Andrew’s Van Chat: Custom Table

We had to solve a big problem that we created for ourselves by building custom cabinets. We no longer had a table to eat or do our work on. The original Westfalia interior had a swing-away table that rested over the cabinet that held the water tank when not in use. The original table was in the way of accessing several areas in cabinets. It also would rattle a lot when driving. 

Once again, we searched the internet, RV stores, etc.  for ideas/inspiration for a removable and stowable table solution. The biggest problem we kept running into was the bottom mounting point. Every product we came across would protrude well through the floor of the Vanagon, and we weren’t really into the idea of putting a giant hole in the floor. 

Remove the plastic cap to reveal the table leg’s locking mechanism.

What we came up with is pretty great! We found a product made by ITC RV called the Sequoia III Table Leg System. The bottom mounting unit is flush-mounted to the floor. The post twists and locks into the bottom mount. The post also has a securing nut at the bottom that you can spin down to the mount until the post is nice and secure. Finally, the top mount, which is screwed into a tabletop (we made our own), wedges onto the post.

Look how much fun I’m having putting together the table!

We built our tabletop just the right size to slide into our trunk cabinet for storage.

The table can be set up in less than a minute. It’s really great. Plus, it only costs around $95 for everything! It’s one of the best things we’ve done to our van. 

Look how sturdy! It can hold the weight of a human man!

We even fashioned an outside option for the table. We bought a second bottom mount and attached it to a round piece of wood for a base. It’s stabilized using the Vanagon’s jack point. The pole is affixed to the base then slid through a standard hose clamp attached to a long wooden dowel. The dowel is then slid into the Vanagon’s jack point. Once the pole is through the clamp and the dowel is in place, simply tighten the clamp and the table is secure. We are pretty proud of this idea! 

Click on the photo below to purchase the Sequoia III Table Leg System on Amazon. It comes with everything but a tabletop.