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Topic: Table storage in caravan

katymg

via mobile 22/4/2022 at 9:22am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Hi all

I recently upgraded my 1988 van to a 2001 Abbey Expression 500L … this is the one with dual seating areas front and back. The back area is an L shape with a pedestal table with a chrome post that fits into a metal hole in the floor. There is a small compartment down the side of the wardrobe to slide the other folding table in, but I cannot see where the pedestal table top is to be stored. It has a metal cone shape attached to the underside for the chrome pole to fit into and therefore doesn’t easily slide anywhere.

If you can understand my description so far, hit me with your suggestions for storage. There are so many clever things in caravans that I cannot believe this has not already been thought of.

Thank you.
Katy

marg6

22/4/2022 at 9:53am
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the layout i have seen for your caravan has the table as a drop down under the side window

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Fiona W

via mobile 22/4/2022 at 9:53am
Location: Ayrshire
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When we had a table like that, albeit in the previous MH not a caravan, it was held by 4 clips on the inside wall of the wardrobe, with the metal cone facing out.
We also bought a chunky round wooden bread board & attached a cone to it, and used that for mugs or glasses when we didn’t want the big dining table out. No corners to bump into if we had visitors. Still using it 20 years later in the current MH.

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2025=3 sites, 5 nights; 2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

katymg

via mobile 22/4/2022 at 10:10am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Hi - yes there is a wee drop down table under a side window at the back but also this big pedestal table with cone, pole and metal hole in the floor.

Thank you.
Katy

katymg

via mobile 22/4/2022 at 10:13am
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 22/4/2022
When we had a table like that, albeit in the previous MH not a caravan, it was held by 4 clips on the inside wall of the wardrobe, with the metal cone facing out.
We also bought a chunky round wooden bread board & attached a cone to it, and used that for mugs or glasses when we didn’t want the big dining table out. No corners to bump into if we had visitors. Still using it 20 years later in the current MH.

Hmmm interesting … I will look again … the Carver blown air pipe seems to be in the way in the wardrobe and annoying there is another slot in the table storage compartment but try as a might that cone but stops the table sliding in past the legs of the big table. But it may fit up against the back wall of the wardrobe … a good idea. Love the bread board idea!

JTQU

22/4/2022 at 3:42pm
Location: Hampshire
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Our pedestal table is not designed as a removable item, it stays there but can "kneel down" to the surrounding bench level, so together with those benches form a large bed.
If it was removable, then I probably would place in in the car boot to get it out of the way and out of harm's way.

Colin21

22/4/2022 at 4:29pm
Location: East Herts
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I would say that given the age of your caravan the table with the cone-shaped piece attached is an owners-modification. We had just such an arrangement in our boat. Those cone and pole set-ups are readily available and lots of people substitute them for the original equipment which is often much more flimsy. If this is the case there will be no appropriate storage built in as it is non-standard.

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Best Regards,
Colin

navver

22/4/2022 at 7:08pm
Location: West country
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We had a similar pedestal table in a Dandy. It could drop down at night to make a 5th berth but remained in place at all other times. The cone which the chrome tube fits into was offset to one side of the rectangular meaning teh table could be repositioned slightly by rotating the top on the tube.

I suppose you could put some battens across an under seat storage box so the top could slide into it. A plastic angle section each side fixed to the battens might support it or another smaller batten.

Or fit some legs so it can be used in the awning.

katymg

via mobile 23/4/2022 at 9:41pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Hi again all - thank you for your suggestions. Having seen original brochures and quite a few ads on the internet for this type of a van (it’s a Michael Jordan special but based on a Abbey Aventura 316) the table with metal hole in the floor is original. I am going to try to upload an image.

I am thinking it might just have to go under a seat … with the slatted bit pushed back to make room. Or sit out in the awning. It’s just puzzling because I find caravan design so clever … I feel like I am must be missing something.

Thanks
Katy

Post last edited on 23/04/2022 21:47:51

Fiona W

via mobile 23/4/2022 at 11:22pm
Location: Ayrshire
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Ha! You’ve reminded me, thank you. Our table with cone in the previous MH wasn’t in the wardrobe (sorry, I’m a dumpling), it slotted behind the bench seat back that made up the bed at night. There was a button on the underside of the table and it popped onto a tab in the wall of the MH below the window, behind the bench seat back.

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2025=3 sites, 5 nights; 2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.

katymg

via mobile 24/4/2022 at 9:14pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 23/4/2022
Ha! You’ve reminded me, thank you. Our table with cone in the previous MH wasn’t in the wardrobe (sorry, I’m a dumpling), it slotted behind the bench seat back that made up the bed at night. There was a button on the underside of the table and it popped onto a tab in the wall of the MH below the window, behind the bench seat back.

Now that is interesting … there is some kind of attachment/metal prong things behind the back sofa/bed. It was not apparent what it was for … I had assumed something no longer in the van but now you have got me thinking. The two metal prong things could be about the right distance apart to slot the cone into. I am going to check when I go back to the van in a couple of weeks. Thank you! And even if it’s not that it’s given me a mind to search all over for other random attachments … I may find the Calor Gas spanner 🔧 too if I am really lucky!
Thanks Katy

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