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Updated April 5, 2024
When I first heard of camper trailers with no dinettes, I immediately wondered where people would eat? But then I thought about how my family uses our camper. I realized that 99% of the time, we eat outside at the picnic table. Moreover, when we have tried to sit at the dinette together we are always squished.
I’m not going to lie. In reviewing these 5 best camper trailers without dinettes, I got a little bit of camper envy. I love how ditching the dinette frees up extra space for other amenities. Who knows, maybe a DIY dinette tear-out is in my future.
As I review the features of each of the 5 best travel trailers without dinettes, I’m sure you will fall in love with the floorplans as much as I have.
- Do You Need A Dinette In An RV?
- The 5 Best Travel Trailers With No Dinettes
- 1. Venture Sonic Lite SL150VRK
- 2. Forest River Salem 22ERAS
- 3. Coachmen Catalina Expedition 192FQS
- 4. Starcraft Super Lite Maxx 232MD
- 5. Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
- Can You Remove a Dinette Yourself?
- Can You Put A Residential Table And Chairs In An RV?
- Final Words About Travel Trailers Without Dinettes
- Related Reading:
Do You Need A Dinette In An RV?
Once upon a time, dinettes were pretty important in the typical RV or camper. When people were committed to sitting down at the kitchen table for a meal, the dinette offered that place to eat, while traveling.
Today, people spend less time eating at the table, and when traveling, the once-standard dinette may become a wasted space. However, that does not mean that a dinette is a feature that everyone can live without.
Sometimes, a dinette is a feature you may need or want. If you work from your RV or travel trailer, the dinette may be a great spot for setting up an office space. It has plenty of room to spread out, and many new travel trailers have USB plugs and outlets at the dinette.
The dinette may also be necessary if you have small children and want a specific space for them to eat, play games, or do crafts. Sometimes, having this indoor space is a lifesaver for parents when the weather is crummy or after a long day of activities.
The dinette can also be a great way to have another sleeping space without committing to bunk beds or buying a larger travel trailer. Most dinettes convert from tables and benches to small, twin-size beds, which can be ideal for small children or friends of your kids if they travel with you.
The 5 Best Travel Trailers With No Dinettes
If you have decided that the dinette option is not practical for your travel needs, you may be looking for great travel trailers without dinettes. Since dinettes still tend to be the standard option for many travel trailers, finding options that do not have a dinette can be challenging.
There are, however, some great travel trailers on the market that do have standard floor plans without dinettes. The list below is five of our favorite travel trailers without dinettes.
1. Venture Sonic Lite SL150VRK
✅ Lots of storage, full bath
❌ Not a lot of floor space, a small bed
- Length: 19’ 2”
- UVW: 3,350 lbs
- GVWR: 3,800 lbs
- CCC: 450 lbs
- Tongue Weight: 400 lbs
- Sleeps: 2
This compact travel trailer is a unique option without a dinette. While small, the Venture Sonic Lite gives you plenty of comfort features but doesn’t overwhelm you with unnecessary options.
Inside you will find a full bath, comfortable recliners that convert to a full-size bed, and a small but practical galley. One of the best things about this camper is that it has tons of storage. Much of this added storage may not be practical if the floor plan also had a dinette.
The Sonic Lite comfortably sleeps two and is perfect for weekend excursions or trips when hotels or campgrounds are limited.
2. Forest River Salem 22ERAS
✅ Large galley, private sleeping area, bar seating
❌ Awkward bathroom location, only sleeps 2
- Length: 28’ 2”
- UVW: 6,196 lbs
- GVWR: 7,685 lbs
- CCC: 1,489 lbs
- Tongue Weight: 685 lbs
- Sleeps: 2
The Forest River Salem 22ERAS offers a unique compromise between functional seating and eating space. This travel trailer gives you both comfy reclining theater seats and a breakfast bar for dining.
The simple slide-out of this trailer gives a roomier feel, and a bit more floor space for moving around. The breakfast bar is a great solution for interior eating space and can also serve as additional galley counter space.
Forest River has come up with some interesting solutions for saving space. One of the most interesting features is the pantry door, which also has a fireplace and entertainment center. The separate bedroom has a versa-tilt king bed, a favorite comfort feature of Forest River trailers.
3. Coachmen Catalina Expedition 192FQS
✅ Standard off-road features, large bathroom
❌ No private sleeping area
- Length: 21’ 8”
- UVW: 4,151 lbs
- GVWR: 5,842 lbs
- CCC: 1,691 lbs
- Tongue Weight: 642 lbs
- Sleeps: 4
The Coachmen Catalina is a small camper that gives you a lot of creature comforts even when you are off the grid. This travel trailer comes standard with off-road and off-grid features like ports for solar panels, a torsion axle, a 3” lift, and off-road tires.
Though it is made for more remote locations, the interior is quite comfortable. The queen bed and convertible sofa offer enough sleeping space for four people. The spacious galley offers plenty of counter space and an oversized refrigerator making it perfect for families on the go.
If you love outdoor activities, the Coachman Catalina Expedition comes with a bike rack, rear gear rack, and an optional kayak rack for the roof.
4. Starcraft Super Lite Maxx 232MD
✅ Affordable, rear galley, huge awning
❌ Only a queen bed
- Length: 29’ 9”
- UVW: 5,355 lbs
- GVWR: 7,000 lbs
- CCC: 1,645 lbs
- Tongue Weight: 615 lbs
- Sleeps: up to 4
The Starcraft Super Lite 232MD is a perfect travel trailer for small families. With a queen bed tucked at the front of the trailer and a convertible sofa, there is space enough for you and your kids.
We like the rear galley in this travel trailer. Many people do not like to cook too close to their sleeping space, and this floor plan provides lots of room between the galley and the separate sleeping area.
The bathroom in this RV is the other awesome feature. This has a full-size shower and a nice vanity with plenty of counter space. Outside, the Starcraft Super Lite has an immense awning. At 21 feet long, when extended it provides enough covered space for a picnic table and lawn chairs.
5. Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
✅ Large galley, residential finishes, spacious bath
❌ Only sleeps 2
Length: 29’ 11”
UVW: 7,709 lbs
GVWR: 9,870 lbs
CCC: 2,161 lbs
Tongue Weight:1,070 lbs
Sleeps: 2
For the couple that wants some added luxury when traveling, the Forest River Rockwood is an ideal travel trailer. With residential-grade finishes including subway tiles and solid wood cabinetry, this RV really feels like a home away from home.
Among the standout features of this trailer are the spacious bedroom with ample amounts of storage, the reclining theater seats, and the breakfast bar. The breakfast bar is a great trade-off for the dinette and can also be used as a workspace if needed. The two slide-outs on this travel trailer give you a ton of extra floor space.
The Rockwood has an exterior griddle, so you do not have to use campground grills, and the large 21-foot awning provides plenty of cover from the weather or shade for hot summer day
Can You Remove a Dinette Yourself?
Are you sold on the advantages of forgoing a dinette? If so, you may be wondering if you can simply remove the dinette in your current camper yourself. The answer is yes! It may seem like a daunting task, but many DIYers have reported that removing the dinette is easy.
Before you commit to removing your dinette, you’ll want to consider a few things. First, what is the age and value of your camper? If you plan on owning your camper for many years, or if you have an older molder, you likely won’t hurt the resale value of your coach too much by upgrading the dinette space yourself.
However, if your travel trailer is brand new, you may not want to embark on a DIY project because it could damage your resale value or even void the factory warranty.
Next, you’ll need to consider what you want to put in place of the dinette. Unlike travel trailers that come standard without a dinette, when you DIY you’re not pigeonholed into substituting a dinette with a sofa. Just be careful if your dinette is located in a slide-out.
It is important that whatever you substitute isn’t too heavy for your slide to handle. Besides weight concerns, the sky is the limit as far as what you decide to put in the dinette’s space. Options to consider are:
- Recliners or bean bag chairs
- Desk and office workspace
- Table with chairs or farmhouse benches
- A gaming center
For DIY dinette removal, you’ll want to check for any hidden wires or ugly gaps in the flooring below your dinette. Once you know if you have to reroute wires or replace the flooring you’ll have a better idea of the scope of your project.
Don’t worry, although some dinette renovations will be more complicated, in most RVs the task is as simple as grabbing a screw gun. Before you know it, you will have created your very own travel trailer without a dinette.
Can You Put A Residential Table And Chairs In An RV?
One of the popular features that you may find in new travel trailers and fifth-wheel RVs is an eating area with a residential-style dining table. For families or those who work while traveling, the residential table and chairs can be more versatile and offer a more comfortable space for eating or working.
If you are considering adding a table and chairs to your travel trailer, or want to replace a dinette in your camper with a residential dining set, this is a a great way to add seating and extra counter space. Many people doing remodels of travel trailers go this route because it can be an easier fix, and may also be more budget-friendly.
If you are considering a table and chairs in your RV, make sure that you have a way to secure them during travel. Unsecured furniture can damage the interior of your camper when turning, or traveling over uneven ground or bumps.
Final Words About Travel Trailers Without Dinettes
Not everyone wants a dinette in their travel trailer. Perhaps you prefer to eat outdoors or maybe you would rather chill on a comfy couch or in a recliner instead. If this sounds like you, then a travel trailer without a dinette is the perfect solution.
Many new travel trailers come with floor plans sans the dinette, which makes it easy to eliminate a feature that you do not need. However, if you are not quite ready to buy a new travel trailer, removing the dinette from your current travel trailer can be a fairly easy DIY project.
Either way, we hope that the five travel trailers we highlighted in this article inspire you to find great ways to RV without a dinette.
Related Reading:
– Best Lightweight Dinette Table Top Replacement For Your RV or Camper
– 10 Best Travel Trailers with Outdoor Kitchens for 2024
– 9 Best Travel Trailers Under 30 Feet
– 7 Best Travel Trailers Under 4,000 Lbs
Laura Tyrell – Author and Part Time RVer
Laura is a part-time RVer and a full-time mom of three. Long-time campers and RVers before children, Laura, and her husband have fallen even more in love with the RV lifestyle since becoming parents to a child with food allergies.
Having her own kitchen on wheels makes her RV trips amazing. Laura is passionate about finding ways to make traveling with young children fun, easy, and attainable.
Looking for a trailer trailer, 30ft or less. Like theatre seating and sofa, fireplace would be nice, designated bedroom with king or queen, 2019 or new. No dinette.
Can someone recommend?