Springfield Table Pedestal

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Micheal K

I was thinking along these lines as well but I think at least some screw locations have an air gap between the plywood floor and the fiberglass...

I don't think that would be the case anywhere between the frame rails... only outside of the frame.

[Ron in BC]

There's no reason to have screws penetrating to the exterior. Just use nut serts. That's how I installed my custom base. The machine screw threaded into it in the photo is used as the installation tool.

Ron

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

There's no reason to have screws penetrating to the exterior. Just use nut serts. That's how I installed my custom base. The machine screw threaded into it in the photo is used as the installation tool.

Ron

Yeah, and far stronger.

[Flyfisherdan]

Claude,

Have you used your Springfield pedestal with the modified slider yet? We have a 2017 21' with the Springfield pedestal and I am looking for a less wobbly slider option. If you have installed it, how sturdy is it, as well as how much travel do you have from side to side?

Thanks.

Dan

[MadCAT3]

Hi Dan:

We’ve used it for the pickup trip and one weekend outing so far. There’s no appreciable wobble with the Garelick clamp tight. Have it set to permit fore and aft sliding. Range is only about 5 inches, but we have the pedestal set pretty far forward using an 18 inch table depth with filler board. It does permit sitting on the back bench of the U-shaped dinette. Will be heading over to our stored trailer in the next 24 hours and glad to send pictures. — Claude

[akmacs]

Ron, do you happen to remember what size nut-sert and screw length that you used? I bought a couple different types that look similar and they take a 1/4-20 thread screw. I'm wondering if I should go with a larger one like 3/8. It looks like a 1 inch screw is about the right length to fully seat into the nut-sert and not hit the bottom shell.

The 1/4 size is pretty close to the wood screws that come with the pedestal.

I bought some extras to practice with so I'm going to do a test install into some 1/2 ply tomorrow.

Also do the machine screws loosen up much over time?

[MadCAT3]

Hi Dan:

Here's a photo of our Garelick Slider installation using the Springfield pedestal. One could elect the side-to-side sliding orientation, if this makes more sense for the given setup...

Thanks! -- Claude

[padlin]

Does the locking arm get in the way?

[MadCAT3]

Great question…

The locking arm extends about 5 inches from the slider, leaving about 7.5 inches to the edge of the table. At 75.5 inches tall, with the pedestal fully extended, I can sit on the driver’s side bench and have 2.25 inches of clearance above my knees. I am the tallest person in our family.

The locking arm could be shortened pretty easily if necessary.

We elected this configuration using the Springfield as we travel with children and put the table down nightly to use the dinette sleeping space. It can be altered between table and bed functions quickly. If we were traveling mostly as a couple, with rare use of the bed, we would have installed the Lagun mount for its adaptable positioning.

Thanks!

— Claude

[MadCAT3]

I also meant to mention we’ve been using the Exped MegaMat Duo 10 Sleeping Pad in the dinette space which fits well and adds some additional padding to the standard cushions. The inflation pressure can be adjusted to provide some control over the firmness. During the day when we need the table, we put it on the front bed rather than deflating and bagging it for storage.

[Bobnjudy]

For a long time i was really annoyed with how wobbly the entire table system was. I finally cranked on the Springfield's pneumatic tighteners and snapped over the lock hasp. Big improvement.
Now the only very annoying thing is lousey factory sliding plate and tilted table. Of all the very cool engineering in this camper, the one thing that is used by all of us every day is the table. And it's an unworthy, poorly developed ...ugh

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Bobnjudy

Of all the very cool engineering in this camper, the one thing that is used by all of us every day is the table. And it's an unworthy, poorly developed ...ugh

Improving the table sliders is a relatively simple matter of removing the plastic slides and replacing them with heavier duty drawer slides of similar length. And you can even get the sliders with a locking lever. Works very well.

[h2owmn]

bobnjudy, can you please tell me how to tighten those pneumatic tighteners? thanks.

[Bobnjudy]

There are 3 sections with 2 clasps that you undo to lower/raise the platform. Undo the the clasp, tighten the screw a few turns and re-clasp. It'll stiffen right up and I feel like a dope for whining about it for so long without getting under the thing while my wife wobbled it so I could locate the problem.

[Bobnjudy]

Thanks much, Mr Bryan! I'll work on that fix.

[LRL]

Does anyone have a photo of the slider replacement that is mentioned? Or a link to where to buy the heavy duty drawer sliders that lock? Thanks!

[Oldtimer]

You can find them at Lowe’s or Home Depot

[LRL]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

You can find them at Lowe’s or Home Depot

That would be great if either were within 75 miles of me. Sadly (happily actually!) that’s not the case. If anyone has a photo to post, I’ll happily go hunting on line or at one of our mom and pop builder supplies. Thanks!

[h2owmn]

thanks, bob n judy. i'm on it.

[rjbny]

Originally Posted by Micheal K

Just went out and checked mine- screws are protruding about 1/8". Wish I'd seen your suggestion about 6 months ago. Good advice.

Same here. Only comforts were that they weren't the only holes on the underside and I wasn't alone.

So, what is the best protection for the screw holes. Proflex? Something else?