RV industry needs to pay attention.

What Tesla FSD Was Like on Our Cross-Country Road Trip

We currently own three Teslas: a Model X, a Model Y and a Cybertruck. So we're certainly no strangers to Tesla technology.

Recently, we traveled from Florida to Indiana, Missouri, Texas and back to Florida in our Cybertruck, using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) for much of the journey.

That trip reinforced something I've been discovering over the past year: FSD makes long-distance travel a completely different experience.

Instead of constantly managing the steering, speed, navigation and traffic, I could focus on supervising the vehicle while it handled much of the driving. And that made a tremendous difference.

I wasn't arriving at every destination feeling like I'd just completed an endurance test. I had more energy to enjoy where we were going.

Of course, FSD (Supervised) still requires the driver to remain attentive and ready to take control. It isn't a fully autonomous system.

But that doesn't diminish how much it has changed driving for me.

Elon Musk has described autonomous driving as being like having your own personal driver. I totally get it now.

Then We Rode in Tesla's Cybercab

While we were in Austin, Lola and I had the opportunity to ride in Tesla's Cybercab. And that was something else entirely.

Unlike our Cybertruck, the Cybercab is designed for a future where a human driver isn't needed. There's no steering wheel, no pedals, and no rearview or side mirrors.

We weren't supervising the driving. We were passengers.

Sitting together as the vehicle navigated Austin traffic, watching the autonomous-driving display and experiencing the ride without either of us behind the wheel was pretty incredible.

And naturally, my mind went straight to camper vans. What if we could eventually travel across the country like that? Not just with a system assisting the driver, but with a vehicle capable of handling the journey on its own?

Watch our Cybercab ride, 'An Hour in Tesla's Cybercab: No Steering Wheel, No Pedals!': Watch Hank and Lola's Tesla Cybercab ride in Austin

Why a Self-Driving Camper Van Could Change RV Travel

Think about how people actually use camper vans. We're not just driving to work or running errands. We're covering hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles to explore the country.

Six-, eight- or ten-hour travel days aren't unusual. And after all those hours behind the wheel, you still have to find your campsite, set up for the night and hopefully have enough energy left to enjoy yourself.

Now imagine a camper van with the kind of advanced driving assistance I've experienced in our Cybertruck. A van that helps manage highway driving, navigation, traffic and the constant decisions that make long-distance travel mentally exhausting.

For solo travelers, older RVers or anyone who finds long drives demanding, that could make a real difference.

And looking further ahead, imagine a truly autonomous camper van where everyone onboard could simply enjoy the journey. That could completely change the RV travel experience.

I've Tried to Share the Idea With Tesla

Here's the thing. I've wanted Tesla to build a van for years.

I even created my own AI-generated concept of a Tesla-inspired camper van and tried to share the idea with Elon Musk on X. I haven't been able to establish a conversation with Tesla about it; the company's future product plans are understandably closely held.

See the Cybervan concept I shared on X: See Hank's personal Cybervan concept on X

Imagine a purpose-built electric van with Tesla's battery technology, charging network, software and advanced driving capabilities.

Give it enough interior height to stand comfortably, room for a bed, bathroom, kitchen and storage, and an electrical system that can also support life inside the camper.

Tesla wouldn't necessarily have to build the entire RV. It could create the vehicle platform and let experienced camper van manufacturers handle the conversions.

Tesla has already unveiled a Robovan concept, although that is not an announced camper van. To me, it shows a larger Tesla vehicle platform isn't an impossible idea.

The RV Industry Has Already Explored Electric Vans

There is real industry interest in electric camper vans. Coachmen RV, a Forest River company, explored the RVEX concept on GM's BrightDrop electric van platform. Following GM's decision to discontinue BrightDrop van production in 2025, Coachmen's plans for that platform were shelved. Coachmen may explore alternatives.

Watch our coverage of the Coachmen RVEX: Watch our Coachmen RVEX electric camper van coverage

I'd love to see an electric van platform that RV manufacturers could use for practical camper van conversions.

Of Course, There Are Challenges

I'm not suggesting a fully autonomous camper van is something we'll see at dealerships tomorrow.

RV weight, vehicle dimensions, range, charging infrastructure and the complexity of driving a larger vehicle all present challenges.

And there's a major difference between supervised driver assistance and a vehicle that can safely operate without a driver. The technology would need to be validated for that vehicle and meet applicable safety and regulatory requirements.

But those are challenges worth solving. Especially when you consider how many people spend a significant part of their vacations just getting from one place to another.

The Future of RV Travel Isn't Just About the RV

On StrangerPalooza, we spend a lot of time talking about camper van bathrooms, batteries, floor plans, storage and all the things that make life inside an RV more comfortable.

But what about the driving experience?

After using FSD on our cross-country trips and riding in the Cybercab, I believe advanced driving technology could become one of the most important improvements to RV travel.

I know some people love driving and wouldn't want to give that up. Others aren't ready to trust the technology. That's fair.

But for me, there's no going back. FSD has made our road trips so much more enjoyable, and I want that experience in a camper van.

I've already imagined what a Tesla camper van could look like. Now I'd love to see someone actually build it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tesla make a self-driving camper van?

No. Tesla does not currently offer a production camper van or RV with autonomous-driving capability. My Cybervan is a personal AI-generated concept, not an official Tesla product. Tesla has shown a Robovan concept, but has not announced a camper van.

Can Tesla Full Self-Driving handle a cross-country road trip?

Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) can assist with steering, navigation, speed and traffic during long-distance travel. We used it for much of our trip from Florida through Indiana, Missouri and Texas before returning home. However, it requires an attentive driver who remains responsible for the vehicle and is ready to take control.

Could camper vans eventually drive themselves?

I believe it's possible, but there's a lot to work through first. A fully autonomous camper van would need technology capable of safely handling a larger, heavier vehicle, along with the necessary testing and regulatory approvals. For now, advanced driver-assistance systems are a more realistic near-term possibility.

What Do You Think?

Would you buy a camper van equipped with Tesla-style Full Self-Driving? Would you trust a fully autonomous camper van to take you across the country someday? Or is being behind the wheel an important part of the adventure?

Let us know what you think. We'd love to hear from you.