As we're looking to buy our 36' FT we're discussing the floorplan and our living style. We've had no slide and 2 slides and while we appreciate the extra floor space with slides we really don't want the complexity of a slide and enjoy our recliners in the S&B. So we're thinking once we buy of removing the sofa, redoing the heater ducts and adding either 2 recliners or a recliner loveseat and removing the separate recliner. It will mostly be just my DW and I so don't need the extra seating. Then thinking of moving the TV from overhead to mounting it on the passenger wall so that we look directly at it. I'm thinking it won't be too difficult to run coax from the antenna and possibly satellite to that location.
So anybody that has done something similar please include pictures so we can see what it looks like. My DW needs to see pictures to visualize this project.
And I did search and read some topics on this but didn't see many pictures.
Those that have done this are you having any regrets and thinking of going back to a sofa?
Oh yeah, other than the heater ducts and possibly wiring is there anything else under the sofa to be aware of?
Thanks!
And does the factory carpet extend under the sofa?
Our coach came with 2 couches so we removed the smaller passenger side one and got a recliner and ottoman,works for us.
We would still want the tv to face to the rear.Carpet extends all the way under the couch.
On our (older) GV, the original carpet did not extend all the way under the sofa. It has since been replaced with vinyl tile. All we have under our sofa is the front heater (and the HWH level sensor), but finding another place for the heater would be difficult. I remember seeing a post where they removed the sofa, covered the furnace with a custom built storage cabinet with drawers, then used two chairs. We would really like to have two recliners in place of our jack knife sofa, but our little dog always occupies the couch area between us when we watch TV, so two chairs would not work for us (Happy Dog = Happy Wife = Happy Life).
As to the TV, we DID make that upgrade. After removing the original B & W TV from the front cabinet, we started carrying a 39" flat screen with us. Laid it flat on the bed when moving, and then I carried it out and set it on the pull-out table between the front seats when we stopped. Put our combo DVR/DVD player in the (now empty) cabinet under the table. Then for the next step, I ran antenna and HDMI cables around to between the barrel chairs (opposite the couch) so we could set the TV on the side table. That was a much better position for watching the TV (when sitting on the couch), but carrying it back and forth still got old. SO, I just mounted the TV permanently in the side window frame. Works out perfect for us. It's exactly the right height for viewing. It does not block my sight line out the window when we are driving. We can still open the sliding window for ventilation. Pull the sun blocking shade down behind it, and it can be watched even in broad daylight. Not the solution for everyone, I know, but it makes us happy. 8)
I removed the sofa from our GV. I also removed the furnace. We use a ventless propane heater that is mounted on the wall behind the passenger seat. The heater is plumbed into the propane tank. The blue flame heater heats the front of the coach. We do not go "north" in the winter so I can't verify that it would be adequate for a northern winter excursion. This has worked for us in a fifth wheel and in the Foretravel.
Roland
we removed the sofa in our 98 unicoach and use 2 recliners instead. the carpet does go almost to the wall but not quite. Running along the wall is a line of bolts that fasten the wall to the chassis as well as power lines running forward. also there are the heat hoses that vented under the couch. I cut those off at the kitchen cabinet and put two registers over them.
I recently removed the carpet and put vinyl flooring down. I built a raised channel over the bolts and that wire about 3.5 inches wide and 3/4 inch high.
Have been in Roland's coach, very slick set up which makes it very roomy inside ^.^d
It is possible, even practical to replace the couch with a pair of recliners. We have talked about it but naps seem to come up all the time. We have a 2001 U320 36 single slide. PM me with questions regarding it. Email address will get you pictures. If you are considering a slide this is a pretty good year to get one fo lots of reasons. While we know many folks without a slide coaches the extra space in the LR for us is very nice for extended travels. It is not all that complex and like anything else requires some care in use and maintenance. Not much for something we use everyday. Sort of like an aquahot. Lots of folks that hate both of them. A single slide with an AH is very good for us.
With a slide the couch and the J dinette (2001) are on the floor of the slide. From what I have seen under there the carpet goes in all the way.
Roger
Pulled both couches out when we put the teak floor in and have replaced whem with recliners. Of course, the DW went through 5 recliners before she found one she liked and I got the hand-me-downs. Never liked any of them but with all those purchases I've come to realize that I'll never be able to afford my own!