Author: Retroactive
Subject: Diary of a Madmodder
Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 11:36pm
After having the camper pop off the hitch on the highway, two months later I am finally over the PTSD! My next mod is turning the dinette into a permanent Daybed type situation. When inside the camper we prefer to lounge in the area in general, it is central to the TV and everything else. Plus we never use the dinette in the 171, it borders on impractical. The seat cushions as a mattress are simply unacceptable, so an upgrade was necessary. The other upgrade in this mod is turning the space under the table into open storage, now the both of us can put our luggage under there. We got the Twin size mattress in a box from wallyworld, it is almost perfect because it is only 2" less in width than the benches (FR says it is 42" but it is actually 41"), and the new Twin mattress is 39". We put a Full size foam topper on, and stuffed the extra width into the 2" space between the mattress and back wall (fills the gap perfectly). The nice thing about the mattress is that it folds very easily, allowing access to the storage spaces under the benches. The mod is very basic, and you can see all of it in the first pic.
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Subject: Diary of a Madmodder
Posted: 21 Jul 2016 at 11:36pm
After having the camper pop off the hitch on the highway, two months later I am finally over the PTSD! My next mod is turning the dinette into a permanent Daybed type situation. When inside the camper we prefer to lounge in the area in general, it is central to the TV and everything else. Plus we never use the dinette in the 171, it borders on impractical. The seat cushions as a mattress are simply unacceptable, so an upgrade was necessary. The other upgrade in this mod is turning the space under the table into open storage, now the both of us can put our luggage under there. We got the Twin size mattress in a box from wallyworld, it is almost perfect because it is only 2" less in width than the benches (FR says it is 42" but it is actually 41"), and the new Twin mattress is 39". We put a Full size foam topper on, and stuffed the extra width into the 2" space between the mattress and back wall (fills the gap perfectly). The nice thing about the mattress is that it folds very easily, allowing access to the storage spaces under the benches. The mod is very basic, and you can see all of it in the first pic.
1) Remove leg mechanism from table top, by removing the wood screws.
2) Add a few long screws to the two boards that support the table, by screwing them into the stud inside the bench.
3) Use at least one bracket on each side, to keep the table top from sliding back and forth.
4) Add mattress and bedding of choice.
5) "The Lava Lounge" is fully operational!
