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Old 01-18-2018, 04:19 PM   #1
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2017 25' International
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Lounge conversion into more counterspace and storage

Recently upgraded to a 2017 International Signature 25FB. The lounge extending forward from the dinette provides more sitting area and sleeping space than I'll need so I decided to put it to better use for me.
Taking a look at the Tommy Bahama wine cabinet, I built a similar one which provides more counter space and a place for a microwave below. Fabricated out of 3/4 inch plywood and a butcher block top. No modifications were necessary to the Airstream other than to remove and relocate cushions.
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Old 01-18-2018, 05:22 PM   #2
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That looks really nice. I don't understand what you did with the cushions. Did you have to shorten one of them to fit?

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Old 01-18-2018, 06:21 PM   #3
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No modification to cushions. I removed the back cushion that is most rearward (the one that faces the dinette). This left the longer back cushion which I moved rearward. And amazingly enough, the Velcro attachments matched. I then unsnapped the smaller back cushion , the most forward one.
There are three bottom cushions and I removed the most forward one.
I also removed the end cushion which backed up on the refrigerator wall.
This resulted in the removal of four cushions.
And this left the area for the cabinet.
Hope this makes sense. If not, let me know.
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Old 01-18-2018, 07:51 PM   #4
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This is fabulous!!! I'm gonna keep this in mind in case we ever want to do something similar in our 23CB. Thanks for sharing.
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Old 01-18-2018, 08:03 PM   #5
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Thanks.
Since the cabinet fits right into that area, held in by the lip of the lower lounge front, I didn't have to fasten it. So it can be easily removed and those four cushions put right back to make it factory original.
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Old 01-19-2018, 09:41 AM   #6
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WOW! I just ordered this exact model. This modification is brilliant especially since it's reversible. Do you take orders?
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Old 01-20-2018, 11:35 AM   #7
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Another approach ...

The space under the television in our 25 Rear Twin usually collected junk and was little used for seating, so I did something similar. The box is 19mm Baltic Birch plywood, approximately 30" deep and 24" wide on the inside. It sits perfectly on the platform below and uses two 3M Velcro Command Strips for lateral stability, which are probably not needed.

More by luck than design, the 24" width accommodates four (4) 12"x12" fabric storage cubes, with 6" of depth behind for shoe boxes or whatever else fits. I made two shallow (~4") side-by-side drawers for remote controls and other small sundry items.

The extra horizontal surface is handy for food prep, meal staging, or flowers.

We store the old cushions at home, and it would be a simple five-minute exercise to return the space to OEM function.

The Baltic Birch match the new table I made to replace the original one at the settee. It is somewhat smaller, since we never intend to use the front sleeping area, and has a radiused edge for comfort. The original Formica edge banding was just too harsh on the arms, and the lighter woods brighten our interior nicely.
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Old 06-28-2018, 08:10 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ratch View Post
Recently upgraded to a 2017 International Signature 25FB. The lounge extending forward from the dinette provides more sitting area and sleeping space than I'll need so I decided to put it to better use for me.
Taking a look at the Tommy Bahama wine cabinet, I built a similar one which provides more counter space and a place for a microwave below. Fabricated out of 3/4 inch plywood and a butcher block top. No modifications were necessary to the Airstream other than to remove and relocate cushions.
Might I ask, where do you plug the microwave in? To the inverter circuit used by the TV (unplugging the TV when you want to use the micro)?
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Old 06-28-2018, 03:45 PM   #9
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Love it though I have the same question what did you do for power?
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Old 07-03-2018, 11:58 AM   #10
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Where's the power

Initially I unplugged the TV and used that outlet. Thinking that might exceed the rating on that outlet, I ran a cord behind the cushions to the outlet under the table at the rear of the trailer. A bit hard to get to so likely there won't be other uses there.
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:02 PM   #11
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Hi there. I know this is bumping an old post, but we are expecting our 25FB in March and I would like to have this mod ready to take with us when we pick up our new baby.

If Ratch or anyone else that's done this could share some dimensions/measurements, I would really appreciate it.

The blue dimensions should be pretty straightforward but there's obviously a curve/radius where the red lines are.

Thanks!
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Old 01-14-2022, 01:25 PM   #12
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The only way I know to get the back curve correct is to trace the bulkhead closest to where the new cabinet will go. There is variation between trailers, and this exact curve will be different in each trailer, plus, you may want just a bit of a gap anyway to allow for trailer flex as it bounces down the highway, rather than have the cabinet rub a hole in the aluminum inner skin.
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Old 01-14-2022, 04:41 PM   #13
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Like skyguyscott states, I simply traced the wall curvature with some posterboard against the television wall. That produced a template that was 98% accurate. Some sanding allowed me to get the cabinet side walls perfect. I also left a 3/16” gap and used vinyl edge trim that was inserted where the cabinet sides and countertop meets the aluminum. Pretty easy - just took my time. Click image for larger version

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Old 01-15-2022, 01:03 PM   #14
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Sorry, but I don't have access right now to the trailer to get the dimensions. And because you don't have your rig yet this information probably won't be of much help for you to build it in advance.
I made the fore and aft dimension of the base the length of space leading to the front edge of the bottom rearranged cushion. The side dimension of the base extends out to the inner lip of the lower base. Make sure that the vertical dimension including the top ends up below the window frame and clears the latches.
The butcher block top fore and after dimension is slightly longer to provide a bit of overhang over the base. The top side dimension extends out to the edge of the refer door.
There was no curvature at the back corner so that corner was square as were all the others.
The unit fit securely on the lounge base. No fastening necessary.
Try hardwood-lumber.com for the butcher block.
This worked out well in providing additional counter space and we didn't need that lounge sleeping area.
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Old 01-15-2022, 08:33 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skyguyscott View Post
The only way I know to get the back curve correct is to trace the bulkhead closest to where the new cabinet will go. There is variation between trailers, and this exact curve will be different in each trailer, plus, you may want just a bit of a gap anyway to allow for trailer flex as it bounces down the highway, rather than have the cabinet rub a hole in the aluminum inner skin.
Good point about the inside skin curvature varying. I'll probably leave around 3/16"-1/4" between the side panels and the skin like Velo did and use edge trim.

Quote:
Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye View Post
Like skyguyscott states, I simply traced the wall curvature with some posterboard against the television wall. That produced a template that was 98% accurate. Some sanding allowed me to get the cabinet side walls perfect. I also left a 3/16” gap and used vinyl edge trim that was inserted where the cabinet sides and countertop meets the aluminum. Pretty easy - just took my time. Attachment 410558
Velo, that is beautiful, very well done. I found your other post with pics of the drawer, I like it very much.

Quote:
Originally Posted by ratch View Post
Sorry, but I don't have access right now to the trailer to get the dimensions. And because you don't have your rig yet this information probably won't be of much help for you to build it in advance.
I made the fore and aft dimension of the base the length of space leading to the front edge of the bottom rearranged cushion. The side dimension of the base extends out to the inner lip of the lower base. Make sure that the vertical dimension including the top ends up below the window frame and clears the latches.
The butcher block top fore and after dimension is slightly longer to provide a bit of overhang over the base. The top side dimension extends out to the edge of the refer door.
There was no curvature at the back corner so that corner was square as were all the others.
The unit fit securely on the lounge base. No fastening necessary.
Try hardwood-lumber.com for the butcher block.
This worked out well in providing additional counter space and we didn't need that lounge sleeping area.
Ratch, thanks. I'll probably try to get a piece of the same Corian/solid surface countertop that used in the rest of our (upcoming) 25FB, but if I can't get that, I think butcher block would be perfect.

We're planning to put a built-in microwave/convection oven into the new space since we ordered ours with the gas oven (intentionally). It'll be nice to have the option of two ovens running at once if we're on shore power.

I think I'll have to wait to build the cubby unit until we have the new camper in-hand.
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Old 01-16-2022, 08:03 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VeloBuckeye View Post
Like skyguyscott states, I simply traced the wall curvature with some posterboard against the television wall. That produced a template that was 98% accurate. Some sanding allowed me to get the cabinet side walls perfect. I also left a 3/16” gap and used vinyl edge trim that was inserted where the cabinet sides and countertop meets the aluminum. Pretty easy - just took my time. Attachment 410558
Very nice execution! Can you share where you sourced the matching sheet wood stock? I'd like to do same this winter in my down time. Thanks
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Old 01-16-2022, 07:11 PM   #17
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Very nice execution! Can you share where you sourced the matching sheet wood stock? I'd like to do same this winter in my down time. Thanks


Jackson Center confirmed the sheet laminate make/model was Landmark by WilsonArt. Found it via HomeDepot.com for about $60 for a 3x8 foot sheet with free delivery. The kitchen remodel place near me wanted $200 a sheet plus $60 shipping. Easy decision. I used the same laminate to swap out the fridge’s aluminum panels as well.
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Old 02-04-2022, 04:54 AM   #18
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Thanks to the ideas and sourcing help above. I always felt the extra cushion set adjacent to the TV was mostly unused and be put to better purpose. I completed the carcass on my International's lounge cabinet (32"x29.5"x 16.5") yesterday and am currently working on the solid cherry wood top. Who knew I had the Wilsonart Great Lakes region distribution center just 10 miles from my house where I purchased the matching Cypress White and interior cab white laminates. I'm awaiting the Grass Euro hinges due Sunday. Got the door pulls and grabber closers from AS direct. I tried buying the Wilsonart official edge banding but comes only in 1k' ft rolls. So I used laminate instead. It'll do. I plan to build organizer/ dividers within so that I can safely store bottles of booze. I'll post more pics when all assembled and installed.
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Old 02-04-2022, 05:45 AM   #19
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We did basically the same thing with our '06 Safari... a much better use of the space and love the extra counter space! Did the same shuffle with the cushions that Ratch explained but eventually we'll have a new one made with the curve when we upgrade our upholstery. {Images mid construction}Click image for larger version

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Old 02-14-2022, 01:14 PM   #20
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I finished the lounge cabinet and got it installed today. Be nice having the extra storage and work surface.
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