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Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
I'm considering adding an entry step side opening to the short dinette bench in my 2003 MB. I hate trying to reach the back of that storage space because I have to unload everything.

I considered a pull-out drawer, but I would have to create a custom drawer that gave me access to the back (don't want to plus I would lose some storage height.

Thought about cutting an opening in the top of the bench, similar to the one on the longer bench, but don't want to keep removing cushions.

I've taped out a possible opening sized to my preference. This area would hold my most-used items (tools) and keep them within easy reach. I can reuse the cut-out by framing it and attaching it with either velcro or magnets. I've also thought about a framed metal grill similar to the opening for the furnace access.

Have any of you done this? What should I consider?
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #1 –
I did this to my 2003 midbath. I cut out two openings, leaving the internal vertical support strut in place, and framed them with 1/2" x 1/8" thick (as I recall) trim. As the photo shows, I didn't bother to make a door for the opening, because the items I stored were unlikely to fall out. It was a big improvement!

(Notice that I added a cabinet handle to one end of the toolbox to make it easy to pull out.)

X
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
I did this to my 2003 midbath. I cut out two openings, leaving the internal vertical support strut in place, and framed them with 1/2" x 1/8" thick (as I recall) trim. As the photo shows, I didn't bother to make a door for the opening, because the items I stored were unlikely to fall out. It was a big improvement!

(Notice that I added a cabinet handle to one end of the toolbox to make it easy to pull out.)

[attach type=thumb]40673[/attach]

As usual, "You are the Man!"

I like your approach much better! I'll pick up some nicer framing pieces next week, so I can start cutting.

Thanks for the inspiration. 🤗
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #3 –
I really like this idea. I put in a pull-out drawer there but I have room behind it. I think I'll add a small access similar to Andy's.
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #4 –
Incidentally, you may have noticed in my photo that the bench is pulled out about 3.5", and there's a black-painted board filling the gap. Although I never pulled the bench to full width, I pulled it out a little to allow more storage underneath... and above, where I kept my MacBook, Kindle, and iPad in the space between the seat cushion and the wall.

Also, as shown here, I replaced the narrow padded bench top with a wider plank of varnished curly maple.

X
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #5 –
The 31 IB came with a door there for underseat storage.  For years it was the shoe (et al) box. Now it holds a 300AH Lithium battery and inverter.   The shoes go in the former battery box.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #7 –
Quote
I replaced the narrow padded bench top with a wider plank of varnished curly maple.

That is beautiful. I replaced the OEM with a piece of painted plywood and figured I would be on the lookout for a nice piece of wood. Hope I find something that sweet.

Re pulling out the bench, I've got mine pinned permanently but I'm thinkin' this too is a great idea. You the idea man, pal!  :D
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #8 –
When we were contemplating moving up to a Mid-Bath from a Twin-King, I really liked the idea that the aft dinette seat could be expanded to allow more seating. But now that we’ve had it for a while, we find that we don’t use that feature as it’s very tight to walk past.
Curious as to how many MB owners actually pull out their dinette bench all the way?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #9 –
We pull it out only to seat 4 diners, and push it back in right afterwards. We don’t leave it extended out. I value it as a useful feature.
2013 27’ Mid-Bath
2005 Honda CR-V
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #10 –
We added a drawer to our 98~MB similar to Jor but not open on the sides or back.  Some storage space is lost but the ease of having a drawer behind the cabinet door is a great plus.  I added a small opening similar to what Andy did to access the space behind the drawer.  That space is about a foot wide by two feet deep by a foot high.  The opening I cut is slightly smaller.  We put shoes etc in it that can be reached when you open the house door but it can be reached from inside to the left of the door.

       Karen~Liam
         98 ~ MB
           NinA

1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #11 –
Andy,

I did notice your opening and the upgraded wood on top of the seat.

The wooden top of the seat replacement is something I've wanted to do as well. I also want a new table and would like the seat tops to match, so I'm holding off for now.

I'm really glad you've held on to all of your renovation pics and still participate on this forum. Thanks again!
My wheels:
2003 MB
2012 Jeep Liberty
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Karen & Liam  - 
We added a drawer to our 98~MB similar to Jor but not open on the sides or back.  Some storage space is lost but the ease of having a drawer behind the cabinet door is a great plus.  I added a small opening similar to what Andy did to access the space behind the drawer.  That space is about a foot wide by two feet deep by a foot high.  The opening I cut is slightly smaller.  We put shoes etc in it that can be reached when you open the house door but it can be reached from inside to the left of the door.

Margee asked if you might have a photo of the shoe cubby? 🤞
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #13 –
We added the Door Cubby space to our 98~MB a few years ago.  Around the same time we added the drawer under the rear dinette seat.  We needed this space for our hiking shoes or other shoes near the house door.  This cubby would be accessed near the door to the outside or could also be reached by opening the house door from the outside.  Our 98~MB has the battery box next to the house door which raises the cubby floor about 4 inches higher then the main floor level.  I have not finished the trim around the cubby yet.


https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4650
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4651

     Karen~Liam
       98 ~ MB
          NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #14 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
When we were contemplating moving up to a Mid-Bath from a Twin-King, I really liked the idea that the aft dinette seat could be expanded to allow more seating. But now that we’ve had it for a while, we find that we don’t use that feature as it’s very tight to walk past.
Curious as to how many MB owners actually pull out their dinette bench all the way?
I think we pulled it out once in 5 years when we had two other people joining us for a meal inside vs outside.

Our 1999 already had a draw installed under the seat when we bought it in 2019.. We don't keep too much under there.  Opening it up facing the exterior door I think would be a good idea for storing shoes as some have done. We will be leaving ours as is though, we find it easy to adapt to what we have.
Steve and Jill, Steve posting
1999 26.5 Mid-Bath
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #15 –
Here is a photo of the box style drawer we added under our rear dinette seat in our 98~MB.  We only used the pull out feature of that rear dinette seat a few times over the years.  When we added the drawer and a Lugun bracket we secured the seat so it is fixed in now.

https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4652


     Karen~Liam
       98 ~ MB
         NinA

1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #16 –
Installed a sliding wire drawer under the rear dinette seat. I wanted to store bottled water on one side but had to cut about an inch from one side of the cabinet/bench to allow the extended drawer to clear. The existing trim was damaged when removed as it was securely glued by the factory (no surprise).  Does anyone have a source for the tan colored plastic trim?
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #17 –
Very nice installation, Bob! I'm impressed that that sliding basket holds the weight of all those cans. Slick!
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #18 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
Very nice installation, Bob! I'm impressed that that sliding basket holds the weight of all those cans. Slick!

Who's Bob?  ;)  Thanks! I left the drawer base (first photo) loose for now so the "assembly" can be easily removed if desired. It seems to work fine but I may attach it to the floorboard at some point if need be. The outer portion of the cabinet supports the full basket while pulled out.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #19 –
"Who's Bob?"

Is that like "Where's Waldo"? ;-)

Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking, Greg. Must've been half asleep when I wrote that this morning.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #20 –
I figured, Andy. I call that PBC (Posting Before Coffee) . . . :D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #21 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Does anyone have a source for the tan colored plastic trim?

I am told by Todd that Ryko Plastic Products acquired some of the Lazy Daze moldings when they shut their doors.  I have a query in to them and will follow up in this thread when I hear back.

Ryko Plastic Products
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #22 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
I am told by Todd that Ryko Plastic Products acquired some of the Lazy Daze moldings when they shut their doors.  I have a query in to them and will follow up in this thread when I hear back.

Ryko Plastic Products

Do let us know what you find, having a source of the plastic trim would be helpful in future modifications and projects.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #23 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
Do let us know what you find, having a source of the plastic trim would be helpful in future modifications and projects.
Following up. My hope was that this company had set aside the moldings that they acquired from Lazy Daze and would make them available to owners. From their response, what I'm hearing is that they could probably reproduce them if they had a sample. Gee, I wonder what that would cost? As I only need a few feet myself, I'm not going to pursue that solution, rather, I'll look on the open market to find something close. Or perhaps, since that edge is only visible when the bench door is open, just leave it as is.  If, at some point in the future, a large group of us need moldings, it might be worthwhile to have some made.

Thank you so much for providing more details and the photos—those are very helpful!
As a manufacturer, we don’t carry items in stock, but we’re always happy to review samples and see if we have a matching extrusion die for the edging you need.

Would it be possible for you to mail us a one-foot sample of the molding? This will allow our team to take a closer look and check for a suitable match.

You can send the sample to:
Ryko Plastic Products
701 E. Francis St.
Ontario, CA 91761

Also, could you let us know approximately how many feet you’d be interested in? That will help us provide you with some rough pricing and options.

Thank you again for reaching out, and please let me know if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing if we can help!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Additional Opening Under Mid-Bath Dinette
Reply #24 –
Hi Greg;  Beige paint will make the bare plywood less noticeable, until you can find the plastic trim. A measurement of width and length will help. I may have leftover pieces almost that long.
   That manufacturer's (Ryko Plastics) response wasn't too encouraging. They should have a better command of what the competitors are making.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB