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J Dinette Mod

When we looked at coaches we debated about a table and chairs, a Face to Face dinette or the J shaped dinette that was in the coach we were most interested in.  It was the one we bought, a 2001 U320 36'.

We quickly discovered that the space between the forward facing part of the J shaped dinette and the table was less than roomy.  It made using that end of the table and dinette challenging for adults.

I crawled underneath, surveyed the situation.  The table is mounted on an offset base.  I figured reversing the table would move the table forward about 9".  I removed the window sash lock (you probably don't need it anyway) and the frame part screwed to the underside of the table toward the front.  The front and back frames and the base have tapered edges that work like a sliding dovetail.  With the front part removed you can lift the table off the base, turn it end for end and put it back on the base.  This is a good time to lube the tapered edges with wax or even bar soap.  Screw the frame section back on the underside of the table.  Replace the sash lock if you want.  Ours has enough friction that it is not needed.

The end result is a much more useful dinette space.  We have had dinner four four in the U shaped dinette, pretty crowed and not a lot of leg room.  In the 36' coach a table and chairs might be tight.  All in all we are pretty pleased with the J shaped dinette with the new table alignment.

I am sure this idea has come up before, I didn't find anything in a search.  I has made a big difference for us.  I hope the first owner didn't turn the table towards the back before we got it.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #1 –
You nailed it!  thanks!!

The J table arrangement is the 'only' thing i have been unhappy with.  I'm not a big guy by any means, but I get squeezed by the present arrangement.  Cannot imagine a big person having to deal with this issue and kind of surprised Foretravel or one of the other's involved have not come up with a good option.  Your's get's a 10!

I had wanted a dinette but bought a coach with the J table arrangement.

Your solution, might be the ultimate fix for me. One I can live with happily.  I was measuring how to modify the front end of the J system to create a dinette system along with the necessary table mod.  However, you're moment of enlightenment is a quick fix!  thanks, again and again and again~!  ron
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #2 –
We pulled ours out. Put in a dining bar instead. It was the best thing we did.
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: J Dinette Mod

Reply #3 –
I remember reading about this, John.  A great idea and you get to look out the windows as well.  Your mod is on our list of possible changes to the J dinette.  Reversing the table made it much more usable as it is.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #4 –
Pulled my slide in to check measurements and the J table (as 'set back' as it is,,, squeezing the aft person, all will be fine if I forget to close the table when retracting the slide..  Of course, If I moved the table forward, as suggested, it will hit the drawers on my 40' 2001 with a more serious smack if I forget and leave the table in the 'out' position.  So for now, a miscall on Bingo.  dont need options for damage. ron  Just an update on thoughts.
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #5 –
The floor plans for the 36' show the L part of the kitchen further forward than on the 40'.  The floor plan for the 40' looks like you might hit the cabinets with the table if you leave it pulled out whether it was turned around or not.  Careful measuring is always a good thing to do before making changes.  Fortunately this one is easily reversible.  If you look under the table it looks like a piece of plywood is glued to the bottom of the table and all of the sliding frame guides are screwed to the plywood.  Gluing a 6" wide piece of plywood to the bottom of the table and shifting the sliding frame parts could get you 6" more clearance.  It all depends on how much room you have before the cabinets interfere.  All of this seems easy to me after 50 years of woodworking experience and a Norm Abram's class woodworking shop.  Not so easy for others.

Glad you looked before leaping but it is still a good fix for the 36 footers.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #6 –
My table (stock) in my J lounge does not hit the cabinets in my coach when you leave it out when you put in slide. Of course you all know how I know.....
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #7 –
               Of our Foretravel's , the first had table and chairs  , liked that a lot , second had dinette , third had the J table , liked that the least of any by far , present coach has a dinette . If there is a new coach in the future ---it will have table and chairs . Most likely a IH-45 and flat floor slides .  So if dreaming , as I do a lot of, at least have a good nap .  Brad Metzger
Brad Metzger
2010 Phenix 45'

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Brad Metzger –
              Of our Foretravel's , the first had table and chairs  , liked that a lot , second had dinette , third had the J table , liked that the least of any by far , present coach has a dinette .
Brad Metzger

I agree the table and chairs works well.  Especially on the passenger side
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #9 –
'to clear thing up, my table does not hit anything if left in the " out position"/but it gets close.  but my 'quick' response to the idea of modifying the table top so it could be shifted forward 6-10"(whatever), was quickly modified... once I pulled my slide in (40' 2001).

 I noticed 'why' the factory built it as is.  The table...IF....not retracted prior to bringing the slide in, "would"....if it had been moved forward any more/as in Roger's suggestion, would slam into the galley counter.

Now.  36's and 40's are somewhat different.  However, I'm thinking Foretravel wanted the table top to 'look' nice and be  unobtrusive.  However, now that Roger has got my brain going, I am considering modifying the shape of the table in other ways.  I will take time to digest these thoughts.....the subconscious does much better than my conscious one does..  I allows my brain to just slap me in the face or few days later with the answer......
Coach Build # 5862/40'/2001/U320/Motorcader 17136

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #10 –
I cut my table down before I got rid of it all together.
It was simpler to get rid of it and put in the dining bar.  The whole thing was not that expensive and it really added to the open feeling and space.  I know it is not for everyone but I did go thru repositioning, then cutting it down and then finally pulling it out.
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: J Dinette Mod

Reply #11 –
In all of the FT coaches we looked at in the age, price and size range we had narrowed our search to we saw none with a table and chairs.  We saw a lot of pictures of them with table and chairs in longer coaches that were very appealing.  Our earlier RV had a dinette and we were pretty sure that that was not the way we wanted to go.  Our 36' had a J dinette which seemed OK especially after reversing the table.  We have talked about other shapes as well.  The dining bar has lots of appeal especially if it was just for the two of us but that is not always the case.  We just don't see how to get a roomy table and chairs into a 36' so the J works for us.  Like Brad, dreaming is good.  Maybe some day ...

Ideas, discussion, great comments, all appreciated in this community.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #12 –
Quote from: John S –
It was simpler to get rid of it and put in the dining bar.  The whole thing was not that expensive and it really added to the open feeling and space. 

John,
 
Could you tell us the dimensions and maybe send a picture?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #13 –
We found a 36', U295 mid-door.  There is a dinette just forward of the door, that seemed to crowd the passenger side wall.  So we removed the front bench seat, and opened up the living area.  We were able to slide the PO new rocker/recliner aft over 2', and it really helped the layout.  We carry two of the Foretravel folding chairs and can still use the dinette if or when we want a table, with the aft bench and one or two chairs as needed.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #14 –
Quote from: TulsaTrent –

John,
 
Could you tell us the dimensions and maybe send a picture?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent


Here is a link to the pictures I posted.

What did you do to your coach today.


I do not remember the measurements but I can get it. They added 9 inches to the slide floor and the bar was about 5 foot and 16 inches deep.
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: J Dinette Mod

Reply #15 –
Quote from: John S –
They added 9 inches to the slide floor and the bar was about 5 foot and 16 inches deep.

John,
 
Thanks for the link and measurement estimate.
 
When you say they added 9" to the slide floor, do you mean that they made the floor 9" wider (so the chairs had a level surface on which to sit)? Was it the whole length of the slide, or just where the bar area was? If that is not what you meant, please explain (briefly).
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: J Dinette Mod

Reply #16 –
Yes it was the floor of the slide.  It tapered off near the couch. That gave us more room for he chairs. 
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