Removing the Dinette Table

[ScottyGS]

Hi Everyone,

 

I had this great idea....    Put the Dinette area in bunk mode to use as a couch.  We never really use the dinette seating. It's not the most comfortable, so if we are relaxing inside we sit on the bunks, but that gets old so I figured let's try the new configuration.

 

I quickly found that you are most likely NOT going to be able to remove the post by hand.   There are 3 tongues that fit under the floor bracket that attach the post to the floor.  You have to loosen the black flange and then rotate the post holding the table.  Very difficult if not impossible to do by hand.

 

Finally figured it would be best to use a strap wrench.  $9 and a home depot trip later and I was able to get the post removed.  I used the strap wrench on the flange first and then on the post itself.  A rubber mallet and some blue language were also employed. :-)

 

Pictures attached.... Comment appreciated...    So far we like it this way and will probably leave it in this configuration.

 

Safe Travels,

 

Scotty

[ScubaRx]

When we are traveling, we make the dinette down every night into a bed for Reacher, our 100 lb Doberman Pincher.  Yes, that's as in Jack Reacher.  Most of the time the post comes out easily, some mornings I must screw it in too tight and it becomes a four handed effort to remove that evening.  I would just make him sleep on the floor, but he IS Reacher!!!

[KarenLukens]

We use ours daily but we also have the thicker cushions and I store the back cushion under the seat with the tank flush valve in it. It's really comfortable to sit at but the table is too short so Karen wants me to make a new table. That's on the list and I want to make it long enough to just clear the fridge door when it's fully opened and have the extra piece be able to completely fold under and lock in place up and out of the way when traveling.  Or I may just put in a space saver pull up table like this one below but made to fit our way.

 

https://www.ebay.com/i/332202080101?chn=ps&dispItem=1&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F711-117182-37290-0%252F2%253Fmpre%253Dhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.ebay.com%25252Fi%25252F332202080101%25253Fchn%25253Dps%252526dispItem%25253D1%2526itemid%253D332202080101%2526targetid%253D328367459202%2526device%253Dt%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D9033057%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D866251394%2526adgroupid%253D46421867649%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-328367459202%2526abcId%253D1129076%2526merchantid%253D101700366%2526gclid%253DCj0KCQjwh_bLBRDeARIsAH4ZYEMDorUtV_2dcddpGIpgcOxPKdsWXUFr5LJZka5oLg-LrFcTZBrW3BAaAgZ2EALw_wcB%2526srcrot%253D711-117182-37290-0%2526rvr_id%253D1271350711470

 

 

[Kayrae51]

Hi Scotty,

We thought the same as you. We found that we seldom used our dinettes in our previous tts, preferring to eat outside. We ordered a couch cushion set for our dinette, as well as the usual dinette cushions. We will put the dinette cushions & the pole in storage, may use them in the future. We are picking up our Clever Beast tomorrow so I'll post some photos. We have 2 small folding, adjustable height tables that we can put in front of the couch on rainy days. Our cesky terrier, Emma, will be very happy to use the couch for her bed, I'm sure.

[DavePhelps]

Rubbing a little paraffin wax on those tabs will make them rotate out a lot easier. Plus I don't think the tabs need to be fully twisted on to do their job if you also lock down the black collar. We like to eat outside as well but when it's blowing and snowing we like our dinette!

 

Dave

[SeaDawg]

I saw this ingeneous table mount at a boat show several years ago. We need the table in the small dinette sometimes for cooking prep, paperwork, etc., But, I loved the Whaley's sofa...

 

Any ideas on how to make this work with the sofa?

 

http://www.lagunusa.com/

 

 

 

 

Sherry

 

 

[ScottyGS]

Clair & Kathy,

 

Picking up tomorrow?  And, I notice that the Clever Beast is 100 away from the Flying Sea Turtle, hull # 145.

 

Best of Luck and enjoy a safe trip home.  Looking forward to seeing your pics.   Say hey to Anita for us.

 

Scotty

[Kayrae51]

Hey Scotty -will be sure to say Hi to Anita. I'm wondering when you picked yours up....they've produced 100 units since then - pretty good, I think. Thanks for your good wishes. We are all packed now, hitting the road at 6A EST.

 

Sherry, I really like the looks of that table mount! I'm going to have Clair look into how we could use it. Thanks for sharing.

[Overland]

I have an idea - and no more than that at this point - that we will eventually have a countertop made that will span the distance from the pantry to the bath, and then build storage cabinets underneath.  I considered presenting that to Oliver as a modification, but not only would that have been a big ask, it also made much more sense for us to live with the trailer for a while, see how we use it and then decide whether it would be an idea worth pursuing.  I can't think of any technical difficulty why it couldn't be done and it would give us back much of the storage that we lost when we decided to forgo the twin bed risers.  Plus six more feet of kitchen counter, and who doesn't want that?

[HMD1056]

I have often thought about simply making the dinette a permanent sofa/bunk bed.  Don't know if it is possible, but would love the pole to be cut down to make the table permanently in the down position with the pole as support.  Then have cushions made like a sofa--bottom , back, and sides.  Other than paying for more cushions, I cannot imagine it being a big difference in the design.  I agree with eating and cooking outdoors on days that allow.  I would use TV tables for rainy days.

[KarenLukens]

I have an idea – and no more than that at this point – that we will eventually have a countertop made that will span the distance from the pantry to the bath, and then build storage cabinets underneath. I considered presenting that to Oliver as a modification, but not only would that have been a big ask, it also made much more sense for us to live with the trailer for a while, see how we use it and then decide whether it would be an idea worth pursuing. I can’t think of any technical difficulty why it couldn’t be done and it would give us back much of the storage that we lost when we decided to forgo the twin bed risers. Plus six more feet of kitchen counter, and who doesn’t want that?

 

Just remember that the toilet rinse valve and the shower drain back flow valve and the black tank valve are all under the one seat and there is good storage room under that seat also. We have it packed with extra paper goods, rain boots, etc.

[ScottyGS]

I don't think you would need the pole as support.  The table nests into the ledges on the seats and seems plenty strong.   I got some self stick insulation striping at home depot and ran it onto those ledges and they make it very stable and keep it from sliding or "chattering".

 

The existing cushions cover that distance perfectly and you can get a blanket to wrap it all up.  See our picture.   As for back cushions, you could get those made or use throw pillows.  The big negative in using this area as a couch is leaning onto the window shade frame.  I am always afraid that leaning on that too hard might crack it somewhere important.  Hard foam backs would help reduce that.

 

The good news is that you can make the switch right now and try it.  If the decision would be to make it permanent you can design the cushions to make accessing the hatches easy.  Post some pics of what you come up with.

 

Good Luck,

 

Scotty