2019 Minnie Winnie 22R Dinette Comfort

[The Gabe]

We really like our Minnie Winnie, but the dinette is very uncomfortable for us. My wife and I can only sit in it for about 15 minutes before our backs start killing us. We are tall, so pillows in our backs would eliminate the minimal leg support that exists. I've read on other posts that there is not enough room to install recliners. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you!

 

[Eagle5]

Hi The Gabe,
Perhaps you and your wife could sit in the two corners, and use the back and side cushions to rest your arms upon now and then, thereby relieving some of the load on your backs. The dinette table could be twisted 45° to accommodate that seating position. Another thought would be to get Gel Seat Cushions to sit upon.
Floor space is at such a premium in both my 22M and in your 22R, I do not think recliners are an option.
At my age, I am seeing a Chiropractor, and that has helped my back immeasurably.
Please let me know if you do find something that works well.
Thanks, Eagle5

 

[be happy]

I do not know your coaches configuration for seating, so maybe my suggestion is way off. My coach had the bench seating bench on each side of table. Being a little (well lets say alot) stout than need be we found the seating would not work.

I removed the benches, very easy job, and replaced with just normal dinning room type chairs. I was able to leave the original table, but am told by the person in charge I should be thinking about replacing it also. Again do not know if my seating arrangement is anything like yours. Hope it gives you some idea

 

[The Gabe]

Hi The Gabe,
Perhaps you and your wife could sit in the two corners, and use the back and side cushions to rest your arms upon now and then, thereby relieving some of the load on your backs. The dinette table could be twisted 45° to accommodate that seating position. Another thought would be to get Gel Seat Cushions to sit upon.
Floor space is at such a premium in both my 22M and in your 22R, I do not think recliners are an option.
At my age, I am seeing a Chiropractor, and that has helped my back immeasurably.
Please let me know if you do find something that works well.
Thanks, Eagle5
View attachment 1316096

Thank you Eagle5. I'll look into this.

 

[The Gabe]

I do not know your coaches configuration for seating, so maybe my suggestion is way off. My coach had the bench seating bench on each side of table. Being a little (well lets say alot) stout than need be we found the seating would not work.

I removed the benches, very easy job, and replaced with just normal dinning room type chairs. I was able to leave the original table, but am told by the person in charge I should be thinking about replacing it also. Again do not know if my seating arrangement is anything like yours. Hope it gives you some idea

Thank you be happy. The 22R doesn't have a bench, just the U-shaped dinette.

 

[lenore-WO]

We have struggled with this for 5 years. I even made the seat back cushions thinner to accommodate us and sit side ways while watching TV. Left Dinette down and tried triangle shaped cushions on window wall still just uncomfortable. Finally a month ago ordered loungers 58" wide from RecPro, tore the entire dinette out and installed. OH My now it is really comfortable. Lost a little storage, but I am never looking back, should have done this long time ago. Like sitting at home and just a lap tray and you are good to go. By the way went first class with electric, has chargers, cup holders and now my favorite place to relax, sleep, and watch TV.

 

[Eagle5]

Sadly, both the Minnie Winnie 22M and 22R have their hot water heater under the rearward bench of the dinette. With the removal of some of the U-shaped dinette, one could install a single recliner, but not two, as the aft bench cannot be removed.

 

[Royaidlot]

We have a different coach but the same problem…originally. We removed the seats and visited a local reupholstering place. I talked to them and learned that most manufacturers use a soft (cheap) foam in the seats & backs. He offered a much better foam along with our upgrading to Ultraleather. The result is a world of difference.

 

[The Gabe]

Sadly, both the Minnie Winnie 22M and 22R have their hot water heater under the rearward bench of the dinette. With the removal of some of the U-shaped dinette, one could install a single recliner, but not two, as the aft bench cannot be removed.

Eagle5, yes, and we need two seating spots.

 

[The Gabe]

We have a different coach but the same problem…originally. We removed the seats and visited a local reupholstering place. I talked to them and learned that most manufacturers use a soft (cheap) foam in the seats & backs. He offered a much better foam along with our upgrading to Ultraleather. The result is a world of difference.

Royaidlot, thanks for the input. We've ordered some thinner and firmer foam to try. We'll see how it goes. If it works - or at least is a big improvement - we'll find an upholsterer to make the change.

 

[dnta11]

I have a 2018 22M. Same dinette. Absolutely horrible! Painful on my body and the seats not deep enough either (& I’m not big.) I had just let go of my 2017 26A to downsize - it also had a u-shaped, tho bigger, dinette and it was so super comfortable so I was very displeased. I have converted the dinette to a ‘permanent’ deep sofa (& sometimes bed on the road) and I love it. I covered the dinette cushions with a thick memory foam on top, which has made it comfortable. All nice and easy for 1 person. Not sure how it would work with two. If I had the money I might have gotten all the cushions re-stuffed with something comfortable & thinned the back cushions so the seat could be deeper. I think someone else mentioned that. Hard to believe Winnebago would cut such corners (the stuffing especially) in just one year (starting 2018.) I’m going to attach some pics & maybe a video or 2. If you feel drawn to this option at all (even temporarily) if you message me I'm willing to email you a couple of good videos I took and perhaps another pic or two. The first photo is when I first did it and kept the back cushion on both sides. I took one off only because when I use it as a bed I need the extra length (another plus for me is it's nice now to pull into a Walmart for the night and not need to put my bed slide in and out!) Note there's the storage under the 'table' in the center of 'sofabed'. I also worked out bringing the electric/12V up from underneath and keep it hidden behind a pillow, as well as a basket for kleenex and cups and etc. I had a narrow little table I got off AMZ in my shed and I keep it in the back when traveling, yet keep next to the sofa bed when stopped.

 

[Eagle5]

Hi dnta11,
Fantastic how you have that all set-up like that. I like the idea of the small table which can be stored in the back while traveling.
As you mentioned that you sometimes sleep in the dinette while doing quick overnights, I thought you might be interested in this modification many of us have made to our 22M closets:
Great idea from Bill (vanovafan) to flip the right-hand closet door on a 22M
Thanks, Eagle5

 

[dnta11]

Mine got done today. Both door and curtain. Love it! Thanks Eagle5 and Bill (vanovafan)

 

[The Gabe]

I have a 2018 22M. Same dinette. Absolutely horrible! Painful on my body and the seats not deep enough either (& I’m not big.) I had just let go of my 2017 26A to downsize - it also had a u-shaped, tho bigger, dinette and it was so super comfortable so I was very displeased. I have converted the dinette to a ‘permanent’ deep sofa (& sometimes bed on the road) and I love it. I covered the dinette cushions with a thick memory foam on top, which has made it comfortable. All nice and easy for 1 person. Not sure how it would work with two. If I had the money I might have gotten all the cushions re-stuffed with something comfortable & thinned the back cushions so the seat could be deeper. I think someone else mentioned that. Hard to believe Winnebago would cut such corners (the stuffing especially) in just one year (starting 2018.) I’m going to attach some pics & maybe a video or 2. If you feel drawn to this option at all (even temporarily) if you message me I'm willing to email you a couple of good videos I took and perhaps another pic or two. The first photo is when I first did it and kept the back cushion on both sides. I took one off only because when I use it as a bed I need the extra length (another plus for me is it's nice now to pull into a Walmart for the night and not need to put my bed slide in and out!) Note there's the storage under the 'table' in the center of 'sofabed'. I also worked out bringing the electric/12V up from underneath and keep it hidden behind a pillow, as well as a basket for kleenex and cups and etc. I had a narrow little table I got off AMZ in my shed and I keep it in the back when traveling, yet keep next to the sofa bed when stopped.

Thank you dnta11. Very ingenious. I'll seriously consider this.