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Topic: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats (Read 941 times) previous topic - next topic

Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats


We are going to replace rather than recover the flexsteel pilot and copilot seats in our 94 Unihome.    Anyone know where to get a "slightly and gently" used pair?  They are light beige, 6 way.

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #1 –
Try http://www.en.visonerv.com they are located in KY and specialize in used late model RV parts and equipment. Basicly they are a junk yard for motorhomes.


Norm

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #2 –
Correction on that web site should be visonerv.com


Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #3 –
Call David Flanigan at FOT. He frequently has replacement furniture up in his attic.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #4 –
Sara,

I would urge you to think twice before replacing the seats. The Flexsteel seats are covered with a faux leather that while looking good for a few years, does not stand up to the test of time. The armrests are first to go. Ours had never been lived in and was low mileage.

After the Quartzsite get together, we drove down to Puerto Penasco, got advise from long term residents and worked out a deal with a local upholstery shop. The vinyl matched the color exactly and was much better quality. I had the seats done exactly as the OEM so took a lot more work but the total was $550 for both with R&R in the RV park. You can see the stitching/workmanship was excellent. Heading back for the sofa in January. Just have to find a dog proof fabric.

So, here are a couple of photos of the seats after they were done along with the nachos and restaurant next to our beach RV park.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #5 –
is leather available?  Could Our 88 be leather,  held up great? Sure acted like it, came back from drycrack with saddle soap when we git it in 03 ::)

Anyone have real leather? Love the flexsteel seats ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #6 –
I believe Flexsteel uses leather where you touch. Faux everywhere else.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #7 –
Twig, so seat and arm rest, not back?
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #8 –
Our '93 was 100% faux leather. Easy way to tell is to look at the backside of the exposed material down on the sides. If the material has any other name before the word leather, it's a vinyl. It has to say real, genuine or echtes leder before the word leather.

Many cars use real leather on the seating surfaces with vinyl on the sides and door panels. Nothing wrong with that as modern vinyls last longer and actually look better. You can always tell as even a small amount of leather with give the vehicle interior the distinctive "leather" smell.

For customers that wanted the "leather" smell in their new Mercedes 300SD models, we would buy a few square feet of real leather and carefully stuff it under the seats. Then everyone was happy.

Every publication I have seen for Foretravels indicates they use Ultraleather, a vinyl product of Ultrafabrics. See at: Ultrafabrics - The highest quality polyurethane fabrics on the market

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #9 –
Yes. On mine was leather seat cushion and back and armrests. The leather got fairly raggedy, so I had it redone with naugahyde in Mexico. They will also do leather.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #10 –
Twig,

It was not a Foretravel fault as Flexsteel chose to use Ultraleather vinyl on their seats. There have been many other problems with the failure of Flexsteel to replace the supplier as seen in these RV forums: ultra leather problems - Google Search

Yes, I have had several complete leather jobs done in Mexico. A 635 BMW was the last one. I buy the leather here and take it down as Mexico does not produce any preforated leather that is usually found in the middle seating areas of many cars.

For sofas, Jo-Ann Fabrics is a great source for fabrics. We would find the right material and then take it to Mexicali or Tijuana and have it recovered. Would usually take it down in the belly of the Buffalo Bus. That is where we will find our U300 sofa material for the next trip.

Perhaps Flexsteel replaced part of your seat covering as ours was 100% vinyl including the seating area.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #11 –
Recovering is a possibility.  Do they replace the foam and springs and such?

If you were going to replace the seats in your coach (of any vintage) what would you use? I have seen new coaches with Knoedler drivers seats.  What about the passenger seat?

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #12 –
We replaced outs with the Phenix passenger seat and the air seat. I saw a friend who did the new nimbus style seats and that looked very nice too.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #13 –
The seats in my 1996 295 are leather.  They are doing fine so far.  If I were to change them out, think I would go with the ultra leather (nice vinyl?) that Pierce mentioned.  I have seen this stuff and like it.  I think you would be pleased with the new upholstry.  The only reason I would consider replacing my seats if if they were structurally unsound.  FWIW. Best
Best of Travels

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Home2fromHastings –
If you were going to replace the seats in your coach (of any vintage) what would you use?
Roger
Howdy Roger,  We replaced our pilot/co-pilot chairs three years ago with Nimbus style chairs at David F recommendation.  These are very nice chairs.
Good Luck, Dave A
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Replace pilot and copilot flexsteel seats

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Home2fromHastings –
Recovering is a possibility.  Do they replace the foam and springs and such?
Roger

Roger,

You must take an active participation in all phases of re-covering. Negotiation on price should cover exactly what you want done like foam, springs, improvements, etc. So, you have to remember what you didn't like about your seat(s) like weak springs, sags on one side, worn out foam, etc. I like to stop by the shop to inspect every day. You can catch any mistake and let them know you won't accept anything but the best job. Keeps them on their toes and both are happy when the job is done. Especially important where communication between languages is an issue. An excellent job should take one person 2 to 3 days to finish.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)