RV Dinette Design Choices
In the opinion of Lug_Nut. Trailers, 5th wheels and motorized RV’s offer basically four styles in dinette designs. The type you get is largely dependent on the unit price point, make, model and floor plan. The four designs generally conform to the following offerings.
Booth Dinette: This is a fixed table, usually fastened to the wall, with bench seats facing each other forming what is termed a “Booth”. These can be a total of two seats, three or four. They can be basic or they can be extremely plush, it all depends on the manufacturer and the price point.
Free Standing Dinette: This can be a free standing table with free standing chairs. It can also be found with the table fastened to the wall. This still is termed free standing as the chairs are stand alones.
Open Wrap Around Dinette: This is a shallow “U” that provides seating for possibly up to three facing east/west. The dinette table is generally supported by a single electrically powered “L” post.
Bar Like Counter: This usually has only two seats. It is basically a breakfast bar like arrangement that has two seats facing the bar on one side of the coach.
The booth dinette was, and probably is, the most common set up. It provides a comfortable eating area with the two, or possibly more, people facing each other. The booth dinette is found in an entry level trailer or motor home, however it is also used exclusively in the Newell Coaches as well as being an option on many high end units. Newell’s is particularly a great design. Both the table and the opposing bench seats extend easily to make a two person booth a four place.
The free standing dinette is a popular choice and is available on many makes and models. One would imagine that free standing chairs would not be a wise choice for a moving vehicle, but they are quite heavy and do not move or tip over during transit. I have had a free standing dinette in two coaches in the past, it worked very well. If the table also is free standing, it gives you great versatility. For six people dinner party’s, the table can be repositioned in front of the sofa to accommodate the bigger crowd.
The open wrap around dinette is probably the most striking design. This generally comes with a power table position allowing it to be controlled out and up. In my opinion its looks exceed its practicality. Because the table is supported by only one main leg, many have a tendency to be a little wobbly. Access into and out of the seating area can be a bit awkward, particularly for older or larger people. This design is currently found on many high end rigs including many conversions.
The bar counter dinette, can’t really be called a dinette. To me, it’s like a lunch counter. I honestly can not imagine how one could have a fine dinning experience sitting facing the wall or window eating off the narrow counter, might as well go to Mel’s Diner. But, these are primarily found on Prevost and like conversions and perhaps those folks don’t often eat in.
I currently have the open wrap around type in my coach and have decided to replace it with a booth type. I am using the coach manufacturer to do the work along with a couple of other changes. This is something to keep in mind. You are not necessarily stuck with the dinette you have. Replacement or modifications are always an option.
So, what’s your dinette of choice?
With Your Dinette Choices - Lug_Nut - Peter Mercer
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Has anyone done a poll of table/seat preferences? I know for myself (now how do you say backside in French, oh yeah, derriere) as my derriere is widening as I grow “more mature” and having the table/booth/bed set up in my first three rvs, I prefer the table and free standing chairs, especially since my table has an add in leaf. More elbow room you know. The movable chair also allows me to take a chair to where my computer table is set up. The odd time I would prefer to have more sleeping room as the only extra room we have is a hide-a-bed. We solved that problem by taking along a BYOB – bring your own bed – which is really just a fancy air mattress but it is quite comfortable and fits easily with both living room slides open.
We’ve got the free-standing chairs, with a table that’s attached to the wall and folds down – but it also has an extension to make it much more comfortable when you have guests….. friends have the booth setup, and it’s OK, but I prefer the chairs. Though, you can sort of “lounge” in the booth setup… the chairs are pretty structured seating.
Both have good points, I just prefer the chairs.
Recently removed jacknife sofa and replaced it with trundle beds. Took both dinette apart and turned one section to the back wall making an L configuration. In stalled free standing table that can be moved outdoors when needed. What little storage I had under sofa is now made up in new table configuration. Much nicer set-up for us. We now have two beds for the price of one, and a much easier table to get in and out of.
We have, and prefer, a free standing table and chairs. We have a Georgetown by Forrest River and it has a small dining area. The table has two fold down leaves such that with the leaves down forms a small rectangular table right next to the starboard side off the hallway. The leaves are rounded such that when folded up make a good size oval table. This space has room for two chairs and makes a nice computer table. For dining we like to have one leaf up which provides plenty of room for the two of us, and will seat three. The rig came with two folding chairs stored under the master bed that match the two fixed chairs. On the rare occasions when we have guests for dinner and wish to eat inside, the table is easily moved to the living room and both leaves folded up makes a large oval table that easily seats four.
We have yet a different set-up – a 20″ deep computer/filing desk with a free-standing, add-a-leaf table that slips under the knee-hole area of the desk (we don’t use it as a knee hole – the computer desk has a pull-out tray for our laptop and a lower pull out tray for the printer; on the other side are three drawers, the lowest a file drawer). We have two free standing chairs and two folding chairs that live under the the bed. When just two of us eat, we use the table in its slid-in position, and when we have 4, we pull the table out, turn it 90 degrees, and insert the leaf. It works very well. When we’re using the lap top, the chair turns 90 degrees, and the table is to the right of the lap-top slide out tray. This is a fairly standard option for any Newmar coach.
I like the versatility of our fixed dinette. It will convert to an extra sleeping area; has storage under the benches. In an rv, you need things that can do “double duty”…there isn’t enough space to do otherwise.
We have an 2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 5th Wheel with the free standing dinette which mirrors what we have in our house. We like for comfort, convienence, etc. It works very well for meals, writing, computer, crafts, etc. There is a small amount of storage (for small games, cards, etc.) under the lift up seats.
We had a booth dinette in our first trailer (another Jayco) and though we liked the additional under the seat storage it was a pain to get to (access only by removing cushions, etc.) the cushions were of extremely poor quality and the table was set too high…a very uncomfortable eating and working situation all around.
We vote for the free standing dining arrangement.
We just upgraded to a ‘95 32′ Excel 5th wheel from a 27′ 2000 SalemBH TT. We are half-timers+ and found storage to be the ONLY benefit to the dinette booth. That said, if we camped with another full family, I guess the bed (for children only) would have been handy. Since the only other seating was the jackknife sofa, it was an uncomfortable living arrangement for the two of us. But then, that trailer was designed for *camping* – not living.
Our new-to-us rig is in like new condition, but we are working on decor updates and customizing for ourselves. It has a free-standing dinette – the first thing we did was take out two of the chairs. This unit belonged to our parents previously, and we know from experience that four people at this small table (which is bolted to the floor with the short end against the wall) does not create an enjoyable dining experience.
I’m admitting here – we are sofa eaters. So I am taking the table out altogether, and installing drawer consoles that will fit under the windows. Hobby Lobby has a round metal folding table with a glass top-similar to a tv tray but big enough to seat 4. I have purchased it to use outdoors, along with outdoor wicker stacking chairs. This table will easily move inside, along with the chairs, should we decide to use it indoors and there will still be plenty of floor room in the slide to set it up on an as-needed basis.
When we purchased our fifth wheel it had the free standing table and chairs. The wife and I decided to have the booth installed so we could make it down to a bed for the grand kids. It works great and until they reach teenage it will give them a place to sleep when traveling with us. Just like our kids, when they reached the teen years, they erected a tent along side the trailer and had their “tunes” (with earbuds) and privacy.
I have 1/2 of the booth and free standing chairs on the other side.Best of both worlds.Can relax in the booth while watching TV.
This is a very interesting post. I have always preferred booths in restaurant and the like, but this article / comments makes me wonder if movable chairs wouldn’t be better from point of view of multiple uses as well as having a place to work on my sites from. Maybe a 50/50 would work well for m like one of the commenter’s said they have…. well at least I know something else to pay attention to for my dream rig …
I hate booth tables We have had 2 of them and the pads would not stay put during travel, so we have a table and chairs so much nicer.
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