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Topic: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space (Read 2132 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #25
Can anyone tell me how thick the wood part of the wall is before you hit styrofoam? I'm trying to figure out how much I have to work with
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #26
The "wood" is not very thick - it is just a thin laminated sheet.  See photo below from our coach when the side window was removed.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #27
Found another good photo of the sidewall construction on Don's '99 model coach.  Different foam color.  Link below:

Roof Material on 1995 320 SE

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #28
Found another post...with more detailed photos.  Don is REALLY proud of his "sidewall sandwich" desk weight!

A Little Foretravel History?

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #29
when we put in our dining bar they hit the steel in the wall to connect it to the side of the coach
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #30
When I put my dinette in If I remember right it was 3/4 plywood I got to screw into.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #31
So it's definitely 1/4" plywood. I took out my stud finder again just to double check and couldn't find any structure below the window. I tried it on all three modes (stud, deep & metal) to no avail. I confirmed it could find the metal in other walls of the coach.

So then I tried to use pop toggles but wasn't able to clear out the foam behind the plywood so they had room to expand; that stuff is dense! Back to the hardware store I went and ultimately ended up with the anchors pictured below. I pre-drilled 5/16" holes and ran one in there slowly. I then put a screw in it and tried to pull it out with a big pair of channel locks. Couldn't get it to budge with all my might. 12 of those will do just fine. I'll run 4 pocket screws up into the window sill above for good measure.

After much debate I've decided to put a thin layer of silicone on the back side of the board. Partly for adhesion and partly to fill any voids caused by the anchors or any uneven spots in the board. I thought about wood gluing it but want the option to remove it someday. I also want to be able to finish the backside with poly to prevent it from warping over time.

It's slow but steady work and I'm ready to be done sanding and finishing for a while. Almost there...
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #32
The final product:
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #33
Nice work.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #34
Great job, really good work.
Do your feet still get tangled up with your partner's feet?  Willie and I are both small people, however we have trouble sitting across from one another in the dinette.  I like your chairs instead.  We have some favorite desk chairs a bit smaller so they make work for us to give feet clearance.  Thanks for the pictures.
Herb and Willie
Escapees 90802
2014 IH-45 Build 6581
2002 U320 40' AGDS Build 6021 Sold
1999 U320 36' No Slides Sold
2007 Monaco Dynasty Diamond IV Sold
2005 Discovery 39 Sold
1986 20' Wilderness TT,  Died a natural death after floods, etc.
Walldog's Journeys
And Willie Said

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #35
Great job, really good work.
Do your feet still get tangled up with your partner's feet?  Willie and I are both small people, however we have trouble sitting across from one another in the dinette.  I like your chairs instead.  We have some favorite desk chairs a bit smaller so they make work for us to give feet clearance.  Thanks for the pictures.
It'll still be an issue I think. Our chairs force really good posture so that'll help but I'm a big dude and a bit of footsie is probably going to be inevitable.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #36
Removing the dinette exposed an ugly slide arm cover so I covered it with walnut paneling and stained oak trim. I hated to do it but had to use screws instead of adhesive on a couple panels to retain access to the slide arm.

Interesting note: these slide arm boxes are not insulated so next fall I'll be pulling the panel back off and cutting insulation to fit between the steel frame near the slide arm.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #37
Nice work, Elliott.

 

Re: Swapping Dinette for Dual Work Space

Reply #38
Photo of how we're storing the laptops while in use
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.