Folding or tri-fold: which motorhome table top should I choose?
The quick answer: a folding table top is two equal leaves hinged in the middle, so it folds in half, and suits a bigger table you sometimes want smaller. A tri-fold top is a centre panel with a leaf hinged either side, so it folds down to the size of the centre panel, and suits a table that needs to pack away small.
How does a folding table top work?
You give us the size opened out and we make it as two equal leaves, folding across the width. It's made in 27mm solid core poplar plywood, laminated both sides and edged all round. The leaves are joined with 3 hinges, or 4 on tops of 1000mm long and over, set 125mm in from each end. You choose square or rounded corners along the hinged edge, and the radius for the outer corners.
How does a tri-fold table top work?
A tri-fold has a centre panel with a leaf hinged on either side. Each leaf is half the width of the centre, so both fold flat on top of it and the folded size is the size of the centre panel. It's made in 19mm solid core poplar plywood to keep the weight down, with its own hinges on each fold. The outer corners are rounded to your choice, and the corners where the leaves meet the centre stay square.
Which should I choose?
- Choose folding if you want a full size dining table that halves in size when you need more room, for example to get in and out of the seats.
- Choose tri-fold if the table needs to pack right down, or sits between two seats and only needs to open out now and then.
What sizes can they be?
Folding tops can be from 500mm to 2000mm long and 300mm to 800mm wide, opened out. Tri-fold tops have a centre panel from 300mm to 1000mm wide and 300mm to 800mm deep, and open out to twice the width of the centre panel.
Which table leg works with them?
Both work on a single table leg in the middle. A folding top needs a leg and connector that support both leaves when it's open, so tell us what you've got and we'll check. Our guide to choosing a table leg explains the options.
Made to measure
Both are made to your size in our Somerset workshop. You can enter your measurements and see the price straight away on the folding table top and tri-fold table top pages. And if you've a Chausson X550 or X650, we make a folding top sized to clear the slide out frame.
Many thanks,
Keith (aka Chippy)
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