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Post by BoxGods on Nov 25, 2022 20:54:36 GMT
With Rivian (rightly in my opinion) postponing their slide out camp kitchen indefinitely while they focus on ramping up vehicle production, I figured it was time to get going on the project myself. It's obviously not as fancy as Rivian's and it doesn't come with titanium pots and pans etc., but it's a very clean, simple design with a powder coated all aluminum structure for high strength, light weight, and excellent all weather durability. IOW no "camper smell" or wood structure to rot away.
I opted for a stationary cooktop layout as it provides better protection for the cooktop while eliminating all the finicky little finger pinching braces and reduces complexity, parts count, weight, and costs. The sink is also stationary so that it can be insulated and serve double duty as a "day cooler" ice chest with 24 hour ice holding. It also allows you to store items in the sink while it is not in use.
The slide rail also allows for use from either side of the vehicle.
The first run price target is $1,800 and we will need at least 50 group members interested to move ahead with the project. Subsequent runs will be priced at $2,100
To get on the sign-up list, please click here. When we reach the minimum number needed to start production, those signed up will be notified to place their reservation, and final pricing will be locked in.
Please let me know if you have any questions, features you would like to see, or comments. To keep costs down we don't do any marketing so any help you can give spreading the word on Redit, FaceBook, etc. would be most appreciated.                    
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 25, 2022 21:02:53 GMT
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 25, 2022 21:12:28 GMT
There will also be a simple slide out bin tray available separately. If you already have the rail installed in your truck for the camp kitchen this can be used on the same rail.
All aluminum construction and can be accessed from either side of the vehicle.
The price target is $350 - $450 depending on if you need the slide rail or not. This may increase / decrease depending on what options the group wants to add to the project. My personal preference is to keep it as a simple utility tray with 2 to 4 movable dividers so you can use it for grocery bags and 5 gallon buckets.      
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Post by lorenvorreiter on Nov 26, 2022 16:10:32 GMT
How will slide rails be attached? or are you assuming this is added on top of Gear Shuttle?
And can you comment on how easily it can be removed
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Post by eyesore on Nov 26, 2022 20:14:30 GMT
Very interested in the slide out tray and rails. I'm good with the simple dividable tray idea.
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Post by beezlee on Nov 27, 2022 2:22:32 GMT
What would be the weight capacity of the slide out tray? (ie fully extended)
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Post by Swimmerdog on Nov 27, 2022 7:16:15 GMT
This sounds really interesting. We are waiting on a MaxPack R1T, not sure if that makes a difference for you since we won't have our truck until sometime in 2024.
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 27, 2022 11:28:53 GMT
How will slide rails be attached? or are you assuming this is added on top of Gear Shuttle? And can you comment on how easily it can be removed
The rail mounts directly to those holes to be as compact as possible--so no gear shuttle required.
Regarding installation and removal, "easily" is a relative term obviously as everyone has different skill sets and physical builds. There are also two components involved--the slide rail and the slide out kitchen, (or the slide out gear tray if you're using that) and each has its own considerations so I will address both.
As a reference I am 6 feet tall 200 pounds and very comfortable with tools so mounting the rail myself would not be a problem.
Slide Rail:
There are no modifications required to the truck beyond accessing the bolt holes. Required tools are a socket wrench and socket. I think most people would be able to mount the rail without too much difficulty provided they still have good mobility and can bend / reach into the gear tunnel. I also think most people would leave the slide rail installed full time as it can be used with the kitchen or the slide tray. Even if you opt for just the kitchen and want to remove it between trips the rail is not that obtrusive space wise. My guess is that 90% of people getting the camp kitchen that intend to remove it between trips or in the off season will also get the slide out tray because it is so useful it would almost be silly not too.
Camp Kitchen:
There are no tools required but I will mention a few that might be helpful. The kitchen is 64" long and our target weight is 80 pounds. Too long and heavy for one person but manageable for two if they are reasonably fit. There are good solid "real" handles on each end that will help a lot when moving the kitchen around outside the truck. You can lighten it slightly by removing the drawer, baskets, and the sink and utility bay covers. You can reduce the weight a further 20 lbs or so by removing the fold out drawer base, but that will require removing the screws from the 4 hinges--8 screws in total--with a hex wrench.
As an option, you can leave everything assembled and use a small cart or lift table. This method would make it possible for one person to install / remove the kitchen in a fairly easy 10 minutes. If there is sufficient interest from the group I can include a custom garage cart for probably $150 - $175 that could be used to install / remove the kitchen and to store it on between uses.
A lift table is another good option, link below. If you have never used one of these, they are amazingly useful. There is a foot lever you pump to hydraulically lift the table to the exact height you want, and a valve to lower it. Basically you push the cart up next to the truck, slide the kitchen out part way, use the foot pedal to raise the table to the right height, then slide the kitchen out onto the table. Once you have the kitchen centered on the table you wheel it into the garage, lower it all the way down, and it is stored. To install you just repeat the steps in reverse.
www.harborfreight.com/500-lb-capacity-hydraulic-table-cart-61405.html
Slide Tray:
The tray is also 64" long but much lighter--about 20 lbs empty. It is about 13" wide and 6" tall. Fairly easily managed by one person provided it is not loaded up with stuff. If it is loaded up two people should not have any trouble as there are good handles on each end.
Hopefully that answers your questions, if not let me know =)
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 27, 2022 12:59:50 GMT
What would be the weight capacity of the slide out tray? (ie fully extended)
In the dimension illustration below the red boxed areas are the section that would remain inside the tunnel under normal use. The left box is what would remain inside the tunnel when you have the tray slid out the drivers side, and the right box is what would remain inside the tunnel when the tray is slid out the passenger side. The red boxes are approximately 18 inches of the 64 inch tray length.
I am saying approximately because where the weight is distributed in the tray will have some bearing on slide out distance. As an example, If the load limit is 200 lbs and you have the weight fairly evenly distributed along the entire tray then you will be able to slide the tray out farther than you could if you had 75% of the weight out on one end. I realize this is basic physics / common sense stuff--sorry for the over explanation--I just want to make sure everyone understands.
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 27, 2022 13:06:43 GMT
This sounds really interesting. We are waiting on a MaxPack R1T, not sure if that makes a difference for you since we won't have our truck until sometime in 2024.
Sadly I too am in the 2024 group. On the plus side my buddy Jeff just got his guide and is 3 steps into the 8 step process for his launch green R1S. Weirdly I am almost as excited as he is. |
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Post by lorenvorreiter on Nov 27, 2022 14:50:52 GMT
Great installation explanation. Thanks. Have you considered the kitchen cantilevered support stand to be a fold-out mechanism instead of a separate loose pole mount? Could fold out from the bottom of the kitchen base. Would alleviate having a separate pole/stand to store somewhere
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 27, 2022 17:30:30 GMT
Great installation explanation. Thanks. Have you considered the kitchen cantilevered support stand to be a fold-out mechanism instead of a separate loose pole mount? Could fold out from the bottom of the kitchen base. Would alleviate having a separate pole/stand to store somewhere
Thanks =)
I did consider it. I'm not a fan of crawling around under things trying to pull out supports or of finger pinching braces. A fold out support is also not as easily adjusted for height if the trucks suspension is set higher or lower, or if the terrain is uneven. A fold out support also takes up space--in the really difficult Z axis--my point being it doesn't get a pass on storage space.
The current design also supports a folding umbrella as shown, or a pole mounted Citronella mosquito repellent tiki-torch, or a pole mounted rechargeable camp light, a clamp on trash bag holder, etc.
I'm not sure if it is obvious from the pictures, but the support leg is in a clamp that is tightened or loosened by turning the main handle. So when you are sliding the kitchen out, or when you need to make a height adjustment you can lift up a little with the handle, rotate it for the support leg to slide, then rotate again to tighten. It is almost a single handed operation.
The leg comes apart into 3 pieces and fits in a cloth bag. It can easily be stowed in the sink or utility compartment.
Lastly, I wanted the camp kitchen to also be usable as a free standing unit away from the truck. Whether that is just rotated 90 degrees running parallel right next to the truck for better traffic, or in the backyard or park for a birthday party. Being able to easily mount support legs on both ends allows for that.
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Post by jmag on Nov 28, 2022 1:29:10 GMT
Are you keeping a running tally of number of people who have opted in? That might motivate us to reach out to other Rivian owners to get them to sign up.
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 28, 2022 2:10:09 GMT
Are you keeping a running tally of number of people who have opted in? That might motivate us to reach out to other Rivian owners to get them to sign up. Sure. It is on the top of the main page in the new ticker...or is that a chyron? See the image below, (those are not current numbers).  |
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Post by scott on Nov 28, 2022 20:48:18 GMT
Very interesting!
Two questions for now:
1) Is the sink basically just a tub to hold water? ie. is there any water storage/faucet/spray nozzle included in the design like the Rivian?
2) Is the stove type induction?
Thanks!
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