QS dinette question

[poisenoire]

[p]We recently had our maiden voyage of the QS8.1 and it was great.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The only issue we had on the trip was our dinette bed setup.  We tried it out for our son, and both nights it collapsed slightly.  I have the seats flush against the walls, and the table fits fine, but when we put any pressure on it (like me or a kid), one of the corners always seems to fall.  The table is still suspended but it looks like the 'bottom' half of the table separates from the larger plastic table cover. [/p][p]
[/p][p]Our table seems to be made in two parts, with the top being slightly larger (but very thin) plastic over a more rigid base.  When we put pressure on it, the top separates from the bottom allowing the bottom to fall down slightly.  As this bottom section appears to be slightly narrower than the channel on the seats, it becomes unsupported.  If I were to put my weight on that unsupported section the top would surely crack.

Have any of you experienced the above dinette issue?  Do we have a broken table or am I doing something wrong again?  Just curious for any thoughts or ideas before making a warranty claim.  Maybe I missed a step.

Thanks,

Kevin
[/p]

[chuck893]

You do not have a broken table. The basic problem is that the whole shebang is pretty flimsy. I figured out that the table doesn't quite fit tightly enough to prevent that collapse. I measured carefully and concluded that the benches needed to be 1/4" closer together. I solved it by going to Home Depot and getting a piece of 1/4" hobby board (I hope this link works: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-4-in-x-2-in-x-3-ft-Oak-Hobby-Board-190036/204840838?N=5yc1vZbqmcZ1z0y64k ) and used that board as a shim behind just one bench. It made the table fit much more tightly. Nevertheless, we had our married "Kidz" staying with us a few nights, and eventually that flimsy table cracked. They are by no means heavy, but they are two full grown adults. I have presently gotten rid of the table. We are using a little aluminum collapsible. The Kidz figure that they don't wanna stay with us anyway 'cuz we snore. 

[admin]

Our 10.0 table/dinette seems to fit nicely, but I dont think anyone has spent any real time on it in the bed configuration. I like the shim idea @chuck893

[admin]

Our 10.0 table/dinette seems to fit nicely, but I dont think anyone has spent any real time on it in the bed configuration. I like the shim idea @chuck893

[poisenoire]

I'll give the shim a try and mess with it next time we are out.  Looks like the last weekend in April will be an outing for us - just have to find someplace to go!

[peislander]

I'm guessing the dinette design in the QS is similar to what's in my 11-foot Camplight with a front dinette. Right? The Camplite has tubular aluminum strips at the edge of the benches - and those strips support the table when used as a bunk. Rather than move a benches with a shim behind it might work to just add an aluminum bar to one or both of the existing aluminum tubes. This would provide more 'bearing' to support the table and lessen the chance of the table falling out of place.

[jagwire64]

I realize this thread is a month old, but I too just took my new 8.1 out on it's maiden voyage and had the same problem.  I put one knee on the bed and the table buckled and separated.  I easily peeled the two table halves apart.  The shim idea works, however, that table is not ready for prime time.  I use 4 boards cut to length.  They ended up being 1/4" longer than the table is wide.  The way the rotocast benches can move (which I like) and the flimsiness of the table, I don't think I would trust it to support someone.  So far the boards are pretty solid: they stack neatly under the table for transport and I stack them under the step outside when not in bed mode.  The table still works well as a lightweight table.  

[hiker74]

[quote source="/post/8785/thread" author="@chuck893" timestamp="1427980311"]You do not have a broken table. The basic problem is that the whole shebang is pretty flimsy. I figured out that the table doesn't quite fit tightly enough to prevent that collapse. I measured carefully and concluded that the benches needed to be 1/4" closer together. I solved it by going to Home Depot and getting a piece of 1/4" hobby board (I hope this link works: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-1-4-in-x-2-in-x-3-ft-Oak-Hobby-Board-190036/204840838?N=5yc1vZbqmcZ1z0y64k ) and used that board as a shim behind just one bench. It made the table fit much more tightly. Nevertheless, we had our married "Kidz" staying with us a few nights, and eventually that flimsy table cracked. They are by no means heavy, but they are two full grown adults. I have presently gotten rid of the table. We are using a little aluminum collapsible. The Kidz figure that they don't wanna stay with us anyway 'cuz we snore.  [/quote]We haven't used the dinette as a bed as of yet. Basically Oreo, our lab/border collie mix sleeps under the dinette on her dog bed. We left the table there last time, but I think we will use it outside to put the camp stove and food prep area for our longer trip coming up. We will probably only eat inside if it rains anyways. It is a very rickety table though-not sure where weight savings trumps durability? I may try and reverse engineer it and have a hardwood table top made for it and may even use the existing legs from the plastic table. May be a nice retro edition to the Quicksilver? What kinds of wood are light and strong and not prone to weathering or humidity? My father in law gave me an industrial jigsaw, so i've been thinking of a cool project

[rob]

A great wood resource
http://www.rosslaird.com/blog/choosing-wood-for-marine-applications/