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Old 07-21-2014, 02:43 PM   #1
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Seating

Greetings. Has anyone ever removed the dinette on a 19 or 21 to add a comfortable "living room". One thing I really miss on those days we can,t sit outside is a chair to relax in. Wife and I envision two side side zero gravity chairs in place of the dinette table and seating. We are quite happy with TV trays for our meals.

Any photos of a similar setup will be much appreciated.
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Old 07-21-2014, 02:56 PM   #2
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Dave, with the "U" shaped dinette, one can remove the table, but the seats must remain as they are a structural component.
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Old 07-21-2014, 03:35 PM   #3
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Also, a few have added a 12" filler cushion to the U shape rear portion and ending up with a 40" rear cushion width. With a U the table is smaller, and some have not had the floor mounts installed by ETI. Instead they have added two counter extensions on either side and have TV trays and stash the table.
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Old 07-21-2014, 03:46 PM   #4
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I don't see any structural reason why the dinette couldn't simply be omitted by ETI, and just have an open floor on that end. But two zero gravity chairs in that space? Those things are big.
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:23 PM   #5
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I don't see any structural reason why the dinette couldn't simply be omitted by ETI, and just have an open floor on that end. But two zero gravity chairs in that space? Those things are big.
If you research this subject you will find Reace explaining his reasoning.
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:35 PM   #6
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Yes, I agree with Reace on this, but the reasons aren't as much about structural strength as they are about the weight distribution, no?

But, to be clear, I would not want to omit the dinette even if ETI went along with it. The dinette "fits" the trailer, and I also would miss the mount locations for various components and the underseat storage. Was just saying the structure doesn't depend on it.
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:39 PM   #7
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There isn't much storage under the benches on a 21 - batteries, converter, inverter, and a bunch of hoses/wiring under there!
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:40 PM   #8
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This is the thread starter. I just had a chat with a very nice man at Escape. There is an issue that would prevent this, but is is not structure so much as what is under the seats. Water heater, battery, wheels, etc. Back to the drawing board. Just no way to make a small trailer big.

Thanks for all the comments.
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:42 PM   #9
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Any photos of a rear table conversion to a U shaped seating area would be appreciated.
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Old 07-21-2014, 04:50 PM   #10
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Any photos of a rear table conversion to a U shaped seating area would be appreciated.

Is this what your were looking for:
Escape Trailer Owners Community - 7th Heaven's Album: Mods and fixes - Picture
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Old 07-21-2014, 06:18 PM   #11
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There isn't much storage under the benches on a 21 - batteries, converter, inverter, and a bunch of hoses/wiring under there!
Actually just about everything will fit under one side of the dinette, the entire back and other side is open for storage in the 21. similar to the 19 where the curb side is empty and the street side is full. With the "U" the entire 8' width along the back is available.
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Old 07-21-2014, 06:29 PM   #12
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Chris- looks like you put down some plywood so you can leave the vinyl flat when you want. Do you travel with it in place?

Would also be great to see one with the 12" filler cushion.
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Old 07-21-2014, 06:32 PM   #13
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If I recall that 12" filler cushion was with the smaller table and conversion into bed, I can not see the entire rear "U" seat being made another 12" deeper.
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Old 07-21-2014, 06:34 PM   #14
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It is a 1 foot wide cushion and finished board that lays across the table/bed rail. It makes the back cushion 40" wide total. Cost is $100. Sent another yard of fabric for it to be sure.
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Old 07-21-2014, 09:58 PM   #15
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What I had in mind was more of a living room/study feel with two comfortable chairs. It is apparent that this is not possible to accomplish due to the location of mechanical items.

The U shaped arrangement in the photo may be as close as one can get to comfort in a small trailer. I,ll hope for good weather and use my Werner screen room as a sitting area using the outdoor rocker purchased from Camping World.
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Old 07-21-2014, 10:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trumpetguy View Post
What I had in mind was more of a living room/study feel with two comfortable chairs. It is apparent that this is not possible to accomplish due to the location of mechanical items.

The U shaped arrangement in the photo may be as close as one can get to comfort in a small trailer. I,ll hope for good weather and use my Werner screen room as a sitting area using the outdoor rocker purchased from Camping World.
We have two of those - they're HUGE (but comfy.) Won't even fit in an Escape 5th wheel as they are the same from the door to the stern as a 21.
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Old 07-22-2014, 12:00 AM   #17
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[QUOTE=Trumpetguy;60002]What I had in mind was more of a living room/study feel with two comfortable chairs. It is apparent that this is not possible to accomplish due to the location of mechanical items.

I too would gladly give up the dinette for a couple of easy chairs. Given the space limitations, I was considering a marine-style seat with a swivel base that could be bolted to the plywood. However, to date I haven't been able to find anything comfortable enough. The search goes on ...
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Old 07-22-2014, 02:32 AM   #18
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Try these threads for rear u-shaped-dinette photos:

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f8...k-of-1868.html

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...otos-2254.html

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f1...un-2445-3.html

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f2...-a-2566-4.html

you might need to add some cushions to get comfortable. I saw a picture of a slanted backrest someone built on another forum. I'll see if I can find it.
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Old 07-22-2014, 03:35 AM   #19
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and this one w/out the table

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/me...icture656.html[
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Old 07-22-2014, 08:28 AM   #20
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After seeing how much use our table gets, there is no way that I would ever give it up. It is a storage/prep/marshalling/eating area, and gets more use than anything in the trailer but the bed. The dinette seats, not so much, but they do provide good storage, and are a place to sit if needed.

I guess it comes down to camping style, whereas we do our relaxing outdoors (kinda why we go in the first place), and if we have to be inside we have a nice cosy bed to relax on if we don't want to sit at the dinette.

We have a couple easy chairs at home that get almost no use other than for reading a book at times, or when company is over.
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