Table/chairs vs booth dinette

[Jf57]

Can someone told me why there is so many DP with table/chairs instead of booth dinette ? Seem like DP has 90% of table/chair while it is inversed on the gas motorhome, i would like to understand, have a good one.

[TXiceman]

No real reason except that the manufacturers are catering to the client for their market. The gas units are generally less expensive and cater to the market with more kids so they need the extra storage provided with booth dinettes. DP units are more expensive and tend to the more open residential look of the table and chairs.

Ken

[BCam]

Originally Posted by TXiceman

No real reason except that the manufacturers are catering to the client for their market. The gas units are generally less expensive and cater to the market with more kids so they need the extra storage provided with booth dinettes. DP units are more expensive and tend to the more open residential look of the table and chairs.

Ken

It's more than appearance. As a fairly large person, I've always found dinettes to be somewhat confining and not as comfortable and versatile. In addition to the seat-to-table distance, depending on the design, the back-to-seat angle of a dinette isn't always comfortable. Even without physical limitations, a chair/table configuration allows for more flexibility.

[Mike8253]

Agree with Ken's take. DW and I are long retired, and while the booth dinette is standard in our Open Road, we choose the table and chairs option. Table extends to seat four if needed with 2 extra chairs under the bed. We travel alone exclusively, but camp locally when we have our grandkids join us. These are typically warm weather gatherings where we grill out and eat outside. I personally do not like booths, and choose not to sit in them when in restaurants that have that option. Booth storage space is not something we need, and don't miss not having it.

I do believe that the target population of most DP's is older empty nest couples, although there are certainly exceptions to that. Tables and chairs are certainly more associated with that age group.

[BillJinOR]

Yes , older people generally like the flexible table and chairs. Of course there are always exceptions. I’ve known a few that prefer a large nicely padded euro booth.
Older folks without kids have different needs and DP are more geared to those travelers more than “weekend / vacation with family” travelers.

[eddndee]

I enjoy sitting at a table, drinking coffee or reading the paper. DW though would like to swap the table/chairs for recliners.

[SoonToBeFT]

Agree with everyone above. Seems older folks with maybe a little less mobility find it easier with Table and Chairs than trying to squeeze into a booth. Likewise larger folks find it easier table and chairs than trying to squeeze into a booth. We'e noticed this with family members that have come with us on occasion over the years.

We have had a booth only since the late 90's and I prefer it for the most part, but the biggest negatives for us has been sliding in and out, if there's a firm edge (not rounded same material finish as the main seat), folks catch it and it can work loose/almost break off if not treated carefully! Also the compression of the foam over time, we are finding there's dips in in where you tend to sit on it in the same spot. Every so often we rotate and swap around the base seats, just like we do with a mattress, but it's still an issue on compression and needs totally redoing now.

As for table and chairs not affording as much storage, some of the units have like a buffet type set up and cupboards for either an office set up or whatever under the window. We've found it provides the extra storage lost by not having the booth.

We are open in the future to either Booth or Table set up for sure, depending on the overall floorplan that works for us.

Horses for courses as they say. Pick what's best for you but yes DP tend to be more Table and Chairs due to the demographics of buyers.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Both the Class C and Class A coaches I owned had dinettes.

Pros for dinettes:
1) You get an extra sleeping area for one or two little ones
2) There's nothing to assemble or disassemble when moving the slides/coach
3) You usually can get closer to the windows, for a better view, or to hand condiments out to your neighbor on his patio
4) As mentioned, storage space under the seats, and also under the dinette table, an area I used often when in transit

Cons for dinettes have been mentioned already.

Another point perhaps not-thought-of often: Underbed storage in a front-engine coach is not subject to temperature/dirt issues, so it's prime storage space. In a pusher, the space may be subject to temps/dirt, so putting folded-up chairs there is reasonable, especially if they are the "extra" chairs a couple doesn't use.

[Jf57]

Thanks all, we prefer a booth dinette with safety bealts because DW is working while we’re on the road. We’re tailgunner for rv caravan across USA/CAN, so as we’re doing a lot of mileage we would prefer a DP.

[Mike8253]

Originally Posted by Jf57

Thanks all, we prefer a booth dinette with safety bealts because DW is working while we’re on the road. We’re tailgunner for rv caravan across USA/CAN, so as we’re doing a lot of mileage we would prefer a DP.

Well that does change things a bit, and I better understand the reason for your question. Maybe the better question to ask the group is "Can you tell me which DP's have booth dinettes?". At least that might help you narrow your search somewhat. Good luck with your search and hope you find one that you like.

[Dutch Star Don]

It's a personal choice and the reasons for each have been described above. Our first table and chair coach was our 2005 Monaco Diplomat. It had something not mentioned yet, a buffet. It had an 18" wide buffet against the wall and the table came out from underneath it. The buffet is great for eating as all the food can be placed on the buffet and the table left clear, especially when four adults are eating.

The table and chairs being better fitted to a large person fits my fat butt description. But it also allows one guest to get up from the table without the others having to slide out of the way.

For some reason, our local Newmar dealer was ordering his Dutch Star coaches with the booth. We bought our fist DS off the lot and had to settle for the booth. Granted, it had more storage under the booth seats than a table and chairs. We tried the booth for a few months and hated it. We were able to order the table/buffet/chairs from our dealer at his cost and I replaced the booth.

Fast forward to our 2019 DS, we custom ordered the coach. This time we bought the setup that had the buffet, free standing table with a leaf and four free standing chairs. For US, this is the perfect setup. We can move the table out into the center of the room and seat six, if necessary, but typically just us or an additional couple for dinner or games.

This is our current setup.....

[2cyber71]

I would never have anything other than table and chairs.
Once you have them, you never go back to a booth

[Warhorse6]

Every post needs at outlier so I’m the one. Have had both setups and currently have a table and chairs. Booth far and away my favorite. Both coaches with tables and chairs came with a work station and cabinets under the table. Unbelievably painful to access the cabinets and never used the workstation. Ended up taking the chairs out and using automans for comfort and storage. Spare chairs that came with never came out of their factory wrap. If I do buy a new coach will not purchase if it doesn’t have a both. And we’re a couple of the older people.

[pasdad1]

We also prefer the booth. For us, and I’m a large guy, booth is much more comfortable than stiff chairs. Wife likes to sit across the booth, back against wall, legs up on the booth, as she likes her legs elevated. Big storage drawers under the booth is another plus.