Replacing RV Furniture - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Jan and GC · RV-Dreams Family Member

Replacing RV Furniture

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We ordered our Cedar Creek without the mattress or the hide-a-bed sofa and upgraded to the Euro Loungers in the livingroom. After using the Euro Loungers we decided that we liked the Lazy Boy recliners better so we sold them in a yard sale and bought new recliners. Therefore we didn't have any furniture to store. We plan to have our rig for five to ten years and couldn't justify the cost of storing furniture. We bought our own comfortable mattress with a memory foam topper, a leather sofa (love seat actually) and two Lazy Boy recliners. This is our home and we wanted to furnish it with furniture that we found comfortable. When it comes time to sell or trade the unit we will most likely just leave the furniture and buy new for the next rig or apartment or house - which ever comes first.

blackoak99 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Is it difficult to get the furniture in and out of the door on the 5ers?

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

No, We've not had any problems. We took the RV right to the furniture store when we purchased the sofa. They weren't sure that it would fit so, before we even paid for it, they carried the sofa out and it slid in just fine. Here's a tip - the backs of Lazy Boy Recliners and Sofas slide right off so you can carry in the base first and then carry the backs in separately. As far as getting the hide-a-bed sofa out, I think in most cases there should be no problem at all - Howard and Linda took there's out and added another recliner. We purchased our rig without the sofa so we didn't have to take it out.

The mattress was no problem either - we have a "full sized" queen (not the RV queen) and had no problems getting it in. Another tip - if the bed is in a slide out then make sure that you can crush the mattress 2" to 4" when the slide comes in (some mattresses have a spring frame around the top and bottom that would not allow the mattress to crush). Of course, if you use a Sleep Number air mattress you'll have no problems. We have a Spring Air mattress which has foam around the outside edges and allows it to crush against the dresser when the slide comes in (RV mattresses are about 6" shorter than regular mattresses).

Dining Room furniture wouldn't be any problem at all since the legs come off most tables.

Having said all of that, I have seen one floorplan that might make it difficult to get furniture in and out. It as a kitchen counter right in front of the entrance door which might cause a problem. This was in a Titanium and it is the only time I have seen this particular floor plan.

Hope this is helpful and that all of you home decorators out there can spruce up your home to fit your desires.

By the way, it is alright to do some custom work as well. I added cabinet doors under our computer desk, added baseboard around all the walls, and am about to add wainscotting to the wall next to the entrance door. Also, I don't like the way the manufacturer built the cabinet under the sink so, in the next year or so, I am going to rebuild that as well. After all, this is our home and I want it to reflect Judy's and my personalities (oh yes, I can't forget Katie's and Alex's Katonalities as well - meow!!).

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are not thrilled with the recliners in our Cedar Creek also. Don't much care for the color/pattern. Also, they are really wide and the backs not tall enough. We will start looking for replacements soon.

I also don't care for the Lazy Susan under the sink. I will be asking the hubby to reconfigure it. He just doesn't know it yet.

One project at a time - first he starts next week ripping out one bathroom in the house so we can put it to the market as soons as the bathroom renovation is complete.

Darrell and Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We agree about the Lazy Susan - we took it out almost immediately. It was in the way when we were trying to organize the kitchen cabinets. I think someone bought it in a yard sale, not sure though.

wmalefyt · RV-Dreams Family Member

HitchHiker (NuWa) allows you to delete things like recliners, TV's, etc when you special order from the factory.

I think we will delete the standard recliners and buy them at Lazy Boy. Same with the television sets, much cheaper to buy them at Sam's Club, Costco, etc. NuWa will install the arms at the factory for mounting LCD TV's and then we can mount our own TV's after delivery.

I thought about doing that with the combo Splendide washer/dryer but I think I'll let NuWa install at the factory to avoid the hassle later. I know my limitations!! biggrin

SoCalToolGuy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We took out the HAB sofa and both recliners that came in our hitchhiker. They weighed a ton. We replaced them with LazyBoy recliners and a wall hugger loveseat recliner. I took out the 27" CRT tv and replaced it with a Sony 26" Bravia flatscreen. By doing that we picked up a lot of extra storage behind it. I mounted it on 14" full extension slides and built a shelf behind the tv. I also added many shelves in the cabinets and pantry. Down in the basement I removed the sliding tray and picked up a lot of space that wasn't useable before. There are lot's of ways to personalize your rig. Go for it. I am in the process of figuring out all of the wiring for all the electronics that I am adding. A real can of worms for sure.
Ray

Speedhitch · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tool guy, we are planning on re-doing the desk and entertainment center in our 5ver. I want a flat screen and more desk area. Do you have some pics of what you did that you could send me? I need some ideas.

Thanks

Joe and Sherri

SoCalToolGuy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are in the process of moving out of our house and into the fiver. The closing and estate sale are within the next week so as you might imagine we are absolutely whacked out and stressed right now so I will try to get some pictures uploaded as soon as possible. I will say that what I did may not work on what you have. It seems that these rigs are all a little bit different but yet they are the same. If you know what I mean. Basically, I just looked at what we had and tried to figure out where I could gain some space or adjust the space that we had. I wanted to have a printer but I didn't want it setting out on the desk area all the time so I added a shelf under the desk and behind the doors. Besides our desk is quite small. I originally thought that I could take a desktop computer and our laptops but had to change my mind. The area behind the tv was just a big hole so I built what I wanted for the tv and then added a shelf so that I could double stack our electronic, camera, and other gear. That necessitated the tv being movable so I mounted it on full extension drawer slides. Our Magnavox unit that is an amplifier, tuner, dvd player all in one unit was inside of the cabinet above the tv and in order to use it I had to open the doors so the remote would work. I lowered the shelf that it sat on and now the doors are closed but the unit is exposed so the remote can talk to it. That gave me more area inside of the cabinet. I also added a couple of shelves in the pantry area so DW can have more can goods that are not stacked on top of each other. In the bedroom I added shelves inside of the cabinets so things could be separated and not stacked. On one side of the tv cabinet in the bedroom I added two shelves for the dvd player, DirecTV receiver and Tivo unit. So that's what I did. Now if I can just get time, I will take a few pics and try to get them onto the forum. Bear with me. I am starting to feel the albatross of home ownership lifting off my shoulders.
Ray

rheadabovewater · RV-Dreams Family Member

So do I have this right? Is it possible to replace the sofa in the RV with one of my own? I have THE MOST COMFORTABLE sofa in the world (there's a story behind it, but I won't go into it now) and one thing I'm gonna hate leaving behind is that sofa. Wow, if I could take it with me, that would be wonderful!!

-- Edited by rheadabovewater on Saturday 6th of June 2009 11:36:09 PM

Sandra · RV-Dreams Family Member

Just be sure your sofa is not too heavy. You have to take that in to account when taking things from your house and putting them in your rig.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Roberta,
The key thing with your home sofa is whether or not it will fit through the door. If not you may have to remove a large window to get it in. Also the foot print has to allow your slides to work. Generally speaking, it can be done though.
Good luck,

nwlambear · RV-Dreams Family Member

Interesting in what you all do with your furniture....hopefully the furniture that comes with our Cougar is comfortable...as least in "living area". But, we do anticipate replacing the mattress and have been reading that topic on here too. DH husband and agree how important it is for both of us to get a good nights sleep. I do have a question about swapping out furniture in your rigs. What about weight? Do you weigh you rig before removing any of the stuff that came with it? And then do you weigh it again after you change out furniture? I would think....well...I know weight is critical to travel safe on the roads...not only for yourself but for others too!!

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

For full timing it's important to buy a rig with sufficient carrying capacity since the average fulltimer adds between 2500 and 3000 pounds of stuff. That said, adding a few hundred pounds extra through swapping out some furniture is no problem. Your rig should have come with some documentation that shows the manufactured weight and what the maximum weight can be. the difference is your carrying capacity. Hopefully you have enough, but many units are made for vacation use and do not.

Concerning the furniture, our experience is exactly the opposite of what you expect. Our mattress was very comfortable and all we did was add a mattress topper. In the living area though, we have swapped out every single piece of furniture in the last 3 years, save one small end table. You have to live in it a while to make it your own.
Good luck,
Fred

rheadabovewater · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hi all! :)

Getting ready to move into my fiver - have a question. I want to take my own sofa, but the only window it will fit through (I've measured and it won't fit thru the door) has a ladder in front of it that goes up to the roof.

My girlfriend keeps telling me we can take off the ladder, then re-seal it on the roof afterwards, but I'm afraid of doing something to the seal/screwing up the integrity of the roof, etc. etc.

Any pearls of wisdom? I've resolved myself to the fact that I will probably have to use the sofa already in the fiver, but just want some opinions. :)

Roberta

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

The ladder was installed and sealed originally and therefore can be removed and resealed again.

You will have to do the same with the window and it may require a new gasket. You might consider having this done by an RV dealer, it shouldn't be too expensive.

Good luck,
Fred

rheadabovewater · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks Fred. I know the dealer I'm buying it from would do it for me....I just have to decide how important it is to put that couch in there because they would charge me to do it.

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Back in March we traded in the 2002 Cedar Creek and got a 2009 Montana. We had brought a new upgraded RV Queen size mattress just two months prior. The Montana came with a King mattress but not of the higher quality we like. We the dealer to take out the King mattress and we would be keeping our new one.

The mattress we kept was 9 inches narrower in width. So, Len sawed off 4.5 inches on each side of the platform the King rested on. What a difference this 4.5 inches made on each side of the bed. Especially aided in getting to the closet.

Also, the recliners in our 3455SA sat in front of the rear window. I sat in what would be my recliner and realized I could only see 1/2 of the TV screen. We measured and found that if we moved the sofa to in front on the back window, it was narrow enough to allow the slides to bypass it. Therefore the location of the recliners and sofa were flipped. Much nicer.

Only one thing. We liked having an small table between the recliners. The table that came with our unit was too big but just fits next to the sofa. Now we are looking for a VERY narrow table to put between the recliners. One just wide enough to sit a cup of coffee/book.

Phyllis

Delaine and Lindy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We ordered a 2010 Mobile Suites and Deleted all the RV funiture. We have Lazy Boy recline-away Love seat and a Lazy Boy recliner. We have found that most RV funiture very heavy and uncomfortable. Lazy boy funiture is much lighter and very well made. We don't use a Sofa at all. GBY...

Tony and Eileen · RV-Dreams Family Member

Does anyone know of a brand of RV furniture called FLEXSTEEL?
Camping World offers this brand and we're looking for some recliners for our 5th wheel but I've never seen this brand mentioned before.
Any info. would be appreciated.

jagco · RV-Dreams Family Member

Flexsteel is everywhere. They even make furniture for stix and bricks houses. I don't know that I've ever heard anything bad about them.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

Flexsteel is a big company and even makes commercial office furniture. I believe they have a good reputation.

Another company to look at for recliners is Lazy Boy. We know many full timers who have their furniture. We love ours!

island girl · RV-Dreams Family Member

All of the furniture in our coach is Flexsteel..... dinette, theater seating and driver and co-pilot seats. It seems to be really well made and I think it is pretty common.

BoomersRock · RV-Dreams Community Member

Great subject; someone tweeted it. Our Montana furniture is not the best quality (fabric on the recliners frays on the carpet constantly!); so it is nice to know that we could replace it with a better brand.

When we bought our 08 Montana, we were considered a 05 KZ Escalade. One of the drawbacks to the Escalade was the previous owner had replaced some of the LR furniture with what appeared to be used stuff that didn't at all match the unit. The dealer tried to fix his "customizations" (in cabinetry too), but the fact that the leather like recliners didn't match was a big drawback for me. As my husband said, that would have eaten my lunch till I replaced them. So we went with the newer Montana that was pristine (but not as good quality as the other unit).

Cindy T · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've been looking at the Lazy Boy website & found that they offer sleeper sofas with an air mattress. Seems like that would be more comfortable than a regular mattress. Just wondering if anyone has tried the Lazy Boy sofa sleeper air mattress or any sofa sleeper w/an air mattress. Are they comfortable?

Readytogo · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you want to get an air mattress for a sofa you already have try http://www.airdream.net/ . It is very comfortable. It may even be cheaper to get the air mattress here.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

My factory sofa-sleeper has an air mattress. Everybody who has slept on it said it was comfortable. I've never tried it myself.

orientantique · RV-Dreams Community Member

What about quality? Durable for a long time use?

http://www.orientantique.com

http://www.antiquescn.com

http://www.folkartcn.com

Acorn · RV-Dreams Family Member

We, too, replaced the electric sofa sleeper in our coach with 2 Lazy Boy recliners. If you shop in a furniture store for recliners you will find there are many different sizes to pick from, so we were able to choose a little smaller -- but oh so comfortable soft leather -- recliners. Like someone else mentioned, it's really important that they match. If not exactly the same, they should not clash!

As a matter of fact, when we are parked in a campground, we actually move the recliners into the room so that they face the tv at a better angle. One of the reasons we replaced the original couch is that you would always be sitting with your head turned sideways -- that can give us "older" folks a bad stiff neck! Of course, this works best if you have a little extra room in the living area with slides.

We really feel that comfort comes first -- especially if you are full timing!

-- Edited by Acorn on Monday 26th of April 2010 07:00:29 PM