Mod Description:

Most larger RVs, especially those with super slides, come with the option to replace the standard dinette or bench seat furniture configuration with a free-standing table and four chairs. If you are an RV owner that has opted for the bench style dinette and are finding it’s not meeting your needs, you can still change it out for the table and chairs, or other custom options like a J-couch and table, or even a computer workstation.

Mod Difficulty:

Dinette Benches Remove From RV

Dinette Benches Remove From RV - Cushions Removed

Free-standing Dinette Table and Four Storage Chairs

Dinette Replaced by Computer Desk

Dinette Replaced by Four Comfy Recliners and Small Table

Dinette Replaced by LazyBoy Recliners and Swiveling Trays

Dinette Replaced by J-Couch and Single Post Table

The first question to ask yourself before ripping out the dinette is whether you can get by without the additional under-bench storage. If storage space in your RV is at a premium, consider where you will put the items that were stored in the dinette bench compartments.

If your dinette folds down in to a bed, consider whether you can do without the additional sleeping capacity. If you have children and your RV has no bunks, a free-standing dinette is not going to be very comfortable to sleep on. Yes, children can sleep most anywhere, but…

Once you have determined that this mod is for you, ensure there are no plumbing, electrical, or heating components under the dinette bench seats, such as the water pump, plumbing pipes, water heater, furnace, or shore power cabling . If any of these components are present, then this mod becomes much more complicated. Depending on what is in there will determine your next step. If, for example, only the water pump is present, then you may have a shot at relocating it. If any of the other components are there, this mod is not worth the effort, and may not even be possible.

So if after all these considerations you still want to tackle the mod, start by looking at how the dinette benches are attached. Usually they are attached by the bench frame to the floor and can be easily removed just by removing a few screws on each bench. But some attachment points can be anchored to the walls and possibly the sofa frame (if the sofa and dinette are next to each other). If this is the case, you can cover the holes left with plastic caps.

If you have drawers that slide in to the dinette benches, you should remove them from the sliders before attempting to remove the benches, then remove the drawer slide brackets from the flooring. The benches can generally be removed as a unit. But depending on their size and how they were assembled, you may have to partially disassemble them to get them out the RV door. After removing the benches, you will be amazed at how much free space there is.

You should also remove the table post fixtures on the floor as well if you have them. You won’t be needing them any longer but keep them in case you want to put the dinette back for some reason. This goes for the rest of the dinette hardware as well, like the wall bracket some tables have to secure the edge of the table to the wall.

If you purchase an RV-type free-standing dinette, it should have pre-drilled holes in the feet of the table. Set the new table and four chairs in the open area and have four adults sit at the table. Adjust the table to the best fit and secure the table to the floor. This can be done using bolts or large wood screws, depending on the type of flooring and support under the flooring you have. You don’t have to secure the table if you want to be able to move it around or take it outside, but you will need some way of securing it during travel. This goes for the chairs as well.

Finally, you don’t necessarily have to replace the dinette benches with a free standing setup. Many fellow RVers have replaced the dinette benches and table with recliners and swinging TV trays, or big Lazy Boy rockers and a small table inbetween. Even a J-sofa with a single-post table can be done. It’s your RV and your imagination.

You can source parts for this mod from these links:

RV Tables and Chairs
RV Tables and Dinette Chairs
Brad and Hall Quality Seating Products by Flexsteel

7 Comments For This Mod

1. Bob Vaughn (February 28th, 2009 at 8:49 am)

   My TT came with a table and chairs which had we ordered it we would have opted for the dinette. With a dinette you can fold it down and use it for additional sleeping for small children. Plus there is a ton of storage space under the seats….and if you go with the ones that have large drawers that adds to the versatility….Plus if you put the dinette down you could use that space to haul a recent find at a flea market or swap meet…..
2. ModMyRV (February 28th, 2009 at 10:37 am)

   Funny how folks with the dinette usually want the freestanding table and chairs and the ones with the table and chairs want the dinette. I guess that’s why there are both options. If I didn’t have a family, I would opt for a computer desk for all my gadgets and gizmos. I just might convert the bunk area instead since my daughter prefers the couch to sleep on.
3. Bob Vaughn (March 3rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm)

   Here are the photos of the mod where I removed the table and chairs and installed a dinette with drawers underneath the benches. I also made the table to where it will offset with a drop in seat so some one could sit in the back. That way 4 people can sit at the table and play cards without having to sit next to one another. A card table chair is used for the 4th person…
   http://community.webshots.com/album/570349064yTkXdA?vhost=community
4. ModMyRV (March 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm)

   Very nice! Looks factory. I plan on adding a j-couch and table where my current dinette is. Similar to the one in this mod but with a longer “j” section. I’m looking for something used as well. Where did you find the dinette parts?
5. Bob Vaughn (March 10th, 2009 at 4:28 am)

   At Lazy Days in Seffner they used to have a department that did RV remodeling. There was a building that they stored what they removed….dinettes, sofa’s,tables, chairs etc. just about everything. I found this dinette…Just the benches, I used my old table top…I just took the legs off….I had to buy the posts and the receivers for the bottom of the table and the floor…I used 2 so I could off set the table.
   http://community.webshots.com/album/570456233erKWvY
6. cdcdawg (September 4th, 2009 at 10:18 am)

   Very nice mod. I removed the dinette when I put down an engineered floor and I love having the extra room plus more comfortable chairs. The extra sleeping capacity was not an issue but storage space on my class c is very limited. i overcame this by using the doors from the dinette and installing them in the bottom panel of the couch. I think this actually added more space than was available before. You could, of course use this trick even if you keep the dinette.
7. Tom Martland (September 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pm)

   I just bought a 34′ Grand Junction 5th wheel with an oak table and five chairs - would like to replace same with the old fashioned 74″ x 44″ dinette that sleeps two.
   I bet you have a bunch of take outs? I would also have no use for the table and chairs….
   Thanks- Tom Martland
   772-283-1609

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