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TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Has anyone removed the fold-down table (between the rear couches) in the TK? If so, comments on a 'horizontal surface' replacement are welcome. Thank you.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #1 –
"Has anyone removed the fold-down table (between the rear couches) in the TK? If so, comments on a 'horizontal surface' replacement are welcome. Thank you."


First question might be "What do you use the current surface for?".  Followed up with, "what would be a good substitute", and then "how would I secure/store it when it isn't in use?".

When we had Gertie, we just left it in place all the time, so no personal experience with this.  I don't even remember how it was taken down.  I know it wasn't by putting it up against the back window as I have seen in later models.  Back then we traveled with a full-sized computer and separate monitor!  OY!

Currently in our RB, we use the dinette table for eating, my computer/iPad when in use, toaster and condiment center and "debris collection center" at all other times.  Gary uses a lap desk for his computing needs (by preference) while sitting in one of the chairs, and we stash two TV trays behind one of the freestanding chairs for "whatever" that pops up from time to time (not often).

Because the TK does not have these chairs . . . well, if "office-type" activities are the goal, then maybe a lap desk or some sort of fold-up "desk" would work if you could lash it down somewhere while in motion.  If "fine dining" accouterments are required, then maybe heavy plastic or metal "cafeteria-type" trays might work for that, and could stand up in the closet when not in use.

If you are looking for a place to put a snack and drink while you read, use the computer, or just relax . . . I've seen a plethora of "sofatop" compartmentalized gizmos that will just sit quietly beside you and provide a place for everything.  When we had the 40-footer, we just put the cutting board on the sofa when we had afternoon treats.

I don't have a reference for it, but Ed and Margee have an interesting small bureau between the two sofas in the rear of their MB.  Something like that, or even something a bit larger, might work for you.

Joan, you turned me on to Webstaurant, I'm pretty sure.  They have so many things that if "dining" is your goal, their offerings may be of use.  I love browsing around in their virtual aisles!  So many intriguing products!!  ;->

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
2015 Leisure Travel Unity (Sally Forth) - 2024 -
2009 Pleasure-Way Excel TS (Joyce) - 2019 - 2024
2018 Sportsmobile - (Hopper) 2023 - 2024
2005 RB (Dorrie Anne) - 2009-2022, 1985 TK (Gertie) - 1991-2001
1999 Mountain Aire (Francine) - 2001 - 2009
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #2 –
In my MB, I'm using a storage ottoman.
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #3 –
While we would prefer not to have a table block the window when folded up we have not been able to come up with an alternative. A previous 5th wheel we had had a rear couch and chair arrangement with a table in the middle similar to our TK but the table stored down into its own cabinet. A very neat arrangement. My wife prefers a lounging chair btw. While the couch still made into a spare bed it did not extend past the cabinet for the table when made into a bed.

Of course this wouldn't work in a TK with the king size bed made up which we absolutely love... Guess it's all about trade offs.
Steve
2003TK
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #4 –
Our plan this summer is to place a wide board or two across the back under the two bench cushions.  (Trust me they will be tasteful.)   I am married to an artist.  Then remove the fold-down table - store it with the other stuff in the back garage.  
I'll have images after the work is done.

We did find these portable lap  tables for doing work/play
Amazon.com: portable lap tables folding

glen






 
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #5 –
I installed a swivel-arm Lagun base with a folding teak table top in my midbath, and found it very practical. These swiveling/folding tables are popular with cruising sailors because of their versatility and their compact size when stored. They're easily adjustable for height, angle, position, and so on.

The Lagun base can be used with any table top (e.g., a piece of plywood cut to whatever size is convenient), but a common setup is an upward-folding top like the one shown here, making what you might call a "reverse drop leaf" table.

Here are some video reviews that give a better idea of how versatile the Lagun table is.

Because of the way the bases of my midbath's bench seats were recessed, I did have to build a box to bring the Lagun mounting plate out flush with the front of the seat cushion. Shown here is a temporary version; I don't remember that I ever built a final one before I sold the rig.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #6 –
Quote from: colddog  - 
We did find these portable lap  tables for doing work/play
Amazon.com: portable lap tables folding

glen

Oh that is funny.  Because I purchased that exact same little lap table, and for doing the exact same thing that you have pictured.  Great minds think alike I guess?
For the original poster, I've been looking at mounting a Lagun table in that area that can be moved around into different positions, and removed entirely when not needed. RV Table Mount System | Lagun USA

(and of course I posted this before seeing that Andy had provided the very same info lol)
Hi, I'm Jo!
My little red wagon is a 1997 23.5 TK
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #7 –
"For the original poster, I've been looking at mounting a Lagun table in that area that can be moved around into different positions, and removed entirely when not needed. RV Table Mount System | Lagun USA"


We had one of these Lagun tables installed in our Pleasure-Way Class B unit, and it is really nice for that much smaller living space.  We had the original table mounted on the leg, and the way it swings around for use in different spots, and to get in and out of the sofa area . . . well, it is just great!

As with almost everything in life . . . "it depends" on how you intend to use the space that the Lagun apparatus and table top will occupy in its various positions.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie
2015 Leisure Travel Unity (Sally Forth) - 2024 -
2009 Pleasure-Way Excel TS (Joyce) - 2019 - 2024
2018 Sportsmobile - (Hopper) 2023 - 2024
2005 RB (Dorrie Anne) - 2009-2022, 1985 TK (Gertie) - 1991-2001
1999 Mountain Aire (Francine) - 2001 - 2009
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #8 –
Thank you to all who responded with ideas! One would think that after almost 17 years of TK ownership, I would have figured this out!  ;)  What would work better for my situation is a table that folded down into the space between the couches rather than up to block the rear window; a narrower table would still work well for a multi-purpose surface for eating and occasional galley prep when the counter is not adequate.

Thanks again; you are a helpful bunch!
2003 TK has a new home
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #9 –
Andy, does yours fold down and away or is it always up as a horizontal surface but can fold down into the smallest surface you showed.

Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: TK fold-down table
Reply #10 –
"is [your Lagun table] always up as a horizontal surface but can fold down into the smallest surface you showed."

Right. And it can be swung out of the way.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #11 –
My sister and her husband installed  a Lagun table in their Pleasure Way.  They love it. I was impressed with how well it worked. 
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #12 –
Hi Joan;  The rear table is the mainstay for the two of us. We don't sleep in the cabover, so folding up and down is essential for us.  When I was refurbishing a friends 2001 MidBath I took his table out of the closet and attached it to the back wall. His was only two feet wide (to fit in his closet), mine was three feet wide. Yours may also be the three feet. Your E450 is 6" wider than our E350, so dimensions may have changed.
    These pull pin hinges might work for you, but to store it away, in the closet, the table would have to be the 2' wide version. https://www.replacementboatparts.com/stainlesssteelpullpinhinge-2.aspx?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIj--Jq9jC6AIVBMRkCh23-wR8EAQYASABEgJvGPD_BwE     looks like it would work. Might be a bit awkward to place back on by yourself.   RonB
   
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #13 –

I've got a gripe against all these dinette tables: they're never the right distance from you when you're sitting on the couch. If they were close enough, it would be too hard to slide into the seat. The Lagun table is one way to solve this, as it swivels to any position you like (as well as being height-adjustable).

Here's another possible solution. I had this same problem in my Trillium trailer: a mini-dinette that was not so easy to squeeze into, yet when seated, was too far away for comfortable computer work. I solved it by making the table slide from side to side. I can slide it away from me to make it easy to get seated, and then slide it toward me for comfortable typing. This simple modification works amazingly well.

To do it, I screwed the upper table flange to a piece of 1/4" HDPE plastic ("Starboard"), and made guide rails from aluminum bar stock purchased from McMaster-Carr. A screw at each end stops the tabletop from sliding too far.

In the Twin/King, this scheme would require changing the hinged-at-one-end table to a center-post style. But in a Midbath, this idea could easily be applied to the standard center-post table.

Notes: You'll notice that the post is mounted toward one side of the HDPE board. That's because I always sit on the same side of the table, so I wanted it to be able to slide further in one direction than the other.

Also, if you're wondering why the post is wrapped in 1/4" sisal rope, it's because it serves as a scratching post for Penny, my cat.

Finally, the small blue box you can see on the underside of the table is a mini pencil drawer I bought from Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #14 –
"Yours may also be the three feet. Your E450 is 6" wider than our E350, so dimensions may have changed.
---
The table in my 2003 TK is 31" wide; when the table is down, each side extends over the edges of the couches by about an inch and a half. With one or both couches made into beds, even though neither is pulled out, i.e., each couch bottom cushion in its original position, the distance between the table top and the top of the made up couch beds (each with a memory foam topper and pillows) allows very little space to slide under to sit at the table. A 26"-27" wide table top would mitigate this 'overhang' issue.  A narrower table would also make it a bit easier to raise and lower the rear window shade (and clean the shelf and the window) when the table is in its 'up' position, and much easier to raise and lower the shade (and clean the shelf and the window) when the table is down.

I like the angled-corner table top in Andy's  Trillium; this seems to be a very workable design for a replacement table top in the TK.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #15 –
Joan, this is probably not what you're talking about but my midbath has a small table hinged to the back wall just below the window. It's about the size of the swing up extension on the kitchen counter & has the same type of support bracket underneath.

I don't know if it was original or not but I really like it. It's right next to the bed & just the right size for a drink, my glasses, my small fan, & other odds & ends. I've been careful trying not to overload it but the screws fastening the hinge to the wall stripped out of the wallboard last summer when I had some work done at the factory. By the time I got home the table was hanging down by the support bracket & dragging its chin on the floor. Hubby managed to fix it back up with larger screws & it's worked fine since.

Moral to the story if you're looking at a hinged table:  check to make sure the hinge fastened to the wall is well-anchored. Or, be careful to not to put  much weight on it.
Susie
2007 MB
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #16 –
Susie, I think that the little 'bedside' table in your MB was likely an add-on. I sleep 'down' now, and use a Rubbermaid 'mini' step stool as a bedside stand. I had a couple of these on hand, but the mini stools can be hard to find; here's one:

https://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=116167

The drop down table replacement is still in the 'someday' stages; I do know what I want, just don't have the materials or right tools to make it.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #17 –
FYI - My beautiful "old" 1997 MB has the same hinged table under the back window as Susie has.  It is original and works great, never had trouble with the hinge no matter what I put on the table.  I sleep on the curbside bed pulled out which is somewhat bigger than a twin, and leave it made up all the time with a great new mattress that makes it a bit higher, so I use exactly the same step stool left permanently by the bed to get up and down. 
1997 MB
 
Re: TK fold-down table - Lagun Tables
Reply #18 –
My 97 TK we keep the whole table in the closet as we don't use it very often.  I installed a bracket like this
Table Wall Mount
1997 TK