Dinette Table Failure/Collapse

[brianw8602]

Thought I would share this in hopes of preventing this from happening to someone else.

I went to stand up from the dinette table, placing what I thought was minimal pressure on the end of the table. As I stood, the table crashed down. As it turned out, it snapped the bolts attaching the table frame to the wall, sending everything to the floor.

I spoke with CS and they were surprised that only 2 bolts were used, the norm being 4-5?? Apparently there is an aluminum bracket that runs horizontally along that portion of the wall where the 2 bolts were attached. The recommendation was to replace with 2 1/2 to 3" tek bolts.

The table by the way weighs 53lbs. I weighed it while it was in the non-table position

If you need to add some bolts, you'll need a long shank drill bit as the cabinet extends out 8" from the wall. Hopefully mine was the only one missing additional screws.

[brobox]

Thanks for the heads up, mine is also only attached with 2 bolts. On the to-do -list for when we get home already.

[C310]

Thanks, only 2 on mine.


Steve

[Ann n Gene]

That table is too heavy for those two bolts without anything on top of it, especially if you have it pulled out all the way, kind of scary to think about. Thanks for the post.


2016 Cornerstone 45B on order
Formerly 2011 & 2013 Anthems
2014 Lincoln MKT towed

[brianw8602]

An update to my previous post. I kept drilling into dead space. I was under the impression that there was an aluminum bracket running horizontally directly behind the wall . . not!

To satisfy my curiosity, I carved out a small section where one of the original bolts had sheared off. There is no aluminum bracket. There is however a wooden brace that is running horizontally about an inch behind the wall. That is what the original bolts were attached to.

I removed what was left of the sheared bolt and was amazed to find that it was a 5" bolt, not the 2 1/2" to 3" bolt I was told to use. Back to Home Depot.

I ended up getting 3/8" x 5" stainless steel bolts. The originals were very cheap 1/4" x 5".

Hopefully the attached photos clear up any questions.

[hogdriver]

Wow. Thanks Brian. Another item to check. I need to start writing all of these down into a checklist. DW wonders when we go on a trip why I am constantly running around with wrenches and screwdrivers. I know artist like DaVinci had unfinished works, but jeez, an unfinished coach!

[ken n deb]

Wow! Ghost in the machine...A little more motivation to make the move. Regards to Julie & pet for Zola. Ken

[Gary.Jones]

Same in my 44B coach..... 2 probably 1/4" screws holding dinettetable to outer wall.

Brian.... from your analysis, does the anchoring board (2x4" ?) go all the way across that space between studs so that an additional one or two larger bolts could be safely put into the aluminum bracket for the table, or does it appear that those two bolt positions are the only places that one could find solid support? Its on my list to fix, or have fixed in the future.

Gary

[Lault]

Has this issue been repaired on later units?

[757driver]

I don't think that the number of lag screws is as important as is the diameter of those screws. The old screws sheared off. When one failed the other probably failed right after. The new screws should solve the problem.

[brianw8602]

Gary, from what I can tell, it appears that the board runs horizontally the width of the aluminum support frame. A quick and easy fix might be to just remove the 2 existing bolts, (that apparently is all that anyone has) and replace them with a sturdier one. The 2 that sheared on ours were really cheap.

After seeing this, I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did. We frequently place items on the end of the table from the grocery store to load into our refrigerator.

I can just see one of our grand daughters hanging on the end of the table, like they do everything else, and have it come crashing down. Would not be pretty.

I am going to try and use the 3/8" x 5" SS bolts I purchased last night and see how that turns out this afternoon. There is very limited room to work with under the table. I removed the aluminum stop on the bottom of the table so I could work with only the frame. The stop is held on by 3 screws then siliconed onto the bottom. Had to scrape it off, but no big deal. Much easier to work on this way.

Brian

[brianw8602]

Completed the re-install of the dinette table today. Quite the project.

If you need to replace your screws, which I highly recommend, it is going to be a real chore without removing the table top from the aluminum frame. It's not that difficult and I'm not sure you could do this without removing it. There are 3 screws that hold the aluminum stop on the bottom of the table. Mine was also siliconed on, but that was easily removed with a putty knife slid underneath.

I ended up using 3/8" x 4" SS bolts. I only used 2, and used the existing holes the original bolts were in. I used a 3/8" drill bit to widen the holes in the aluminum frame. This would be the easiest fix for this, and would probably take less than 30 minutes.

I tried to use 3 bolts but when I drilled into the middle of the wall, I struck something metallic and decided 2 was enough. I'm confident that these stainless steel bolts will not shear under normal use I actually pulled myself up holding onto the frame after completing the install.

The second picture is taken looking up at the bottom of the table. You can see the 3 screws that attach the stop to the table top bottom.

Brian

[Gary.Jones]

Thanks for the follow-up Brian !!

Gary

[brianw8602]

Originally Posted by 757driver

I don't think that the number of lag screws is as important as is the diameter of those screws. The old screws sheared off. When one failed the other probably failed right after. The new screws should solve the problem.

Don, I think you are correct. The diameter of the screw plus using something other than what looked like a pot metal screw should solve this.

Brian