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I've seen several posts about replacing RV furniture but not about whether it should be secured.
Our original couch was secured with four screws on each corner. The recliner had all four corners of the base screwed down. We've replaced both of the old, nasty things with a new couch and recliner. The couch fits perfectly between the wall and the dinette so it won't slide forward or back while traveling. I would think that the only way it would slide out of position into the center of the RV would be if the RV was rolling over and the couch moving would be the least of our problems if that happened!
Is it necessary to attach these items to the floor? The recliner is one of those Euro with the large platform. I did see the post about turning the recliner against the wall to keep it from spinning but there was nothing about it moving on the floor while we're moving.
If you have any experiences or advice I would really appreciate it!
Thank you all!
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The Crumps
1997 37' Itasca Suncruiser and Scion Xb toad.
Life isn't a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safe in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, used up and totally worn out yelling - WOO HOO - What a Ride!
We have air suspension and the tag axle so we get a very smooth ride. We thought we could put the seat belts through the recliner thus securing it while moving. Kind of like tying it down.
Thanks!
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The Crumps
1997 37' Itasca Suncruiser and Scion Xb toad.
Life isn't a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safe in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, used up and totally worn out yelling - WOO HOO - What a Ride!
None of our recliners are tied down. Never had an issue. But as Fred said, a lot of this has to do with the suspension system of the trailer.
That said, I have screwed down all the cabinets and tables because they never need to move and at the very back of the rig, no matter who's suspension, they will "bounce" a bit.
If you are concerned you can strap them to rings that can be screwed into the floor. Probably a good idea, but we never had an issue with the reliners, up agaist the wall, even on the Alcan.
Perhaps its just us but we have mor-ryde IS suspension and we have had to screw everything to the floor. Before we did that all the loveseats and tables moved during transit. We only travel on paved roads. (DRV 5er)
-- Edited by igotjam on Monday 28th of March 2011 05:21:05 PM
Yep. Its that physics thing. Even the MOR-ryde IS can't solve the front-to-back teeter-totter thing if the tow vehicle is a lot shorter than the trailer; even if you have an air ride hitch, which we do.
I've found this "rear bounce" to be very dependant on the ratio of the truck length to the trailer length and the overhang of the trailer behind the trailer wheels.
Ever wonder why semi-trailers have the rear trailer wheels so far back? That's the reason, amoung others. However, when you have them way back it impacts the turning radius. So that's one of the reasons our rigs have wheels more forward.
Only time our dining table chairs move is if I have to make a panic stop. Otherwise everything stays put no matter how rough the road.
We've had 3 different TVs in our current 5th wheel. They sit on a formica topped counter with nonskid material so they don't slide around. None of these TVs have come off of the cabinet, even on winding mountain roads. There is a wall behind them that prevents the TVs from toppling over during a panic stop. I haven't had the need to strap the TVs down.
Bottom line- the ride is smooth enough not to have the furniture screwed down. The only things we remove for travelling are the little breakable knic-knacs my DW decorates with. They go on the couch with an afgan covering them.
-- Edited by The Bear II on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 09:44:28 AM
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"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
We use the factory seat belts to hold down our recliners. Between living in a bus as a roadie in a past life, and having been an avid off-road enthusiast, I've learned that anything that isn't secured can become a projectile under the right conditions. Imagine a tire smoking panic stop going down a steep grade. You stop just short of hitting the guy who pulled onto the road ahead of you, only to have a Lazy Boy hit you in the back of the head a millisecond later. Might not be as much an issue in a trailer, but in a MH...
-- Edited by Penny and Paul on Tuesday 29th of March 2011 11:02:48 AM
We have a MH so our slide comes in directly behind the driver's seat and the couch fits perfectly between the wall of the slide and the dinette so even in a panic stop it wouldn't slide forward or backwards. I'm confused why the original couch was bolted in so strongly. It was really overkill!
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The Crumps
1997 37' Itasca Suncruiser and Scion Xb toad.
Life isn't a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safe in a pretty and well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, used up and totally worn out yelling - WOO HOO - What a Ride!
You're not worrying about sliding. It's the launching that'll do the harm. In an accident stuff goes airborne. Ask Gloria Estafan. We have the same setup as you, but instead of a dinette on the stern side of the slide we have our kitchen. The mfg is trying to protect themselves AND the consumer. Better "overkill" than killed. Just sayin'
It might be worth floating that past your insurance company. If something were to happen (God forbid) they may not honor the claim.
We've all kind of given opinions on this, but you know there is a huge difference between a 5’er or tag trailer and a motor home. We’ve sort of mixed the discussion and each was speaking from their singular perspective. Mine was a trailer.
Back in my motor home days, everything was tied down when we moved. In a motor home this is an entirely different situation and, indeed, things can become lethal projectiles in any kind of a sudden stop or worse yet, a roll over.
Bill and Linda wrote:things can become lethal projectiles in any kind of a sudden stop or worse yet, a roll over.
Right after this pic was taken, on my way down the hill, I dove into a hole and dug the front bumper into the ground. A bottle of Gatorade hit me in the back of the head. OUCH!
