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ArchieGates · 09-15-2011, 11:55 PM

We just picked up a new 2012 International 28'. Loving it so far, but one oddity is trying to make the dinette into a bed! It doesn't seem stable at all. When it's down, the table doesn't have but a tiny amount of overhang on the seats and it easily slides around to where it slips on one side, accompanied by a nice jolt, and leaving the table resting only on one side with the rest of the weight being supported by the metal holding the table. I can't imagine this is normal, especially since I can't seem to find other threads here talking about the dinette bed being unstable. Help!

dkottum · 09-16-2011, 10:16 AM

Something wrong here, maybe the folding mechanism has been damaged by someone. These tables are placed down all the time on various models as beds and lounges. Your dealer should surely fix it.

doug k

smhx4 · 09-16-2011, 11:25 AM

Ours is the same way. The first time DD laid down she fell through. It's slightly crooked and that's enough to make it completely unstable. It's really a poor design. Our table in our safari folded into a bed with no problems at all.

We made our own fix. We bought a 2 inch wide piece of oak from home depot, thanks tin loaf for that tip. It's about 8 inches wider than the table top. I wrapped it in that non slip drawer liner stuff. Then took two extra pieces of the non slip material and those sit on the benches where the table meets towards the wall, one on each side. We lay the wood piece from bench to bench just in front of the table leg. It slightly raises the table but it's not noticeable.

The non slip stuff keeps it stable and protects the AS from scratches. When she fell the first time the table top went under the bench on one side and theres a nice scratch on the top now. I plan on claiming that in the warranty when we can take it in for service.

We store the piece of wood in the hall closet when not in use. Hope this makes sense.

ArchieGates · 09-16-2011, 02:37 PM

Thanks so much! That sounds like a good solution. I wish there were a more elegant way of making it work. I called the dealer and the service dept said basically that's how they are. He said to try some of those rubber dots that people use to hold stuff in place, and put them on the seat to hold the table in place. If that doesn't work, he said bring it in and he can try to create something and that he could call Airstream and see if there's a better solution. I like your solution though and it seems like it would be pretty stable!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-16-2011, 03:28 PM

Hi, without seeing pictures of your table and seats, I would say that one or both of the seats need to be moved closer together so the table fits snug between them.

ArchieGates · 09-16-2011, 11:25 PM

Well, we were able to make it more stable by using these round rubber discs from Home Depot. We cut them in half and put 4 on each side - 2 on the seat and 2 on the underside of the table. No more sliding!

Seems like they should be put on at the factory!

chunter · 01-16-2012, 10:36 AM

H we have a 2011 28' international and it has he same problem!!! Really scary..The dealer's response to us was the same as ArchieGates received.. We are going to Alumapalooza and an acceptable fix is on the top of my list...With the price of these trailers we shouldn't have to jury-rig fixes....But then again, I am considering doing away with the dinette, altogether...has anybody seen any great configurations for replacing the dinette with a sofa?

Colonial Airstream · 01-16-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchieGates

We just picked up a new 2012 International 28'. Loving it so far, but one oddity is trying to make the dinette into a bed! It doesn't seem stable at all. When it's down, the table doesn't have but a tiny amount of overhang on the seats and it easily slides around to where it slips on one side, accompanied by a nice jolt, and leaving the table resting only on one side with the rest of the weight being supported by the metal holding the table. I can't imagine this is normal, especially since I can't seem to find other threads here talking about the dinette bed being unstable. Help!

There is supposed to be two rubber bumpers mounted under the dinette to keep it square and in place when in the down position. I have seen several trailers missing those two peices recently.

Colonial Airstream · 01-16-2012, 12:50 PM

You can see the bumpers in the video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkczJ...9&feature=plcp

zlee · 01-16-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeatAirstream

There is supposed to be two rubber bumpers mounted under the dinette to keep it square and in place when in the down position. I have seen several trailers missing those two peices recently.

Ooh, thank you Patrick, I'll definitely be checking on that when I pick up my new-to-me trailer in a week or so!

Niagara2011 · 01-16-2012, 07:23 PM

We have a 2011 international. Same problem. We had AS send us 2 rubber grommets Which we drilled a hole through and bolted on the seat ( under cushion) that way when you lower the table, the grommets keep it in place. But a previous post said that the whole table top fell under the seats?! I wonder if we had a out 4 grommets on each side all perfectly lined up, if that would fix it?

MrUKToad · 01-16-2012, 07:52 PM

We had that problem on our 28' International. It's both a design and a poor manufacturing issue but one that is easily rectified without going to the effort of moving one or both of the seats slighter closer together. Out dinette table had two plastic studs screwed to its underside and these were supposed to prevent the lateral movement of the table when it was resting on the seat edges. These studs were both incorrectly positioned and fixed with screws that were too short, meaning that the first bit of movement knocked the studs out. It didn't help that the seats on which the table rested were ever so slightly warped, meaning that the table didn't sit exactly flush.

To sort this out, our dealer has refitted the studs, more accurately than the factory, and used a longer and more secure screw. I haven't done it yet but I may add two more studs, impeding any further lateral movement. Similarly, I'll probably use some of the non-slip pads used ArchieGates as they look pretty good.

Of course the ultimate solution is to move the seats but that, friends, is a last resort in my opinion.

Zia · 06-02-2012, 08:57 PM

My 2011 23 FB Serenity has the same problem, one of my guest actually fell when the table slid too far on one side and fell through. I called my dealer and his answer was that is the way it is. Very dsappointed after paying over 65 grand.
There are no grommet or any thing on the table to hold it in center. The clamp holding the table has too much play which cause the table to slide side ways beyond the edge of the seat. Airstream better pay attention before sombody can get hurt real bad and consquences may be lot worse. Particularly when this issue has been brought to their attention no recall or even dealers are ignorant on this issue.

IanPoulin · 05-03-2014, 02:25 PM

Although this thread is years old, as a recent purchaser of a used 2011 Serenity 28 - I want to thank the OP and those who fielded answers as my dinette has the exact same issue -- no gromets, bumpers or other methods installed to the underside of the dinette making the first attempt to try it out as a bed a disaster. ArchieGates - if you're still in the forums, I would like to know how your solution is working, three years on. It may be the easier for me to work with I guess...

Ian

smhx4 · 05-03-2014, 10:13 PM

Hi there,

I can tell you we are sticking with our same fix we did over two years ago. We did have our table top replaced under warranty and the rubber bumpers were added. However it was done very poorly. They don't even line up with the bench seat, maybe it was added as the factory and the table arrived that way, but either way they are pointless. Our fix works fine.

Valgal59 · 11-10-2014, 06:19 PM

I am hoping that you can answer our additional question about this dinette bed. We tried to assemble it and there is simply not enough room to fit the two back cushions into place on the dropped table. Even if we tried to squeeze them in real tightly. Ours is a 2014 Anyone have this problem? If I can figure out how to transfer a picture over I will.....

Valgal59 · 11-10-2014, 06:23 PM

Here is a picture of our problem with getting the back cushions in place. They are obviously too large.

GMFL · 12-02-2015, 10:10 PM

I called airstream about the dinette problem above. Not easy to explain but I'll try. #1 Put the widest seat back on the table top. #2 slide the dinette seat cushion on the left toward the center until no gap. #3 place the other seat back on edge between the left wall and dinette seat that has been slid inward to Finnish the convention. Hope this helps

BoldAdventure · 12-03-2015, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valgal59

Here is a picture of our problem with getting the back cushions in place. They are obviously too large.

Yup, and you'll notice they're too short. This is the whole problem with the design where the cushion is cut to be away from the wall, but not against it.

The lengths are all wrong. And it's one of those spots where Airstream shows their true quality colors. As a Cadalic and not a true luxury brand.

Valgal59 · 12-06-2015, 02:21 PM

Yes, Thank you both. We figured it out after talking to someone in the local dealer. It greatly limits anyone over five feet tall from comfortably sleeping there. Furthermore, the cushions are uneven causing even a fit person to wake up with a back ache. It doesn't truely sleep four unless the other two are little kids.