Replacing a Drop-Down Dinette With Table and Chairs

[R.J.1]

Hate the drop down table. Retired couple campers. (me and the wife) Going to 86 the factory junk. looking for ideas for table and chairs. Anyone do a project like that? Love any ideas. Pictures would be great.

Thanks, happy camping!

2024 30' East to west. TT.
2024 Chevy 2500.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

What type? Dinette table? Free standing? A photo of what you now have (and the surroundings) would help the rest of us understand what would work.

Also, do you want a table for just two, or do you want provision for an occasional guest or two? Either a larger table of a built-in leaf?

Personally I like a free-standing table with two side chairs. Folding ones if space is at a premium (folding chairs don't have to be cheap or tacky looking).

 

[R.J.1]

Currently drop down to bed with cabinets under. I like the storage under, but am willing to sacrifice for dining table. Free standing with chairs. for 2 (or more) is what I'm going for. Needs to be big enough for dinner. Also secure for travel. No need for folding chairs. Plenty of room for free standing.

 

[R.J.1]

What type? Dinette table? Free standing? A photo of what you now have (and the surroundings) would help the rest of us understand what would work.

Also, do you want a table for just two, or do you want provision for an occasional guest or two? Either a larger table of a built-in leaf?

Personally I like a free-standing table with two side chairs. Folding ones if space is at a premium (folding chairs don't have to be cheap or tacky looking).

Currently drop down to bed with cabinets under. I like the storage under, but am willing to sacrifice for dining table. Free standing with chairs. for 2 (or more) is what I'm going for. Needs to be big enough for dinner. Also secure for travel. No need for folding chairs. Plenty of room for free standing.

 

[Firstime RVer]

Here's what I did. Had a retired cabinet maker friend build this credenza for me, attached the original table with a piano hinge with fold out leg. It has two drawers, one on each end, and the top flips open with a place to store paper plates, napkins, utensils etc.
With two reclining office chairs it couldn't be more comfortable.
It solves table storage problems and the table is easily lifted or folded down without having to deal with those pesky posts.
Just my $.02 FWIW
Safe travels and all the best.

 

[DutchmenSport]

As we have no attempt to be "classy" or impress anyone, but put functionality over aesthetics, we removed the free standing table and chairs (which 2 of them broke) and replaced them with a white plastic (or vinal) folding table that can be used inside, or stand in the rain for a year and never get hurt. We purchased 4 small round folding stools.

The advantage? That space can be used for anything now, and if we need a table we have one. We have never eaten meals at the camper table. It's always outside. And when long term camping and we do eat inside, it's always in the living room area off of TV tray/stands (which also fold up (made of wood).

So that space where the table use to sit has become a very functional multi space area. When traveling, the table and stools are folded up, table laid flat on the floor and bulkier thinks stacked on top of it. Once at our destination, the table is put back upright and those bulkier items are now placed where they are used, or under the camper (like plastic totes, a portable port-a-potty).

For us, this worked. And we've been doing it for the last 6 years this way.... and we live in the camper full time, but we are actually "long timers".

 

[SargeW]

I have a pedestal table in my RV that sounds like it would fit the bill perfectly. Unfortunately I have searched around the internet and cannot find a source. It is a pedestal that has a hard wood top, which I refinished because the light coat of paint the RV manufacturer put on chipped off easily. The table came with 2 dining chairs, and two folding matching chairs that I carry under the bed. The table screws to the floor with 4 screws, and the chairs fit easily on each side. Here are a few pics to help with the search.

 

[R.J.1]

I have a pedestal table in my RV that sounds like it would fit the bill perfectly. Unfortunately I have searched around the internet and cannot find a source. It is a pedestal that has a hard wood top, which I refinished because the light coat of paint the RV manufacturer put on chipped off easily. The table came with 2 dining chairs, and two folding matching chairs that I carry under the bed. The table screws to the floor with 4 screws, and the chairs fit easily on each side. Here are a few pics to help with the search.

Looks great.How do you secure the chairs for travel?

 

[TheBar]

We love recliners and with no slides we had to utilize every inch of space. So I removed the dinette entirely. We have a fairly sturdy plastic folding table that is only 2" wide when folded.

I installed swivel wheels on our wall hugger recliners so they can be turned to face each other with the table between them. Then another 2-3 people sitting on the jack knife sofa on the opposite wall. Or the recliners can be turned to face the opposite wall where the TV is above the sofa. But we don't use the table much because we are very skilled recliner diners.

Our Class C has captains chairs in the cab that turn about 160 degrees. They can't use the table but a total of 7 people could all face each other for a discussion.

I installed chain hooks thru the old dinette seat belt holes. When traveling the recliners can be chained down. There are still 3 seat belts on the sofa if the grandkids come along. I guess I could chain their parents down in the recliners but they tend to be whiners

 

[SargeW]

We turn the chairs backwards so the backs rest against the table. Then there is very little room for them to move. The table base also has D rings that we can put straps through to secure them tight.

 

[tcab]

Hate the drop down table. Retired couple campers. (me and the wife) Going to 86 the factory junk. looking for ideas for table and chairs. Anyone do a project like that? Love any ideas. Pictures would be great.

Thanks, happy camping!

2024 30' East to west. TT.
2024 Chevy 2500.

2012 Forest River Forester. I have turned my RV purchased in January into a mobile office. The dinette was the first thing to go and replaced with folding table and folding futon chairs from Amazon that when unfolded become a bed. Complete game changer. I also got rid of all my bogus and heavy flip up doors and replaced with a single sheet of MDF board held in place with velcro when opened, dots on the ceiling, and dots on the frame to hold the door closed. Those three doors believe it or not were SO HEAVY I saved another 10 pounds in weight. I completely removed the oven and turned the space into a shelf for a toaster oven. I got rid of the large fridge and went with one that was at least 1/3 smaller, giving me a storage shelf above the fridge. I swapped out the toilet for a dry toilet and thus have no sewage requirements. Last thing I will likely do is get rid of the hot water tank and go with tankless water heater. The RV is a mobile video production studio for me and my two dogs. I am traveling the midwest doing documentary films and American Civil War research for a film and books. The dogs LOVE the open space and I put a video camera looking into the house so I can always see what/how they are doing. I moved the TV/Computer monitor over to the office area. I use the bathroom as an additional closet for even more storage, and added an outdoor folding cargo shelf at the back outside of the rv for all outdoor camping gear. I put saddle bags on the ladder and got plastic boxes from Kohls for the shelf storage above the former dinette area. I implemented USB outlets throughout the RV and USB/Powerbars for all electrical. In replacing the stove and stove top I also went with induction cook surface. The bed in the cab over is essentially wasted space as no one will be sleeping up there, so that area will be used for other storage and perhaps occasional travel companion. I was only able to do this affordably because when my wife passed away I sold her Lexus which had almost zero mileage on it. I added an additional fresh water tank in place of the black water storage tank because she wanted to take long hot showers with good water pressure. Tragically she passed away when her artery surgery failed after 18 months of managing her post-cancer surgery she was this close to being healed up. As we are Disney people and former international travelers, I got two large magnetic signs for the RV doors that have the Society of Explorers and Adventurers logo. We are former Motorola employees. I use Ryoko for internet and frankly never watch tv anyway. RV manf. have a LOT to learn from Cruise Ship cabin design (Royal Caribbean ships).