DINING: CAFE? L-SHAPED? "U" SHAPED? PROS AND CONS

[Bushtracker]

DINING STYLES, PROS AND CONS.....

Cafe Dining: With regards to style of Dining area the most popular is a Cafe Dining style. Cafe Dining is two bench seats with the table attached to the wall and gives a very roomy table. If it is mid-ships by the wheel boxes, it has the disadvantage that if there is another couple next to the wall, they have to sit a bit crooked to get their feet inside the wheel box, however it is very workable. You can see that here at the Factory just about any time...

"L" Shaped Dining: Some layouts have a bit of a problem getting around a bench seat coming out from the side on one end, and they opt for an "L" shaped lounge. Myself, while I can see that it works and it does give a good long table, I think it is a disadvantage for some that want face to face seating for playing cards, dining, and the rest. But it does work, and most people that have it do not seem to mind..

"U" Shaped Dining: This is what I have always had. The back of the U shape against the wall goes over the wheel box. It is a very good place to stick Children in our of the way, and I recommend it for families with Children. In saying that, it only works well in larger vans where the back against the wall can be extended down a ways. If the overall length of the dining area is not very long, then the table is too small and Cafe Dining gives a larger table size with the table fastening on the wall itself.

Leather lounge chairs type of thing: We do this, usually in a Cafe Dining arrangement, once in a while. Some years it was very popular and a set would go out of here every month or so. You have to design the layout first, to try and allocate enough room for the swivel lounge chair sort of thing. Now here is the problem with this: They are illegal for us to mount in any way as they are not Transport Approved, so you have to have someone build a mount for the bottom or cargo strap them to the wall when in transit, on stainless pad eyes. Yes there are Motor home approved chairs and such lounges available, Transport Approved but they are very cost prohibitive; as in ridiculously priced. Most people just go and buy leather office furniture sort of lounges, or the home overstuffed type, but size is the restrictive factor. Tentatively develop your dining with this in mind if you want, and then go shopping. Instead, most people take Cafe Dining, and put additional lounge backrest returns along the wall from the perpendicular benches, so they can sit with their legs up and back against the wall and watch TV or read a book... Or, for even more flexibility I would recommend some big oversized throw pillows, there when you need them, moved when you don't and want additional seating.

Regards, hope this is a help, stg

[Bushtracker]

Neal and Sandra Post:
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We have gone for a "U" shaped dinette again in our second Bushtracker. You can also specify a recessed table leg mount, which means the table can be easily installed/removed. This really provides plenty of room to stretch your legs. Removing the table also allows easier access to the overhead cupboards for the "vertically challenged". We travelled most of the time with the table removed in our previous BT.

Neal and Sandra
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Sandra J

[Bushtracker]

I just talked this one over in depth with another Owner down at the Melbourne Show, so here is an update on my view of the choices and satisfactions of the many Owners. Note that there are pluses and minuses with either choice, so all I can give you is the balanced view since it does not matter to me.. Here is a fair synopsis:

With the U-Shaped lounge you have back rests built in, but a much smaller table.... I advise that more for Grandchildren to sock in behind there if required... If it is the back rest you like, you are going to want a big puffy pillow anyway.

On the Cafe Dining, you have a much larger table to spread out on, and the table drops better to make up a bed than with the U-Shape in my opinion. The table is the issue, space is nice, and you can get a couple of big puffy pillows to put against the wall... Now I cannot do this as it is a trip hazard, but a few Owners have made fold up foot rests when using it that way.

Both are better than the L shaped lounge. It does not allow face to face dining or playing cards, and while it does open up the layout it seems to me to be the worst of both above. Owners do select it, but I have my reservations, and it is not very common in general...

Kind regards, Admin

[Luvntravln]

Adding to the vote for the cafe seating, you need to ask yourself what you are going to do in your van. Is it your home or at least used for long periods of time?

Right now as I type I am sitting across from Jackie; the TV is across from us basically centered on the table.

I have my computer on one-half; Jackie has her computer on the other half.

Meal time: we simply move the computers to the wall and eat effectively on 1/4 of the table each.

After delivery, when it is our choice and responsibility, we are having a carpenter make a foot rest that will lay flat against the end of each cafe seat and can be lifted up to extend the seat. The extension is for your feet only and is never sat on as it is not strong enough for sitting. We will cover with foam and material so that when raised it is equal in height to the seats - definitely a necessary addition for stretching out, lounging and watching TV.

Finally, because we will NEVER have anyone sleeping in our van at the table, only on an inflatable in the annexe or on the floor in front of the ensuite, Bushtracker has graciously agreed to permanently attach our table to the wall. I have never seen a long table, either on one or two poles, that was truly sufficiently solid and unmovable.

[Bushtracker]

Samples of this style of layout are all on our Website at www.bushtracker.com in the Sample Layouts section. You click on each one your are interested in, and it automatically blows it up to a useable size...

Again, note that once you have Ordered and are in the Production Schedule, we give you months of Coaching on all the little details and possibilities of each layout, sink right hand or left, and so on... These are just samples to begin with.

Cheers, Admin....