The wife is struggling to get a seating position that will give her relief from her back problems.
The L shape dinette is not working. We have taken the long table out and this give us heaps heaps heaps more room to move about. We use a collapsable table for the meals and other things to do.
This has now allowed me to added an extension to the L shape so one can sit and not have the feet dangling over the edge. Something along the lines of a recliner, where one get the extra foot rest.
I have made it to collapse so when not in use, the extension can be stored under the dinette seats.
We were thinking of replacing the entire dinette system and installing a dinette extender table with two lounge recliners which one can buy for vans.
We will see how that works on our next trip in June.
Jay&Dee
-- Edited by JayDee on Friday 27th of May 2016 04:08:07 PM
Hi John. We had similar problems and change the seats to recliners. have a look at my post on this forum titled" Recliners to replace seating.". Sorry I can post the link. Hope you find it interesting.
Hi John. We had similar problems and change the seats to recliners. have a look at my post on this forum titled" Recliners to replace seating.". Sorry I can post the link. Hope you find it interesting.
Well folks,
I have just completed the job of removing the L shape dinette.
And what a task it was.
It was almost impossible to get to some of the brackets and their screws as I am guessing the the unit was built on a production line in an inverted position before being placed upright in the van.
Now, we are only waiting on the arrival of the 2 recliners / swivel chairs, so that we can work out where to place the tri-fold table and at what height and where to add some extra cupboards. Of course we will have to box in the wheel arch. I intend to use the timber that formed the L shape dinette, so that the van decor is uniform
Naturally the cabinet work will depend on the room need for the recliners.
I will get my son to post a photo of the finished project on this thread.
Also, looks very much like we are going to carpet the van, as there are screw marks/ holes in the floor and also some marks and impressions from the L shape unit which does not look great.
More info to follow for those on the forum who maybe interested in same.
Jay& Dee
Jay&Dee here.
Update re our dinette alterations.
I have stripped the L shape dinette.
Just received and put together the 2 recliner / swivel chairs, and 2 foot stools.
Now waiting of a cabinet maker mate to turn up and discuss the configuration of the tri fold table and some cabinets.
Also we are going to cover the steel wheel arch with some left over carpet we have on hand to help abate the cold. But the wheel arch will be boxed in to fit the cabinets on top of same.
I must say the the recliners seem to take up more room than we first thought.
But I guess that it will be like most things. Just a matter of getting used to the new layout.
But the chairs are very comfortable and that is what this exercise was all about.
When complete will post photos.
jay&Dee
Jay&Dee here. Update re our dinette alterations. I have stripped the L shape dinette. Just received and put together the 2 recliner / swivel chairs, and 2 foot stools. Now waiting of a cabinet maker mate to turn up and discuss the configuration of the tri fold table and some cabinets. Also we are going to cover the steel wheel arch with some left over carpet we have on hand to help abate the cold. But the wheel arch will be boxed in to fit the cabinets on top of same. I must say the the recliners seem to take up more room than we first thought. But I guess that it will be like most things. Just a matter of getting used to the new layout. But the chairs are very comfortable and that is what this exercise was all about. When complete will post photos. jay&Dee
We are looking forward to your finished project photos. We took out the cafe seating and installed recliner and a temp table set up. That was 12 months ago and we have not got around to finishing the project with table and storage areas.
Most of our vans we take the fixed table out.
L Dinette and opposite lounge are fine.
I use opposite lounge and can swing round and sit with feet along it watching teev.reading etc.
We also bought COLEMAN folding (moulded) table.
Perfect size for two in van for meals. cards, coffee etc.
with the usual folding table outside if visitors come for coffee/cards/photo's etc.
What a mate has done was go to orthopaedic seat agent./mfg. (Recaro, etc probably a good start)
and got then to make up an ortho seat unit with no base. just a coupla straps
It fits on top of van L (dinette) seat in whatever position suits..
Straps hold it down, and his missus with twisted spine is comfy as..
Has one in Patrol too.
They couldn't travel otherwise.
Update re refurbishment of dinette.
We have to wait some 2 plus weeks for the identical timber paneling to arrive from Coromal.
We need about 2 metres by 1 metre to box in the well arch.
I have sufficient panels from the previous set up to build the 2 cabinets to sit on top of the boxed in area over the wheel arch.
Unable to obtain a cabinet maker to build the cabinets. All to busy and it is to small a job.
So I have a mate who is going to look after the project.
We want to have all done and dusted by end of month, as we plan to hit the road for who knows????? how long.
I can visualise the finish product. Will look great.
Jay&Dee
Would be very interested in photos finished and during construction. When we get a bigger van we will need decent seatting speciallt for the good wife.
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