As all Airstream owners know, storage space inside the Airstream is a premium. As I was trying to figure where to store my new O-Grill BBQ, I decided to reconfigure an area of the trailer that has always been wasted space. On my 27FB, and I think true for 25FB's too, the dinette seat adjacent to the entry door is mostly wasted space. The subwoofer is back there, but it's fairly compact.
There's a large wasteful triangular shaped piece of upholstered foam occupying the space behind seatback cushion (left side looking back). The entire seating area sits above mostly wasted space except for a small slide out drawer.
The photo above shows the standard Airstream layout. Lots of cushion, not much useful storage underneath.
I decided to do something about this problem, so I started by ripping everything out.
I noticed that the slide out drawer could be larger. There's plenty of extra room between the aluminum legs and more room to the rear. It could be rebuilt to be wider, taller, and deeper.
Here's a photo of the new replacement drawer. It was an easy project to remove the laminated front piece from the old drawer box and screw it onto the new larger drawer box.
Next I cut the existing piece of plywood, the seat bottom and began laying out a shell of a cabinet that could hold the BBQ on end and a few other items. I intentionally set the seatback side of the cabinet at a slight angle to provide seating comfort. In the photo the old foam bolster is laying on top, just to illustrate how its about the same size as the replacement cabinet. I used 1/2" plywood for the cabinet sides and top and 3/4 poplar for the face frame.
Ready to be installed. I used plain white laminate for the interior and Wilsonart Asian Sand laminate (as used by Airstream for my 2013 International Serenity) for the exterior. The BBQ fits below, the top shelf is for additional storage.
Here it is, everything installed and ready to go! No more wasted space and the seat is just as it was prior to the project. I did have to get the lower cushion re-upholstered to make it shorter. The dinette still converts to a bed, just a few inches shorter than before but still more than big enough for my 6 foot frame. I wanted this project to appears as much like Airstream had made it so researched the finishes to match my 2013 Serenity. I also constructed the cabinet slightly lower than the old bolster so that it no longer interferes with the window curtains.
Parts List (Exact Airstream Match):
The exact countertop laminate is no longer manufactured, or supplied by Airstream so I decided not to even try for a close match. I think the decision to use the Asian Sand worked out just fine.
On a difficulty level I place this project as medium high. I did have some expert carpenter help, but the project was still a lot of measuring, cutting, fitting, sanding, repeat. I'm very satisfied with the outcome and now have a convenient place to store the BBQ, shoes, and lots more.
There's a large wasteful triangular shaped piece of upholstered foam occupying the space behind seatback cushion (left side looking back). The entire seating area sits above mostly wasted space except for a small slide out drawer.
The photo above shows the standard Airstream layout. Lots of cushion, not much useful storage underneath.
I decided to do something about this problem, so I started by ripping everything out.
I noticed that the slide out drawer could be larger. There's plenty of extra room between the aluminum legs and more room to the rear. It could be rebuilt to be wider, taller, and deeper.
Here's a photo of the new replacement drawer. It was an easy project to remove the laminated front piece from the old drawer box and screw it onto the new larger drawer box.
Next I cut the existing piece of plywood, the seat bottom and began laying out a shell of a cabinet that could hold the BBQ on end and a few other items. I intentionally set the seatback side of the cabinet at a slight angle to provide seating comfort. In the photo the old foam bolster is laying on top, just to illustrate how its about the same size as the replacement cabinet. I used 1/2" plywood for the cabinet sides and top and 3/4 poplar for the face frame.
Ready to be installed. I used plain white laminate for the interior and Wilsonart Asian Sand laminate (as used by Airstream for my 2013 International Serenity) for the exterior. The BBQ fits below, the top shelf is for additional storage.
Here it is, everything installed and ready to go! No more wasted space and the seat is just as it was prior to the project. I did have to get the lower cushion re-upholstered to make it shorter. The dinette still converts to a bed, just a few inches shorter than before but still more than big enough for my 6 foot frame. I wanted this project to appears as much like Airstream had made it so researched the finishes to match my 2013 Serenity. I also constructed the cabinet slightly lower than the old bolster so that it no longer interferes with the window curtains.
Parts List (Exact Airstream Match):
Laminate - Wilsonart Asian Sand - Part # 7952K-01 (Special ordered from Lowes)
Door Pull - Top Knobs Nouveau - Part # TOP_M575 (Get the part Here or Here).
The exact countertop laminate is no longer manufactured, or supplied by Airstream so I decided not to even try for a close match. I think the decision to use the Asian Sand worked out just fine.
On a difficulty level I place this project as medium high. I did have some expert carpenter help, but the project was still a lot of measuring, cutting, fitting, sanding, repeat. I'm very satisfied with the outcome and now have a convenient place to store the BBQ, shoes, and lots more.
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