Table Talk - 2011 Winnebago Via

[bigb]

We never liked the 24x30 rectangular dinette that came with the Via, it is heavy and awkward to both set up and use. I decided on a 30" round and I bought a 30" round pine circle. The pine is not as durable as Formica or hardwood but is 7lbs lighter and with many coats of Polyurethane I am not worried about it. The surface area is just a few inches less than the 24x30. I offset the post flange on the bottom of the table about 2.5" which gives flexibility by just rotating the top,. It stores easy enough in the bedroom wedged between the wall and the low cabinet using foam pads.

Next I made a 17" table for between the Captains chairs which stores in the closet easily. It happens to be Oak just because I already had it from an old table top lazy susan and just had to re-finish it and add the mounting flange. The 17" top will also be very handy when stopping for a quick lunch without needing to drag out the big table which cannot be easily retrieved with the bedroom slide in unless we store the table on top of the bed (which I am considering)..Winnebago did not really provide for dinette storage on this model.

I bough an additional post as well to be able to use both tables at the same time, and ordered post clips from West Marine so the posts can store in the closet, upright and clipped to the wall. When using both tables I can rotate the bigger one and with the offset flange I can make enough room to pass between the two tables.

[Lov2roam]

Great solution!
You might be able to store the 17” under the frame of the foldout bed, we use it for extra bedding.
If you don’t mind, could you tell me which post and flange you ordered from west marine?

[Eagle5]

Hi Brian,
Brilliant! Very nice work. The offset mounting is clever.
Eagle5

[bigb]

Thanks for the compliments! Larry, the post & flange I got from my local RV supply although I see them on Amazon as well. What I got from West Marine was these hard to find post clips so I can store the posts in the closet clipped to the wall.

[6cwayne]

Nice work.

[bkg]

Originally Posted by bigb

We never liked the 24x30 rectangular dinette that came with the Via, it is heavy and awkward to both set up and use. I decided on a 30" round and I bought a 30" round pine circle. The pine is not as durable as Formica or hardwood but is 7lbs lighter and with many coats of Polyurethane I am not worried about it. The surface area is just a few inches less than the 24x30. I offset the post flange on the bottom of the table about 2.5" which gives flexibility by just rotating the top,. It stores easy enough in the bedroom wedged between the wall and the low cabinet using foam pads.

Next I made a 17" table for between the Captains chairs which stores in the closet easily.

I had similar experience with our View 24V. The original table is rectangular which is a good feature when sitting at the couch and need to share the table but was very awkward to get up from the couch and pivot around the table. I was really wanting a round table with enough surface area to be used reasonably. I was about to go with a party barge type plastic molded table from West Marine but I was not set on a true round table working for us. Instead, I thought to build a smaller rectangular table. It was a success and works great at both floor positions; in front of the couch and at the cab runway. I purchased remnant sheet of formica from Lowes at clearance to use to cover the new table chassis. Looks like it came with the coach. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the finished product but can take some if anyone is interested.

Bobby

[bigb]

Originally Posted by bkg

I had similar experience with our View 24V. The original table is rectangular which is a good feature when sitting at the couch and need to share the table but was very awkward to get up from the couch and pivot around the table. I was really wanting a round table with enough surface area to be used reasonably. I was about to go with a party barge type plastic molded table from West Marine but I was not set on a true round table working for us. Instead, I thought to build a smaller rectangular table. It was a success and works great at both floor positions; in front of the couch and at the cab runway. I purchased remnant sheet of formica from Lowes at clearance to use to cover the new table chassis. Looks like it came with the coach. Unfortunately, I don't have photos of the finished product but can take some if anyone is interested.

Bobby

I went around for quite a while trying different shapes with cardboard but I didn't want to reduce the square inches as we have no counter space when preparing meals so need all the work surface we can get, I tried ovals, hexagons and octagon, finally settled on the round. I also thought about a smaller one and in fact I have a 24" round set to arrive any day and I am going to cut 2 edges to make it a slight oval. Now that we have 2 tables a smaller one could work. What are the dimensions of your smaller rectangle?

[bkg]

Originally Posted by bigb

I went around for quite a while trying different shapes with cardboard but I didn't want to reduce the square inches as we have no counter space when preparing meals so need all the work surface we can get, I tried ovals, hexagons and octagon, finally settled on the round. I also thought about a smaller one and in fact I have a 24" round set to arrive any day and I am going to cut 2 edges to make it a slight oval. Now that we have 2 tables a smaller one could work. What are the dimensions of your smaller rectangle?

I'll have to get the dimensions, so I'll get that and some photos. To solve our counter issue, I have a "top" that goes over the stove. We seldom - if ever use the stove. I do most of the cooking on a campfire or camping stove outside, no mess and easy clean-up. The convection microwave fills the in-between. I'll shoot a photo of that too. Makes for a great coffee bar and meal prep bar.

[bigb]

Originally Posted by bkg

I'll have to get the dimensions, so I'll get that and some photos. To solve our counter issue, I have a "top" that goes over the stove. We seldom - if ever use the stove. I do most of the cooking on a campfire or camping stove outside, no mess and easy clean-up. The convection microwave fills the in-between. I'll shoot a photo of that too. Makes for a great coffee bar and meal prep bar.

That would be great, we have the 2 burner Dometic with the glass top, and the round Dometic sink. I've wanted to buy or make tops for both as we don't like working on the glass tops.

[bkg]

My pedestal table is 17"X19". In the photo, the Winnebago provided one is on the couch and the built one is on the Springfield post. There is another post base directly under the couch slide. So you get the idea of how complicated it can be to get around the table when using the base in front of the couch.

The stove cover is 24" wide and 19" deep. In hindsight, I could have gone a little deeper. The cover band is 3/4"X1" with a routed slot for 5/8" cabinet-grade plywood. Topped off with polyacrylic.

Bobby

[bigb]

Thanks Bobby, the pedestal layout on the View it the same as on my Via, we also have the one between the seats and one under the slide out couch. Our original table looks bigger than yours. I really like the small one you made and gives me encouragement on the oval one I plan to make once the wood gets here.
For my stove cover I am thinking of routing out a thick cutting board to fit over it, ours is rectangular not rounded like yours. I have some 1" mesquite that may work.

[bkg]

Originally Posted by bigb

For my stove cover I am thinking of routing out a thick cutting board to fit over it, ours is rectangular not rounded like yours. I have some 1" mesquite that may work.

I could not find a cutting board in the large 24" locally. Online had them north of $75. I already had the 5/8" plywood. The 1X is Spanish Cedar I had laying around. Less than an hour I had cover built.
I like three 1X rim, it not only offsets the plywood off the stove, but keeps stuff from plunging off the edge on the surface side.
I had one coffee spill on it, the rim kept the spilled coffee from rolling to the counter/stove below.
The silicone feet keep the board in place. The cover never moves with all our miles of driving Louisiana roads.

Bobby

[bigb]

So I ordered a 24 inch circle and cut two sides to make it about 19" wide to fit in the closet. For storage I will fix the 2 table posts to hold it in place when they are clipped into place. This table is perfect for a roadside stop or when I travel alone, I can leave the big one home. Next onto the stove and sink covers!

[bkg]

Originally Posted by bigb

So I ordered a 24 inch circle and cut two sides to make it about 19" wide to fit in the closet. For storage I will fix the 2 table posts to hold it in place when they are clipped into place.

Looks great.
So, the full round table stays out at the cockpit pedestal and the trimmed table gets stored when on the road or the slide is in?

Bobby

[bigb]

Originally Posted by bkg

Looks great.
So, the full round table stays out at the cockpit pedestal and the trimmed table gets stored when on the road or the slide is in?

Bobby

Everything gets stowed on the road. I just finished my stowage for both the smaller tables, The 24" oval wedges into a padded wall I created in the wardrobe and the posts snap into brackets and help hold it in but as it is wedged in between the adhesive pads I doubt it would ever come loose. I had to make extensions for the post brackets. The 17" round fits nicely on the top shelf on some padding and the full 30" round, if we take it, goes along side the bed.
One of the big reasons for the smaller main table was for roadside stops, it was such a hassle to put the bedroom slide out and drag out the big heavy table we just wouldn't do it and instead would balance our lunch on a road atlas laying on top of the trash can. Now all we have to do is open the wardrobe and grab one post and whichever small table we want. I think with the two smaller tables we can now get along without the big 30" anyway.
I have a million projects going on but can't wait to get to those stove and sink covers.

[bigb]

Finished my cutting board today, it will work on either the cook top or the sink. I found a perfect sized board on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EDOT8C...roduct_details
and treated it with oil and wax to prevent warping that some reviewers mentioned. I put feet on the back because I didn't want it sitting directly on the glass even though it comes with a non-slip pad on the back. The hinges on my glass tops prevent it from sitting level anyway, the feet are 3/8" high and keep it just above all that, and they do not slip on the counter top, very sticky. (The feet have to go at the very edge of the board to keep the screws from penetrating the juice ring)
Pretty satisfied with it, a person could even do 2 if needed. It will stay on the counter when in transit but if not needed it can sit alongside the couch in the via where there is a 2" gap.

[bkg]

Great work Brian. We love our bonus "counter".

Bobby