Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 13, 2025 ...

Captain chair replacements

August 03, 2011, 12:20:26 am

We learned that original FlexSteel captains chairs in our 1997 coach are not mounted on FlexSteel pedistals, so care may be needed when replacing these chairs.  This may also hold true for other model years.

Our pedistals are only 2-3/4" tall and mounted through the floor with four bolts that are 9-3/4" apart.  We have a lever to rotate chair.  Our original chairs are FlexSteel model 443-BUSR and it appears that Foretravel did not purchase pedistal and 6-way power unit from FlexSteel.

Replacement chairs that come with new pedistals may end up much taller than original chairs, raising a concern for reaching floor and pedals.  Drilling new holes in the floor to mount a new pedistal that has different hole patterns may end up less safe than original as floor has chair reinforcements in specific places.

We learned that FlexSteel still makes our same size 443-BUSR chair so we know it will fit & rotate in the same space and we know it will not change our driving position.  The chair will fit on the original 6-way power unit so pedistal height will not change.  New chairs can be ordered with adjustable arms that are easier to use than Villa and a powered lumbar.

Knusaga makes new 6-way power unit that will fit original pedistal and Flexchair chair.

New bearings to swivel the chair are also available. 

New chairs can be covered in any fabric, including Ultra Leather Brisa.

Villa is not our only alternative to repacement chairs. 

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Re: Captain chair replacements

Reply #1 – August 04, 2011, 07:03:33 am

Thanks for the information Barry, Do you know if this also applies to the 1994 U300 Grand Villa? I have been thinking of up grading my two front chairs.

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Re: Captain chair replacements

Reply #2 – August 04, 2011, 07:24:08 am

I just put a knoedler air seat in and the IH recliner seat for the passenger. Required new mounts a FT installed  drilled new holes and filled the old.  Good job and changed the function and livability of the coach..  And did I say the most comftable seat ever.

I high reccomend David and his group at FT for the seat replacement.

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Re: Captain chair replacements

Reply #3 – August 04, 2011, 04:25:26 pm

I can't speak about 1994 GV, but a peek under her skirt will tell you the height of the pedestal. I also don't know if you have FlexSteel chairs. Under the chair between the metal spring and the chair foam is usually a folded up paper with chair model number and manufacturer. If you want a new Flexsteel chair and continue to use your existing 6-way power unit, I measured these bolt patterns as 11-1/2" x 8". FlexSteel also sells custom foam for their chairs, if you want to reuse your springs and vinyl covers.

Foretravel can also make new covers from any fabric.

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