Just a thought.

[icanon]

I've been wondering and it doesn't mean that I would do it, but wouldn't it be nice to have access under the dinette seat from the outside instead of having to remove the cushions each time? I have a 'U' shaped dinette which is part of my side-out, is it possible to cut and installed an outside compartment door so I can get access under the dinette seat? I wonder how much work is involved and is it doable?

Any thoughts?

[myredracer]

RayJay3 wrote:
I installed drawers under both seat cushions in a Cougar I had. Used full length drawers slides to be able to pull drawers out completely. I had to build a frame to attach the slides to.

You can get a bracket to attach the end of a drawer slide to - as in photo. You'll find these used by RV manufacturers because it's easier (read, "cheaper") to install slides as you don't have to monkey around with side pieces and getting them aligned.

I bought those brackets for adding drawers to the cubby holes either side of our bed but could not reach the ends because my arms weren't long enough to reach into the depth of the 28" slides. Easy access to dinette seating in comparison. Adding side pieces can be a total PITA because there's almost nothing plumb, level, square or straight in a TT or similar RV. Needs a lot of shimming and fiddling to get aligned because the required tolerance is only 1/16" side-side. The end brackets save weight too.

[tenbear]

RayJay3 wrote:
I don't know how to attach pictures or I would have included them.

Here is a link to instructions on attaching pictures.


Its easy so give it a try. I'd like to see the pics.

[RayJay3]

I installed drawers under both seat cushions in a Cougar I had. Used full length drawers slides to be able to pull drawers out completely. I had to build a frame to attach the slides to. In my case there was a door to the areas under the cushions, so I didn't have to make or attach a door to the front of the drawers.

I did the same thing to add drawers under the bed but I did have to build the drawer fronts for these.

I don't know how to attach pictures or I would have included them.

[icanon]

Thanks everyone for the links. Seems like there are a lot more TT's out there with outside access than I thought.

[myredracer]

Friends of ours have a Cougar with a U-shaped dinette and an exterior door.

Doors are available from Challenger Door

A drawer would be the easier way to improve access and probably cheaper way. You may be able to get a suitable door from the RV manufacturer via a dealer, that way the color will match. Walk around a dealer's lot and find a model with the right color and door size. Nape & Vogt makes an 8400RV series of drawer slides specifically for RVs. To open, you tug the handle and they stay closed without need for the usual cheapo roller catch in an RV.

[Dr_Quick]

The hardest part of adding a new storage door will be framing the opening with wood, so as to have something to secure new door to. If you have to cut through a stud to install door, it becomes more complicated framing opening, as you now have to cut stud short inside wall to allow new top/bottom framing between exist studs. Also at sides of door you will have to add framing too. And if you have a rounded corner door you will need blocking at corners. Easiest thing might be get a door that will fit between two studs.

[icanon]

tenbear wrote:
I didn't make an outside door but I did make a drawer under the dinette seat. Much easier to get into the drawer than lifting the seat off. No risk of leaks with the inside door either.

Here is a link to my post showing the drawer.

Nice work! Like that.

[tenbear]

I didn't make an outside door but I did make a drawer under the dinette seat. Much easier to get into the drawer than lifting the seat off. No risk of leaks with the inside door either.

Here is a link to my post showing the drawer.

[Tin_Pusher]

Wilderness in my sig, one seat does, one doesn't.

[DutchmenSport]

My first TT, a Dutchmen Sport (see my profile page) had an outside access door for under the dinette. I really missed that with our second TT, our Springdale, which did not have an access door. My 3rd TT has a stand alone table and chairs (now removed completely).

I've seen inside access doors under dinette seats on several models and a few access door for the outside too.

It would be a fairly easy modification to do if you had the door. If doing it, get the door first, then you know exactly what you are measuring against to cut the hole.

Good luck!

[mbopp]

Our '05 Starcraft hybrid had outside access to the dinette seat.

[icanon]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Just need the right size compartment door/frame then cut out opening, reframe to have solid blocking to attach compartment door/frame to.

OR install cabinet door inside to access the storage space.

See mods this guy has done......HERE

Thanks for the link added to my favs list.

[amandasgramma]

Our old 1980 Wilderness and our 1984 Alpenlite had that!!!!!

[icanon]

Just googled and found a 2009 Arctic Fox 24-5N 5th Wheel with side out under dinette outside access compartment door, cool!