Booth vs. free standing

[ewbldavis]

I'll admit I didn't search...

Any thoughts on booth vs. free standing dinette?

We have booth. Love the storage, but one bench is empty. I've wondered about switching it out for a free standing. Curious if anyone has or thoughts on the difference.

[Canonman]

We looked at both. Our Cougar is equipped with the "U" shaped dinette. We have storage under the 3 seats which is nice. The table folds down for travel and up for use. No pedestal. The table is portable and can be easily taken outside or used in front of the sofa. Not a bad set up for the two of us.
I think if the table and chair option can seat 4 I'd probably go that route as the U shape requires the two inside users to slide in and around. Probably works OK for kids but not so good for seniors.

[sourdough]

If you're just looking for what folks like, we like the free standing units. Much more flexible. We can sit 4 at the table and have extra room with the table extension. If it's just the 2 of us (as usual) we travel with 2 chairs. The added available space is used for putting most anything in the space for the other chairs as in ice maker, dehumidifier, office paraphernalia, brief cases etc. or, just more space.

Once the kids were gone we did not need the perpetual lost space of a dinette booth or the "make it a bed" option. We used them for many years with the kids and they were convenient but not now.

[chuckster57]

Had free standing in previous fiver for 13 yrs. DW wanted booth when we were looking, current fiver has booth. It is big (takes up one whole slide) and I have to admit I like it more. Booth in a small trailer? I don’t care for them as they are cramped.

[wiredgeorge]

Our booth was not only cramped but the cushions slid (even with non-stick stuff and velcro) and the cushions themselves were SHOT. You could sit on the thing for 20 minutes and it was like a 500 mile motorcycle ride. Bought a two seat table/chairs from Ikea. MUCH more room and more comfy. We didn't need 4 chairs.

[LHaven]

We've always used the drawer storage for the hand vacuum, heater, and fan; and occasionally camp with the grandson who uses the dinette bed; so we passed on the freestanding option again.

[Northofu1]

I like both.
The booth in the 26 RBPR was comfy, and when table was down, held the bikes for travel with a mod.
The cougar has the freestanding, I will remove the table and chairs for bike transport, using the chair tie down cleats for the bikes.

[dutchmensport]

Had both, each one has their own advantage and disadvantages. I think it all depends upon how you use your table and if you have other places to comfortably sit.

2 trailers had booths, 2 trailers had chairs and free standing table. Last camper we removed the chairs and free standing table and replaced everything on that slide with a real household 3 person house hold recliner couch. We never used the table, it was just a catch all of everything. We had small folding outside tables we used when we ate inside the trailer.

Current fifth wheel has free standing table and chairs. We use the table and chairs a lot for eating now. But our fifth wheel has has the front living room with electric recliner chairs and fold out beds from the opposing couches. Very, very comfortable with the high back seats, so the table and chairs stayed in this camper.

Bottom line, both have their advantages and disadvantages. It's really a matter of how you use them, if (either) work for you.

[BrooksFam]

If one of your booth storage drawers is empty, you're not carrying enough stuff...…….

[GMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by BrooksFam

If one of your booth storage drawers is empty, you're not carrying enough stuff...…….

I don't have a booth, so no storage there and STILL hit my GVW with the trailer. Last thing I need is more stuff.....

[Javi]

If I have to have either I'll go with free standing.. last trailer we only had two chairs in it the other two where in the spare room at home. I think we could do without a table at all, most of the time we eat in front of the TV on TV trays...

[razor 68]

I have free standing table. I have had booths in the past.since it is only my wife and I we like the table . I guess it depends on if you need the storage space or not and are you taking any children with you.

[ewbldavis]

Originally Posted by BrooksFam

If one of your booth storage drawers is empty, you're not carrying enough stuff...…….

Ha - no doubt LOL

[EagleandFox]

We have a freestanding table. Prior 5th wheel had a booth and we didn’t know how we’d like a table. The table is Ok for 2 people - we ended up only taking 2 chairs with us to our seasonal spot - no room for 4 to comfortably sit or play games. I wanted to try to make a u or L shape but didn’t wAnt to make it permanent, so instead, I bought 3-30” wide ottomans from Walmar and made an L shaped sitting area, unscrewed the table from the floor and moved it sideways. The table was crooked and unstable prior to this anyhow. We just need to make a platform for the ottomans because they are a bit low but we have more elbow room, and now I can store all our extra pop, water, beer, etc in there instead of having them just on the floor all around the table! We can still fit a chair on the end if we need to. When we move the camper I’ll just flip the table upside down. We didn’t screw it back into the floor.

[Northofu1]

That's a great idea, looks good.

[Dallasrules]

I like booths better. There never seems to be enough room to manipulate chairs, especially the a table on a pedistal, so you still seem to have to slide across. In my older trailer, we found an L shaped dinette and put the table on casters. We really like this and it is currently in the rear of my cedar creek where the big picture window is and I have power recliners and a jackknife on my 12' slide. I just got a Montana with a kitchen slide that only contains a freestanding dinette. Will have to work on a booyh for that. if anyone wants to trade a booth for freestanding dinette and you are within a days drive of Virginia, I will come and switch them out for you.

[wiredgeorge]

Well, we have another consensus! Some people like booths. Some people like table/chairs. Some people like TV trays. PERSONALLY, my furry fellow travelers like bowls of human food served warm and fresh on the floor.