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Don’t Like Your RV’s Table? Change It!

| Updated Dec 26, 2014

One of the things we love about our Roadtrek is the large dinette. Our friend's 37-foot Class A motorhome can barely seat four people at the table of the RV.  And that's average-sized adults!  The two on the end are still overhanging the aisle by half a cheek. Makes for cozy dinners. However, our Roadtrek easily seats four adults at the main table (and three at the front table if needed). We have always enjoyed meeting other Class B owners in campgrounds and inviting them over for coffee and ice cream after dinner. All of them (so far) were impressed with the spaciousness of the dinette – many Class B's can only seat two people at the table.

Table Shape comparison
New RV table top on left extends 6 inches further to the rear.

But the dinette was not quite perfect. The table stopped about 7.5 inches short of the rear door.  Since our aisle extends all the way to the rear door this seemed like a loss of useful workspace.  We assume this was so the cup holders mounted to the rear door could be used.  We never used the cup holders with the table in place.  Plus getting in and out of the dinette was a bit tight – more clearance between the table and the cabinets would be nice.  So we figured a few minor changes to the table would make it perfect.

Table comparison close up
Change of radius on front corners.

We decided that rounding the front corners and extending the length closer to the door would be ideal. We examined the original table made of sturdy plywood with a laminate top. The width was critical since it made up part of the bed. The height was important also, but the length could vary quite a bit.  We made a pattern on cardboard for rounding the ends.  We used the radius of part of the egg-shaped table in the front.

We took the existing table and the pattern to a local countertop shop.  The guy looked it over and said sure he could do it, but he didn't stock plywood for countertops.  Most countertops have particle board underneath.  Too heavy and not structural for bed support.  He measured the thickness of plywood we would need.  We went to the premium lumberyard in town to get good plywood in the right thickness.  We got a “no knots – two good sides” piece of the right thickness big enough to cut the table from.

RV Table Clearance make easier entry
Easier entry to dinette

We took the plywood to the countertop shop and picked out a laminate from his extras pile. We could have ordered something, but we found a color we liked.  Lynn had wanted white since we had white Corian on the counter, but the shop advised against pure white.  They  said we would have more trouble keeping it looking nice.  We picked a light gray speckled granite look.  A few days later we picked it up – cost about $60.  The shop had even added white laminate on the bottom of the table to hide the plywood.  It looked great.  The base was moved from the old table to the new table.  The new table stops about 1.5 inches short of the door, so we gained back any space we lost by the rounding of the front corners and gained some more.

Cup Holder for Table
Cup Holder for Table

Roger made a cup holder out of a piece of oak that keeps things from sliding around when moving.  It filled the gap snugly.  We have used the table for several years now and are very happy with the changes we made.   We're pleased with the size and shape of the egg-shaped front table, so we see no reason to change that smaller table.  But if your table is not exactly what you like, figure out what would work better for you, make a full-sized pattern, and have a custom top made.

 

Mike Wendland

Published on 2014-12-26

Mike Wendland is a multiple Emmy-award-winning Journalist, Podcaster, YouTuber, and Blogger, who has traveled with his wife, Jennifer, all over North America in an RV, sharing adventures and reviewing RV, Camping, Outdoor, Travel and Tech Gear for the past 12 years. They are leading industry experts in RV living and have written 18 travel books.

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