Ok, the teeny dinette on our 26L is now driving me bonkers, to the point where I get upset looking at it anymore (maybe it's just me).
So... I want to mod the dinette to make it something that actually sits 4 or more comfortably.
Here's the plan. The dinette of the 26L is located just behind the front bunk on the passenger side. I want to extend the 'northmost' bench (the one that butts up against the bunk) right across to the tv cabinet (or at least, where our TV cabinet used to be). This would involve removing the side panel on the dinette, building a frame to match the rest and probably building some extra storage under the new bench. I'd have to find some way to access the water heater under the TV cabinet, probably a hinged access through the top section of the TV cabinet.
So, this would give me a really long bench across the front of the dinette, easier access to step up to the bunk (yes Chuck, I know...) and space to sit 3-4 people across that bench.
On the other side, I'd leave the bench as is, and maybe add a chair, the slide gets in the way of extending that side too much.
So far, so good, basic carpentry skills should win the day. The puzzler is the table. I'm looking for a way to keep the existing table length so that I can still make up the dinette bed when needed, but I want to extend the table for the new extended front bench. I can't extend all the way across, I need to be able to walk around it, but I figure I can extend at least 18 inches.
Any idea on the best way to do this? I'm prepared to completely scrap the existing table if needed (to match the surfaces). I'm thinking a hinged extension with a sliding bar underneath to provide stability. The other option is to install another pedestal base and add a separate small stable butting on to the other one.
Any ideas are appreciated, even if only to call me crazy.
Jayco 2008 26L behind a 2005 'Burb out of the Great White North, eh!
1 DW, 1 DD, 1 DS, 1 SD (shedding dog)
Climbing over a bench to get into bed is something I don't want to do -- unless it's required to provide some major benefit as this seems to do.
If you can double the length of the 'northmost' bench you can see if Jayco can provide a matching set of cushions for the seat and back. Or consider three sets of new cushions if you want this to all look factory installed. The factories seem to be able to furnish cabinet panels that match, so this is another area you can make look stock.
Pedestal mounts on open flooring are toe stubbers, so I'd personally not want them in the middle of my floor. There are flush mounts, but you gotta determine what's under the floor there. A portable table or one that hinges to the existing table is an option. A hinged table only takes a single, folding leg to support the outboard end and this could be a pedestal leg with a socket under the table and a rubber pad on the other end to just rest on the floor. If secured to the existing table it should be pretty stable.
With removeable or take-apart hinges you can preserve the dinette as a bed feature. Here's the hinge. It comes apart by sliding to one side.
Don't forget to allow some way to get into the seats against the bed. Short table extension should allow this.
-- Chuck
'06 Roo 23SS behind '07 Expedition out of Cleveland Our Photo pages
One of my non-camping hobbies is carpentry (dad was a master carpenter - the real kind, not today's "carpenters"). Anyway, poke around www.rockler.com, or better yet, get one of their catalogs. There are literally dozens of options for making drop-leaf tables, hidden leaf, etc. Personally, I would probably do a hidden leaf (split table where a third leaf drops under to store it) so that way it still allows you to maintain the same dimension and a flat top for making the dinette a bed, but then you can set it up larger.
Scott_C wrote: One of my non-camping hobbies is carpentry (dad was a master carpenter - the real kind, not today's "carpenters"). Anyway, poke around www.rockler.com, or better yet, get one of their catalogs. There are literally dozens of options for making drop-leaf tables, hidden leaf, etc. Personally, I would probably do a hidden leaf (split table where a third leaf drops under to store it) so that way it still allows you to maintain the same dimension and a flat top for making the dinette a bed, but then you can set it up larger.
Thanks for the URL Scott, I will take a look. I can't really go with a hidden leaf, since the existing table is mounted on 2 pedestals, and I'd like to keep that if possible. I'll take a look at some of the table hardware options they have, they look interesting.
Scott_C wrote: One of my non-camping hobbies is carpentry (dad was a master carpenter - the real kind, not today's "carpenters"). Anyway, poke around www.rockler.com, or better yet, get one of their catalogs. There are literally dozens of options for making drop-leaf tables, hidden leaf, etc. Personally, I would probably do a hidden leaf (split table where a third leaf drops under to store it) so that way it still allows you to maintain the same dimension and a flat top for making the dinette a bed, but then you can set it up larger.
Thanks for the URL Scott, I will take a look. I can't really go with a hidden leaf, since the existing table is mounted on 2 pedestals, and I'd like to keep that if possible. I'll take a look at some of the table hardware options they have, they look interesting.
Ah, but you can! Piece of cake to make a baseplate to allow sliding over one pedestal! Maybe even an easier option because you could then drop the leaf in...
EDIT: Sorry I realized that this might have sounded pompous! I also happen to be a CW so working with metal comes very easy to me. I still think you could mock something up, though maybe a little bulky with wood. Have you ever seen older style leaf tables were they use wood rails?
* This post was
edited 08/06/08 01:33pm by Scott_C *
I guess I'm missing something - the table is attached to the floor, so unless you mean something other than the drop-leaf that I have in my dining room, I can't see how that would work out. I could see a sliding extension off the side that 'popped up' into place, but again the pedestal legs are too close to the edge of the table.
I measured things and it looks like a simple hanging extension with a slide bar brace would work. I need to be able to lower the table into place as a bed and I should have the clearance.
Chuck_S wrote: Climbing over a bench to get into bed is something I don't want to do -- unless it's required to provide some major benefit as this seems to do.
If you can double the length of the 'northmost' bench you can see if Jayco can provide a matching set of cushions for the seat and back. Or consider three sets of new cushions if you want this to all look factory installed. The factories seem to be able to furnish cabinet panels that match, so this is another area you can make look stock.
Pedestal mounts on open flooring are toe stubbers, so I'd personally not want them in the middle of my floor. There are flush mounts, but you gotta determine what's under the floor there. A portable table or one that hinges to the existing table is an option. A hinged table only takes a single, folding leg to support the outboard end and this could be a pedestal leg with a socket under the table and a rubber pad on the other end to just rest on the floor. If secured to the existing table it should be pretty stable.
With removeable or take-apart hinges you can preserve the dinette as a bed feature. Here's the hinge. It comes apart by sliding to one side.
Don't forget to allow some way to get into the seats against the bed. Short table extension should allow this.
-- Chuck
Thanks Chuck,
I did a quick measure on the trailer this evening, I really like those slide-off hinges. Where are they from?
I'm looking at doing an 18" extension on the table, and the front bench extension looks relatively easy to do. At a minimum, the dog will like it, makes her job getting on our bed (to hog most of the space) easier.
I like the extended bench idea. When we have "dinner parties", we enjoy having TV trays for couch dining for overflow crowd. Since we leave our food buffet style on sink/stove area, there is some up and down during dinner. We also have to account for us LEFTIES, even if our butts fit on the bench, we get extra space for our special abilities!
I vote for a matching, free standing separate table that can be more flexible to use at extended bench, couch, outside kitchen area, even campfire area for cooking.
I enjoy hearing about these mods!
2006 Chevy 1500 Z71 crewcab
2004 Jayco Jay Feather 23D
We already have a few of those freestanding folding tables, but I really want something that matches the existing table and won't get kicked over the first time someone walks by. I'm liking the idea of extending the front bench more & more, it basically creates another sofa-type section. All the measurements seem to be good, looks like I'm going to tackle phase 1 this weekend (extending the bench)
Ditch the pedestals and install legs from a card table. That makes the table mobile. Then make another small table to butt up against it when needed. We are sick and tired of the wobbly pedestal in the 26L .
As for the bench, I would make something akin to a toy chest or wooden box that has padding for seating. I would make it freestanding and not attached to the camper. That would give you storage, but you can move it when bringing in the slide so it does not hit. Also that would allow you access to under the TV cabinet. It is fairly inexpensive to make a custom cushion.
Offline
