ʞ [=0===0] k Projects: Slide Out Camp Kitchen / Slide Out Bin Tray

[BoxGods]

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

For more information on the project you can visit the project page here. 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 for the group 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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[BoxGods]

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.

I know one of the first questions will be about the dimensions so here you go =)

 

[Lysdexic]

Very intriguing. I don’t think i would be in the market for the kitchen but the shuttle for sure!

Any consideration to make the tray shallower and wider? More compliant to the shape of the gear tunnel? Heck, it could be almost flat but very tigh to the tunnel walls to minimize stuff falling underneath.

 

[BoxGods]

Very intriguing. I don’t think i would be in the market for the kitchen but the shuttle for sure!

Any consideration to make the tray shallower and wider? More compliant to the shape of the gear tunnel? Heck, it could be almost flat but very tigh to the tunnel walls to minimize stuff falling underneath.

You can sign up for the tray at the same link. Just put "Utility Tray" in the subject.

There are several types of trays or slide outs we could potentially end up doing. A variant for riffles, one with drawers, a lock box, etc.

As for tighter to the tunnel walls. You are more limited by the door opening than the internal walls. Then when you consider the very irregular shape it limits your vertical.

My first inclination was for a "utility tray" about 25-30mm tall with a flat surface almost like a plank with the thinking being that less structure would make it more versatile.

But having stared at that shape for many many hours now and working through the most common use cases I don't think a flat surface is the most practical--again because of the weird tilt to the tunnel limiting the vertical so much. At the same time I didn't go crazy with the wall height either so you get the best of both worlds. All of the width at the base balanced with walls tall enough to keep most items inside the tray but not preventing the occasional taller but narrower item.

Utility is a tough word as the use cases for each person will vary. As an example, my wife would use it mostly for grocery bags which would not work on a flat tray--the 5" walls keep everything in place. I keep my tools in buckets so walls are helpful to keep them from shifting around but any taller than 5" and getting them in/out would not be practical.

So short answer. I think a wide tray that is mindful of the vertical restraints imposed by the irregular shape, that has walls in the 5 to 6 inch range is the best all--round solution for the biggest group of people doing day to day stuff.

Side note. Aluminum is easily cut on a table saw so it would not be hard to cut the walls down, cut a 1/2" plywood base that rests on the flats of the slide rail pockets, and screw into the plywood from the front and back face. I will draw it up for you if my written explanatin is not clear enough.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I’m in for the utilities tray as well

 

[popoga]

Anything you can say about the weight carrying properties of the tray? When I think aluminum I don't generally think resilience and tensile strength, but I'm no expert and don't necessarily have the right intuition for this sort of thing.

 

[BoxGods]

Anything you can say about the weight carrying properties of the tray? When I think aluminum I don't generally think resilience and tensile strength, but I'm no expert and don't necessarily have the right intuition for this sort of thing.

I've never met a farmer without good intuition. Do they even make those?

T6 temper 6061 has an ultimate tensile strength of 42,000 psi or 290 MPa. Plywood has an MPa tensile strength of about 30. Those numbers are not all that useful without context of course. It might be easier think of it as the last time you traveled in a wooden airplane =)

Yes aluminum is a very good choice.

 

[BoxGods]

Very intriguing. I don’t think i would be in the market for the kitchen but the shuttle for sure!

Any consideration to make the tray shallower and wider? More compliant to the shape of the gear tunnel? Heck, it could be almost flat but very tigh to the tunnel walls to minimize stuff falling underneath.

So a quick an dirty illustration as I know I didn't explain that very well.

Obviously you would want to use plywood--not the pine board shown.

The 6mm wooden spacers, (shown in yellow for clarity) and 18mm plywood top bring the total thickness for the tray to 51mm or 2 inches.

Along the left side you can see screw holes for securing the plywood.

Another advantage to a plywood top deck is the ability to mount things to it via screws.

The first thing most people would want to mount to it are some 4" walls =)

 

[COdogman]

Just signed up for the utility tray. That is exactly what I was hoping for. Thanks!

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

To clarify, the tray is not available separately unless you purchase the camp kitchen and have the slide out?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

To clarify, the tray is not available separately unless you purchase the camp kitchen and have the slide out?

+1. I want just the tray and associated slide out hardware. I didn’t think I needed a gear shuttle but it turns out that’s much more useful than I thought. I keep my rock climbing gear in there because it won’t stink up the cab too bad in there but fishing it out after a spirited session in the twisties isn’t always fun or easy.

 

[jjswan33]

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.

I know one of the first questions will be about the dimensions so here you go =)

I love where you are going here. A pull out kitchen isn’t really for me but storage in the gear tunnel is. What I would love to see is something similar what Rivian did for it’s service trucks. Basically split the slider so you have a tray similar to your design on the passenger side but half the length, then on the drivers side 2 or 3 drawers for tools/smaller items.

The other thing I would buy hands down would be what I discussed with one of you guys up at Mt Hood, water storage for part of the spare tire container.

Cool looking kitchen though.

 

[COdogman]

I love where you are going here. A pull out kitchen isn’t really for me but storage in the gear tunnel is. What I would love to see is something similar what Rivian did for it’s service trucks. Basically split the slider so you have a tray similar to your design on the passenger side but half the length, then on the drivers side 2 or 3 drawers for tools/smaller items.

The other thing I would buy hands down would be what I discussed with one of you guys up at Mt Hood, water storage for part of the spare tire container.

Cool looking kitchen though.

Those slide outs the service trucks have are super cool. I almost like Gene‘s idea better because I could throw a couple tool boxes and organizers for small items on the tray 1 day and groceries or mtb stuff the next.

They do have a water tank project as well, but it uses the frunk.
https://rivian-aftermarket.proboards.com/thread/13/gallon-frunk-water-tank-project

 

[jjswan33]

Those slide outs the service trucks have are super cool. I almost like Gene‘s idea better because I could throw a couple tool boxes and organizers for small items on the tray 1 day and groceries or mtb stuff the next.

My biggest issue with a full slider for storage is if someone is parked next to you (Or in the garage where there is a wall to your passenger side)that could cause some access challenges. The the other hand with half sliders if you can open the gear tunnel door you should be able to slide out most of the way.

 

[Kuro-Rivian]

+1. I want just the tray and associated slide out hardware. I didn’t think I needed a gear shuttle but it turns out that’s much more useful than I thought. I keep my rock climbing gear in there because it won’t stink up the cab too bad in there but fishing it out after a spirited session in the twisties isn’t always fun or easy.

I'm interested in both. If the slide out kitchen can be produced with the fit & finish of the renderings....for anywhere near that price...he will sell TONS of them.

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