It rained here over the weekend. There was even the most powerful August windstorm the region has seen since they started keeping records. Not ideal camping or kayaking conditions, but suitable(as long as we didn’t lose electrical power) for working on a Toto Enhancement Project.
Behold. The TotoLounge has a new, improved table.
It’s smaller than the old table — see this other post if you want to know why.
Also, two perfectly adequate, removable, but not-quite-right pedestals from the old table have been replaced by one permanently installed (as if anything in an RV could be considered permanent), pneumatic, telescoping one.
The new table can be set to any height (within limits). It can also swivel, and will slide left and right. This table can do anything you could imagine. Glorious.
Making the tabletop was the most time-consuming task. I had to lay out and cut plywood (with a jigsaw)… use a router to cut a groove all the way around the tabletop’s edge… cut Formica laminate to size using a utility knife… glue the Formica to the plywood (I used contact cement)… then use a different router bit to trim off excess Formica. Finally, I pressed the edge material (vinyl T-molding) into the edge, leaving the joint on the wrong side and therefore removing and re-attaching it.
It’s not perfect, but for a first effort I’m satisfied with the result.
Here is a thing I learned, the hard way: Formica sheets come in two grades — “horizontal” (for counter-tops and tabletops and such) and “vertical” (a thinner version that looks and wears the same but might not stand up as well to hard knocks). If you are me, when you go to Home Depot, you don’t know to ask for a specific grade, and the Home Depot associate does not know to ask you either. So you end up with the vertical grade, which will probably work fine, and is (likely) a little easier to work with since it’s more flexible. But if I had known I would surely have ordered the more heavy-duty stuff, for about $15 more. We are going to have to remember not to emphasize any discussion points with dramatically slammed-onto-the-table bricks, which might crack the laminate.
It’s easy to transform from table mode to lounge mode. No need to remove the pedestal; it shrinks on command.
We’ve ordered a cushion (matching all the others), the size of the tabletop, to make the TotoLounge decadently comfortable, in just the size we want for lounging. This is why we made the table smaller — to get to optimal lounge depth.
Here’s our old lounge board, cut down to become a filler board in the event we want to use the Toto Lounge as a guest bedroom (or in case I’m sent — unfairly, of course — to the doghouse). The seat-back cushions from the side of the dinette will fill up this entire area to make a full-size bed, for the sleepy, or for the falsely accused.
When we do use the table as, uh, a table, we have some new options.
The possibilities are limitless. Here’s the Company Mode, which accommodates up to 5 well-acquainted adults for beverages and small plates. Or just beverages. Or maybe beverages go on the fold-up “bully” tables and we use the table for Mexican Train.
And then…
Imagine, if you will. A couple, harmless in appearance, settles down on either side of a corner in a simple U-shaped dinette. They flip the TV out, then slide, swivel and lock their perfectly-sized, ideally-shaped table into optimal dining position. Then they watch Twilight Zone reruns while consuming the equivalent of a TV dinner. We’ve entered a new dimension, one not only of sight, but of sound and possibly taste (yes, poor taste). We’ve entered… the Toto Zone.
One last bit to complete the project: I need to fill the one screw hole in the floor that’s still visible after installing the new pedestal. It’s not noticeable but I’ll Know It’s There.
I’m going to use this kit, which is possibly the most difficult-to-find item ever stocked at the Gig Harbor Home Depot.
Here is another thing I learned: if you look up an item on the Home Depot website and specify your “home store,” the site will tell you where in the store to find it (aisle number and “bay number”). My future shopping experiences will be transformed.
So that’s our new TurboTotoLounge. Warning: there’s no doubt I’ll post a picture when we receive the new cushion from CushionSource.com. So this isn’t over yet. Not by a long shot. Well, but, almost.
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Oh cool. Coool.
Its 2021 and I found your post! Bet that table is still Holding up! Hopefully ya didn’t have to spend to many “doghouse “ nights LoL!!! 🤪! Thank you for a great idea!
Greetings from Port Townsend,
Beautiful work! You are a jack of all trades, and a master of all??? However, we’re still not sure why you went to a smaller table. How much too big was the standard table? Will the std table fit down to lay on the ledges? Our deadline is coming up and we’re scrambling to make last decisions. We hope to leave shortly after pick-up for the SW. We will order the table unattached, but will not have time to construct a smaller one before we leave. Hoping the std table will work for the time being. Additionally, where did you buy the table base?
Thanks for your detailed information. A blessing for us Escape newbies…!!
Thanks for the kind words. Everything I “know” I learned on the interwebs. 🙂
The standard table (the size that comes with the u-shaped dinette) is just fine for many people. I think many like to have lots of table space. We’ve found that we prefer not using the table because we like spending time in the “lounge” configuration (slightly deeper rear seat, no table). I think we may be lounge potatoes. But only in inclement weather or if, say, we have to watch a football game.
The pedestal is one introduced to me (and others) on the forum, and it can be purchased here (watch for 15 and 20 percent off sales — don’t pay the full price). We’re very pleased with its quality. We like it because there’s no need to remove it and store it somewhere… it just shrinks when we need to, uh, lounge.
Of course, we kept the full-size tabletop, and if we anticipate a need to use it on a trip, we can bring it along, store it under the mattress and simply place it atop the smaller table when needed. Maybe for a jigsaw puzzle?
We were supposed to be up your way (Ft Flagler) this week but weather and work got in the way. Drat. Another time….
I am not finding the pedestal on the link. Maybe they no longer carry it? Any ideas where to find s one?
I think they discontinued that model. I hope you’re able to find something that will work for you!
They went 2 a smaller table so they could keep it there it fit better and now they Hav a. Another piece 2 make it wider cool
Good job! Lots of good info and you’re right about the “permanent!”
The part about “permanent”… we learned that from YOU.
Can you tell me the dimensions of the table you made for the pedestal please, I am thrilled to see your great mod….hopefully ETI will help us do the same in our new trailer….for a price no doubt and to have it the way we want ..priceless…Thanks, Roberta
Hi Roberta,
The width of the table (from curbside to driver side) varies slightly because the dinette is not quite square. The table gets a wee bit wider as you go from the back of the trailer toward the front. I used the original table for a template to get the width right.
The depth (front to back) is 17.5 inches. For us that was the sweet spot… comfortable size for “lounge mode,” and table big enough for the two of us to each do something meaningful (eat a meal… prop up a book or laptop… etc.)… or to hold 4 beverages in the event we have visitors. Or in case I want to drink four glasses of wine at a time. It could happen.
thanks so much, our trailer’s bday is May 16, 2016….I wonder how much sweet talking I would have to do to get ETI to do this for me……the table has been a sore point for me..
I am sure they would install the table hardware you specified….not sure if they would build the table to those specs, unfortunately we are not handy like you… And we could live with the table until we found someone to do the mod for us…only $$$$
Sooz and I talked about this. She thinks ETI might outsource tabletop construction, and therefore might not want to build a custom-size one. But they might! Never hurts to ask. And, as you say, you should be able to find a local carpenter / remodeler — one who’s used to making laminate countertops — who could make a tabletop for a reasonable fee. They would be much faster at it than I was, so it ought not to be too expensive. I think.
Where do you live, we are in Seattle….
Good Morning,
Lost a bunch of email including yours. Craig and I were wondering if you might be around this next Saturday afternoon the 24th. We’d love to take a look at Toto and talk options. Lemme know…I was thinking 1:30-2ish.
Thanks, Roberta
Hi Roberta,
I just sent you an email. See you on Saturday!
Toto – Love, love, love that table/dinette setup. We will be picking up our 21′ Escape in July and want to do the same thing in ours. Can you tell me the dimensions of the table?
Thanks!
Bill and Lisa Balli
Thanks! The table is 18″ front-to-back… the width varies slightly because the two side benches are not quite parallel. I used the original table as a template and just copied the “aft” 18 inches of it. Congratulations on your coming-soon 21! Get ready to make lotsa memories.
Where did you buy the telescopic support with the translator?? Thank you!
Hi Monica,
We bought it from Overtons.com. Watch the site for a week or two and wait until they display discount offers — they do this frequently, and you’ll save 15 – 20% (we bought it at 20% off).
Cheers,
Doug
The link isn’t working to the table pedestal. Is there a name?
Hi Tiffany,
The pedestal was made by Springfield Marine — but, in checking their website, I see the model I used has been discontinued. There is one for sale in Springfield Marine’s scratch-and-dent section (used for trade shows) at a good discount — for the moment it can be found at http://www.springfieldmarinescratchanddent.com/3-stage-table-pedestal-anodized/
It looks like they have new offerings now — you would want something in their “4-inch” series. It would take some research to pick the right one — you want to be sure it offers the range (min & max height) that will work in your trailer. Overtons does carry these, and remember to wait for a “sale.” Hope this helps.
I did some more digging. You can still find new models like the pedestals I bought — just not at Overtons. And the price is, er, steep. The model is called…
SPRINGFIELD Anodized Air-Powered 3-Stage Table Pedestal, Adjust 12-3/4″; 20″; 28″
… and I found it for a fortune at West Marine, Boaters Plus and a few other online outlets. Good luck!
Hi! We are purchasing the 21 foot for delivery in April 2018 and are considering the Springfield pedestal as well for our U-shaped dinette. To get the table to slide forward, backward and side to side which slider base did you purchase (or did you build it)? Thanks!!
I re-used the one-directional slide provided by Escape with our original table. It only slides along the long axis of the table — it may look like it goes all four directions because the Springfield pedestal allows us to rotate the table to any angle.
I love your table set-up. We are going to do this in our Class A RV. It seems to provide a great compromise for additional seating. We have teenagers who still travel with us, so I think the lounge configuration will be great for them. Right now it always stays in a bed configuration (need the sleeping space) which is annoying during the day.
Our dinette isn’t U-shaped, so I need to add the back bench. The overall size is 48” x 73”. Do you know the depth of your back bench?
Also, do you have anything you wished you did differently, or wasn’t as functional as you hoped? I am thinking of creating a fold-over table top to give us a table which would be double the size of the pedestal top (of course with slide extensions underneath).
Thanks so much! I think this is the best mod I have ever seen!
Hi Deb,
Thanks for the kind words. We have since replaced Toto with, er, a larger Toto, so I can’t go out and measure things. But I can tell you that we would do just one thing differently: leave the new, smaller table a little bit larger (front to back). I think we made it 17.5″ and if we did it again we would have made it 20. Your idea to have a hinged leaf is great, and I think you should do it!
Happy trails out there!
How is your floor not raised there? I was told because of the build it needs to be raised.
Ours was a 2014 “classic” model. The first few years of 21s were built without a raised floor (we would have preferred a raised floor!). Sorry it took me awhile to respond to your question. Apparently I am easily distracted. 🙂
which model pedestal did you use? the link provided didnt work
Alas, I can’t remember the brand or model; and I can’t find anything like it online now. I bought it from an outfit named Springfield Marine, and it appears they no longer sell directly. Sorry I can’t be more help!