Dinette Configuration Doesn't Make Sense To Me

[MSL]

My wife and I bought a 2019 Sport 22, and, for the life of us, could not make sense of the use of the dinette table when configured perpendicular to the length of the trailer. I know Patrick of Colonial shows that it's convenient to slide the table out towards the aisle when converting to a bed, but for us, giving this up is not a big deal. We wanted to have more room when we're sitting at the table, just the two of us; not feel like we're crammed in. So, we wanted to use the table in the perpendicular configuration, which you can't do as configured by Airstream.

I first tried to reconfigure using the original slides. It worked geometrically, but was extremely flimsy because of the excessive play in the slides.

I next made a new aluminum attachment plate and made plywood slides. This ended up giving us the configuration we wanted and is very solid in both positions. And, we can still convert the dinette to a bed or lounge area. May not work for everybody, but I think will work for us. I say “think will work for us” because, like most of you, we're home in Massachusetts instead of taking pictures of birds in Florida as we had planned. If this works out well, I'll probably convert the original tabletop instead of the plywood prototype now in place.

Interested in your thoughts, positive and negative.

[OTRA15]

You may need to ask yourselves a difficult question at the outset IMO.

“Did we buy the wrong floor plan for our needs?”

Normally Patrick shows buyers other floor plans and lengths, to avoid such instant dissatisfaction, which reflects poorly on him in certain ways.

How many other Airstreams did you consider? If there is a better length/floor plan for you, now is the time to bite the bullet IMO.

Good luck,

Peter

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

You may need to ask yourselves a difficult question at the outset IMO.

“Did we buy the wrong floor plan for our needs?”

Normally Patrick shows buyers other floor plans and lengths, to avoid such instant dissatisfaction, which reflects poorly on him in certain ways.

How many other Airstreams did you consider? If there is a better length/floor plan for you, now is the time to bite the bullet IMO.

While OTRA15's advice is good, it seems a little drastic considering that 1) you have made an adjustment that is satisfactory to you, and 2) the price of these trailers and $$$ you would lose having driven it off the lot already.

And your adjustment seems pretty clever and easy to implement IMHO; thanks for offering it to others on this forum.

Vivian

[Mollysdad]

I too am not a fan of dinettes.
Especially for someone of ample girth.
That's why I have a 26 U.

[jeffmc306]

MSL, I like how you approached the problem and came up with a creative solution! We too had a problem with our FC23FB which shares the same dinette design. The factory table extended too close to feel comfortable sitting on the left and right. When we turned the table 90 degrees, it was too far away.

My solution was to make a new top out of Curley Cherry that was a few inches shorter on the long side which solved the comfort problem but still worked when converted to a bed.

It was better but at the end of the day we still didn’t like the dinette layout and traded up to a 27’ Globetrotter twin bed. While that may not be a solution for everyone, we’re so much happier with the new layout.

Good luck with your challenge!

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

. . .
It was better but at the end of the day we still didn’t like the dinette layout and traded up to a 27’ Globetrotter twin bed. While that may not be a solution for everyone, we’re so much happier with the new layout.
. . .

Great move!

Never understood how anyone could be happy with such a large dinette in a smaller Airstream.

Happy trails,

Peter

[Old Fart]

[QUOTE=MSL;2352272]My wife and I bought a 2019 Sport 22, and, for the life of us, could not make sense of the use of the dinette table when configured perpendicular to the length of the trailer. I know Patrick of Colonial shows that it's convenient to slide the table out towards the aisle when converting to a bed, but for us, giving this up is not a big deal. We wanted to have more room when we're sitting at the table, just the two of us; not feel like we're crammed in. So, we wanted to use the table in the perpendicular configuration, which you can't do as configured by Airstream.

I have the same issue with the dinning table in my 23 FB 2020. I am in the process of making a drop leaf table by cutting the long ends off and remounting them with piano hinges. It's still a work in progress but 95 complete. Had to make most of my own hardware. Just need to re-install the top with or without the sliders. It's been a real challenge.

[dolson]

Originally Posted by jeffmc306

MSL, I like how you approached the problem and came up with a creative solution! We too had a problem with our FC23FB which shares the same dinette design. The factory table extended too close to feel comfortable sitting on the left and right. When we turned the table 90 degrees, it was too far away.



My solution was to make a new top out of Curley Cherry that was a few inches shorter on the long side which solved the comfort problem but still worked when converted to a bed.



It was better but at the end of the day we still didn’t like the dinette layout and traded up to a 27’ Globetrotter twin bed. While that may not be a solution for everyone, we’re so much happier with the new layout.



Good luck with your challenge!

We repalaced the mount with a Lagune pedestal on our 23FB which has a similar dinette. See post under “table removal” topic.

[waninae39]

we replaced the AS stock floor mount with a boat style lagum table mount

here is what we did.

no more mount on the floor to interfere with our feet

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f29...le-172239.html

[smeserole]

We replaced the tabletop with a 24"round top and LOVE it!

[duboismjjp]

I also have a 22FB sport (2018) bought used which had the dinette modified by the original owner. He did not like the original design either and built a new dinette table that extended to under the window, which was supported by the original column (which he riveted the column fixed) at one end and the other end by a shelf unit built on the middle bench, which he had moved its wall (the one with the electrical plug) 12 inches towards the window to increase the leg room under the table. This was all great except that being fixed in place, the dinette could no longer be used as a second bed.

I converted the dinette back to its original design and now miss the larger table. I will probably in the future reconvert to a hybrid from his original design that allows the dinette area to be used as a second bed.

My comment on your design is that you have a cantilever on your table which could add extra force on your connections on the aluminum plate, which could come loose while travelling and also damage your leather seats. After I reconverted my table, the table came loose and fell off a few times while travelling, from loose rails or from the screws to the plate. After I increased the size of the hardware and put double nuts I was ok.

[Glass Man]

My wife and I bought a 22 Sport last year, 2019. We went to the dealer with our mind set on a 25 Globetrotter, and got distracted by the Sport and it's lower price tag and thought it would work for us. The table was also one of my pet peeves, along with it being too small for us and a 45 lbs. dog.

In January we picked up our new 25 Globetrotter FB from Bill Thomas Campers in Missouri and loved the dealer and the new Airstream. We drove 600 miles because of our bad experiences with the local dealer. This is our fourth and hopefully last Airstream, 2000 Safari 25, 2004 Safari 27, preceded these last two.
Unfortunately we only got to make one trip in it, back to the dealer for the repair of a minor water leak, but it looks great in the driveway!

[Dugie7733]

I have a 23fb and the table size and draw slides mounted sideways is a bad joke from Airstream! I have made a couple of custom replacement tables that mount directly to the square aluminum plate. The one in the photos is for sale in the classifieds with a matching sink cover for the international round sink.

[Dugie7733]

Photos for my previous post

[RichAnthony]

We have ordered a 2022 Globetrotter 23 FBT with that dinette/lounge & I am already considering just removing the table & telescopic stand (just stowing it at home for possibly converting back or putting back in whenever we move up to a larger Airstream. I like the idea of a U shaped lounge, especially when the Globetrotter had two places behind the back cushions in the corners to set coffee cups, adult beverages, etc.