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Rivetedude · 08-27-2006, 05:49 PM

I've got a '72 Land Yacht Ambassador Int'l 29'. I'm thinking about removing the credenza and installing a couch and putting a dinette across the front replacing the current couch. It would be very similar to the 25' rear entry that Airstream came out with last year only the dinette would be across the front.

Has anyone done this mod? Were there any major hiccups that you ran into? Do you have any pics of the finished product?

I'm on the edge where I'm either going to sell it or change it to suit my needs. I have the twins in the middle which are great for the kids, but I really want more room for Wifey-poo and I up front. This change would add day-time functionality by implementing a dinette, and increase comfort and sleeping capacity during the night as well as increased storage.

Any info you folks have would be great.

Thanx

Ben

CaddyGrn · 08-28-2006, 12:10 AM

Hi,

Have you ever worked on the goucho and/or other "furniture" parts in your Airstream? I would suggest you look at the construction underneath and see how much "trouble" it would be to change and if the old holes or whatever would show once you redo the floor plan up front.

However, if you are going to sell it if you don't change it.... I would change it. You know how the rest of your Airstream works... you are familiar with its quirks, etc. You never know what surprises you will find with a different one! Just give it a try, if you don't like the end result, well sell it then and get another! Don't have much to lose, and a lot more to gain!

Good luck!

Mrs. NorCal Bambi (traveling in S Tardis)

remcolent · 08-28-2006, 03:48 AM

how about something like this?
The table fold down and makes a 3 pers bed.

Remco

Rivetedude · 08-28-2006, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remcolent

how about something like this?
The table fold down and makes a 3 pers bed.

Remco

That's exactly what I'm talking about with the exception of the seating across the front. I don't think I have that kind of room from the front to the door but I guess I'll see. I did plan on removing the shelf behind the couch. That would free up about six inches or so. I would like to do it the way yours is. I love a U-shaped Dinette and I like the idea of a bigger bed!

I don't think any holes would be left uncovered due to the dinette seats being the same height as the existing couch.

remcolent · 08-28-2006, 05:52 AM

mine is only a 27 in a 29 you have a bit more room
I also did remove the shelf behind the couch

Chuck · 08-28-2006, 07:55 AM

did you keep the original curtain rails intact when you made the change? I've toyed with the idea of building a dinette, and one of the things that looks like it might be an issue is the lower curtain rail along the front...looks like it might be in the way of things. I suppose since you still have a couch-back against the front wall, it wouldn't be. but with a straight dinette, I wonder.

Over59 · 08-28-2006, 11:44 AM

If you have the skill and think it out it shouldn't be a problem. There are alot of front dinette pictures on the vintage photo site. My 68 caravel has one and now my 59 overlander has one. Personally I would be without one. However, taking it apart very day can be a pain if you need the space to sleep.

tphan · 08-28-2006, 02:43 PM

hi- I think anything is doable if you want to do it bad enough. Go for it!! I also have a question for Remcolent: where in the holy heck is vledder, drenthe???? Thenk ewe, tim

remcolent · 08-28-2006, 02:45 PM

Vledder drenthe is a small village in the netherlands.
close to where the dutch TT is held.

tphan · 08-28-2006, 02:55 PM

Then I win some kind of an expensive, beautiful prize because I thought maybe the Netherlands! My second guess would have been the planet Vrzingk, in the galaxy Bdoelinfh.

Rivetedude · 08-29-2006, 03:39 PM

This is a change I'll definitely be making then knowing I have the room. I won't have a TV stand anymore but hey...that crap rots your brain cells right? The kids need a dinette on which to eat..I need a place to put my laptop..we need a bigger bed..sounds like this solves ALL those problems.

ALANSD · 08-29-2006, 03:54 PM

I like that dinette couch combo. Sure would be nice to do that in my 31. But I have waaay too many things being done now. And we haven't camped in the thing yet!

ayresdream · 11-05-2006, 10:24 PM

How's the dinette coming along? Did you decide on a plan yet?

Inquiring minds (with similar coaches) need to know.

PizzaChop · 11-06-2006, 05:33 AM

Here is a pic of the wrap around dinette I built in the '72 Overlander I sold last April. it makes nearly a queen size bed (much more comfortable than the awful gaucho bed, especially with a mattress topper).

Here is a pic of the construction with measurements. I replaced the front shelf with my own, which is actually the top of the front seat back. You could do it without the front seat if you wanted, and just have a longer table.

sequoiacoast · 11-17-2006, 09:02 AM

I am currently at the stage in my dinette construction where I need a TABLE LEG (for a wrap-around/ u-shaped dinette). I have searched.... and most have the fold down table. Pizzachop, where did you purchase your table leg (Camping World)? Was it sturdy enough. The leg at CW is less than 10$- which makes me nervous about quality!!

Anyone have leg advice

???

doorgunner · 11-17-2006, 09:09 AM

I got some adjustable legs at IKEA, round, 1 3/4" dia.very inexpensive. also not able to be folded.

sequoiacoast · 11-17-2006, 09:34 AM

Just to clarify- I need a single leg, that is removable for the bed conversion, and that will be in the center of the table.

The IKEA legs are meant to be stationary? Do they have a selection of table legs? I suppose not convertible...

sequoiacoast · 11-17-2006, 09:48 AM

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/s.../2/skunum=7869

Here is what I'm looking at. If this link works-

doorgunner · 11-17-2006, 10:38 AM

OOps, The ones I got at IKEA are fixed, the adjustable ones I got at Scandinavian Designs a store in Sacramento. You know you could also "look" around for something else suitable. Like electrical conduit- there is a thick wall aluminum type available. or 4" thick wall PVC(the kind used for spud guns) you could paint it to match! There are a lot of suitable materials out there that would give your AS a very custom look. Put that imagination to work!! As I see it the only area of concern is mounting a flange thing to the floor- but that no biggie either and I think the CW thing looks chintzy. Tim PS hows the coastal fog this am?

3Ms75Argosy · 11-17-2006, 12:22 PM

I think what you want is a pedistal mount leg. One holder in the table and one on the floor. The "leg" fits into the table and the floor. Pull up the table and remove the leg to put it down.
Marc