Springfield Pedestal Question

[sclifrickson]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hello,



New owner-to-be here, having ordered an Escape 21. Lots of help by reading the Forum. Do have a question that I'd not considered before, i.e. Springfield Pedestal vs. stock table pedestal. Thoughts welcome. Note: the trailer will be used by two, my wife and me. Don't expect to ever use the U-Dinette in the bed configuration for overnight guest(s); though I'm told that it also makes a handy and comfortable "lounge" area. Do you often use it that way? Also, least expensive place to get the pedestal? Overton's currently does not have it available. Also, does it negatively affect accessibility to rear bench, e.g. converter and/or storage? If so, how do you cope. Also, do you get the standard Escape slider table installed? Lastly, is it really much more "firm/solid" a base than the stock table? Lots of questions. Need to let the good folks at Escape know soon, so please don't "table" these questions. Many thanks. Henk

These are all good questions and concerns. And have all been discussed previously ad nauseum. Use the search feature to get a comprehensive overview.

[cpaharley2008]

We ordered the optional "U" dinette which comes with the smaller table. We removed the table maybe twice and stored it in the truck and used the 'lounge" set up with 2 1x2 slats and the corner cushion seen here post #230 http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...k-3134-23.html

[Marry]

“Henk”: same name as my hubby. Henk spelled with a “e” :-)

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by Marry

“Henk”: same name as my hubby. Henk spelled with a “e” :-)

At first I wondered if it was your husband.

[Marry]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

At first I wondered if it was your husband.

Could easily have been.
Who knows where my Henk hangs out right now

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Henk

Hello,

New owner-to-be here, having ordered an Escape 21. Lots of help by reading the Forum. Do have a question that I'd not considered before, i.e. Springfield Pedestal vs. stock table pedestal. Thoughts welcome. Note: the trailer will be used by two, my wife and me. Don't expect to ever use the U-Dinette in the bed configuration for overnight guest(s); though I'm told that it also makes a handy and comfortable "lounge" area. Do you often use it that way? Also, least expensive place to get the pedestal? Overton's currently does not have it available. Also, does it negatively affect accessibility to rear bench, e.g. converter and/or storage? If so, how do you cope. Also, do you get the standard Escape slider table installed? Lastly, is it really much more "firm/solid" a base than the stock table? Lots of questions. Need to let the good folks at Escape know soon, so please don't "table" these questions. Many thanks. Henk

We've used the U dinette in bed configuration a couple times for unexpected guests.

the springfield pedestal and dicor 2-way slider is definitely more solid than the stock setup, which has a fair bit of side to side wobble. I did find I had to tighten the adjuster nut on the springfield clamps before it stopped wobbling. I like being able to slide the table 'backwards' rather than to a side, for getting in/out of the seats, also when lounging in the seats and doing late night reading or whatever.

I think I'll be able to remove the power converter if I have to. We try not to store much under the rear bench because with our rear bike rack, we need more weight up front.

[Ron in BC]

I've always considered the stock twin pedestals to be the lowest quality piece of hardware on an Escape. From the first day we sat in a demo Escape and saw how flimsy the stock ones were, not to mention the awkwardness of actually lowering the table, we knew no Escape we owned would ever have the stock set-up.

Aside from being so much higher quality the Springfield is a single pedestal and foot space under the table is finite and one pedestal is better than two.

It's doubtful that we will ever lower it for bed use but it's still worth it to us to have a much more sturdy pedestal and know if we want the table down it'll go down in an effortless flash. We did have one on our boat and loved it.

Ron

[John in Santa Cruz]

Note that at least for an older Escape 21 that doesn't the raised floor under the dinette, you'll need about 4" additional spacer between the Dpringfield, and the table top. The Dicor 2-way slider takes about 0.5", while the original piece of square plywood and plastic sliders used about 1". With the Dicor, I used two 6" long clear grained redwood 2x4's on edge, and the table height is perfect, and the springfield is fully compressed when the table is in the 'bed' position.

measure this carefully on yours. measure your Springfield compressed and fully extended, and measure the floor to the underside of table top in the bed position and at its normal height.