Riva kitchen module on the VanEssa rear pull-out in the van

Practical test of our new camping kitchen on the full pull-out unit

Bongiorno!

My name is Johanna and I was able to test our latest VanEssa kitchen system on the rear extension with my husband and our two-year-old son during our last vacation on Elba. As I was allowed to be involved from the planning stage right through to the completion of the „new“ system, it was of course particularly exciting for me to test the finished product live.

And so that it is clear in future which rear pull-out and kitchen system we are talking about, there was an official vote in the team on what name „the new one“ should be given. The result was ... drum roll ... the Riva system (Example for the VW Multivan T5/T6/T6.1).

The facts about the „newcomers“ at a glance 

What distinguishes the new Riva system from the previous VanEssa kitchen systems?

The Riva system is located on a 105.5 cm wide and 91 cm deep heavy-duty pull-out in the rear of the vehicle, which utilizes the entire width of the luggage compartment.

There is space on the pull-out for both the mobile kitchen module lengthwise and a large cool box. There is also enough space for two optional stackable storage boxes, tool boxes, sports equipment, etc.

The kitchen module is equipped with two large storage drawers and a cutlery drawer.

There is a two-burner gas hob in the kitchen. Thanks to the simple assembly with knurled screws, the stove can be flexibly dismantled without tools and used directly at the table, for example. The sink with removable bowls is located next to it. There is also plenty of space on the side for two 16 liter water tanks. Instead of the second tank, there are also six 1.5 liter bottles upright. A water pump in the tank provides running water.

I also find the folding table at the front of the kitchen module very practical, which can be folded out and used as a work or storage surface if required. 

To create a sleeping area on the entire system, the whole thing can be combined with a rear board, which can be combined with either a three-seater bench or a bed system. This again results in a sleeping area of 143 x 189 cm. We had the Sufer bed (can be combined with two single seats) with us, which can be stowed away on the rear board during the journey. The width was absolutely sufficient for two of us with a small child.

The practical test 

Uff ... when packing we quickly realized - we are absolute creatures of habit.
Our favorite place to travel has always been the VanEssa rear kitchen. For years, every item has had its fixed place here and when packing we know exactly where to put what. No searching, no scrambling - no stress.

This time we had to tackle a new organization. First things first - surprisingly, we quickly found our way around here too. Thanks to the large and clearly arranged storage drawers, we quickly knew where to store and find the individual items.

At first glance, the storage space in the kitchen appears somewhat limited, as our VanEssa rear kitchen uses the entire width of the trunk. However, thanks to the two additional storage boxes on the rear pull-out, this was more than enough for a good week's vacation for three people.

The large cool box offers an enormous amount of space, so there is always room for chilled drinks as well as food.

What struck me as particularly positive was that you can always get to everything easily. Especially when there are two of you cooking, you can move around the pull-out without getting in each other's way. While my husband stood at the hob, I could get the vegetables out of the cool box and wash them. The work surface that the kitchen offers is also simply amazing. If the spacious folding table is occupied, you can easily chop something on the lid of the cool box.

We left the second water tank at home and stowed water bottles in its place (everyone knows the spare six-packs).

One difference to the VanEssa rear kitchen that we have noticed is that you are much less protected under the tailgate of the van thanks to the generous pull-out. This wasn't a problem for our summer vacation, as we had a shaded area and fantastic weather.

Otherwise, it would also be possible to use the Awning from VAUDE to the rear. This offers both rain and sun protection and is big enough to walk around the pull-out and work on the kitchen. There is also space for our VanEssa table and chairs.

Our conclusion on the Riva system

We are absolutely delighted with the new system with the Riva kitchen. Especially if you always leave the rear pull-out in the vehicle in everyday life, the kitchen module, cool box and storage boxes can be mounted on the pull-out in no time and you're ready to go. I also think the option of combining the whole thing with a three-seater bench or two single seats is absolutely brilliant.

The size and weight (31 kg empty) of the kitchen module may also be of interest to some people. It can be easily stored in a corner of the garage or in the cellar. This means I can lift the Riva system into the vehicle without help and stow it away again after my vacation.

However, when loading, always ensure that the weight specification of up to 150 kg is not exceeded, as otherwise the pull-out rails may be damaged.

Are you curious? Then take a look at the new Riva system on our homepage and get in touch with our team by phone or email if you have any questions.

You can see „the new ones“ live at our factory in Großhöhenrain. Please make an appointment in advance
Or you can visit us at one of our Fairs.

We look forward to seeing you!
Best regards Johanna

Here you can find the new Riva system in combination with the rear pull-out in a Mercedes V-Class. You can find an overview of all our Riva rear pull-outs and matching kitchen modules here here.