Mods: removed club chairs & installed daybed w/Lagun table mount

[Norman&Michele]

There have been a few interested parties regarding my mentions of modifications we made to our Chinook. I will upload the before/after images I currently have, and will add detail shots once I have them.

The first image is what it was...

We ripped all exposed carpet from coach (leaving cab as is), and put vinyl in its place. We pulled the club chairs and the pull out table. We also removed the back of the jack-knife sofa to expose the whole bottom surface area (32"W x 6'L).


On the platforms where the clubs were, Norman built another set of cubes on top of the existing platforms--to raise the finish height. On top of this he mounted a platform surface to span the distance, that is hinged to allow for storage in the newly created cubes. We bought a 'bunk' size RV mattress for this platform (30"W x 6'L). I used the original fabric from the windshield privacy snap on thing, to make a cover for the bed so it atleast tied in with everything else. I kept the snap strip intact and made another privacy screen from another fabric that I also used for throw pillows.


As for the table. We saw this Lagun table mount thing on YouTube. It is aluminum, and side mounts, and allows you to raise, lower, swing, take off...and that became our table. Norman built a mounting leg using a 4"x4" timber that attached to the cube riser next to stove, and leg extended to floor. It serves as a table when we both sit on our own day bed, and can swing next to the stove for extra counter, or can come off and store. I LOVE it! When you buy the Lagun, it is only the bracket system--not the table top. I bought this big cutting board which is what we used for the table. At night, we pop table top off, and lean against stove front. When we travel, I put it in a pillow case like thing, and store it behind driver seat.

I will take detail pix of the lagun system, and the storage cubes and add on in a future post along with pix of a few other modifications we did.

[Norman&Michele]

Here are a few more images that my initial post would not allow...maybe there is a 4 max per post?

Here is the gutted image...

Here is Norman working on cube platform, and I don't know why it is loading sideways!!:

Here is a (another sideways!!) shot of the pillow situation for each day bed. Big pillow serves as backrest. Medium pillow serves as bed pillow at night by stuffing in a pillow case (they are down filled pillows). Long skinny pillow was just for fun, but because I stuffed them with pine chip/sawdust, they are firm and work as armrests.

We created more food storage by screwing lids of mason jars to the bottom of the 'bread box' cupboard.

Stay tuned for more images...

[Blue~Go]

Thanks so much for taking the time to make this thread. Especially since your "before" photo is the spitting image of my original Chinook

I had thought about doing something using the club bases - if not permanently then at least for a working mock up (meaning I try it for who knows how long). It's great to actually SEE it.

I helped a friend install a Lagun (in a non-Chinook RV) and we made a tri-fold table like you often see them have. That's another option (main section is X wide, then each side piece is 1/2X and then flip over on top of the main section. So in his case it was a 12" x 24" main section, then two 6" x 24" flip up wings).

Another note is that you can buy extras of just the mounting plate, if you want to be able to mount it elsewhere for a second option.

N & M: Do you find the base that you have it mounted to strong enough to keep it from wobbling? That was the challenge I had in helping my buddy. There is a lot of leverage. The table hardware is first class though.

Thanks again for taking the time. It's much appreciated!

BG

[Norman&Michele]

Hi BG,
To answer your question about table wobble--as long as we have the handle cranked for the support leg of aluminum, it is pretty solid. We don't travel with it up, and do not experience any wobble when using it. When on the Lagun website, I did not see the flip out model like you mention, but I have seen them on YouTube. Maybe discontinued?

One mod that I would really like to do, is put both drivers and passenger seats on swivel bases, and put a pedestal table mount in between. That makes the cab a usable component as a dining area. Of course, watching TV from there would not be an option. The engine location may make this a little tricky, but I think it would work. In looking, I found the swivel mounts are pricey. When I talk about all this, I see my husband get a little twitchy...another job to hone his tradesmen skills.

[Blue~Go]

I don't know that Lagun ever made tables, but it's somewhat traditional on boats to have that style of "leaf" table (tables are often blocking aisles when extended which wouldn't work at sea), so there are some options of that style (to purchase aftermarket) or some people make one. That way you get a 12" table sometimes if you want it that way. My buddy left his "installed" when traveling, but lowered it down firmly into a pillow on the couch and then tightened the levers.

On the swivel bases, here is some intel:

1) You can get them fairly easily and they are not hard to install (two sets of four bolts, no drilling). From my reading the one from Discount Van raises the seat a couple of inches. That would not have worked for me. I had a previous camper van with both driver and passenger swivels made by Kustom Fit, and they were stock height. I found that Sportsmobile sells those in their parts store (anyone can buy). I bought one for my passenger seat. Chinook kept the stock Ford set bases (and put the Flexsteel seats on them) so you don't need "special" swivels.

2) Why didn't I buy one for the driver's seat in my Chinook? Because my Chinook has a power adjusted driver's seat and they don't work with those (my previous van had both manual seats). I'm sure where there is a will there may be a "custom" way to make the power driver's seat work with a swivel, but it wasn't very important to me to have that. What with the steering wheel, plus the couch, it was not as nice as the passenger side one anyway. I do like my power seat, so not giving that up. When I did have the driver's side swivel I never sat in it but I would turn it 90º just so I wasn't staring at the seat back.

3) You have to do a little dance with the seats to get them to swivel, but no biggie. Basically you move it all the way back (or forward) to swivel and then either jiggle that back and forth or just open the door a bit to give it room to go around. Easy.

4) You will have to disconnect the airbag plug and then route it so that the new seat can swivel. Easily doable with some thought and care. Don't start the vehicle with it unplugged or you'll generate an error code. Once you plug it back in it will be none the wiser. At least on the airbags in my 1997 van, 1999 Chinook, and friend's 2003 E-450 (later ones may be different).

[Norman&Michele]

Here are detail images of Lagun system...still cannot figure why some load sideways, as the originals are all upright!

The last one is of the underpart that mounts to your table, which then pops into the receptacle. The height of table can be adjusted by the lowest lever which allows it to slide up and down where it is mounted on leg. The next knob up, allows the table to swing around, or not, by tightening. The other knob secures the table top mounting knob into arm.

[sm350bl]

I really like the mason jar spice rack. Ive grown up with having jar systems like this in my grandfathers work shop.

[Blue~Go]

My parents had those ceiling jars too! For various screws and nails and such.

On the photos, it looks like maybe the ones showing up sideways are taken in portrait mode rather than landscape mode? Just a thought.

[bolerama]

Thanks so much for these wonderful ideas.
Lisa

[Djam6115]

We really like this modification, thanks for posting this!