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When I first picked up the Zeekr 7X, I knew it was going to be an incredible daily driver, but I was itching to test its limits. So, I packed up my gear, threw a tent in the boot, and set off for a coastal getaway to Wallaroo, staying almost right on the water at the Wallaroo Holiday Park.
The verdict? Camping in the 7X was an absolute blast. Here is a breakdown of how the trip went, a few key learnings about the car’s power modes, and what’s next on our radar.
Ditching Fuel Bills & Caravan Hassles
With current fuel prices, towing a heavy caravan around can easily make a simple weekend escape eye-wateringly expensive. In comparison, camping in an EV is practically dirt cheap and ridiculously easy.
Because I booked a powered campsite at Wallaroo Holiday Park, I simply plugged in the standard slow charger provided with the Zeekr while we settled in. Thanks to that overnight trickle-charge, I didn’t even need to stop at a public fast charger for the entire trip!
The Kmart SUV Tent Fit Perfectly
I had already picked up a budget-friendly Kmart SUV Tent to attach to the back tailgate. Despite my self-admitted lack of tent-pitching skills, setup took only about half an hour, and to my delight, it fitted the 7X like a glove. The rear hatch opened seamlessly into the living space, creating a connected shelter right off the back of the car.
The weather in Wallaroo turned out to be really pleasant overall, save for a bit of heavy coastal wind at night. Fortunately, sleeping inside the EV was a dream – the Zeekr’s soundproofing and insulation kept everything nice and quiet despite the large gusts outside.
The Bed Setup: Testing the Anaconda Double Air Mattress
For sleeping inside the car, I brought a standard double air mattress from Anaconda. While it got the job done for the weekend, it wasn’t a perfect match – it was a bit too wide for the interior and lacked proper support past the folded-down rear seats. I’ll soon be seeking out a custom mattress specifically tailored for the Zeekr 7X with proper side cutouts and contoured support, but for a quick test run, the Anaconda airbed still gave us a comfortable night’s sleep!
Climate Control & Battery Usage
One of the absolute best perks of EV camping is running full air conditioning all night without having an engine idling or smelling exhaust fumes.
Over the course of the night with the aircon humming away continuously, the 7X used only about 6-7% of the battery. Sleeping in total temperature-controlled comfort with minimal drain made camping so much more comfortable. I see why Stan calls it Hotel Zeekr now!
This will be amazing if camping during Summer!
Late Night Cinema: Movies via Plex
Before calling it a night, kicking back in the back of the 7X to watch a movie was the ultimate cozy touch. Streamed directly using Plex on the Zeekr’s screen, it felt like having a private portable movie theater attached to the tent.
Pro Tip: How the 12V Outlet ACTUALLY Works
During the trip, I discovered an important quirk regarding the 12V power supply in the 7X boot:
- Driving Normally: The 12V outlet stays active.
- Car Sleeping: When the car goes into deep sleep mode, the 12V power shuts off completely.
- Staying Powered at Camp: To keep the 12V socket live while parked to power accessories, you must engage either Camping Mode or Parking Comfort Mode.
Once Camping Mode was toggled on, everything stayed continuously powered without a hitch.
Also, I will also add that the boot lights do stop functioning in Camp Mode!
Turning Heads at the Campsite
Unsurprisingly, the Zeekr drew a fair bit of attention at the holiday park. I had plenty of curious campers wander over to ask what it was actually like camping in the back of an EV. People were genuinely impressed by how quiet, practical, and comfortable the setup was.
What’s Next?
This first trip to Wallaroo was a complete success, and I’m already planning the next outdoor adventure: a camping trip up to Mt Crawford with my Maremma Sheepdog, Walter!
Have you taken your EV camping yet? Let me know your questions, favorite gear or tips with a comment below!
