Wish List: 171 dinette seats

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171 dinette seats

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Wish List
Forum Discription: Tell Forest River what you would like to see in the r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5425
Printed Date: 04 May 2025 at 11:14am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: 171 dinette seats

Posted By: Luv2Q
Subject: 171 dinette seats
Date Posted: 13 Oct 2014 at 11:24pm

The ply sheeting that serves as the seating surface in our 171 is laughably thin. That plus not having any real alignment guides allows it to get out of position pretty easily. Then, putting any weight on it can damage the supporting framework.

What I'd like to see (and will do): a stouter supporting framework & then probably 3/4" cabinet-grade ply for the seating surface. May use gas struts to hold it up when accessing the underneath storage area.

My 2 pesos' worth ..

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John & Teri
Tundra 5.7L V8 / RP 180
E2 WDH / Integrated controller (POS) replaced by Tekonsha P3

Replies:

Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 4:13am

When we had our 2009 171 we had no problems with the dinette seats but then the r-pods were built with hardwood framing not soft pine like the new ones. Our Vibe, the dinette seats were pitiful they fell apart sitting on them. I did like you mentioned I rebuilt the framing with stronger wood, clear cypress with out knots and covered with Baltic birch plywood. Much stronger!

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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
Middle Tn
2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab

Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 14 Oct 2014 at 8:43am

Originally posted by Luv2Q

The ply sheeting that serves as the seating surface in our 171 is laughably thin. That plus not having any real alignment guides allows it to get out of position pretty easily. Then, putting any weight on it can damage the supporting framework.

My 2 pesos' worth ..

Yes Sir, it seems that the dinettes in the PODs are a popular structure for mods. In the 178 I have the wrap around dinette and I'm planning to permanently fasten the horizontal ply and then hinge the wings to it so I can make a viable storage area. I'll have to notch the ply on the wings for clearance and travel. I'll post some pics in the Mod area when it's done. Looking forward to seeing yours there too.

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Cliff & Raelynn
Ranger 4.0/178
(1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity)