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ABOUT 11 PERCENT OF RIVIAN R1T CUSTOMERS OPT FOR $5,000 CAMP KITCHEN

Should That Number Be Higher?

Rivian R1T Camp Kitchen
Photo via Rivian

The Rivian R1S and R1T siblings arrive next year as some of the most exciting offerings in the luxury off-road truck and SUV segment, regardless of the fact that they’re electric. Rivian pushes their “Electric Adventure Vehicle” mantra into everything they do, allowing their vehicles to take full advantage of the packaging benefits of electric vehicles. The more utilitarian R1T pickup has the coolest of all: the Camp Kitchen, a fold out kitchen that comes out of the signature Rivian Gear Tunnel.

Because the batteries are located in the floor, and the motors are on the front and rear axle, the Rivian R1T and R1S are able to have an open compartment running across the vehicle between the cab and rear wheel. As standard, the Gear Tunnel is completely open to fit extra cargo, but buyers can option it with the Camp Kitchen. It takes up the entire tunnel and costs $5,000, but it’s totally worth it in our eyes. Yet, according to data compiled in the Rivian Owners Forum, only about 11 percent of preorder customers have selected the option. The information comes from a spreadsheet where forum members have been adding their vehicle order specs, for both the R1S and R1T.  

Photo via Rivian

The pull out kitchen emerges from the truck as a column, but the real magic happens when you unfold it. On one side, an induction cooktop with two burners folds upwards, eliminating the need to bring propane, and providing more than a campfire to cook on. To the left of the stove is a flat workspace that opens up to reveal a sink, powered by a four gallon water tank. On the rear side of the kitchen, there is a big drawer to store pots and pans, and two smaller drawers for plates, cups and cutlery.

Buyers can also option a full kitchen set from Snow Peak. First, the set adds fitted cork inserts that hold the kitchen gear in place and prevent rattling. For cookware, the set includes nonstick and cast iron pots/pans, prep tools, water kettle, coffee grinder, dishes, flatware and mugs. 

Rivian R1T
Photo via Rivian

The Rivian R1T Camp Kitchen is something no other brand offers until stepping into a full on camper, and if it was our money, we’d want it. But the lack of people ordering the kitchen is likely down to a few factors. First is cost, and even though the R1T starts at $67,500, a $5,000 option is no small number. The bigger issue might be that owners value the storage space of the Gear Tunnel more than a $5,000 kitchen. No matter which way they go, the R1T’s packaging is truly special.

Note: a post on the Rivian Owners Forum states 7 percent of orders specced the Camp Kitchen. It appears that statistic takes the entire spreadsheet into account, which includes the both the R1S and R1T. The R1S SUV doesn’t have the Gear Tunnel or Camp Kitchen, but is factored into the amount of orders with the Camp Kitchen, skewing the original 7 percent statistic. By dividing the total R1T orders by the total orders that specced the Camp Kitchen, we arrived at 11 percent. 

Photo via Rivian

Written by Sam Krahn

Sam graduated with a communications Degree from Wayne State University, where he was also a member of the swim team. He's interested to see how new technology will affect the American performance vehicle landscape.

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