Installing folding table

Happycampers · 03-12-2004, 04:03 PM

We have a large folding table out of an Excella, we want to install this in our 1975 26' Argosy. It has 5 holes in the hinge and weighs about 30 lbs. Should I install this with screws or rivets? This seams like a lot of weight to just be hanging on the wall. We have the space for it. The trailer has the front gaucho but there is no sign of a table having been on the wall.

Marvin

Navigator · 03-12-2004, 04:16 PM

Screw the mounting bracket to the steel frame, or better yet, use steel rivets.
Dick

**wahoonc** · 03-12-2004, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Navigator
Screw the mounting bracket to the steel frame, or better yet, use steel rivets.
Dick

What steel frame? Mine is aluminum, I would use a bracket of some sort to spread the load across as many frames as possible. Then attach it with SS screws or oversized pop rivets. Our PO had installed a couple of things and missed the frames, I now have to deal with a couple of 3/4" holes in the interior panels. At least the screws didn't penetrate the outside skins, like one unit I looked at.

Aaron

Navigator · 03-12-2004, 06:41 PM

Sorry about the [STEEL] someone must have put happy powder in my pipe tobacco.
Dick

**overlander64** · 03-13-2004, 01:34 AM

Greetings Marvin!

Quote:

Should I install this with screws or rivets? This seams like a lot of weight to just be hanging on the wall.

I don't know whether the regular coach line would have used the same attachement method as the Minuet, but I can verify that the credenza table as used in the Minuet with front lounge was not attached to the wall directly. On my '78 Minuet, the Credenza table is hinged to a piece of cabinetry that is part of the lounge assembly - - this piece of cabinetry had two sides that rest on the floor for support and the top shelf that is about 3" wide - - essentially a 3" wide wooden (actually vinyl clad aluminum originally in my Minuet--now replicated in oak by Fowler Interiors). The top and each side of the cabinet have two mounting tabs that attach to the walls while the sides of the box are attached to the floor with one anchor on each side. On my Minuet, there is a combination support/lock that keeps the table in its proper position when folded into the cabinet and provides a bit of additional support to keep the table from moving excessively while underway.

Good luck with your Credenza Table project!

Kevin

j54mark · 03-13-2004, 07:31 AM

I should know this as I removed my folding table/credenza and built a new one, but memories fade. I think the following describes my '85 Sovereign:

There was a narrow shelf resting on two supports which went to the floor. As virtually all of the weight rests on the floor, all that was necessary was to keep the assembly from falling away from the wall. This was accomplished by long, "L" shaped aluminum extrusions, screwed into the wall with the addition two large rivets into ribs. The "L" brackets were fitted all along the length of the narrow shelf, and a couple of short ones were attached to the uprights into both the wall and the floor.

The folding table itself was hinged to the narrow shelf described above, not to the wall.

When installing my own unit, I used pretty much the same hardware.

Mark