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Thunderbolt Adventure

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Rivian R1T R1S Introducing the redesigned Gear Sled and Overland Kitchen for R1T (by Thunderbolt Adventure)! smaller square v2 kitchen with food


We launched Thunderbolt Adventure Supply last year with our Camp Kitchen designed to make the most of the space Rivian created in the Gear Tunnel. The design improved on the never-delivered Rivian Camp Kitchen by providing a more reasonable cooking height and more flexible storage. And we delivered these improvements at a $2,000 savings compared to Rivian's proposed camp kitchen. We love how quick it is to pull out the kitchen and get coffee going in the morning. We love how everything has a place and stays free of trail dust between uses. And we love the reliability of the induction cooktop - no more worrying about wind blowing out the camp stove flame.

We've lived, traveled, and camped with our setup for about a year and a half now. And we've taken some lessons learned and feedback from the Rivian community and developed our new Overland Camp Kitchen. Let me walk you through a few of the changes as well as the design elements we've carried over from our original product.

As in our previous design, the Gear Sled provides the platform for the kitchen modules. The new Gear Sled utilizes the same durable linear bearings as our original model. But there are a few important changes. We realize people have different camping or work setups that strongly inform their preferences. So, we’ve made the new Gear Sled available to exit either the driver’s or passenger’s side of the truck. The deck of the Gear Sled is now made of powder-coated aluminum and has a redesigned and more flexible system for attaching items to the sled’s deck. It utilizes an aluminum box construction to reduce the height and maximize the usable space in the gear tunnel. Our original Camp Kitchen made from marine grade plywood now ships with the new aluminum Gear Sled.

Rivian R1T R1S Introducing the redesigned Gear Sled and Overland Kitchen for R1T (by Thunderbolt Adventure)! small sled with ba


The Overland Camp Kitchen is also now constructed of powder-coated aluminum. And when you fold it open to reveal it’s nearly 9 square feet of workspace, you’ll find a bamboo countertop and sink cover. We still include four custom-designed waxed canvas bags to store all of your essential cooking supplies. And we’ve recently become a Dometic dealer, so you can purchase their 11-liter water tank and touch-operated faucet to be delivered with the rest of your kitchen.

Rounding out our new offerings is a simple and elegant solution to the black hole that is the under-seat storage in the R1T, the R1T Under Seat Cover. We have a big rowdy puppy and prefer to have her somewhat contained in the back seat area. Folding the seats forward creates a nice flat area where she can either stand or lay down. But Rivian designed the under-seat storage area without a cover. We solved that issue by creating an aluminum cover for that storage area that stays in place when the seats are in either position. We use this functionality even when we leave the dog at home, like when we want to put a dirty box in the back seat area rather than the bed of the truck, but we don’t want to dirty or damage the upholstery. And when we’re at camp, we like to put our grocery bags in the back-seat area next to the Camp Kitchen. Roll down the window and you’ve got a handy pantry solution!

Rivian R1T R1S Introducing the redesigned Gear Sled and Overland Kitchen for R1T (by Thunderbolt Adventure)! ThunderboltAdventureSupply042024296(1)


We have even more ideas that we're excited to share with you in the coming weeks and months. If you'd like to check out the new Overland Camp Kitchen in person, we'll be at both Overland Expo in Flagstaff and Gary's Jamboree put on by the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada Rivian Clubs. Come say hello to us and let us know what you think!
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BigSkies

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You've created a really great setup. It's certainly on my want list, although I haven't been able to justify the price yet.

Are you planning on discontinuing the wood version?

Are there benefits to the aluminum version (other than weight) that I'm not considering?
 
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Linuturk

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Ah man, I wish I'd known this was coming. My camp kitchen just shipped yesterday and I would have really preferred the aluminum version. Oh well. I'm sure I'll still enjoy the older version.
 
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Thunderbolt Adventure

Thunderbolt Adventure

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You've created a really great setup. It's certainly on my want list, although I haven't been able to justify the price yet.

Are you planning on discontinuing to wood version?

Are there benefits to the aluminum version (other than weight) that I'm not considering?
We love the wood kitchen and have no plans to discontinue it. Going forward, we will only be making the new aluminum sled since it can be configured for driver or passenger side exit.

The aluminum and plywood versions of these products are actually nearly identical in weight. The new aluminum design presents opportunities for some attached accessories like party light poles (see the orange clips in some of the photos) but we are working on ways to incorporate those ideas into the wood version as well.

It's really a matter of personal preference and budget. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.
 
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Thunderbolt Adventure

Thunderbolt Adventure

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Ah man, I wish I'd known this was coming. My camp kitchen just shipped yesterday and I would have really preferred the aluminum version. Oh well. I'm sure I'll still enjoy the older version.
We really love our wood kitchen! I know you will too!
 

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sacramentoelectric

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Thanks for making a driver's side model! I was hoping to see it at Gary's Jamboree but it looks like it's all sold out. Have you made any videos of the new design?
 
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Thunderbolt Adventure

Thunderbolt Adventure

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We’ll have it at the Jamboree. The first deliveries will be in June.
 

PhatDaddy

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NDIrish

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smaller square v2 kitchen with food.jpg


We launched Thunderbolt Adventure Supply last year with our Camp Kitchen designed to make the most of the space Rivian created in the Gear Tunnel. The design improved on the never-delivered Rivian Camp Kitchen by providing a more reasonable cooking height and more flexible storage. And we delivered these improvements at a $2,000 savings compared to Rivian's proposed camp kitchen. We love how quick it is to pull out the kitchen and get coffee going in the morning. We love how everything has a place and stays free of trail dust between uses. And we love the reliability of the induction cooktop - no more worrying about wind blowing out the camp stove flame.

We've lived, traveled, and camped with our setup for about a year and a half now. And we've taken some lessons learned and feedback from the Rivian community and developed our new Overland Camp Kitchen. Let me walk you through a few of the changes as well as the design elements we've carried over from our original product.

As in our previous design, the Gear Sled provides the platform for the kitchen modules. The new Gear Sled utilizes the same durable linear bearings as our original model. But there are a few important changes. We realize people have different camping or work setups that strongly inform their preferences. So, we’ve made the new Gear Sled available to exit either the driver’s or passenger’s side of the truck. The deck of the Gear Sled is now made of powder-coated aluminum and has a redesigned and more flexible system for attaching items to the sled’s deck. It utilizes an aluminum box construction to reduce the height and maximize the usable space in the gear tunnel. Our original Camp Kitchen made from marine grade plywood now ships with the new aluminum Gear Sled.

small sled with bag.jpeg


The Overland Camp Kitchen is also now constructed of powder-coated aluminum. And when you fold it open to reveal it’s nearly 9 square feet of workspace, you’ll find a bamboo countertop and sink cover. We still include four custom-designed waxed canvas bags to store all of your essential cooking supplies. And we’ve recently become a Dometic dealer, so you can purchase their 11-liter water tank and touch-operated faucet to be delivered with the rest of your kitchen.

Rounding out our new offerings is a simple and elegant solution to the black hole that is the under-seat storage in the R1T, the R1T Under Seat Cover. We have a big rowdy puppy and prefer to have her somewhat contained in the back seat area. Folding the seats forward creates a nice flat area where she can either stand or lay down. But Rivian designed the under-seat storage area without a cover. We solved that issue by creating an aluminum cover for that storage area that stays in place when the seats are in either position. We use this functionality even when we leave the dog at home, like when we want to put a dirty box in the back seat area rather than the bed of the truck, but we don’t want to dirty or damage the upholstery. And when we’re at camp, we like to put our grocery bags in the back-seat area next to the Camp Kitchen. Roll down the window and you’ve got a handy pantry solution!

ThunderboltAdventureSupply042024296(1).jpg


We have even more ideas that we're excited to share with you in the coming weeks and months. If you'd like to check out the new Overland Camp Kitchen in person, we'll be at both Overland Expo in Flagstaff and Gary's Jamboree put on by the Bay Area and Sierra Nevada Rivian Clubs. Come say hello to us and let us know what you think!
I need an aluminum gear tunnel step cover replacement... The plastic door that holds the compressor parts is always pushed up and popped out. Their 1 flimsy latch isn't enough.

I like your designs I am sure you could do a better job on designing the step cover. Pop off all the plastic and redesign. Thanks
 
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Couldn’t get my cash out quick enough. I’ve been waiting for someone to make a nicely designed under seat cover for a dog platform. Yours looks perfect and hope it lives up to my expectations. Pre-order placed!
Thanks!
 

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Thunderbolt Adventure

Thunderbolt Adventure

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Couldn’t get my cash out quick enough. I’ve been waiting for someone to make a nicely designed under seat cover for a dog platform. Yours looks perfect and hope it lives up to my expectations. Pre-order placed!
Thanks!
Awesome! We’ve been driving around with the prototypes for a while and it’s works out really well!
 
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Thunderbolt Adventure

Thunderbolt Adventure

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I need an aluminum gear tunnel step cover replacement... The plastic door that holds the compressor parts is always pushed up and popped out. Their 1 flimsy latch isn't enough.

I like your designs I am sure you could do a better job on designing the step cover. Pop off all the plastic and redesign. Thanks
Thanks for the suggestion and the vote of confidence! We have a lot of ideas kicking around too. Exciting opportunities to make these amazing vehicles even better!
 

TNJohn

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I would second the aluminum door cover. Love the concept. I work in construction and between changing work boots or kids changing soccer cleats, we keep a lot of gear in the tunnel and use the doors as seats for changing.

My air hose never did go back “exactly” the way it came and the plastic latch pops open when the tunnel door is shut. When you open the tunnel door (not knowing the plastic “secret” door has come open, the plastic door edge catches on the inside/top of the tunnel and rips it out of the hinges…which aren’t really hinges. Just plastic pins and holes which never allow a good reseating of the plastic door. To add to the insult, it just sort of flops around on the end of the strap.

not criticizing Rivian (maybe a little) but similar to tunnel sled and kitchen idea, there is a ton of room for improvement.
 

Ngkgb

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Anybody bought just the sled? Care to comment on how you like it? Thanks.
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