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Chaplain Kent · 05-25-2006, 04:09 PM

When we were at the the Georgia rally both my wife and I remarked at how much larger Alan's motor home was inside even though both are identical. We had taken out our dinette and replaced it with a sofa/ bed. On the drive home we decided that we really could make due with out the extra bed and have out grandson sleep on a mattress rolled out on the floor. I needed to build a dinette that would fold away and leave an empty area. The solution was to use the original table which did fold down flat against the wall, then get chairs which would also fold down. We have ordered Lafuma director chairs to use which will also double as outside chairs. I use oak on the wall to carry the theme of oak used elsewhere. Since I had the wall apart I also took advantage of wiring a new 120 and 12 volt outlet for the front side of that area. I am going to be camping for the next month so can not do anymore projects, hopefully the withdrawals will not be bad.
First picture is the before, with the old dashboard showing. Then the framing and paneling. There is a design flaw which will not allow the table to fold flat against the wall. Can anyone figure it out? I will fix it sometime later.

norbert · 05-25-2006, 04:27 PM

boy.....some grampa you are havin the kid sleep on the floor.....

outofcontrol · 05-25-2006, 04:29 PM

The support leg on the table doesn't have a recess on the wall.

I have to go home and see how mine works. I know it will fold down flat, but I don't recall the recess.

Cool project!

-KM

overlander63 · 05-25-2006, 04:54 PM

Our credenza table was identical to yours, but it had a frame around the bottom that the leg sat inside. The hinges were attached to the frame, so the whole thing would sit flush, but stick out the amount the leg was thick.

Chaplain Kent · 05-26-2006, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outofcontrol

The support leg on the table doesn't have a recess on the wall.
-KM

You win the prize. I never thought of this when putting it all together. I still had the original plastic wall but gave it no mind. I will build a recess , maybe during the winter but for now the grandson will sleep under the table. He also has the front seats which fold flat but the floor was his choice since the dogs sleep on the seats. By the way the top aluminum shelf is the bottom drapery channel turned upside down out of our 75 Tradewind.

norbert · 05-26-2006, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

the grandson will sleep under the table..... since the dogs sleep on the seats.

oy vey.....

rebel beck · 05-26-2006, 07:27 AM

Chaplain,
Changing the subject is that the new puppy you got just a few months ago? Talk about growing up fast.

swebster · 05-26-2006, 08:19 AM

Nice work.

ALANSD · 05-26-2006, 08:25 AM

sorry I forced you into another redo! Not really...it does look like a good project. My 280 does have an airy and larger kind of feel inside for one not so big.

Quote from an s.o.b. trailer owner;
"I actually saw an airstream motorhome, did not know they made those! Imagine a riveted trailer where the guy was just sitting up front and driving it!"

ALANSD · 05-26-2006, 08:33 AM

have you seen this dinette on our classifieds? The 83 310 asking price is a mere $48,000.

swebster · 05-26-2006, 11:40 AM

We did something similar in our 345 by removing both barrel chairs and the TV cabinet, replacing them with a low coffee table height entertainment cabinet. Now, most people comment on how open it feels inside. We don't miss the chairs at all and the cabinet doubles as seating in a pinch.

GlenCoombe · 05-27-2006, 05:52 AM

Wow, you do nice work Kent. I'm thinking about doing the limited floor area in my coach... coming south soon??

I've been actually thinking about doing a floating floor with inlaid pattern, contrasting edges, etc. etc. Anything worth doing is worth ...overdoing!

Chaplain Kent · 05-27-2006, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel beck

Chaplain,
Changing the subject is that the new puppy you got just a few months ago? Talk about growing up fast.

Cromwell was four years old when we got him but he will always be a puppy.

cooperhawk · 05-27-2006, 08:13 AM

Just finished ours. Redid all the upholstery except the couch with a light colored leather like synthetic, then redid the chairs with a light patterned fabric. Built a low entertainment center and a flat screen tv. Only put one barrel chair back in and moved it away from the door so there is more room there. Installed a red wood Pergoe floor and trim. LOVE IT!

Just finished a new exhaust system two days ago.

Joe Z · 05-27-2006, 09:34 AM

You could also add an oak 1x2 or something similar for the table to mount to. This should give you adequate clearance for the table to sit flat against the wall and should be signifigantly easier than building a channel. Maybe add a shelf above to be used when the table is laying flat. Just wanted to throw out another idea. Joe

ALANSD · 05-28-2006, 06:16 AM

have you guys seen the Ebay coach for sale now, a 90's 27 footer that looks like it was built as funeral coach and then change to a limo of sorts. Nice unit for someone who doe not need a full bathroom or kitchen.
Great to hear about what uogrades you alll are doing. my weekend job is putting back in all the "stuff" I took out when a supposed buyer was coming to pick up the 280...we head out to FDR State Park soon..

Chaplain Kent · 05-28-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperhawk

Just finished ours. Redid all the upholstery except the couch with a light colored leather like synthetic, then redid the chairs with a light patterned fabric. Built a low entertainment center and a flat screen tv. Only put one barrel chair back in and moved it away from the door so there is more room there. Installed a red wood Pergoe floor and trim. LOVE IT!

Just finished a new exhaust system two days ago.

We need pictures. The remodeling though, not your exhaust.

Chaplain Kent · 05-28-2006, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkingspider

You could also add an oak 1x2 or something similar for the table to mount to. This should give you adequate clearance for the table to sit flat against the wall and should be signifigantly easier than building a channel. Maybe add a shelf above to be used when the table is laying flat. Just wanted to throw out another idea. Joe

I need almost 3" due to the channel used for the expansion of the table. I have already decided that I want to use plank oak like I have in the rest of the coach. Originally I was using oak from our property in Iowa 30 years ago when I ran out of that I found a store here in Milwaukee that sold white oak planks but they had none this time. I will change it all over this winter. We also were just given three boxes of laminated wood flooring which will be installed to replace the stained carpet.

cooperhawk · 05-28-2006, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaplain Kent

We need pictures. The remodeling though, not your exhaust.

Okay CK. New floor, new cushions, recovered barrel chair, new wall panels, new cabinet for tv and two coats of varnish on all woodwork. Not too bad a cabinet for an old jack knife carpenter, huh?

ralley · 05-28-2006, 10:17 AM

Gentlemen: Is there any savings in weight replacing the carpeting with flooring? I notice Cooperhawk replaced his carpet, and Ch K appears ready to........

Best,

Rob