|
Post by BoxGods on Jan 19, 2024 8:03:52 GMT
This is all GREAT news! Thanks for the detailed feedback. I understand there are likely to be some limitations in full utilization of the Camp Kitchen in a use case like mine. That I can easily accept! I will fabricate and/or design around the limitations as needed. Just want to maximize, as you said, the ‘secondary use’ as much as possible. I plan to fabricate around your ‘drop-in’ design criteria so that moving the camp kitchen components into the ADU is an easy switch. Ideally it would ‘disappear/blend-into’ the design of the ADU kitchen such that when out of the truck it is not even particularly noticeable as a separate part of the ADU kitchen. In my case I will likely install a separate full size sink and faucet, full size fridge, microwave/toaster oven, and additional kitchen storage and counter space. HVAC, water heater, and other infrastructure components will be factored in, and if any connect/disconnect plumbing (supply or drain) and power (including 20 amp service) connections are necessary to fully utilize the built in portions of the camp kitchen, I will make that happen. As much as anything, I get a place to easily store the camp kitchen when I want to use the gear tunnel for other purposes. All your comments were helpful. The only surprise was: “There are 18" drawers that slide out BOTH ends”. Again, I will work around whatever I need to, but trying to picture the design. Was this feature based on the decision to allow the gear sled to be pulled from either side of the truck? Even as you’ve discussed the dual slide feature, I probably had a mental block thinking about how that might work with the camp kitchen. I assumed the camp kitchen would always be pulled from the driver’s side… but are you saying the camp kitchen can be pulled from either side? If so, great… just never occurred to me! Again, thanks so much for all your design work and effort. This is going to be great! Technically / physically / mechanically the CK can slide out either side of the truck. That said there ARE some limitations that would likely make it less practical slid out the left / drivers side, mostly related to how the fold out counter works. I am looking at it as 3 use states when installed. It will depend on how each person camps and how long camping season is in their area--and of course everyone is different: 1. Fast camp mode. This is the slide out kitchen without the fold out counter installed. Think pick-nicks, weekend camping, beach days and the like. It could also be useful for longer trips that are "camp and move" where you only spend a single night at each location and then continue on. Because the fold out isn't installed you can slide the kitchen out either side--the right / passenger side is still maybe a little better as the cooktop is farther from the truck--thinking grease splatter etc. Still useful if you're arriving at your campsite late and don't have a lot of time to position your truck perfectly. Think right is optimal--left in a pinch. 2. Long duration or pack horse mode. Longer trips where you set up and stay for a while. Also useful if you have more people in your group. This is the slide out kitchen WITH the fold out counter installed. You would likely take the time to position your truck so the kitchen slides out the right side. 3. Between trips but still in season. This is where having a drawer on either end pays off as the gear tunnel can still be useful from either side for non camping use. Obviously not as useful as the regular utility tray. I think the swap between utility tray and camp kitchen will be simple / fast enough that 2 people could do it in 20 minutes once they had done it a few times. That depends on the couple of course and how much stuff you have piled in the utility tray. Each divider in the utility tray has four M6 socket head cap screws so about a minute per divider with a small cordless driver. The end caps also have four M6 screws so two end caps and two dividers is about 4 minutes. The kitchen will have two removable handles on each side (tool free) for easy carrying by two people. My goal is 70 lbs or less so each person would only need to be able to lift 35 lbs. Key word there is "goal". Four M4 screws on each end, and four in the middle so 12 total. M6 is basically a 1/4" screw so larger and more easily handled. Say 5 minutes. The goal is to have the power connect when you put the kitchen in the utility tray so you will need to swap out the outlets for transfer blocks--maybe 5 minutes for those. The first 2 or 3 times will take longer as you figure things out, but I do think 20 minutes is doable. That's if your organized and remember where you put the cordless driver, the transfer blocks, etc. Might be more realistic to say 30 minutes and not be stressed. This is also where I remind everyone that these are my best estimates running through the process in 3D space on my computer...grain of salt and all that.
|
|
|
Post by phatdaddy on Jan 19, 2024 19:47:06 GMT
Thanks for the additional details. BTW, don’t prioritize responding to my questions over the actual effort to bring this dream to reality… I’m sure my questions will get answered in due time as things firm up. That said, I once again find myself intrigued by your design thinking on several points. The default (or ‘optimal’) slide out direction being the right side… which was not the default of the original slide out direction in the Rivian prototype. Any particular reason? I understand the idea of moving the cooking surface away from the vehicle. I assume the CK will have an orientation in which it must be installed (not user selectable) in the gear tunnel, and that will determine where the various CK components are located.
More interesting, the concept of making a fold-out countertop a user-selectable option - a configuration that can be decided on based on particular uses planned on a given day. That seems like a great idea, and if previously mentioned, I totally missed it. I assume the optional fold out section, if installed for a particular trip, would likely be stored in the gear tunnel in an inverted fashion… resting on the top of the lower components, then flipped ‘open/extended’ along one of the long edges? Are you thinking folding out toward the rear of the truck, away from the front door (so getting to the front seat is still an option with the CK deployed)? And how would the two sections be connected? Hinge pins of some type?
Per my particular use case (primary use in the truck, and secondary use as my ADU ‘kitchenette’) would it seem that using the CK folded out would still be an option? And If a particular trip did not call for the optional fold-out component to be installed in the gear tunnel, can you imagine that I would be able to fabricate a way for the ‘fold-out piece’ to remain affixed to my wall/counter/cabinet in the ADU? Otherwise, could the fold-out section still be stored flat/level in some fashion when detached from the CK lower ‘base’?
This is all VERY slick. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Jan 20, 2024 4:48:02 GMT
Thanks for the additional details. BTW, don’t prioritize responding to my questions over the actual effort to bring this dream to reality… I’m sure my questions will get answered in due time as things firm up. That said, I once again find myself intrigued by your design thinking on several points. The default (or ‘optimal’) slide out direction being the right side… which was not the default of the original slide out direction in the Rivian prototype. Any particular reason? I understand the idea of moving the cooking surface away from the vehicle. I assume the CK will have an orientation in which it must be installed (not user selectable) in the gear tunnel, and that will determine where the various CK components are located. More interesting, the concept of making a fold-out countertop a user-selectable option - a configuration that can be decided on based on particular uses planned on a given day. That seems like a great idea, and if previously mentioned, I totally missed it. I assume the optional fold out section, if installed for a particular trip, would likely be stored in the gear tunnel in an inverted fashion… resting on the top of the lower components, then flipped ‘open/extended’ along one of the long edges? Are you thinking folding out toward the rear of the truck, away from the front door (so getting to the front seat is still an option with the CK deployed)? And how would the two sections be connected? Hinge pins of some type? Per my particular use case (primary use in the truck, and secondary use as my ADU ‘kitchenette’) would it seem that using the CK folded out would still be an option? And If a particular trip did not call for the optional fold-out component to be installed in the gear tunnel, can you imagine that I would be able to fabricate a way for the ‘fold-out piece’ to remain affixed to my wall/counter/cabinet in the ADU? Otherwise, could the fold-out section still be stored flat/level in some fashion when detached from the CK lower ‘base’? This is all VERY slick. Thanks! No worries on my time. These projects tend to be a stretch of frenzied activity followed by long period of waiting for quotes or updates from others, rinse and repeat. AFAIK the kitchen has always been on the right / passenger side of the truck? I was always trained that in a vehicle, boat, or aircraft, left/right or port/starboard are determined when facing the front/bow, aka the drivers seat or inside the vehicle. The designation is set and does not change if you're facing the vehicle/boat/aircraft from a different direction. IOW the bow is always the bow, forward is always forward, so left/port is always left/port. Correct on the installation orientation as the gear tunnel is not symmetrical. Yes the fold out countertop will open rearward. If it folded forward it would block the rear passenger door. The fold out is removable via 2 screws on each hinge so 6 or 8 screws. The hinges are flush / recessed so there are caps that are screwed back in to keep everything clean and pleasing to look at. You would leave the fold out at home--that way you have the space above the kitchen available to store other things. Your question brings up an interesting option for your ADU use. Nothing says you have to have the fold out counter attached to the kitchen. You could have the kitchen in one location and the fold out in another--and preserve it's fold out hinges. Down for use, up when you need the space--very helpful in a tiny house maybe?
|
|
|
Post by phatdaddy on Jan 20, 2024 5:10:16 GMT
Ohh… yeah… I like that (possible separate locations for the two camp kitchen (CK) components when used out of the vehicle). That might allow flexibility for my layout, or if I only have room for one section in my kitchen space. Does your design as it stands leave some portion of the CK within the gear tunnel when fully deployed, so as to balance the cantilever? Perhaps not since I know originally you were planning on a leg (or umbrella pole?) for additional support. Since I have your (awesome design!j frunk water tank, I didn’t imagine really needing a water hookup for the CK, but I suppose if there is a sink, that only makes sense, and especially for those who didn’t purchase the frunk tank. So is an auxiliary tank of some kind planned for the CK space? Would love to see some drawings and dimensions once you feel comfortable sharing so I can start incorporating into my ADU plans. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Jan 20, 2024 6:52:58 GMT
Ohh… yeah… I like that (possible separate locations for the two camp kitchen (CK) components when used out of the vehicle). That might allow flexibility for my layout, or if I only have room for one section in my kitchen space. Does your design as it stands leave some portion of the CK within the gear tunnel when fully deployed, so as to balance the cantilever? Perhaps not since I know originally you were planning on a leg (or umbrella pole?) for additional support. Since I have your (awesome design!j frunk water tank, I didn’t imagine really needing a water hookup for the CK, but I suppose if there is a sink, that only makes sense, and especially for those who didn’t purchase the frunk tank. So is an auxiliary tank of some kind planned for the CK space? Would love to see some drawings and dimensions once you feel comfortable sharing so I can start incorporating into my ADU plans. Thanks. I'm REALLY hesitant to put a water storage tank inside the camp kitchen. From an efficiency perspective it just doesn't make much sense and the frunk tank is the far more practical option. The skeptical will think I am just trying to sell you the frunk tank, and they would be 100% correct. Economics is a good way to highlight efficiency so I like real estate as an analogy for this. You can think of the Gear Tunnel as very expensive prime real estate and the bottom of the frunk under the cargo shelf as very inexpensive property in an industrial park. The prices of the Camp kitchen and the frunk tank reflect this. So 2.5 gallons in the camp kitchen works out to roughly 1/3rd of the available space which means you're essentially spending $250 - $300 per gallon for water storage. In the frunk you're paying about 1/10th that or $30 per gallon. In the frunk it's easier to install/uninstall, easier to fill, easier to use for lots of other purposes that don't require the kitchen to be installed, and it's 12 gallons--almost 5 x the capacity. The frunk has a drain built in so any spillage or leaks are a non issue. It's flat out silly to waste that space in the camp kitchen for water.
|
|
|
Post by phatdaddy on Jan 22, 2024 3:17:14 GMT
No argument here.
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Feb 4, 2024 0:54:29 GMT
Progressing on the Camp Kitchen design while I wait for all the quotes to come back for the Utility tray parts. This is NOT the final color scheme--I colored the different elements so they would be more obvious. Nobody panic about the colors. once everything is locked in I will make renders in several different color schemes and the group can vote. Most of this is the structural elements for the cabinet carcass and the drawers--not very exciting to look at (yet). You can also get a sense of how the Camp Kitchen will drop into the slide out utility tray for easy install / uninstall. Everything shown is aluminum and so far we;re on track to come in under 70 - 75 pounds. Less if you pull the drawers first of course. Again, this is just the structural stuff. It will look a lot different once the counter top, cook top, sink, etc. are on. As always questions are welcome.
|
|
|
Post by phatdaddy on Feb 4, 2024 2:56:54 GMT
Thanks for the update. I know in an earlier post you said “3. Between trips but still in season. This is where having a drawer on either end pays off as the gear tunnel can still be useful from either side for non camping use. Obviously not as useful as the regular utility tray.” But in standard Camp Kitchen mode, depending upon to which side the kitchen is slid out, one of the drawers will always be inaccessible, right? At least as long as the kitchen is extended? Am I understanding this correctly? I realize it would complicate the design, but was there a consideration for having the drawer closest to the truck (assume CK pulled out from passenger side) extend forward so that it would still be accessible? Obviously that drawer would be fully accessible when the CK is extended the opposite direction (to drivers side), but then the other drawer becomes unusable. Am I understanding the design correctly?
|
|
|
Post by citiz3nfiv3 on Feb 14, 2024 23:42:22 GMT
What will go in the middle section? I liked Rivian's and Thunderbolt's kitchen because it had space for a DometicGO water tank. It's also modular so you can have only one section in. I chatted with an owner of the Thunderbolt kitchen and he said he really missed the storage space. He currently only has the cooking modual installed so he can cook, but still have storage space. Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Feb 16, 2024 2:37:43 GMT
What will go in the middle section? I liked Rivian's and Thunderbolt's kitchen because it had space for a DometicGO water tank. It's also modular so you can have only one section in. I chatted with an owner of the Thunderbolt kitchen and he said he really missed the storage space. He currently only has the cooking modual installed so he can cook, but still have storage space. Thoughts? Currently the sink is in the center section. It can still be used for storage of course.
|
|
|
Post by zac on Feb 22, 2024 7:27:51 GMT
Do you have any updated schematics showing the entire camp kitchen, including the "structural stuff" and the counter top, cook top, sink, etc.? I'd love to see where we stand with the current design.
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Feb 22, 2024 12:01:24 GMT
Do you have any updated schematics showing the entire camp kitchen, including the "structural stuff" and the counter top, cook top, sink, etc.? I'd love to see where we stand with the current design. I'm pretty deep into the Utility Tray and Camp Kitchen right now. As we gear up for production on the Utility Tray there have been little changes and those "knock on" to the Camp Kitchen as it is designed to drop directly into the Utility Tray for quick installation. So every time there is a change to the Utility Tray I have to incorporate those changes into the Camp Kitchen. I will be posting some renders pretty soon here. Seven to 10 days. Almost there =)
|
|
|
Post by zac on Mar 25, 2024 5:41:32 GMT
Any updates for us? Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by BoxGods on Mar 25, 2024 18:49:41 GMT
Any updates for us? Thanks! We're still making small last minute changes to the slide out utility tray--it's on its second (and hopefully last) production prototype. I mention the utility tray because the camp kitchen is a drop-in for the utility tray to speed up swapping the camp kitchen in/out. I can't finalize the camp kitchen design and start prototyping it until the utility tray is 100% set. It's slightly complicated as there are several systems that have to pass through from the utility tray to the camp kitchen like power and the sink drain as two examples. I'm going as fast as I can without cutting corners. Fast is good but correct is better =) Just to be clear I'm not waiting to start the camp kitchen design. Most of it is done and I'm making changes real time as they happen on the utility tray. Once the utility tray is locked in production prototyping on the kitchen will start almost immediately.
|
|
|
Post by phatdaddy on Mar 26, 2024 3:30:10 GMT
Thanks for the update and progress news. Spring is here… camping is calling…
|
|