Dining seating

[shark24]

What is under the seating area of the dinette? Has anyone made a storage area for like crockpot under there on the two sides?

[shark24]

2013 21BHS

[djsamuel]

In my 2013 21BHS, the area under the seats is open, there is no storage. If a bottom was added and a means to access the area installed, it could be made into a storage area.  We've never done so, but others may have.

[tt2retire]

I've got a 2016 21BHS with the dinette on the slide-out. With a family of 5 and a dog we're always a little tight on space. I was toying with the idea of opening up the two front vertical panels on the dinette that face towards the opposite side of the trailer. It would be a very simple mod since there are no aluminum frame members behind the thin wood panels. Then, while camping, one could quickly toss their shoes or whatever underneath on the newly available floor space. Maybe put the dog's water bowl in there so it doesn't get spilled so often. My LSW would like something like doors to cover the openings to satisfy her constant urge to make the trailer look less "industrial" on the inside. I could put two facing doors on each side opening while using strong magnetic latches to keep them closed while not in use or traveling. However, I'm pretty sure the doors or my feet would sustain major injuries on the first trip.

Any ideas on coverings for the openings that would avoid injuries and still satisfy the less industrial requirements?

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[Merlin]

Skip doors and go with soft looking curtains? If it's just shoes and a dog bowl, no need for doors?  For curtains that small, a simple well fastened curtain rod and something the size a typical valence might work? 

[tt2retire]

That's a good idea. I could probably put some small corner trim molding to match the wood that was not cut out to hide rough edges.

Maybe to entice my LSW, I could offer to make decorative side curtains for the existing window valences to somewhat match the new shoe/dog bowl storage area curtains.

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[Apollo]

There isn't much space under the 21BHS dinette seats only about the 1/3 of the way back and only on the sides. Also it is open on the bottom so you would need to do quite a bit of work to turn it into storage it is possible though.

I removed the dinette because it sucks. It is uncomfortable, tight, barely fits 3 people, and it blocks the path to bathroom when the slide is in. Now have a 74 x 30 6" thick foam mattress. Can still seat people at the table but it also serves as a huge couch or a comfortable bed for 1. Most importantly you can walk to bathroom with the slide in 

[GrampaKilt]

I don't know if it would work on the 21BHS dinette but on my 14DBS, AZCamper and I put in Ikea Sektion Maxmera 15" kitchen drawers.

For my kitchen cabinet upgrade, a laundry basket system from IKEA called Antonius was a perfect size for the space but as with many things IKEA, it is no longer available. I install IKEA cabinets regularly but never suspected the Maxmera 15" drawer with it's many nifty accessories would also fit. I may just have to upgrade the upgrade! GK

[tt2retire]

After taking a few measurements of the actual space I'd have to work with in my 2016 21BHS dinette, there's a lot less usable space than I had envisioned. The thickness of material between the bottom of the seat cushion and the open space below is quite thick. This would leave me with about 7in of height by 17in of width for the two openings. On the left and right hand seats, I would have about 10in and 20in of depth respectively. (The blue tape on the picture shows the opening I would be working with) So I think the drawer approach to using this valuable space would work best.

I have to admit that Apollo's approach of replacing the dinette to have walk through space with the slide out in is rather enticing.

[Apollo]

Here are pics. The dinette comes out in pieces, it is screwed in and you do have to remove some trim and panels to get to all the screws. I saved everything so the dinette can be reinstalled.

The floor of the slide was cut back to the depth I wanted then a piece of wood for the front face and C channel aluminum was screwed in place for a finished look and so there are no sharp corners.

Bought a 6" thick piece of dense foam and put a single bed sheet over it then a blanket for a better look. The old dinette cushions were cut down to create the backrest and I still need to add the snaps that will hold them to the back wall.

This set up works much better, it still serves as an eating area, it makes a roomy comfortable couch or bed for one, and most importantly does not block the path to the back of the camper when the slide is in.

[Apollo]

Did this mod also, turned the front bed sideways and made a small stand to support where the mattress overhangs. This made a HUGE difference in the amount of space available. Also like having a place for shoes under the wood shelf.

This mod makes more room for bean bag chairs and walk around space, easier access to the upper cabinets, and the wood shelf makes for more organized storage.

I pack light so the huge under bed storage wasn't needed and not having access to both sides of the bed was an acceptable trade off for everything else that was gained.

[GrampaKilt]

Nice mods, especially like the bed orientation now, extra floor space and all. GK

[Apollo]

Thanks, these camper are small so I wanted to open up the floor space. With the bed turned there is room for beanbag chairs which works out great.

Next mod is to install a wood counter top that is straight, I can't stand that bump out on the end.