5.0 Dinette floor and Springfield Pedestal Install?

[AuthorSP]

Hello, just signed off on our build sheet for our 5.0 and I asked for them to supply but not install the Springfield pedestal and table. We plan on bringing along a smaller table or our own and installing the pedestal where it works better for us.

So I've asked our sales person some questions and the answers have been surprisingly vague. I'm hoping some of the folks here can help us plan this out:

I tried to look up videos on how to install the pedestal, but they are vague, and I can't find anything particular to the Escape 5.0. Does anyone have any good links?

Do we screw directly through the vinyl flooring into the plywood floor?
Are there any places in the dinette floor area that we need to avoid screwing into?
Does this installation contact the fiberglass shell at all?

What kind of parts come with the pedestal and table? Is a slider part of it?

I might want to install a stabilizer for the table on the rear wall of the trailer, if possible. Is there any place on the wall that can accommodate having a strip of wood attached?

It appears that the dinette is raised. What is under the raised section? Any tubing or wires? Is it fully enclosed, or is there access beneath it from inside the benches?

What are the measurements of the standard table?

Thanks for any help!

[cpaharley2008]

I believe there is a fresh water tank underneath, causing the bump.....

[AuthorSP]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I believe there is a fresh water tank underneath, causing the bump.....

Well I definitely don't want to drill into that...

[Ron in BC]

Yes, the typical installation uses screws to attach the pedestal to the floor.

I don't, I use threaded wood inserts. They're a larger diameter and have much more holding power. I use them because if I end up accidentally pushing down on the table top there's much less chance of me pulling out screws.

The inserts, there's different types, are threaded in with an allan key or a screwdriver. For the size you'd use a 1/4" bolt is used.

Ron

[AuthorSP]

That is a good tip, thank you!

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Yes, the typical installation uses screws to attach the pedestal to the floor.

I don't, I use threaded wood inserts. They're a larger diameter and have much more holding power. I use them because if I end up accidentally pushing down on the table top there's much less chance of me pulling out screws.

The inserts, there's different types, are threaded in with an allan key or a screwdriver. For the size you'd use a 1/4" bolt is used.

Ron

Well. I didn't know there was such a thing.

[AuthorSP]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Yes, the typical installation uses screws to attach the pedestal to the floor.

I don't, I use threaded wood inserts. They're a larger diameter and have much more holding power. I use them because if I end up accidentally pushing down on the table top there's much less chance of me pulling out screws.

The inserts, there's different types, are threaded in with an allan key or a screwdriver. For the size you'd use a 1/4" bolt is used.

Ron

Ron, how do you install those inserts?

[Escape_19]

Originally Posted by AuthorSP

Ron, how do you install those inserts?

VERY CAREFULLY!!!

[Ron in BC]

You drill a hole the root size of the threads, in this case 23/64" but 3/8" works also, just very marginally less holding power.

Yes, very carefully. I usually just use tape on the drill bit and position my hand on the floor and touching the drill to limit a sudden plunge too deep. Using a stop block is safer.

The ones shown use a 1/4" bolt. They are also available in 3/16" when less strength is required.

Ron

[SRS]

Our 2022 17A has the Springfield Pedestal installed by Escape. They us threaded inserts in the plywood, however, I don't believe they are the same style that Ron showed. The screw is a stainless steel flat head machine screw 5/16in-18x3/4. I discovered this because one of the inserts was set too deep in the plywood for one of the screws to reach the threads and it was rolling around on the floor. I got a 1in version of that screw and it solved the problem. Parts and Service at Escape can probably give you the details. They've been very helpful to me.

[Jim Bennett]

If I was doing it again I would use the threaded inserts. This said, I used large, at least #12 (maybe #14) would screws and after 6 years the pedestal is still nice and solid.

[AuthorSP]

I've never done threaded inserts, but it doesn't look too hard. What is the largest size screw I can use with the pedestal?

[Carmel Clown]

Isn’t the raised floor in the dining area standard now? It is raised in my 2020 5.0. Is it raised and hollow to allow space for installing legs, pedestals, etc. Anyone know big the gap is or if there even is one?

[AuthorSP]

Originally Posted by Carmel Clown

Isn’t the raised floor in the dining area standard now? It is raised in my 2020 5.0. Is it raised and hollow to allow space for installing legs, pedestals, etc. Anyone know big the gap is or if there even is one?

I've asked the Escape folks this question and still waiting for a response...

[Ron in BC]

On the 19 and 21 it's raised because of the water tank. If the floor was level with the rest of the floor the water tank would be too close to the road.

No space between it and the underside of the floor that I know of.

Ron

[SRS]

The dinette floor is also raised in my 17. I haven't spent lots of time crawling around underneath but my sense is that the fiberglass belie is higher at the front and the back than the center section. Not talk a lot higher though. And maybe it's the pontoons creating an illusion. However when I moved my lithium batteries into the PS bench I studied the floor in that rear corner before fastening the battery holder I built. The plywood is 1/2 inch and the back edge of the plywood sits on the fiberglass. Other model escapes may be different.

[Carmel Clown]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

On the 19 and 21 it's raised because of the water tank. If the floor was level with the rest of the floor the water tank would be too close to the road.

No space between it and the underside of the floor that I know of.

Ron

So if I wanted to change bases, I should reuse the same holes so I don't accidentally hit the water tank? I have the spray foam underneath so cannot see the water tank.

[Ron in BC]

No, don't use the same holes unless they're in the exact location that you want.

The majority of all the Escapes that have been produced have had the table pedestal held down with screws or threaded inserts.

The important part is to not drill the pilot hole too deep and to put whatever bolt or screw through the hole in the pedestal base and see how much protrudes. To be safe there shouldn't be more than 1/2" inch of screw protruding.

Actually, in the old days, it took ETI awhile to learn that. Several Gen 1 19 owners found that the ends of the screws came though the bottom of the floor and were visible. They were visible because on the 19 there's no water tank to block the view.

Ron

[Carmel Clown]

Thank you so much for all your help and advice.