Replace sofa/bed with recliners? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

Replace sofa/bed with recliners?

Howard · Host

We replaced the sleeper sofa early on in our full-timing. At first, we replaced it with one recliner which really opened up the space. We're partial to the La Z Boy Pinnacle recliners due to their smaller width and ease of getting in and out of the RV (they are relatively small and the back removes easily).

Now we have a double recliner from Lambright Comfort Chairs, an Amish manufacturer near Shipshewana, Indiana. It detaches in the middle, so it's also easy to get in and out of the RV.

As for a mattress, we've needed a new one for years, but we just haven't pulled the trigger on that yet. We've been getting by with a 4-inch foam mattress topper on top of the original mattress, and just haven't quite reached the point of replacement. It's one of those things - we're a little fearful of making the change as long as we are sleeping well now. :)

I know you will get several mattress suggestions, though.

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks Howard,
I will look into Lambright.
The mattress thing is difficult. Years ago there were only 3 sizes.....now there is short queen, rv queen, California queen, rv king....etc, etc!
Because of space limitations (we have an RV king) we are considering cutting down the bed platform and going to an RV or Short Queen. Finding the right mattress in the right size is a daunting task. You don't to spend a bunch of $$$ and find out it isn't comfortable.
Thanks again

LarryW21 · RV-Dreams Family Member

I tried two old backpacking pads underneath my TT original equipment mattress and so far they have worked ok.

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

We still have our sofa sleeper mainly because once in awhile we end up with 8 to 9 people in our 5th wheel for socializing and meals.
The bed part is very comfortable but used only when we invite someone along on a trip. Most of our guests say it's the most comfortable sofa sleeper they've ever been in.

Like Howard and Linda we replaced our original Flexsteel recliners with two from Lay-Z-Boy.

For our bed we replaced the original mattress with a sleep number mattress. It is queen size and allows each of us to set the pressure we prefer for our side of the bed. It's very comfortable. It does hang over the bed platform a few inches at the foot end but this doesn't create any problem.

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

We went out to the coach this morning to check things out.
Get this....there is a flexible heat run under the sofa bed that exits on the side of the sofa !!! I think we can still replace the sofa bed but it will be a little more difficult.
The bed is another problem. It is labeled as an "RV KING". It measures 72" x 76". What an odd size.
We like the sleep number bed - we have 2 of them, but I don't think they make one in that size.
The search continues.............................

Second Chance · RV-Dreams Family Member

Similar to Howard and Linda, replacing the sofa-sleeper with a good recliner is the first thing we did - even before we hit the road. I find most sleeper sofas to be uncomfortable for either sitting or sleeping. I already had an Ekornes Stressless recliner than I "can't live without" (have a bad back). No regrets on this one.

About a year ago we replaced the original RV mattress and add-on topper with a good 10" triple foam mattress. It sleeps rather like a Tempurpedic mattress my wife had, but doesn't get hot since it has a layer of cool-gel on top of the memory foam. We bought it from a mom-and-pop business in Temecula, CA, and it was made at a mattress factory there. We love it.

Rob

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Toadhaul wrote:
We went out to the coach this morning to check things out.
Get this....there is a flexible heat run under the sofa bed that exits on the side of the sofa !!! I think we can still replace the sofa bed but it will be a little more difficult.
The bed is another problem. It is labeled as an "RV KING". It measures 72" x 76". What an odd size.
We like the sleep number bed - we have 2 of them, but I don't think they make one in that size.
The search continues.............................

Mike,

You might check at a Select Comfort store for actual sizes of their mattresses. The Select Comfort store lists two different RV King mattresses, one of which is an RV King Radius, which has rounded corners to allow a bit more room for maneuvering around the bed.

RV King

Looking at their website, it may be that their RV King is strictly the Radius. It seems to give the same model number for either the RV King or the RV King Radius.

We have a Select Comfort RV Queen in our fifth wheel, and dearly love it. The wife thinks that she likes this mattress better than she did our home model when we owned a home.

Terry

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

I went out to the coach yesterday to re-measure the bed & sofa.
The bed platform is only 72" x 72" so the mattress actually hangs off the end by 4" !!
We are now thinking of cutting the platform overhang off the sides to give us a little more room (it's only 9-1/2" on the one side). That would give us a platform size of 68" wide x 72" long. We have found a site called www.replacement-mattress.com/ that will custom make a mattress to your specifications. It's not too bad price wise at $850 including shipping. This is for a dual layer 8" thick mattress.

Ran into a couple of snags on the sofa exchange. All the "home style" recliners we looked at were too wide and/or too deep. They also required 4" to 6" from the wall. This cut down on the walk through space especially when the slide is in. We then went back to Camping World for another look at what they offer - THOMAS PAYNE. With a right & left recliner and a center console it measures 68" wide. Looking at the console I can modify it to run the heating duct through it and out to the floor.
These units are designed for a motor home and can be bolted down, have provisions for seat belts, and require only 3" clearance from the wall. They don't recline all the way - flat, but that's ok.
I wish I could post pictures of what's going on with this thing.
Mike

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mike,

In the Guidelines and Suggestions category of the forums is a thread about embedding photos in one's posts.

Guidelines Regarding Embedding Photos into Forum Posts

That will give you some guidance in using Photobucket (a free photo hosting site) to insert photos into forums.

Terry

Danny and Cheryl · RV-Dreams Family Member

Our Cedar Creek came with two swivel rockers that we have since done away with, we are wanting to replace them with Double Recliners, I am looking at the Thomas Payne collection which is what comes in new Cedar Creeks, anyone have any experience with those?

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi Danny & Cheryl,

Toadhaul · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hi Danny & Cheryl,
We are looking at these also. We have looked at and sat in examples at Camping World. They are comfortable and only need to be 3" from the wall. You can bolt them down and you can get a center arm rest/cup holder as an option. Total width is 68" with center console. After all the looking around we did I think we are going to get these.
Mike