If you’re into storage in pickup trucks, then Rivian just moved to the top of your list. From its Gear Tunnel running behind the body to under-seat storage, one could almost get lost inside an R1T. Now, Rivian has filed a patent application for more storage in its bedside, much like Ram’s Ram Box. 

Is there more than added storage with these Rivian R1T patents?

Ram has found much success over the past few years with its Ram Box bed storage. It’s so successful it is continuing its production for the 2025 REV 1500 EV. But while the Rivian U.S. Patent filing looks similar to Ram’s, it is offering features the Ram Box doesn’t.

First, the bedsides fold down, exposing much more storage along the bedsides. As you probably know, the Ram Box lids flip up like a toolbox. You can also see smaller areas for mini-Gear Tunnel-like storage underneath the upper storage running below the bed. 

How does the Rivian R1T dining area work

But based on these filings first reported by Motor Authority, Rivian is patenting more than just more clever storage. It shows multiple versions that offer a range of different configurations using the bedsides and areas below the bed. One of the more intriguing versions is a camp dining area with a table and seating. 

Accompanying the lower storage is external seating. With the outer body panels folded down, they create jump seats much like a tailgate would be. Along those lines, a folding table positioned between the jump seats offers a great functioning dining area when camping. 

Do these new storage feature work with the slide-in kitchen

Of course, all of these added storage and camping feature follows along closely with its slide-out kitchen option. However, as of now, the kitchen package is not available. Rivian says it is redesigning it. So an upgraded version will be available at some point, although its price may exceed the previous kitchen’s $5,000 cost. 

With these storage and dining features added at some point, they would make for a rather compact, yet convenient, camping dining experience. And that could be some of the reasons the kitchen is not available now. It may be a new design will integrate better with these new bed features. Maybe so, or maybe not.

And besides the camping version, there are several versions offered up for multiple seating areas. So whether it is as a mini-camping complex or as a gathering spot with seating for a tailgate party, a lot is being thrown at the wall with this latest patent filing. 

What else is Rivian up to?

And beyond the R1T, Rivian’s CEO just recently stated other projects, generally speaking, that the company is looking at. The main one for truck enthusiasts is offering a smaller, less expensive pickup by 2025. So for those that feel priced out of the current truck, there could be a better version of the Rivian pickup coming in under two years. 

Might it have these bed storage and camping features? We don’t know but when we do MotorBiscuit will bring you the details.