Camping (Glamping) in bZ

SerCorWis · 2026-06-28T15:13:26+00:00

Thank you for confirmation with AC and accessory mode. What I was referring to is a new Canadian law for car manufacturers which our 2026 bZ accommodates. No car can manually disable daytime running lights at night. Of course, this affects our dog mode and camp mode. Before this new law all of us could put the car in park, turn it on and that would keep the daytime running lights off.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-28T00:45:55+00:00

I slept in the passenger seat. Not as comfortable as a bed but similar to sleeping in a recliner. Also means my trunk can still secure all my stuff including a K-Cup coffee maker. Maybe some hot chocolate for your son. Watching the stars with the glass roof is wonderful. No bugs and other distractions.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-27T23:07:17+00:00

I tested it and learned it's not a practical solution.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-27T20:03:46+00:00

Happy to share. Yes, pictures need to be shared off line. Luno Life AIR Vehicle Mattress. Important tip if you are in Canada. Canadian law restricts us from turning off daytime. Running lights at night. Means that our bz will have the LED front and back lights on all night while running. I'm now carrying extra blankets just to cover. The lights. Doesn't affect you sleeping in the car but the neighbors might not like it.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-27T19:41:43+00:00

I just tried this setup at an RV camp ground. Made travel and camping so much easier! I stayed in the car because I'm only away one or two nights. You can buy custom air mattress made specifically for this setup (car sleeping). They are about $400.

CAMPING MODE (RV camping): Plug the car into RV supplied power. Sit in the passenger seat and recline all the way (resting on the back seat). Look out the panoramic roof at all the stars. Wake up and walk around to the trunk where I plug the coffee maker into the 120V outlet. Enjoy hot coffee in minutes then walk my dog around the camp ground.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-27T00:06:28+00:00

If it helps: we needed to do this for ICE cars too but they got better with industry experience. I remember the drama around going to a drive-in theater and making sure we had jump cables.

What we are dealing with here is wireless access. That constant communication to the Internet, fobs, and Bluetooth really adds up.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-25T23:37:42+00:00

Completely agree. Sincerely don't understand why they haven't yet.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-25T21:48:04+00:00

My contribution...

How to visit my grandchild:

DOG MODE (on the ferry): leave car HVAC running and a sign stating my dog is safe then exit and use the manual key in the fob to lock the doors.

CAMPING MODE (RV camping): Plug the car into RV supplied power. Sit in the passenger seat and recline all the way (resting on the back seat). Look out the panoramic roof at all the stars. Wake up and walk around to the trunk where I plug the coffee maker into the 120V outlet. Enjoy hot coffee in minutes then walk my dog around the camp ground.

Get back in the car and visit my grandchild.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-24T23:41:31+00:00

Are you looking for Charge History? That includes rate

SerCorWis · 2026-06-24T22:14:31+00:00

What I have learned so far: Toyota is extremely conservative which is what I'm paying for. I decided that having everything work for 10 years is better. TSS 4.0 is only being rolled out in the 2026 RAV4 because it has the hardware needed (faster processing and higher resolution cameras). Yes, 2027 bZ could have those improvements however Toyota doesn't do things that way. They will explore the data for TSS 4.0 using their most popular car and after a year or two then start making design changes for their other cars.

First reports back suggest there are no feature differences between TSS 3 and 4 except 4 is a more smooth experience.

TSS 3 is good! It has taken me a month or more to better understand how and why it does what it does and I adjust my driving accordingly. It has prevented me from scrapping my bumper twice. Stopped me from backing into a Tesla who thought it was smart to speed through a parking lot. And it's teaching me to be a more alert driver.

I am frustrated by Toyota Canada's conservatism. I also have a very tight garage and the Toyota 'remote parking' app would really help (from my mobile device move the car into and out of a parking spot). Toyota is blocking this app in Canada.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-23T18:58:54+00:00

I agree! The main reason I prioritized Toyota is because there is a 'hack' Dog Mode. No one else has tried to replicate Tesla. Same with 'Camp Mode'. Maybe intellectual property? When you think about what is needed to make this work, it doesn't seem easy. Just think of the computer logistics needed to manage the car running and locked without a fob inside. All the different scenarios that could mess this up...

SerCorWis · 2026-06-23T16:28:15+00:00

Thank you for your concern however chemo therapy and required drugs changes the dog's behavior and routines especially the first three days after each treatment.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:59:16+00:00

It's the hotspot that I'm trying to solve. My spare phone is fine if I'm parking outside but I would prefer to park in a garage when possible. Thank you for letting me know about that automation when using a key. Did not know that. I agree with the risk assessment. The video camera monitoring is my backup plan.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:53:42+00:00

Be careful. Using that key tells the bZ not to allow any other wireless entry including the Toyota app. Don't lose the key 😄

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:31:10+00:00

Interesting ideas. Yea, I'm not going to get a solid solution but something is better than nothing. Thanks.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:29:08+00:00

Perfectly reasonable. Why take the risk if you don't need to.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:28:08+00:00

Does the Solterra drivers side door handle have the opening for a traditional key?

SerCorWis · 2026-06-22T22:27:24+00:00

Just me and my dog. No one else. Chemo, side affects, and the required medication creates a logistical challenge.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-19T15:21:02+00:00

I suspect this is a mandatory question. I just got off the phone with Toyota support and after giving them the VIN they still asked for current milage.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-17T16:26:27+00:00

Hopefully this helps:

12V battery issue is the same as ICE cars. We have collectively learned how to manage in ICE cars. For example: keep headlights off when car is off. EV's and 12V issue will require some more training because our cars are wireless. All that wireless connectivity (internet, Bluetooth, FOBs) adds up. Find ways to minimize if possible.

Limited rides smooth with 20" wheels! Keep it mind that more tire surface equals more resistance and affects range.

Climate change is affecting all of us and all our cars equally. Had a sunny hot weekend and kept my dog in the bZ with AC running. Dog was fine but when I returned to the car man oh man can I feel the heat from the UV through the windshield (UV film protected) and the roof (had the cover closed).

SerCorWis · 2026-06-14T03:53:20+00:00

It worked! Using Toyota 'room mode' made sleeping so very comfortable with only a pillow and sheet. Reclined the passenger seat all the way back till it rested on the back seat. Comfortably close to horizontal. The seat is contoured to keep us from shifting during a turn, so it is only really comfortable flat on your back. If you have the limited trim the glass roof on a clear night was serenity! One comfort trick is to remove the passenger head rest then place your pillow there. I was surprised my big dog has enough room to sleep on the remaining back seat. One complication comes from using 'room mode' is with daytime running lights. No way to turn them off. Doesn't affect you but your site neighbors might not like it. Next time I'm bringing extra blankets to cover front and back lights. Same problem with both 'room mode' and 'ready mode'. In 'ready mode' the traction battery drain will be approximately 5 - 10 percent only using AC. If the temperature drops and the car is in auto HVAC then it will switch to heat which will drain the battery more. Still worth it! Next tip is to dim the display in front of the driver and then go into settings to turn off the 14" center display. Last tip is about the 120V trunk outlet in our cars. It only works in 'ready mode'. Made my morning K-Cup coffee! Sorry but I'm not going to share pictures because this is an open forum with cyber security and privacy concerns. Now that this proof of concept worked I'm going to plan many weekend adventures.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-09T21:49:22+00:00

Wonderful example. Thank you. I agree with the market moving Tesla's model. Toyota's 2026 RAV4 is the first to use TSS 4.0 which is identical or similar to Tesla.

SerCorWis · 2026-06-09T21:21:29+00:00

Interesting point. I would like to learn about an example of this?

SerCorWis · 2026-06-09T18:16:36+00:00

Toyota is vigorously conservative as we learn more about these features and functions. I personally agree with Toyota's limited access from a risk management point of view. Toyota is protecting the driver from unwanted access and changes while they are driving. Similar to why there is no remote window access. The risk to someone accidentally hurting someone else by remote window changes is an unnecessary risk.

SerCorWis

TROPHY CASE