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Old 01-12-2018, 09:00 AM   #1
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Location: New Braunfels, Texas
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Access Door under dinette bench

We are finalizing our build sheet and have never had a camping trailer before.
I can see from photos that there is quite a bit of storage available under the dinette seats (we are getting the U-shape seating), but in order to access that storage from the inside of the trailer, one must lift up the seat cushion, etc.
Has anyone had an access door installed somewhere along the dinette area (near the floor), and if so, where?
Any general thoughts or comments regarding this would be appreciated. I'm thinking it would be nice to have, but just not sure if it would be worthwhile.
Thanks all -
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:05 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyt View Post
We are finalizing our build sheet and have never had a camping trailer before.
I can see from photos that there is quite a bit of storage available under the dinette seats (we are getting the U-shape seating), but in order to access that storage from the inside of the trailer, one must lift up the seat cushion, etc.
Has anyone had an access door installed somewhere along the dinette area (near the floor), and if so, where?
Any general thoughts or comments regarding this would be appreciated. I'm thinking it would be nice to have, but just not sure if it would be worthwhile.
Thanks all -
It depends on the model. In our 19, the location for a bench access door is just inside the entry door on the end of the passenger side bench. We use it alot.
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Old 01-12-2018, 09:14 AM   #3
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In the 21 the table limits your access from underneath, so unless you have the table removed, you have better access from the top, besides the rear in the "U" is the largest part depending on where the factory is now installing the converter and ems, you may want to specify so that you will have unobstructed storage.The batteries are under the curb side and converter and ems was under the street side in my 21.
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Old 01-12-2018, 11:14 AM   #4
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21' Thanks.
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Old 01-12-2018, 11:15 AM   #5
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Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyt View Post
We are finalizing our build sheet and have never had a camping trailer before.
I can see from photos that there is quite a bit of storage available under the dinette seats (we are getting the U-shape seating), but in order to access that storage from the inside of the trailer, one must lift up the seat cushion, etc.
Has anyone had an access door installed somewhere along the dinette area (near the floor), and if so, where?
Any general thoughts or comments regarding this would be appreciated. I'm thinking it would be nice to have, but just not sure if it would be worthwhile.
Thanks all -
With the U dinette in our 21, our batteries are under the U end on passenger side. The whole passenger side is empty under the bench. Our electrical and EMS are also at the back U end. We have counter extensions on both sides of the dinette. That means that they have to be raised for us to get under the benches. We do not have any other door to get into the benches and it would not help much because, since the whole passenger side was empty, we have quite a few things there of which some are large, so a little door would not work for getting to them. We need the whole bench opened.
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Old 01-12-2018, 02:03 PM   #6
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The other consideration has to do with your agility. It's a tiny nuisance to move cushions but then you have straight down and good access to the contents.

A side door requires that you kneel down, and for stuff not right at the door, bend down and reach in. Awkward for some folks.

On the 19, the bench end door works better because, a lot of the time, you're outside, lower, and it's easy to retrieve contents.

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Old 01-12-2018, 05:02 PM   #7
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I believe some people had an exterior access door installed on the passenger side of a 21' which might interest the OP or others.
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Old 01-20-2018, 09:24 PM   #8
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we just sold our 19 foot escape last year and will be getting the 5TA with a u shaped dinette. In our old trailer the major storage was under the bed, and the rear outside access was essential. We put our cordless electric drill under it (the drill was for easy set up of stabilizers) which we accessed every set up.
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