Dear Gary,
I have a 2011 Damon and want to add pull-out drawers to the dinette seats. Do you have a recommendation on the type of hardware I should use? I know I will need to build up the foundation the tracks will be on so as not to pinch off the seat belt connections. Are there other technical considerations I should be thinking about? Thank you! —Dale W.
Dear Dale,
Personally I favor the smoother action of ball bearing drawer slides, but there are many price points to choose from at any of the big box home supply centers or your local hardware store.
One thing to check first, however: Be sure sure you have clearance underneath each dinette seat to incorporate a new drawer assembly. Oftentimes, RV manufacturers use that “hidden” space to stash equipment such as the water pump, furnace (see photo) or other accoutrements. You certainly do not want to negate the return air or ventilation to any hidden components.
Gain access from up above first and see just what might be under each seat. With storage at a premium on most recreation vehicles, it would be odd that the manufacturer didn’t install a drawer or cabinet door if that space were truly available. But you never know – anything is possible!
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We have done the seats that lift for storage. Unfortunately they are still awkward to use, requiring the back cushion to first be removed. Also, With limited seating, I am often disturbing someone sitting at the dinette.
We asked our RV tech to install drawers, but by the time he had taken into account the brackets and supports to work around, we would have lost half of our space! Opted to keep as is.
I used conveyor rollers ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TS8SJKL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) mounted to the bottom of the drawers. This lets me roll the drawers out onto the floor and anywhere their is space to roll them. No fuss with drawer glides.
“With storage at a premium on most recreation vehicles, it would be odd that the manufacturer didn’t install a drawer or cabinet door if that space were truly available.”
After a visit to an RV show this weekend I would be surprised if they did.
I just watched a you tube video that showed just how to add drawer under the dinette . I plan to do it myself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy_ZTOPq_fQ
I bought a used Class C that had a hinged door for under the seats that were 3′ deep. I made a drawer 2′ long and used the door front for the drawer front. I use the back 1′ for items not deeded often like extra medications etc.