dinette choice

[Farther]

I did a search with no joy but I am sure the answer is out there, just beyond my search skill level. Although I have a lot of fu in my life, apparently google-fu is not part of it. My question is what are the advantages/disadvantages to each dinette choice. Not actually having seen the u-shaped dinette I would think the table would be significantly smaller. What was your decision-making process for this?

[cpaharley2008]

If you go to the ETI website and open E21 trailer and look at spec's they have the measurements for both the standard and "U" tables....45" vs 30", same width.....

[jkavanagh]

We prefer the large table. On a rainy day or a mosquito evening it is nice to invite others in for a game of cards, drinks or hot coffee and have table and seating. We put a stool at the end of the table and have sat 6 for dinner on a cold night when there was a fire ban on. If it was just the two of us the u shape would be great.

[padlin]

For my wife and I the benefit of the U is we can use the back bench for our little dog and it serves as a place to put stuff when sitting at the table. Deb's craft stuff, or a book or 2 of mine. The U allows for more under seat storage, in mine all the electronics and batteries are under the rear seat, the drivers side has the water heater and pump, leaving the passenger side empty, at least till we fill it. I believe the batteries are in the passenger side seat of the non U but I'm not sure.

If I were to need to seat more then 2 I'd think the non U would be better. The rear seat doesn't look very comfortable to me.

I've shaved my table down to 24", works better for us then the full size U table. Actually the 24"er is another table top, I put the original back on if the grand kids are going with us. They had no complaints about sitting on the rear bench, but then they are little kids.

I can put my feet up on the rear bench if I can get them around the table leg. It's a longer area to stretch out then putting them up on the same side I'm sitting on.

[davidmurphy02]

Here are photos of the U-dinette and regular dinette. In the regular dinette the table is 35 wide x 46 long, the U-dinette table is 35 wide x 29 long. These dimensions are from the 5.0TA, but I believe the 21 is almost identical.

[travdes]

I sat in both recently. If we were regularly seating more than 2, I would pick the standard dinette. As it is, we have a 17 year old who hates camping, and when she does come she prefers her own tent. So we made the choice to pick the dinette that made sense for 95% of the time. It's not that uncomfortable in the back for someone who has no belly or a child. As for myself I'm pushing 260 and if I weight much more my belly would be rubbing the table . We also do most of our eating outdoors so at most we expect the dinette to be used for working on our laptops or playing cards etc.

[cpaharley2008]

Another thing to consider is the weight/awkward ness of the larger table if you need to make it into a bed nightly. The smaller table can be handled by one, whereas two people is needed for the larger table.

[Vermilye]

I solved the large/small table with one that is each. The folding/sliding tables from Marine Teak let you have both. While I purchased the 39.4" Star Slide table, if I had it to do over I'd select the same sized Star Wing version.

Some photos of it in the 21 are at my Escape 21 Modifications page.

[h2owmn]

The larger table being more difficult to wrestle can be solved with several other table mounting options. I chose the Springfield pedestal for this reason.

[rotateclockwise]

Originally Posted by h2owmn

The larger table being more difficult to wrestle can be solved with several other table mounting options. I chose the Springfield pedestal for this reason.

Agreed, the Springfield pedestal is easy to push down for sleeping arrangements.

[NW Cat Owner]

We have the u-shape in our 21, but we opted not to get the table installed. It's currently residing in the attic. We didn't get the base for it installed either. The dinette is used mainly for lounging and there's plenty of room with one filler board added for that.


For when Dirk's with me, we put up the second filler board and that's his bed. ETI makes the filler boards and there's a cushion for each board. Great option if you don't install the table.


When eating, there's the flip-up table/counter at either end of the dinette or I use a folding TV tray. I also use it for when I'm crafting (coloring in stamped images that will later be used on cards).


If you're in the Seattle area, you're welcome to come see it. Send me a PM and we can get a date figured out.

[MyronL]

I got the standard seating/table in my 2013 19 but altered it twice. Transition notes: Our wide bodies needed something smaller. Our feet needed more floor space. This has worked for us.

[cpaharley2008]

Myron,
I like #2 look but I see #3 you are down to one post, that is nice.

[MyronL]

Thanks, Jim. Ole Jackson Pollock just got a bit gloomy for me. My single post idea turned out perfectly stable, because of cross bracing to the seating underneath.

[pkgman51]

We opted for the dinette instead of the bed in our 19. It provides for a very large table and for seating 4 easily, 6 squeezed a bit. We do convert it to a bed for sleeping, takes 5 minutes.
As for the pedestal we opted for a spring loaded scissors pedestal from FactoryRvService.com. You can find it on 'youtube'. to see how it works. Notice how easily it goes down. Notice, also, the user puts his foot on the bottom to lift the table. It's not that easy in the trailer. I made a foot pedal extension that holds the pedestal down when lifting the table, that works great.
Good luck....

Gary

[Lisa M.]

I'm reading this post with interest, as I will need to make a decision on the dinette. I like the look of the U, but the table size of the standard. Usually there are just two of us in the trailer, but if we are camping with family we will have four or six inside if it's too cold outside to play cards. Four in the Casita is hard!!!!! Some of us are pretty good sized people. It sounds like the U will not work. Seems like I could just throw some pillows at the wall end for lounging for two people. I also will need to put the bed down if it's just my daughter/friend and me traveling. I've have made note of the pedestals to look into. I hadn't thought of that--thank you!

[Eggscape]

If you are handy you could do this http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...tml#post273431

Or you could ask ETI to make you the wall cushion and the table 2 to 3 inches smaller so it fits. This gives you the look. You could also ask them to make you a second smaller table for when there is just the two of you.
Keep the standard seating for when there is 4 of you and see if they will make you a cushion to fit on a board the form the U.

[Lisa M.]

Thank you! I will add that idea to my notebook! I spent quite a bit of time yesterday looking at all your mods. I can tell you like to keep a creative mind busy and your hands out of trouble and in a frugal way! And the rest of us get to benefit! I made note of your dog hook ups on the step though we usually can loop the cable through the step and onto itself again and it works. Just not as pretty!

[alanmalk]

Originally Posted by Farther

...
What was your decision-making process for this?

Would have gone for the smaller table except for one problem - STUFF!

--
Alan

[stratos175]

We bought our Escape used and it does not have the U shape dinette and if I had ordered a new one that is one of the options I would have debated. Now that we have one without it we plan to keep it that way, we think .
I really think its important to think how do we camp most of the time? I've decide best to have things set up where they are best for US since we are who spends 90% of the time in it.

Enjoy the journey.

Steve