Sofa vs. Dinette

[burntfingerbbq]

We are currently scoping out the build of our next LL trailer.  We already have a 5x10 and are looking to upgrade to the 6x15 Kitchen for a little more space for our growing family.  We like the idea of additional seating that folds down into a second bed, but can't decide if the sofa or dinette would be a better use of the space.  Does anyone have some opinions/experiences to share?

Jason

[dh50]

[quote source="/post/8568/thread" timestamp="1427512434" author="@burntfingerbbq"]We are currently scoping out the build of our next LL trailer.  We already have a 5x10 and are looking to upgrade to the 6x15 Kitchen for a little more space for our growing family.  We like the idea of additional seating that folds down into a second bed, but can't decide if the sofa or dinette would be a better use of the space.  Does anyone have some opinions/experiences to share?

Jason[/quote][p]Since you pose this question in the Toy Hauler thread, we assume you are interested in features found in this trailer type.  In our 26' Axxess, the 'dining' area consists of two oversized 'jack-knife'-type seats that face each other, but which also open up, and together form a 'twin' bed.  When upright in seating position, the two seats face each other and with table (comes with the Axxess) placed in-between....voila, a cozy dining area!  A third way to use this area is to collapse one of these seats (the one facing front end of the toy hauler) and fasten it up and out of the way against the trailer's interior wall with snaps provided.  The remaining seat provides a single chair positioned well for TV viewing/relaxing.   We have used just one of these two 'jack-knife' seats opened up and laid flat to make for a perfect-sized dog bed where 'Fido' could get off the cold floor.  (See bottom left corner of the picture below to better visualize.)  [/p][p]
[/p][p]To open up floor space, we have folded both of these 'dining' seats up and out of the way against interior wall and then used the table placed in front of the long 'jack-knife' sofa (pictured on the right side) for sitting side-by-side when eating or watching TV.  This sofa also opens up into a bed and also folds up and can be stowed out of the way against interior wall.  Our Axxess does not have the two sofas shown at the rear of this unit, but rather a motorized queen sized bed (something called a 'Happy-jack' bed, I think?)  It can be 'parked' for use from the ceiling to the floor and anywhere in-between.   We like it a lot.[/p][p]
[/p][p]There's lots of ways to do this Livin Lite thang.  Have fun dreaming and watching it come true!  Sometimes, dreaming is the best part.  [/p][p]
[/p][p]

[burntfingerbbq]

Yes, it's the toyhauler version that we're looking at.  Specifically the VRV 615....with some customizations to the "kitchen" area.

Thanks for the info on the two options.  Given the limited space of the 615, we can only do the jack-knife dinette or the jack-knife sofa....not both.  Initally I though the sofa was the obvious way to go, but now I'm intrigued by the "dinette".  Is there any difference between the two options when folded down as beds?

[billmoore]

For the smaller toyhaulers, the most flexible option is neither. Our BC7X20 has neither, so we use a portable folding table (folds up very small and is height adjustable) and two beanbag chairs (the kind that actually have a chair shape, not the shapeless bag kind). This gives us lots of flexibility. When it is very cold outside, at night we throw the beanbag chairs up into the tipout bunk area, turn the table 90 degrees so it is long-ways against the wall, and put the mattress on the floor. Then we snap on the tipout cover so we are heating a smaller space. The chairs are very light weight, so when we load the motorcycles into the trailer, they just stuff around the bikes, and the table lays flat on the floor underneath them.

[billmoore]

BTW, that piece of gray carpet goes under the awning when we get to camp, and goes under the bikes when towing to keep the black carpet tiles cleaner. And the bike rack goes outside underneath the trailer.

[burntfingerbbq]

Thanks for the info!  While I like the flexability of not having either, we really need another bed in the trailer for our 2 kids.  I'm a big fan of multi-function items, so an air mattress would just be another item we'd have to lug around everywhere we go.  Doable, but not ideal for what we're trying to accomplish with this build.  We use the trailer almost every weekend as we compete on the competition barbecue circuit, so simplicity, effeciency, and ease-of-use are huge factors for us.

I've been mulling this over all weekend long and have looked at as many pictures as I could find on the internet.  I think the best option for us will be the folding sofa.  The dinette is really only that....a dinette.  Seating is limited and the two bench seats are smaller.  If we go with the sofa, we can create the same dinette style area by placing two lawn chairs (which we'll already be lugging around anyways) on the other side of the table.  The longer bench means a little more elbow room while eating as well, and can be a nice area where our kids can lay down and rest without being in bed.  The dinnette wouldn't allow for that.

[dh50]

[quote source="/post/8571/thread" timestamp="1427518833" author="@burntfingerbbq"]Yes, it's the toyhauler version that we're looking at.  Specifically the VRV 615....with some customizations to the "kitchen" area.

Thanks for the info on the two options.  Given the limited space of the 615, we can only do the jack-knife dinette or the jack-knife sofa....not both.  Initally I though the sofa was the obvious way to go, but now I'm intrigued by the "dinette".  [font color="#e62b19"]Is there any difference between the two options when folded down as beds?[/font][/quote]Sorry for the delayed response to your question.  Must admit that up until this weekend, we had only used both the sofa and dinette for seating purposes only.  So checking them out as beds was in order.  

We discovered that there is no difference at all between the dinette seats and the long sofa when each is laid flat for use as a bed.  They both open up to become the same goodly-sized twin bed and each are very comfortable, it must be noted.  They are lengthier than a regular twin-size bed, we think (don't have twin bed in our home to compare), but we are taller adults and there is plenty head and foot room to spare.  We were impressed how equally comfortable both beds were, more than as seats, though as seats, both are still comfortable enough.  They are nice and firm, but not hard.  The joints, piping and seams go unnoticed. 

We agree with your assessment that the jack-knife sofa would be a better fit for your family's needs.  Just make sure that your folding chairs are suited to the height of the table that comes with your VRV.  Our folding chairs are slung a little too low to belly up to the table at the right height.  For mealtime, you can comfortably enough seat 4 average size persons/children on the sofa, 3 if large adults.  You could sleep 2, maybe 3 children (if smaller) on the sofa bed, or 2 average adults if needful and if spooning is agreeable.   Sleeping alone on either sofa feels spacious and comfy.  I told my Hubby that I might try sleeping on one alone the next time time we go RVing.  He did not like this idea at all.  B-|  

Hope this helps.  Would be interested in knowing the kitchen changes you are making.  Take care.

[burntfingerbbq]

Thanks for the great information gwbushhog!  This makes me feel better that we're making the correct decision.

Conversations are still high level, but we're looking to leave out the bathroom area and the vertical unit holding the fridge and microwave.  In that space we would like to create an L-shaped counter top that would be suitable for our barbecue prep work.  Ideally it would have stainless steel counter tops and lots of cabinetry (including overheads) where we can store all of our cooking supplies.  Right now those supplies are kept in toolboxes and totes that have to be moved in and out at every event, so stationary storage is something we're very much looking forward to.  Most of our events have facilities, so the toilet, shower, and sink options are not needed for our purposes.  We'd rather have the extra counter space.

Our needs are pretty specific, so we're still trying to figure out if LL can accommodate.  Regardless of what happens, it's definitely fun to research and dream about the final product!