Wobbly Dinette Table? Here's why ...

[hausfrau]

My new trailer has a u-shape dinette slide-out. Wonderful idea, and we love the space, but after only 3 outings, the table is so wobbly, we can't use it. The single pedestal leg uses the typical cone-shape bases for the crimped-end leg. A close-up photo of the cone insert shows how the metal has fractured, making it unstable. The leg wobbles like crazy, both at the floor and at the table top. I've asked the manufacturer for a replacement. Here's the photo:

Photo of cone base for dinette table leg

[mikedboyd]

Has anyone switched their dinettes to use this type of leg? It looks to be a lot sturdier than the 'pound it in harder' post legs we have now. I just got a replacement floor flange as I broke the one I had (1 of 2) by 'pounding it in harder'.

Posts made for boats

[j_p_f_]

I think the problem with shaky tables that have two legs comes from the fact that the bases on the floor are not exactly lined up with the bases on the table. what I mean is they may be a little wider or farther apart on the floor than on the table, or the other way around. then in an attempt to get the table to not wobble we tend to whomp the table harder and harder each time it wobbles in an attempt to tighten the table driving the two taper legs that are out of alignment deeper till we crack the bases.
when I removed my dinette and made new tables I just used one leg and it work's better for me, I think because there is no alignment problems.

[Camper_Mama_Bea]

ours cracked as well after about a year. we took the table out and put a regular 4 legged kitchen table in.

[fj12ryder]

Thanks Joy, I believe I understand now.

[Joy]

FJ12rider: If I remember correctly, I ordered the new base from Rockler. It was chrome finished - has a base w/4 feet and a plate at the top which is bolted to the underside of the table top making it a free-standing table. Formerly, the table top was attached to the wall and hinged down to form a bed with the bench seats. Removed the benches, put pedestal on table top after removing the wall hardware and then used 2 freestanding chairs.

[JayWalker2009]

Fizz wrote:
Our table has two pedestals and it wobbled at first.
What you have to do it line it up nice and tight and womp down real hard on the table top exactly over the pedestal. It won't wobble anymore.

That doesn't work when the inner workings of it is cracked. Trust me, i've tried.

It needs to be replaced as once they crack, rarely do they get sturdy again. Yours obviously was not broken, just not in the grooves properly.
And you need to be careful as that "womp down real hard" is going to crack that cheap metal easily.

[JayWalker2009]

hausfrau wrote:
My new trailer has a u-shape dinette slide-out. Wonderful idea, and we love the space, but after only 3 outings, the table is so wobbly, we can't use it. The single pedestal leg uses the typical cone-shape bases for the crimped-end leg. A close-up photo of the cone insert shows how the metal has fractured, making it unstable. The leg wobbles like crazy, both at the floor and at the table top. I've asked the manufacturer for a replacement. Here's the photo:

Photo of cone base for dinette table leg

I have the dual flush base legs on mine and they also cracked. I haven't bought it yet but plan on replacing it with a drop down hinge and pedestal that folds up under the table when making a bed. I have no clue why they put those stupid cone based legs or flush legs on the dinettes because they crack very easy, and you are left with one or two big bulky metal tubes to store. My old camper had the hinge that drops down and swing out leg - MUCH easier and it never broke.

[Geocritter]

Y'all might check in the sport fishing catalogues, sport fishing boats use similar types of seat mounts for their fighting chairs and other seats in the boat, the difference is they're made out of stainless steel.
Steve

[fj12ryder]

Fizz wrote:
Our table has two pedestals and it wobbled at first.
What you have to do it line it up nice and tight and womp down real hard on the table top exactly over the pedestal. It won't wobble anymore.

Our living room table has the flush mount pedestal bases and I'm think that doing what you're suggesting led to the early demise of our pot-metal base. We usually give it a couple of hits over the table legs to set it in place. That metal is really weak, and the bottom came completely off the flange. If the floor had been open to the ground it would have fallen completely out.

[Fizz]

Our table has two pedestals and it wobbled at first.
What you have to do it line it up nice and tight and womp down real hard on the table top exactly over the pedestal. It won't wobble anymore.

[lgarcia]

my dinette table also has the potmetal hinge. It bent on the first camping trip

[fj12ryder]

Joy wrote:
You might consider buying and mounting a single pedestal base on it instead. I did that on the dinette booth arrangement we had in the other MH - worked just fine. Cost about $150.

Could you expound on this a bit? What kind of single pedestal base?

TIA.

[Joy]

You might consider buying and mounting a single pedestal base on it instead. I did that on the dinette booth arrangement we had in the other MH - worked just fine. Cost about $150.

[fj12ryder]

No photo, but I just had to replace ours also. Ours was the flush fit pedestal base. I bought 2 while I was at, since it is just made of cheap pot-metal.

We got ours from PPL Motorhomes