Airstream table is too big.

[Bobbo]

We are, uhhhhh, fluffier than Airstream thinks. It was uncomfortably tight trying to sit at the dinette table in our 17 FC 23FB.

I made some tabletops out of plywood, and tried different sizes until we settled on the size we liked. Then I had a table top made to our specs. It is still 24" wide, but instead of 35" long, it is now 31" long. I took 2" off of each end.

[profdant139]

Wow!! That is first-class workmanship.

I am sure that there are some people who will say, "Why bother with solid oak when plywood would do?" But there is a value to aesthetics. In the same way, an Airstream is more than just a trailer. It's not for everyone, but there are plenty of people who appreciate them.

[ppine]

Next I am changing the flimsy spring loaded legs on the Rockwood table. Make it the way you want it.

[Bobbo]

profdant139 wrote:
Looking carefully at that photo, it looks like that is solid oak?? I say that because the grain pattern wraps around the edge. Very beautiful, whether it is solid oak or veneer. Well done!

Yes, it is solid oak. The craftsman took several solid oak boards, jointed the edges and edge glued them together. He then planed the top and bottom perfectly smooth, cut it to size, rounded off the sharp corners, sanded it smooth, and put several coats of a sealer/protector on it.

[westend]

I made a replacement table, too. Bought a finished laminated panel at a Big Box store, configured it to size and ran a walnut edge around the pine panel. Made a great and attractive table top.

Unfortunately, my single aluminum post support didn't work out. It was not the adjustable and durable airstream variety. The new top supports are steel, folding table legs. A better solution as it allows to remove the table entirely and use it either somewhere else inside or even outside. Since the top isn't fitted to stay in one location, I find that one can move it, minutely, as folks seat themselves in the booth.

[profdant139]

Looking carefully at that photo, it looks like that is solid oak?? I say that because the grain pattern wraps around the edge. Very beautiful, whether it is solid oak or veneer. Well done!

[Bobbo]

Yes. I did a Google search for my town, cabinet maker. I found a shop that is a front end woodworkers' store, teaches woodworking classes, rents time on big woodworking machines, and will make your custom project. Any of the above. The best part is they are only about 3 miles from my home. I took a photo of the trailer's woodwork, and he helped pick out a blond oak. About two weeks later, it was done.

[opnspaces]

Bobbo wrote:
We are, uhhhhh, fluffier than Airstream thinks. It was uncomfortably tight trying to sit at the dinette table in our 17 FC 23FB.

I made some tabletops out of plywood, and tried different sizes until we settled on the size we liked. Then I had a table top made to our specs. It is still 24" wide, but instead of 35" long, it is now 31" long. I took 2" off of each end.

I like it, it looks nice. How or where did you look in order to have the table made? Would it be a google search for cabinet maker?

[Bobbo]

A postscript on this mod. We had need to make the dinette into a bed because we took a grandchild with us last weekend. I went out to put the original table back on, but found that the reduced size table is still large enough to make a solid bed. (If I had reduced the size any more than I did, it would not have.)

[goducks10]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Why not - not buy an RV that did not suit your needs? I like your modification but you seem to be blaming Airstream for your excess dimensions.

Well it was a lot easier than dieting.:)

[Bumpyroad]

Bobbo wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Why not - not buy an RV that did not suit your needs? I like your modification but you seem to be blaming Airstream for your excess dimensions.

No RV meets every need. If I limited myself to an RV that meets every need/want, I would never own an RV. I have had to modify, to some degree, every one I have ever owned. I consider it, customizing. In the big scheme of things, replacing the table top and adding a couple of 12v outlets is nothing.

The main reason I posted this thread is to let others know that this can be done easily, and fairly cheaply. And, FWIW, I am not blaming Airstream for anything.

I guess I shouldn't have bought my Bounder then, but I checked every RV made and none had the "corpulent" seating option.
also modified my first RV, as it had no slides and the table stuck in floor mounts and was very difficult to get around, etc. I bought two wooden circular tables and used them instead. easier to maneuver around.
bumpy

[Bobbo]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
Why not - not buy an RV that did not suit your needs? I like your modification but you seem to be blaming Airstream for your excess dimensions.

No RV meets every need. If I limited myself to an RV that meets every need/want, I would never own an RV. I have had to modify, to some degree, every one I have ever owned. I consider it, customizing. In the big scheme of things, replacing the table top and adding a couple of 12v outlets is nothing.

The main reason I posted this thread is to let others know that this can be done easily, and fairly cheaply. And, FWIW, I am not blaming Airstream for anything.

[Bill_Satellite]

Why not - not buy an RV that did not suit your needs? I like your modification but you seem to be blaming Airstream for your excess dimensions.

[ppine]

I bought a hybird once with a huge dinette. The table for it was big and bulky like yours. The last guy to own it took out the big table and put in with you would call a cocktail table. Big enough for drinks or two people to have dinner. It is secured with one tube and two fittings like an old diner table. Now there is a ton of room to move.

[Ron3rd]

Nice work