RV Dining Table Guide for Campers and Tiny Homes

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An RV dining table has to seat people for a meal and then get out of the way. The two practical routes are a freestanding folding or drop-leaf table on legs or wheels, or a fixed pedestal table on a floor mount base. Among the listings we read, two were complete folding tables of about 47 in by 31 in when open, and one was a pair of mount bases, not a table at all. For a camper, trailer or tiny home, check the folded size, the open size, the weight rating and, for a fixed table, the base mounting pattern. We have not tested any of these products.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

Product	Listed details	Link
Multifunction Table Drop Leaf Dining Table – 47″ Wooden Foldable Kitchen…	32 x 47 x 30 in; 220 lb maximum	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
VASAGLE Folding Dining Table, Kitchen Table	30.7 x 47.2 x 30 in; 220 lb maximum	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
2 Pcs Aluminum RV Dinette Table and Floor Mount Base (Black), brand Bcautay	6.5 in outside diameter, six mounting holes; 14.9 oz for two	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Two kinds of RV dining table

Freestanding folding or drop-leaf tables

These stand on their own and can be moved. The two we read for this guide are both about 47 in long and 30 in high:

• Rukulin drop-leaf table: 47 in wide, 32 in deep, 30 in high, with six lockable wheels and two leaves. The listing says it folds into a corner and has three folding modes. The stated maximum is 220 lb on the top.
• VASAGLE folding table: 47.2 in wide, 30.7 in deep, 30 in high. The listing says that with the leaf down the top is about 33.3 in by 30.7 in, and that the table seats 4 open or 2 closed. The stated maximum is 220 lb.

A freestanding table suits an RV where the dinette is not fixed, or where you want to move the table outside to a campsite. The trade-off is that it can slide while the vehicle is moving. Fold it and strap it down before you drive.

Pedestal tables with a floor mount base

Many RV dinettes use a pedestal table: a single leg bolted to the floor, which keeps the table steady in a moving vehicle. The base for that leg is a separate part. The Bcautay aluminum base in the listings we read has a 6.5 in outside diameter, a 2.25 in inside diameter and six equally spaced mounting holes, and the pack has two bases with screws: short screws for the table, long ones for the floor. The listing says it fits most standard RV pedestal tables, but the listing is the only source for that. Compare the 2.25 in opening with the leg tube you have before you order.

A mount base is hardware, not a table. It is useful if you are replacing a worn dinette base, but it does not give you a tabletop. We include it here so you know the choice exists.

Size: open, folded and in the way

RV dining space is measured in inches, so use the open and folded sizes from the listing, then check them against your floor plan.

Open size

Both tables seat about four people open. A 47 in table seats two people on each long side with some spare, but not four adults on one side. For a couple, a 30 in deep top gives enough room for plates and a shared dish.

Folded size

The VASAGLE listing gives a folded top of about 33.3 in by 30.7 in. The Rukulin listing says it folds up to stand in a corner but does not state a folded size in the part we read, so measure after you read the listing images for the closed dimension. A folded footprint under 3 ft by 2.5 ft is easier to store in most campers than a rigid table.

Height

Both tables are 30 in high, a standard dining height. Many RV dinette tables are lower, since built-in benches are lower. Check the height of your own seats. A 30 in table with a 17 in seat leaves 13 in between the seat and the top, which is comfortable. Our planning range is 10 in to 13 in.

Worked example: a camper galley with a 36 in aisle

The living area of the camper is 8 ft wide (96 in) and the galley counter on one side is 24 in deep. The aisle between the counter and the opposite wall is what is left, and the table has to fit within it.

• Space available. 96 in – 24 in (counter) = 72 in of floor between the counter and the opposite wall.
• Table in use. Use the VASAGLE open depth of 30.7 in. Say 31 in. 72 in – 31 in = 41 in left for chairs and walking. Chairs need about 18 in to pull out, so the walkway behind the chairs is 41 in – 18 in = 23 in. That is tight.
• Table folded. Use the folded size, 33.3 in by 30.7 in. Fold the leaf so the 30.7 in side faces you. Depth stays 31 in unless you rotate it, but the long side is now 33.3 in, so you can place it against a wall and cut the footprint.
• Check the aisle. US Access Board guidance uses 36 in as a minimum width for an accessible route. That is only a home yardstick, but 23 in is clearly less. So in this camper the table is for sit-down meals only, not a table you leave open.
• Floor area saved. Open 47.2 in x 30.7 in = 1,449 sq in, about 10 sq ft. Folded 33.3 in x 30.7 in = 1,022 sq in, about 7 sq ft. Saved: about 3 sq ft, plus the leaf’s overhang.

The conclusion is that a drop-leaf table saves only a few square feet but what you save is the walkway.

Weight rating and stability

Both tables state a 220 lb maximum. That is the figure for the top, not for the whole table when someone leans on it. In a moving RV, the load matters less than keeping the table from moving. Our planning advice:

1. Lock the wheels. The Rukulin has six lockable wheels. Lock all of them and chock the table before driving.
2. Strap the table. Use a strap to a fixed point or fold it flat.
3. Prefer a fixed mount in a vehicle. A bolted pedestal base is steadier than any freestanding table.

Materials

• Engineered wood and steel. The VASAGLE table is particleboard with steel legs, according to its listing. It weighs 38.6 lb, so it is not a light camping table.
• MDF top and metal frame. The Rukulin table is listed at 33 lb, with a top of engineered wood and a metal frame.
• Aluminum base. The Bcautay base is chrome-plated aluminum and the packaged weight is 14.9 oz for two. Aluminum does not rust, but check that it is rated for your table’s weight.

Weight is a real concern in an RV, where payload is limited. A 33 lb to 39 lb table is a noticeable share of a small trailer’s spare payload.

Who should buy an RV dining table

• Camper and van owners who want a table that folds away.
• Tiny-home and studio residents who want a folding table that doubles as a desk.
• Owners of a worn pedestal table who just need a replacement floor base.

Who should skip it

• Full-time RVers who need an exact fit. A built-in dinette table is cut to your floor plan. A freestanding table is a compromise.
• People who travel on rough roads often. A freestanding table can shift even when strapped. A fixed pedestal is steadier.
• Households that need a table over 47 in. Both listings here stop at 47 in.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Forgetting the weight. Check the payload before buying a heavy table.
• Measuring only open size. Measure the folded table and its storage spot too.
• Ordering a base without checking the hole pattern. The listing states six holes on a 6.5 in outside diameter, so compare it with your table’s plate.
• Ignoring seat height. A 30 in table with a very low bench is uncomfortable.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• Small Dining Table for 4: Size and Dining Zone
• Small Dining Table for 2 With Chairs: Size Guide
• Dining Table and Stools: Compact Sets Compared

Frequently asked questions

What size is a typical RV dining table?

It varies a lot by vehicle. The two folding tables in this guide are about 47 in long and 30 to 32 in deep when open. Built-in RV dinette tables are often smaller or oval, so measure yours.

Can I use a folding dining table in an RV?

Yes, in an RV where the dinette is not fixed. Lock the wheels or fold it down for travel, since a freestanding table can slide while driving.

How do I mount an RV table to the floor?

With a floor mount base. The Bcautay listing says short screws go into the table and long screws into the floor, and it lists six mounting holes. Check that your floor can take screws, and check the manual of your vehicle.

How much weight can an RV table hold?

Both tables in this guide state 220 lb for the top. The listing for the mount base does not state a load rating, so treat it as unknown and keep it to light tables.

Is a round or a rectangular table better in a camper?

Round tables have no corners to bang a hip on, but they waste more floor. Rectangular drop-leaf tables fold flatter and fit better against a wall.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Sources checked

• US Access Board, Chapter 4: Accessible Routes

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides