Tesla “Cyberlanding” Made Possible with the MARS™ Cyberlanding Kit
According to Wikipedia, “overlanding” is self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations (usually off-grid and not at a campground). It’s a combination of remote travel and camping, not necessarily off-roading, and it’s a fantastic way to explore the outdoors. Since the pandemic, vehicle-based exploration, or car camping has become incredibly popular and many have embraced the off-gird lifestyle. With the rapid growth in electric vehicles (EVs), the most recent debate is: can you overland or camp with an EV? More specifically, as the futuristic all-electric Tesla Cybertruck ramps up production, is it a good choice for overlanding or car camping?
At Mars, we believe the answer is a resounding yes. While the Tesla Cybertruck is a highly capable all-electric truck with plenty of power, the lack of suitable outdoor accessories could deter enthusiasts. Challenges related to mounting and carrying outdoor gear, or installing a rooftop tent, have been a concern. That is, until MARS™.
Unlock Cybertruck’s Full Potential
Electric camping is fantastic as electric vehicles bring their own power. For example, the 2024 AWD Tesla Cybertruck is equipped with a 122.4 kWh battery and features two AC (120V) outlets (up to 20A) in the cabin, plus three AC outlets (two 120V and one 240V) in the cargo bed. This means you can power virtually everything you need for camping without the need for additional portable batteries.
Beyond power, when it comes to overlanding, camping, or any outdoor adventure, the ability to securely carry large and heavy gear is a top priority. Once everything has its dedicated space and can be stored or mounted securely, the next consideration is the sleeping solution. While it’s easy to simply place an air mattress in the truck bed (which we also offer), this setup is not weatherproof, lacks privacy, and makes the truck bed unusable for storing gear, adding even more hassles for camping.
This is why Mars decided to develop the MARS™ Cyberlanding Kit for overlanding and camping enthusiasts within the Cybertruck community.
MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBAR
First, we identified the essential mounting products we needed to develop. We began with a crossbar system that not only complements the Cybertruck’s design language but is also versatile enough to do more than just load gear on top. Additionally, it is rugged and built to last using black anodized aluminum. After rounds of design iterations and prototyping, we devised a design that allows us to mount aluminum crossbars with large cross sections for stiffness on a machined step piece. The extrusion is then secured in place with a bolt. The bolt ensures the extrusion sits securely in the slot without bearing too much vertical load—the machined CNC piece takes most of the vertical load.
Exposed bolts can be unsightly, and we wanted to avoid that. We designed another machined cover that can be mounted onto this side step with countersunk bolts, giving you a clean, flush look. The final product looks like this when assembled:
Many of you might be wondering: is that necessary? Four bolts just to mount a side cover? The answer lies in making our crossbar system function beyond crossbars. The side cover is designed to be swappable with other products, expanding the functionality of your crossbars. The side cover can be replaced with the MARS™ EXPEDITION SIDE BAR and MARS™ EXPEDITION ACCESSORY MOUNT with many more accessories to come.
MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBAR (ADJUSTABLE)
The launch of the MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBAR was a success. The feedback we received has been phenomenal, and as automotive engineers, nothing makes us happier than seeing people put our products to good use. Mars is essentially a community-driven brand. We believe the best ideas always come from those who use the products, and that spirit pushes us forward to create even better products that enthusiasts will love and want to use daily. Our goal is for people to one day choose the Cybertruck because of the MARS™ ECOSYSTEM.
Based on customer feedback and our everyday use, we’re thrilled to introduce the MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBAR (ADJUSTABLE). This telescoping crossbar continues the seamless, sleek design and is made of the same premium materials. The middle connecting piece is made of powder-coated steel for stiffness, designed to accommodate the Cybertruck’s unusually wide bed mounting points. It’s easy to install and even more versatile without compromising on strength or aesthetics. A single crossbar can now be installed in any of the four locations—over the glass canopy or the truck bed. The choice is yours.
The Evolving MARS™ ECOSYSTEM
With the launch of the MARS™ EXPEDITION LEVEL BAR earlier this month along with the MARS™ EXPEDITION ACCESSORY MOUNT, the MARS™EXPEDITION DITCH LIGHT MOUNT, and the MARS™EXPEDITION TIRE RACK, the MARS™ EXPEDITION SERIES has become the first product line within the MARS™ ECOSYSTEM. The series also includes the The MARS™ EXPEDITION RACK SYSTEM, which creates a leveled platform over the glass canopy. Coming later this month is the unique EXPEDITION RACK (Rear) that integrates with the EXPEDITION RACK (Front) already available, giving enthusiasts more options for their setups.
The MARS™ EXPEDITION RACK SYSTEM isn’t just a rack to load stuff. Traditionally, large racks for pickup trucks are assembled using simple sheet metal panels with exposed bolts and nuts. Tesla has worked hard to maintain the clean silhouette of the Cybertruck, and we should not ruin it. The MARS™ EXPEDITION RACK SYSTEM is crafted from a one-piece, 5-series aluminum without any exposed hardware. This design gives the product an integrated look that complements the Cybertruck’s stainless-steel exterior as if it were meant to be installed and shipped directly from Tesla’s factory in Texas.
MARS™ CYBERLANDING KIT (Truck Bed)
We don’t create products just to sell them. We create products that we want to use and will use every day. Yes, the Mars team has gone on numerous camping trips using Mars gear over the past months. We do this to validate the robustness of our products in real-world settings, and we’re pleased to share the results from our most recent camping trip with you.
We know that many of you have been searching for a good camping solution for your Cybertruck. While there are already some options available (many of which are only “somewhat” available in renders), we feel that these options are either bulky or detract from the Cybertruck’s unique characteristics when installed.
We decided to try mounting a full-size softshell rooftop tent (~145 lbs) using two MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBARs with two MARS™ EXPEDITION LEVEL BARs over the truck bed, and we think it looks much better this way while having good access to the truck bed. We did an off-road trail run near Lake Tahoe this past weekend and camped overnight. The experience was fantastic. We also understand however that many might prefer a tent mounted over the glass canopy for wide-open access to the truck bed. If you’re wondering whether you can pair the MARS™ EXPEDITION LEVEL BARs with the EXPEDITION CROSSBARs over the glass canopy to mount both the tent and the awning, the answer is yes. However, we think you will love our upcoming MARS™ EXPEDITION RACK (Rear), which we believe offers a sleeker setup.
One More Thing….
You might have noticed in the pictures that there’s a cool-looking awning attached to our Cybertruck. Yes, we’ve also developed a custom awning that’s compact, versatile and works seamlessly with the EXPEDITION RACK (Front) or the MARS™ EXPEDITION CROSSBAR + LEVEL BAR combo. The MARS BASECAMP™ AWNING is designed specifically for the Tesla Cybertruck. It takes seconds to deploy and retract, is freestanding, and comes with optional supporting legs and mounting tools for added stability. The awning is available for purchase now, with shipping starting in late August 2024.
Mars Community
Mars is and will always be community-driven. We’d like to invite you enthusiasts to join our community on Discord, where you can interact with us and share your feedback and experiences. We also offer exclusive discounts for Mars products to our community members. We look forward to seeing you there! Don’t forget to also follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
About Mars Adventure Gear
Mars Adventure Gear (MarsAG, or Mars) is a California brand developing premium gear for the adventurous, starting with the Tesla Cybertruck. Founded by a group of overlanding enthusiasts and avid campers who happen to be automotive engineers, Mars is committed to becoming the leading brand for vehicle-based exploration. Learn more at marsag.com
MEDIA INQUIRY: marketing@marsag.co
Disclaimer
According to Tesla’s user manual and public information, the maximum load on roof racks is 220 lbs per 2-crossbar set. While Tesla didn’t specify whether this 220 lbs limitation is dynamic or static, given the capabilities of the vehicle, we want to believe the 220 lbs capacity is dynamic. However, the choice and liabilities are yours. Mars is not responsible for any damages to your vehicle due to inappropriate usage or installed accessories. For reference, the Rivian R1S has a dynamic load limit of 250 lbs and a static load limit of 790 lbs.