Rear Dinette Remodel

[mike95776]

One of the key features of our Springdale 202QEWE that we really love is the rear dinette and, the panoramic view window. We usually stay in places where we have a view out the back and enjoy the open feel of this trailer.


After sitting in the dinette for the duration of "one" DVD movie, my wife and I quickly realized that we were not going to be happy with this very painfully uncomfortable set up....The bottom cushion was thin as air and the back provided no support. I decided to replace the foam bottom cushion with high density foam (Amazon) and sloped it up in the front (see pics). We found some upholstery fabric and batting material at Joann's Fabrics and just stapled it to the back of a 1/2" piece of plywood. The seat back was lengthen and inclined by making an insert that fit into the existing cushion opening and we use the old bottom cushion for the seat back. I got rid of the bench seat section that ran under the window. Doing this allows the side seats to be lengthened and will now accommodate two adults on each side. I also turned the table 90 degrees.


The real challenge came when we decided that we needed to be able to convert the dinette back to the original configuration which would allow the bed option to be used. I added two more table post floor supports to allow the table to be turned (I thought about making the table pivot on a center point but that was too much work). The new bottom cushions sit on the original cushion base and are removable and, the back inserts come out easily. The trickiest part of this Mod was being able to reinstall the bench seat under the window. The vertical support section now slides in between two vertical cleats on each side. The top seat section is supported by the vertical section in the front and, connected with cleats (see pics) and by three removable legs in the back (see pics)... The only thing I may redo is to get an even higher density foam for the bottom seats (for binge watching TV in nasty weather...).

[dutchmensport]

Look like a practical modification. From personal experience, dinette booths are horrible. We had 1 pop-up and 2 travel trailers with the dinette booth and all were horribly uncomfortable.

Our Keystone Springdale had a free standing table and chairs, which we removed completely and replaced with a residential sofa/recliner. We ate from fold up tables. Our current Montana has all free standing furniture. We've removed the wooden chairs and replaced with folding stools, and the furniture in the living room are all Thomas Payne with high backs and recliners.

Never, never, never again will I own another camper with a dinette booth. To to be able to convert the booth into a bed is a horrible experience too. Bed up, table up, bed up, table up. Bedding folded put away, bedding brought out. Wake up in the morning and no table because kids are sleeping on it. Position for watching television was miserable too.

No, never again.

Hope your modification works for you. We had a rear living room Keystone Outback with opposing slides, windows all around with the television that could be raised or lowered across the entire back wall, which was a window. Television up for watching, television down for watching nature out the window. Couch was comfortable, faced the window, no neck twisting, and no tired back from holding our heads up.

Hope yours works out for you. But don't be surprised if one day, you rip out the entire dinette and put in a couple recliner chairs!

[curtiscapk]

Interesting we love our rear dinette......

We do take out the table to watch tv though.

[JohnBike]

On our 202QBWE I removed the entire dinette table, floor mounts and all. We now use a folding table of similar size that we can scoot around for easier (older people) access and watching the tv.

However, we like the OP’s approach better, and have that on a wish list.

Another wish list item includes firmer cushions. I plan to undersize them by a hair for easier removal. Accessing the storage space and the heater bay is a pain due to the hassle of prying the cushions out.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by JohnBike

On our 202QBWE I removed the entire dinette table, floor mounts and all. We now use a folding table of similar size that we can scoot around for easier (older people) access and watching the tv.

However, we like the OP’s approach better, and have that on a wish list.

Another wish list item includes firmer cushions. I plan to undersize them by a hair for easier removal. Accessing the storage space and the heater bay is a pain due to the hassle of prying the cushions out.

Most "bench seat cushions" are wedged in place to prevent them from "migrating throughout the trailer when towing". If you undersize your cushions, I'd consider some means to anchor them in place so you don't create a "find the cushions atmosphere" every time you unlock the trailer door when on a trip.

[wiredgeorge]

We had a dinette in are old old Cougar. The cushions probably should have been replaced 15 years ago so we put higher density foam in the covers and glued no slip pads below and on the wood part of the bench. With these mods, I could sit and work on my computer for about 15 minutes. Tore the whole mess out and got rid of the table and booth seats and bought a small dining table and two chairs from Ikea. Since our slide where the dinette was located is on carpet, I bought a big plastic sheet that one might use under an office chair to allow easier cleaning and the chairs to slide a bit better. The dinette suits us.

[MrKABC]

Originally Posted by JohnBike

On our 202QBWE I removed the entire dinette table, floor mounts and all. We now use a folding table of similar size that we can scoot around for easier (older people) access and watching the tv.

However, we like the OP’s approach better, and have that on a wish list.

Another wish list item includes firmer cushions. I plan to undersize them by a hair for easier removal. Accessing the storage space and the heater bay is a pain due to the hassle of prying the cushions out.

@JohnBike don't know if you ever did this, but I replaced my foam cushions here:

https://www.thefoamfactory.com/Merch...=1&shape_id=13

Got the "top of the line" foam - not cheap by any means but this stuff is firm and won't collapse like the garbage that came with the trailer.

Simple replacement - unzip covers, remove old foam, open the package the new foam came in, and before it expands too much get them in the covers! Zip up and you're done. No need to undersize! My dimensions in the screen grab are exactly what is OEM for the 202QBWE dinette.

The next day you won't be able to remove them it's so solid.