Under bench storage

[Crows Nest]

Lifting cushions and plywood to access storage is not optimal. Has anyone put drawers or doors into the bench faces?

[7Gentex]

My old Avion had doors for under twin bed access (similar setup as dinette benches) that worked great.

The odd part was that they were hinged along the bottom with a full length piano hinge. So the doors flipped open downward to the ground, while the hinge was about 2" above the floor line. Access was great, but if you put any substantial weight on the door while it was down you could have a problem..........

I would think side or top hinge (with struts) would be the way.........

Or, no hinges with Neodymium magnets at all corners would get the door completely out of the way for access.

[Ron in BC]

There's a lot of "stuff" under those seats. Better wait until you have your trailer in hand before thinking about drawers etc.

On the 19 a door in the end of the passenger side seat is handy. You can grab shoes etc. from the exterior. That's the only area that I think that a drawer could be a possibility.

Ron

[Selkirk]

A tip I learned from other forum members when configuring my trailer last year was to order the split seat cushions and backrests if you have a U-shape dinette. After several months of use, I can confirm that it makes accessing the storage space under the front bench (or rear bench, depending on the dinette location) much easier.

Depending on the table mount option, I could see it very cumbersome to access a door or drawer that opens underneath the table area .....at least with the table in place.

The optional passenger-side seat bench door on the 19/21NE that Ron mentions, which opens onto the entryway, is indeed very handy.

[SageRpod]

I would agree that there is a lot going on under the bench, so I would wait to see what you get. Also the advice about getting split cushions is spot on. That helps a lot. I can't even imagine how doors on the bench faces would work. Move a couple of cushions, spin the dinette table out of the way and you will have unlimited access plus plenty of light to see what's in there.

Good luck

[Iowa Dave]

Whenever I had storage under the seats or bed on the Escapes, I boxed out the electrical components with a light wooden framework and pet screen stapled in for protection while still
allowing for cooling circulation by the components involved. Also I put any storage in plastic boxes So any metal couldn’t come in contact with any electrical terminals. Don’t need a wrench or a metal tent stake crossing a couple posts.
YMM V
Iowa Dave

[tractors1]

Then there is this approach; any length up to 36 inches....

[tractors1]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

There's a lot of "stuff" under those seats. Better wait until you have your trailer in hand before thinking about drawers etc.

On the 19 a door in the end of the passenger side seat is handy. You can grab shoes etc. from the exterior. That's the only area that I think that a drawer could be a possibility.

Ron

Yup, made a few of those for under the bench. Novel approach is two drawers clipped together as the doorway limits drawers length:

[Viajante]

I also did the split cushion mod and it’s convenient and useful. For even more convenience I split the plywood seat lid. Flipping up half a cushion and raising the split lid gives quick access to items you use often.

[Vermilye]

I have one of Charlie's storage drawers that fits the stock rear facing door under the bed in a 21C. Works great and still leaves room for 3 milk crates accessed through the optional bathroom side door as well as a bunch of storage accessed from the outside. Sure beats lifting the bed!

[Ryanb-72]

Originally Posted by Crows Nest

Lifting cushions and plywood to access storage is not optimal. Has anyone put drawers or doors into the bench faces?

I posted a thread here:

https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...21c-25119.html

[Eggscape]

We ordered our trailer without a microwave because we did not like the one that ETI was offering. We then added our own microwave and removed that door. I then used that door on the end of the seat by the door. It is much larger than the door you can order for that location from ETI.
Also I added 3 outside hatches which aid in not having to remove cushions.
You can see how I did that here:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post276370