Free standing dinette mod to booth/bed

Puttin wrote:
Although I can't directly answer your questions (sorry), I'd suggest 2 things:

Are you firm on having a rear ent coach?
Not advisable to modify an existing feature without possibly hurting it's resale value. I've seen lots of rv's on the market where poeple have done this and very few others want it. An example is one of the current trends to have a "work space". I've seen lots of mods done that include removing the dinette or other kitchen eating areas and replacing it with loungers and small tables, etc. Here is a short article that deals with the subject:


Why major remodeling of your RV may not be a good idea
Posted on March 17, 2015

This is the time of year when folks start getting anxious to use their RVs, but it is also the time of year when some folks start thinking about making changes to their RVs and therein can be the start of a disaster. If you doubt me on this point, take a stroll through the local Craigslist and look for the RVs that someone is attempting to sell where they have stripped out on the interior and never got around to putting back together.

Projects like this start out with a dream and rapidly turn into a nightmare. What folks so often fail to realize are two things. First, it is a whole lot easier to take something apart than it is to put it back together. Secondly, the material to do a professional job is not available at Lowes or Home Depot with rare exceptions.

Being an avid do-it-yourselfer, I think the first thing to consider is do you actually have the abilities. I know things look pretty simple on YouTube, but often the folks making those videos have done it several times before or are willing to take their time and research a project before they pick up a wrecking bar.

The second thing to consider is whether you have the time to complete the project. I can rip out the interior of an RV in a day or two, but it may take me several weeks to put it back together.

The third thing to consider is whether you are the kind of person who is willing to label wires and work in steps so you know how to put something back together. I know you will remember the next day, but will you remember how something goes in two weeks?

Finally, can you obtain the material necessary to do the job. Three quarter inch tongue and groove really does not belong on RV walls and laminate flooring without trim at the edges screams do-it-yourselfer. Some of the material is only available from specialized distributors and comes on big trucks with impressive shipping costs.

I am all for saving money, but some folks will be better off changing RVs than trying to change the RV they have and it will cost them less!

Steve (Mobility RV Service)

I would disagree with the premise of the article---easier to replace RV than remodel. Also disagree about sourcing materials. Usually, better material is available locally. Of course, not all have the skills to do a total restoration but I could lead anyone through it that has the skills to build a doghouse.

If you want to see what a DIY'er can do with some intelligence, look at BurbMan's link to the dinette he built.