Roto dinette

[Swillv8]

After seeing a few pictures online of the argosy roto-dinette. I am fixated on it. I actually could use an option for safe seating. 5 seats and into a dinette sounds perfect. I'm somewhat handy and decent at building stufff . So does anyone have detailed pictures of the guides, slides etc? But more importantly seats I can modify is a must. I'm looking for benches that can fold backwards to make a bed any ideas make and models I can search for in wrecking yards? The slides should be easy enough to buy and mount/ modify but the hardware to make the bed is probably where I should start. If you know of good options, the most popular family mini van would be a realistic option vs a 68 vw bus seat lol.

[bkahler]

The Roto Dinette subject came up a while back on Peanut's thread (I think it was Peanut's thread) but I don't think there was any resolution as to where to find parts and drawings. Hopefully someone will chime in with some good info.

Brad

[Swillv8]

I'm thinking with seat glides a pile of metal and benches to chop up and shorten I should be able to manage. I am not always so creative so using benches/ hardware that exists would be a must for myself.

I have read about the roto dinette in threads before maybe we are talking about the same conversation. The one I saw the person that had em said they would try to get pictures and do not think they managed.

I few pics I see on google images shows them to be quite wide. I'm thinking 36" should suffice. I'm used to 1930's cars and the benches are 48" and I manage to get 3 on a bench lol. Average seat is 20" so it's quite a small trim. I've measured up my 280 and the bump up to accommodate these seats will be much more space friendly if shrunk also. Where I have the fold down couch right now my plans are for a 18-20 counter 5feet long also a small goal is to preserve 24-30" of floor space on the side of the door just to have. This will add immensely to overall roominess.

I'm the type that takes months/ years to plan things out. Once I draw it on paper and build it in my head enough times I can power through projects with ease. I'm just sharing my thoughts. I'm also coming off of my house Reno which was 2800sqft with basement everything is one off done to the hardest standards just because lol. So in 2 years I will be done the house and onto this.

[Swillv8]

I might look into my existing fold down couch or futons. They are not strong enough for anything including collision but my e the basic hardware might give me s basis to work eith

[Isuzusweet]

Somewhere in Georgia.....plate number TL0M55

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX5yE0iI0CQ

Cheers
Tony

[Swillv8]

Nice contribution tony I haven't seen that one before. It almost would be easier to get a 20 but I have to many projects as it is lol

[martin300662]

Maybe useful....the relevant sections from the owners manual covering the roto-dinette operation.

[WayneG]

Here is a photo from my 1977 24' Argosy.
If I knew it was so valuable I would have pulled it out before I sold the beast for $3K

[Swillv8]

Thanks Martin those are great illustrations!

[Swillv8]

Yeah I would at this point pay $2000 for the complete set up if it was in good shape and 100% all pieces. Quite a portion of the complete value of a motorhome especially if it's a non running unit.

[Swillv8]

And be willing to drive 1500 miles too

[WayneG]

Originally Posted by Swillv8

And be willing to drive 1500 miles too

Mine went to Germany, so it is a bit more than a casual drive

[martin300662]

I know Joseph (JM2) has them in his '77 20ft in NJ, and seem to remember Matt (mprokop87) has them in his '76 24ft in NY, and Fred had them in George his old '77 20ft. I seem to remember Matt was missing the locking pins, but Joseph's are complete. Maybe PM those guys?

[Swillv8]

Are these running driving units do you know,or ones that are being parted out? I personally think the benches are pretty hideous looking but I love the function.

Thanks for the leads martin300662 much appreciated! Buying complete system would make life easy vs fabricating and quite frankly material adds up quick too. I never envisioned the swing arm for the swivel action in the diagrams above pretty genius.

[WayneG]

It is ingenious, but never try and figure it out drunk or stoned

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by Swillv8

Are these running driving units do you know,or ones that are being parted out? I personally think the benches are pretty hideous looking but I love the function.

Thanks for the leads martin300662 much appreciated! Buying complete system would make life easy vs fabricating and quite frankly material adds up quick too. I never envisioned the swing arm for the swivel action in the diagrams above pretty genius.

All running driving units.

Peanut would originally have had a set, but Brad and I have been kicking idea around based on the same theme. Front tow seats use forward or rotate. Second row seat on the passenger side faces forward when driving, or 90 degrees to look at the gaucho, when it drops by 6-8 inches. But when the passenger seat is facing backwards there will be a simply lift and drop table between the two seats to give a dinette, sort of like a roto-dinette using standard seats rather than benches.

[bkahler]

Here's the table from Martin's Peanut. It's all that remains of the roto dinette setup.

[Swillv8]

Those are really cool hinges. I seen them on another site. Not sure if I can buy something like that. I'll know in a week what kind of hinges come with the 28foot table although I know it's not the same fold up pattern

[WayneG]

Originally Posted by Swillv8

Those are really cool hinges. I seen them on another site. Not sure if I can buy something like that. I'll know in a week what kind of hinges come with the 28foot table although I know it's not the same fold up pattern

It looks like they do make something similar in china:
https://wholesaler.alibaba.com/produ...342190448.html

[Chrisjohn]

How did your project end up I am starting mine with a 20 footer it has all the units