Just wondering why one chooses a dinette over a sofa. I've had two previous tcs both the first two had dinettes, in my thinking only a dinette would work because there's three of us. We needed somewhere to eat and hang out. Now I have a slightly used lance 920 and my mind is completely changed. In my personal opinion there is so much more floor space and room to move about and still there's a table to eat. Now we're not in the TC much but when we're inside (pretty much only when it's raining or bedtime) there a nice sofa area to watch tv that is much more comfortable than hanging over a table and breaking your neck to watch tv. Just curious as to why more campers, slide outs and non slideouts don't use more sofas instead. What are your observations and why?

Dinettes fit inside living when your lawn chairs and the weather doesn't. A sofa fits two, and even if it has a table in front of it, it's a poor substitute for a table.

We had never slept on our dinette as a bed but it was raining one night early, so we made it into the bed. It was so nice for the 3 of us (must include dog)to spread out and be comfy watching a movie and munching popcorn. Our dinette is U shaped and makes into a full sized bed. I think we'll be doing it more often.

Have had both, dinette & couch (in TT's) prefer the couch.

We currently only have a dinette and will have both in our next TC. We don't see either or as the best choice since we enjoy meals sitting at the dinette, but would like more comfortable seating for watching TV or reading.We camp year round, so the weather is not always on our side to sit outside. We look forward to the creature comforts inside when the outside will not accommodate.

We have a dinette and thought about a sofa. The problem with the sofa is we can no longer look out the window easily although it would be better to look at the bathroom. :) We worked around it.First, we built a small table that is a half round to replace the full size table. That was a big improvement since the leg was no longer in the way. Next, we added throw pillows. That makes leaning up the wall more comfortable as well. Then, we added a magazine rack to hold tablets/books. It's up against the outside wall. After that, the DW added triangle shaped foam behind the existing foam to angle the back for more comfort. Still tbd, is cutting some plywood and building supports so we can also make it a bed if needed.Our small table gives us somewhere to set a drink or two. We use lap desks to eat if needed. We still have the full size table, but are much more comfortable without it.I'm amazed that I don't have current pictures. Sorry about that.

Sofa or dinette? | Good Sam Community

sky_free
Explorer
Sep 13, 2015
I really like the ability to look out the window while sitting at the dinette in our AF990. If it was a sofa I would have the view to my back and would be looking at the kitchen, which is boring. We had both in our TT and almost never used the sofa for that reason.
Oliver21
Explorer
Sep 12, 2015
We use a smaller table at the dinette, back to the circumference thing. Then we make the dinette into a bed and use foam wedges as backrests and create a comfortable, double-ended lounge for reading. We also place them against the outer wall and use a cooler as a footstool to watch movies on the computer sitting on the sink.
hedgehopper
Explorer
Sep 12, 2015
At home, DW and I rarely watch TV. So we have no TV in the TC and no use for a couch. The dinette works well for us for eating, playing games, reading, using a computer, planning our route, etc.
whizbang
Explorer II
Sep 12, 2015
I agree with Jim. The very first mod I made on all 3 of our campers was a smaller table --- turn the dinette in to a sofa, sorta.
skipbee
Explorer
Sep 11, 2015
We have a Lance fitted sofa. The advantages are: excellent comfort for TV viewing,
computer work, dining for 4 and sleeping for 1 and 1/2 it is convertible, but not as a double. We carry a roof pod with a tent and air mattress as a guest cottage.
It is in a slide out.
brholt
Explorer II
Sep 11, 2015
We avoid "trailer parks" and try and camp at sites with a view. The dinette lets us look out and enjoy.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Sep 11, 2015
my bounder had a dinette that was difficult to use for circumpherantly challenged individuals so I made a new table top out of a piece of 2 x 4 cut down to about 2 x 32" oak veneer plywood with solid oak edging. made it alot easier to use.
bumpy
JacintoKid
Explorer
Sep 11, 2015
+1 for the sofa. We fish all day long so, when we get back to the camper for the evening, it's all about comfort. I ripped out the dinette and Installed an aftermarket leather sofa in my previous AF990. It really opened up the camper. I lost the table but used TV trays instead. The TV trays also worked well with a laptop. Brad
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Sep 11, 2015
I don't watch TV but I do use my laptop while on the road so the dinette works for me. Heck even at home I sit at the kitchen table with the laptop and never use the couches in the "TV" room.
trailgranny50
Explorer
Sep 11, 2015
Wish I'd had the money and room for a sofa when I did the U shaped dinette remodel. However, removing the cushions and rotating the table gave us the room we needed. Two gaming chairs allow for more comfortable TV viewing for the basketball games DH needs, really needs, to watch when camping during the season.

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