Photo: Rivian, @RivianSoftware via X
Rivian honors its "adventure vehicle" claims by offering many practical features and storage compartments. The EV startup is now adding a new storage drawer, as mentioned in the updated owners' manuals. This competes with the Camp Speaker in the Accessory Dock, which indicates that Rivian might remove it soon.
Those who buy a Rivian EV after being seduced by the "adventure vehicle" mantra will not be disappointed. Both the R1S SUV and R1T pickup are fitted with many practical and intelligent features that help owners make the most out of their vehicles. Probably the most famous is the Gear Tunnel, a unique storage compartment in the pickup truck world. This could be used as a lockable storage space and also to attach various accessories, including the now-discontinued Camp Kitchen.
Interior design focuses on durability and practicality, so there are plenty of storage compartments, trays, and item organizers. Some are hidden, while others are designed with specific accessories in mind. These include a flashlight in the driver's door and the Camp Speaker in the center console. The latter has been a very appreciated accessory despite some people complaining that its Bluetooth connection is unstable.
Based on the updated owner's manuals, Rivian found a new purpose for the Accessory Dock that holds the Camp Speaker. It's a spring-loaded storage drawer that can be used to store smaller objects. The drawer is also lockable so that you can place valuable stuff in it. To unlock or remove it, you have to delve into the vehicle's menus, so it's not exactly straightforward.
The storage drawer seems to be the feature Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explained to Marques Brownlee in his "WVFRM" podcast in April. Scaringe called it a "storage module" back then, but I think he was talking about the storage drawer that now appears in the owner's manuals. The manuals also mention that the storage drawer is only available for vehicles equipped with it, so a retrofit might not be possible.
The downside is that the storage drawer basically excludes the Camp Speaker, as it occupies the same space. If the vehicle is "equipped with a storage drawer," it cannot possibly be equipped with the speaker at the same time, so something's gonna go. The removal of the Camp Speaker is not entirely unexpected, as many Rivian owners thought the carmaker would remove it from the standard configuration.
After all, Rivian has cut many useful features from its vehicles to save costs. These include the 12-volt sockets from the frunk and the center console, one of the two 12-volt batteries, and the driver monitoring camera. The removal of the Camp Speaker doesn't mean it will disappear. As the manual specifies, owners will be able to swap the storage drawer with the Camp Speaker, which means it could be offered in the Gear Shop at some point. Hopefully, a retrofit storage drawer will also be offered, allowing people to choose the desired configuration.
Interior design focuses on durability and practicality, so there are plenty of storage compartments, trays, and item organizers. Some are hidden, while others are designed with specific accessories in mind. These include a flashlight in the driver's door and the Camp Speaker in the center console. The latter has been a very appreciated accessory despite some people complaining that its Bluetooth connection is unstable.
Based on the updated owner's manuals, Rivian found a new purpose for the Accessory Dock that holds the Camp Speaker. It's a spring-loaded storage drawer that can be used to store smaller objects. The drawer is also lockable so that you can place valuable stuff in it. To unlock or remove it, you have to delve into the vehicle's menus, so it's not exactly straightforward.
The storage drawer seems to be the feature Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe explained to Marques Brownlee in his "WVFRM" podcast in April. Scaringe called it a "storage module" back then, but I think he was talking about the storage drawer that now appears in the owner's manuals. The manuals also mention that the storage drawer is only available for vehicles equipped with it, so a retrofit might not be possible.
The downside is that the storage drawer basically excludes the Camp Speaker, as it occupies the same space. If the vehicle is "equipped with a storage drawer," it cannot possibly be equipped with the speaker at the same time, so something's gonna go. The removal of the Camp Speaker is not entirely unexpected, as many Rivian owners thought the carmaker would remove it from the standard configuration.
After all, Rivian has cut many useful features from its vehicles to save costs. These include the 12-volt sockets from the frunk and the center console, one of the two 12-volt batteries, and the driver monitoring camera. The removal of the Camp Speaker doesn't mean it will disappear. As the manual specifies, owners will be able to swap the storage drawer with the Camp Speaker, which means it could be offered in the Gear Shop at some point. Hopefully, a retrofit storage drawer will also be offered, allowing people to choose the desired configuration.
Finally, the "storage module" (as RJ calls it) is coming.
— Rivian Updates (@RivianUpdates) September 27, 2023
The R1 Storage Drawer can fit in the same space as your Camp Speaker.
The best part is, it’s a lockable space that can keep your valuables safe and low where thieves won’t see it. https://t.co/j0SeWUKW5L pic.twitter.com/p6q2DyLie1
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