Converting dinette into a "U" with more accessible storage. Options

[Joe Z]

Peter...
You do first class work on every project you take on (like many others on this forum)... always look forward to your posts.
Joe

[peterh]

It's a conversion that works very well for us, April. We spent two weeks straight camping in the trailer and found it was comfortable and functional. We'll experiment with different table shapes for a while before we settle on a final size shape and size, though.

One thing I do need to warn you about is I would NOT move the fresh water tank to the back of your conventionally towed trailer! The 5th wheel has enough tongue weight on it that 140 pounds of water (a full 20 gallon tank) at the back of the trailer won't cause instability when we pull it. That's not true with your bumper-hitched trailer, but you can still turn the back bench into a space to tuck lightweight stuff, like clothes and such.

The table width was 30" bench-to-bench, and it's still 30" bench-to-bench. The 24" depth when added to the back bench seat isn't quite the same length as the original table. We made the table a tad shorter to help make it easier to slide in and out of the dinette. We'll probably make another, even shorter table because it's still a little bit of a chore getting up and down.

If you look at my earlier posts there's one where I show the "filler" piece that tucks over the "nose" of the table to fill in the gap when we want to turn the dinette into a sleeping spot.

The bench depth . . . I wish I could remember.

I think it's 16 inches, but the depth was more or less dictated by the size of water tank's 12"x32" footprint. The back wall of the Scamp arches away from the tank from there by a few inches and the tank cover/bench extends a bit further forward, so 16" is probably about right. I'll try to remember to get the measurement this weekend when I go visit my trailer.

As long as you don't go overboard (like I did) this makes a good "starter" project for your trailer, April. Just concentrate on making the back bench with storage underneath and a new, smaller table with a podium leg. Don't remove and cut holes in the benches, re-plumbing everything, cut hatch-holes in the sides of the trailer . . . that would be too much for a first mod, and you'd loose use of your trailer while you made the changes.

Trailer mods are evolving projects. Do one little corner at a time, changing the way just one part of your trailer works while leaving the rest alone. That way you don't get bogged down and locked out of camping in your trailer for months and months at a time. That, and by leaving the existing bench structures intact you can play with the dimensions of your new "U" dinette and table and still go back to the original configuration if you don't like it.

Good luck!

--Peter

This post has been edited by peterh: Oct 6 2008, 08:58 PM

[April Wilcox]

We have decided to go for it! And using your design as our model, I came up with this fabricated photoshop image of what it SHOULD look like when we are done. It's kind of rough, I used snippits of photos I have taken recently. I really like your design, and used parts of your photo to fabricate ours, thanks for the inspriation!!!

also, we don't have to worry about moving any water tanks, we don't have one. They put a 2 gallon jug under the sink, so we have upgraded to a 6 gallon for now, and will figure out the water system after we have started using it. I'm glad to hear it is a functional upgrade. I like the idea that both of us will have a "lounge" spot when the table is up. I have been trying to think of some way to add a leaf to the table, maybe on a hinge or slide out or something... we will see how that works out.

This post has been edited by April Wilcox: Oct 14 2008, 11:11 AM

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[peterh]

We have decided to go for it! And using your design as our model, I came up with this fabricated photoshop image of what it SHOULD look like when we are done.

Go for it, April! Have fun and keep it simple!

--Peter

[April Wilcox]

This is what i got done yesterday. I still have some finishing work to do, sanding, triming and painting. We are still trying to figure the painting part out so they might stay rough for a little while. It amazes me how quickly we can put things together. I will post more detailed photos here:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/index.php?showtopic=32043

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[Larry & Carrie]

It's a conversion that works very well for us, April.

We made the table a tad shorter to help make it easier to slide in and out of the dinette. We'll probably make another, even shorter table because it's still a little bit of a chore getting up and down.

Good luck!

--Peter

Peter---
Thought you might be interested in the table mod I have in the Compact. I'm not the one that thought of it tho. I was at the local auto wrecking yard pulling things out of a derelict camper and scored this. It has a wooden plate attached to the bottom and two simple rabbet cuts to make it slide. Quite handy in the Compact, allows us to sit down then slide the 24" square table in front of us. It slides 7", which really helps one to sit down. We have two table plugs in the floor, use each when different bed configurations are used. Larry

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[Dan Passmore]

Peter---
Thought you might be interested in the table mod I have in the Compact. I'm not the one that thought of it tho. I was at the local auto wrecking yard pulling things out of a derelict camper and scored this. It has a wooden plate attached to the bottom and two simple rabbet cuts to make it slide. Quite handy in the Compact, allows us to sit down then slide the 24" square table in front of us. It slides 7", which really helps one to sit down. We have two table plugs in the floor, use each when different bed configurations are used. Larry

Larry,

That mod has got to be what I'd call "The Cat's A**" and I would expect that it will be a frequent flyer for the people doing mods in the future.

[April Wilcox]

Very cool Lary! We still have not built the table, so I have been trying to figure out some kind of hinged fold up leaf, or slide out that would extend the table a few more inches when we need it, that may be another solution.

[peterh]

. . . the 24" square table . . . slides 7", which really helps one to sit down.

I LIKE IT! I'll make one as soon as my schedule gets a little less crazy.

--Peter

[Alf S.]

I LIKE IT! I'll make one as soon as my schedule gets a little less crazy.

--Peter

Hi: Peter... Our Escape Hatch has a sliding table for the U Dinette. Best thing since sliced bread!!! Very accommodating for my middle aged spread!!!
Alf S. North shore of Lake Erie

[Tim Wood]

I just might have to make one of those sliding tables myself, thanks for the pics.

[Scott S.]

what are you doing with the old lights Peter?

[Scott S.]

you must be one of those ppl that wakes up in the middle of the night and has to keep a note pad by the bed to empty your brain onto so you can get back to sleep? Scamp should have you on their design dept. payrole. bravo!

[peterh]

what are you doing with the old lights Peter?

We had six of the original Scamp lights and gave a few away to some friends. The rest we are keeping until we either install them in our Surfside trailer project or decide we want some other kind of lights there. That'll be a while off; we plan on starting work on the Surfside next year after I complete the remaining "big ticket" projects in the Scamp 5er.

[Scott S.]

thanx Peter. I did find one on the internet to order.
I'm going to keep looking to see if I can find a more modern looking one tho.
I only need one so I may also go for a socket conversion.