Improved bench seating and step light

[sagebel]

Did a little work this weekend. I got tired of the flimsy piece of wood that Keystone used for the benches so I replace them with some 1/2" plywood I had. I also added some hinges and put Velcro on the back of the backrest cushions so they would stay in place. Now the only thing that needs to be removed to access the storage is the seat cushion. If anyone else does this, make sure you cut the lid short so that it clears the corner piece. I figured that out after I got everything screwed down.:doh: The wife is extremely happy.






I also had an extra LED chicken light that I have been kicking around the garage so I installed it under the steps. It is wired to the porch light. It doesn't look very bright in the pic but it does pretty good at night.

[tjl]

Nice upgrades. I need to upgrade the plywood on my dinette also. I like the idea of a step light too, I may have to use your idea.

[greengiant]

Thanks for sharing, I really like the bench improvment. I was thinking I'd add doors on the front end of the bench like some models have, but that would require making it look pretty and laying on the floor to access. This looks waaay better.

[Kristi]

Great idea for access to under the benches! May have to add that one to DH's honey do list.

[sagebel]

Originally Posted by greengiant

Thanks for sharing, I really like the bench improvment. I was thinking I'd add doors on the front end of the bench like some models have, but that would require making it look pretty and laying on the floor to access. This looks waaay better.

Ours has doors and I dislike them for that exact reason. It is also very dark if you don't open the top of the bench.

[Loom24]

Where exactly did you tie in to the porch light wiring?

[sagebel]

Originally Posted by Loom24

Where exactly did you tie in to the porch light wiring?

Right at the switch. Mine is just inside the door. It was easy access because the switch is in the backside of a corner cabinet. I just drilled a hole through the floor inside the cabinet under the backside of the switch and ran the wire. I'm already running an LED in the porch light so I have no worries about overloading the circuit.

[commish]

Nice job!
Found out a long time ago Happy Wife = Happy Life

[vicali]

Added to the list of things I plan on doing..
just about fell through that paneling last night while I was cleaning out our new trailers

[Jeremym27]

Originally Posted by sagebel

Ours has doors and I dislike them for that exact reason. It is also very dark if you don't open the top of the bench.

I've seen people with doors on theirs who put heavy duty pull out drawer glides and built a custom drawer that went the length of the seat.

I'd like that in our TT.

[swan2125]

Nice job on the storage access - looks great!

Our TT came with the step light on the outside.

[sagebel]

Originally Posted by Jeremym27

I've seen people with doors on theirs who put heavy duty pull out drawer glides and built a custom drawer that went the length of the seat.

I'd like that in our TT.

I thought about doing that but only half the seat. Frequently used items on the slide and infrequently used items under the bench. If you did it this way the slides will be much cheaper. This was one of those mods that was completed without a trip to Lowe's so I wife terms it was free.

[monica4patience]

Originally Posted by sagebel

Ours has doors and I dislike them for that exact reason. It is also very dark if you don't open the top of the bench.

I installed "tap lights" in every dark cupboard in our 2010 Outback 310 BHS. It really helped to see into those dark areas, especially that funky bottom cupboard in the pantry.

I made sure to "uninstall" the tap lights when we traded in the Outback for a 2014 Passport 3290 BH last week. Re-install is on to-do list!