We are Trent and Nan, a Thai-American couple who traded walls for wheels in 2021.
We live full-time in our vans while chasing trails, biking, hiking, and working in tech. My 2017 Winnebago Travato 59K is my home on the road, and I love it too much to start drilling holes in it.
If you own a Travato 59K, you already know the struggle: the stock table eats up the narrow hallway when set up. It’s awkward to deploy, and the hassle isn’t worth the limited benefit. I basically never used it.
That changed with my $35 DIY swing table mod. It’s incredibly flexible, reuses almost everything that came with the van, requires zero drilling, and gives us our hallway (and bathroom access) back. Four years later, it still feels like a game-changer that makes the van feel so much bigger.
Why the Stock Table Didn’t Work for Us
- Takes up too much hallway space
- Complicated and time-consuming to set up
- Limited real-world benefit for daily van life
I wanted something simpler that still gave us a usable workspace for my laptop + small travel monitor.
My $35 No-Drill Swing Table Mod
I kept the original unmounted table mount and screws from the van and paired it with one piece of wood I bought for $35. That’s it!
The table now:
- Swings freely in any direction
- Moves closer to the sink for meal prep
- Repositions toward the back or away from the bed when sleeping
- Uses the existing floor receptors and leg for quick repositioning
- Restores full hallway flow for easy bathroom access
What You Need
- A piece of wood (size based on your needs)
$35 piece of wood - Unmounted table mount from the stock Travato table + screws
- Wood cutting machine
Wood cutting machine - Sanding machine (optional)
Sanding machine
Step-by-Step Tips from Real Use
- Cut the wood to your preferred size. Mine comfortably fits a laptop and an additional small travel monitor.
Monitor and laptop fit on the table - Attach the existing van mount to the new top.
- Height Support Tip (optional but helpful): Set up the table with the stock leg, then use a leftover wood scrap on the bed to find the right pressure/support height. Mark the line along the bottom edge of the table top. This accounts for how cushy your bed is. Pro note after 4 years of use: You can also just use a pillow or cushions for quick, stable support—no extra leg needed!
Bonus: Spend another $35 on nicer wood, stain, or edging to make it prettier and match your van’s interior.
Final Thoughts
This simple mod transformed how I use my Travato 59K every day. More flexibility, zero permanent changes to the van, and way better flow in our tiny home on wheels.
If you have a Travato 59K (or similar van), try this – it’s cheap, reversible, and incredibly practical.
Have you done any clever mods to your Travato? Drop your tips in the comments below! We love learning from the community.
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