We have a 21RBS (2013) and we have made the mod you are talking about.
We removed the dinette completely and re-installed the original table with two soft chairs and also secured it to the wall so that it does not wobble.
The chairs are not quite as comfortable as recliners but are more suited for dining. If we want to get really comfortable while watching TV, we lay on the bed. (note that the chairs don't have legs to dig into that flimsy floor).
We secure the chairs with a buckle strap to the table, (which is secured to the wall), while traveling.
Now we can walk right up to the bedroom with the slide retracted and we place a piece of plastic channel underneath the slide-out floor so that we can actually use it while it is retracted if we have to. (keeps the floor from bowing)
The original seating was totally useless to us and very uncomfortable for my aging back. The table wobbled and nothing was quite right so we decided to remove everything. (see pics)
We purchased them from 4seating.com. The model is Catalina, you can order them in a number of different configurations. All of the dimensions are on the website. They are great to work with even though we had to wait for them to ship a 'manual' set. They stock the powered recliners, not the manual.
This is the 'loveseat' configuration which is really two chairs put together. The sales person was very helpful and explained how the chairs were made so that my husband was able to decide on the configuration for our intended use.
We are going to use them for a couple of trips before we decide on the final configuration. Our thought right now is to leave them together, center them on the window and build storage for each side. Another idea is to separate them and build a storage box with more cup holders between them.
We also purchased the small side tables that fit into the heavy duty cup holders that are ordered separately.
We have a 21RBS (2013) and we have made the mod you are talking about.
We removed the dinette completely and re-installed the original table with two soft chairs and also secured it to the wall so that it does not wobble.
The chairs are not quite as comfortable as recliners but are more suited for dining. If we want to get really comfortable while watching TV, we lay on the bed. (note that the chairs don't have legs to dig into that flimsy floor).
We secure the chairs with a buckle strap to the table, (which is secured to the wall), while traveling.
Now we can walk right up to the bedroom with the slide retracted and we place a piece of plastic channel underneath the slide-out floor so that we can actually use it while it is retracted if we have to. (keeps the floor from bowing)
The original seating was totally useless to us and very uncomfortable for my aging back. The table wobbled and nothing was quite right so we decided to remove everything. (see pics)
Good Morn'un,
I have a question concerning the modification you performed to the Dinette area.
It took me a minute or two while looking at your pictures before it hit me. I have the same year/same model TT as you but,.... on mine there is a storage area located under the dinette (in the "U") that is only accessibly from the outside. I don't see this in your pictures. Does yours not have one or did you cover up the wall?
We have been thinking of the exact same mod. What is the weight limit for the slide out or where can I find it? Judy is just starting to research recliners but theater seats look good also!
Not sure what the weight limit is, frankly didn't think about it since the dinette is supposed to seat at least 4 plus anything stored under the benches and inside the 'outside' access storage. The slide doesn't seem to be working any harder, actually seems to be working less hard than with the dinette and stored items.
We removed the dinette completely and replaced it with a sofa bed. We looked at other Cougar models that had a sofa and used the same model sofa. Ordered from Camping World. For eating, we use the folding lap table from QVS.
Here is how I removed the Dinette seating and replaced it with two swivel recliners.
This was on our list but the dealer wanted about $800 per chair. We were walking through Fred Meyer and these Swivel Recliners were on sale for $299 with a 10% coupon. We went back home and measured the space and door width. The weight of the chairs is 88 lbs each.
Our dinette area is 69.5 inches wide, 26.5 inches deep to the end of the slide floor and the door is 22.5 inches wide. These chairs would fit. They might be kinda close but it will be mainly just Judy and I. We wanted to keep the back part of the bench that gives us some storage accessible from both inside and outside.
The tools I used was a driver with a square bit, a small pry bar, wire nippers, and a small hammer.
Photos:
1 – How it looked before I started.
2 – Cushions removed and the basic box.
3 – The edge button covers pried right off and it unscrewed.
4 – The interior framework. I removed the screws holding the back (top of the photo) and the left side (left in the photo).
5 – I pried the frame away from the wall. I also removed the board in the horizontal position. Hard to explain, you will see it gone in photo 8.
6 – Framework separated from the wall. I also pried it from the face frame.
7 – Staple Ends Clipped. Since I did not remove this board I clipped the staple ends and then tapped them back flush with the board with the hammer.
8 – Lower board removed. It just pried off.
9 – The face frame is held on with pocket screws. I was happy to find these. With pocket screws and no glue I didn’t mess up the adjoining visible wood.
10 – With that board in photo 8 removed, the side piece “friction fit” back into the opening. It will still need some cleanup and edge molding but it turned out much better than I feared.
11 – They fit! We will have to reposition them a little to move the slide in and out and we will no longer be able to squeeze past the dinette when the slide is closed, but well worth the time and effort.
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