Better driver's seat needed

Topic: Better driver's seat needed (Read 3125 times) previous topic - next topic

Better driver's seat needed

November 07, 2015, 12:37:40 pm

This summer I spent around 6 weeks in rehab for herniated cervical disk(s). MRI showed the problem in the fall of 2005 after our retirement trip from Ohio, S. Dakota, Alaska, Indiana (for the Granvention), then to Texas. The neural surgeon who read the MRI recommended some exercises that I did for about a year. I lived with this condition until last summer when my GP doctor recommended physical therapy. In addition to attempting to correct or improve the condition, the PE folks thought that the root cause was my posture (neck position) while walking, watching TV, working on the PC, and while driving the car and motorhome. I have made some adjustments while driving the car, but I am really feeling the most discomfort from driving the motorhome. I cannot sit in a position in the OEM Foretravel driver's seat that keeps my head and neck straight in line. I have tried various seat and sitting adjustments during our latest 2,300 mile trip from TN-OH-SD-TX.
From Forum member posts, I know that there are better driver's seats out there. But how and where does one "test drive" a seat before buying?
Thanks
Bob

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #1 – November 07, 2015, 12:45:38 pm

Quote from: BobW – November 07, 2015, 12:37:40 pm

I know that there are better driver's seats out there. But how and where does one "test drive" a seat before buying?

I feel for you, Bob, I'm just recovering from six months of back problems, as well. Oddly, I could drive the coach, but nothing else! I have the Flexsteel "ultra captain's" leather seat with power adjustments. Get well soon. M

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #2 – November 07, 2015, 02:14:17 pm

I put an air ride in and love it. I had back surgery in 2011 and it made a huge difference. Maybe you could test drive a new coach and see if it works.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #3 – November 07, 2015, 02:20:29 pm

Quote from: John S – November 07, 2015, 02:14:17 pm

I put an air ride in and love it.

Got a link, John?

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #4 – November 07, 2015, 03:08:23 pm

Here you go

Knoedler Manufacturers — RV & Coach Luxury Seats

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #5 – November 07, 2015, 03:46:16 pm

Quote from: John S – November 07, 2015, 03:08:23 pm

Here you go

Knoedler Manufacturers — RV & Coach Luxury Seats

Thanks John, when I drove 18-wheelers, my Pete had these: Truck Seats, Air Ride Suspension Seats, Heavy Duty Trucks Air Ride Seats

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #6 – November 07, 2015, 07:41:59 pm

These are for Big Trucks but you might give them a call
Bose Ride® Seat Suspension System for Heavy-Duty Trucking

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #7 – November 07, 2015, 09:39:27 pm

I put one in the coach and love it. I like that you can swivel it but truthfully, I do not turn this one as there is a half wall behind it. We also got the theater style passenger seat they put in the IH and Phenix too. Very comfy for traveling in I have been told and pretty comfy for sleeping too, I have observed.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #8 – November 07, 2015, 10:45:31 pm

We were lucky enough to get a Knoedler Air Chief seat that someone pulled out of a Phenix or IH because they did not like it. You need a bit of "gravity" to make these things worthwhile, and I think the previous owner was a little skinny guy. It has made a HUGE difference for Jeff because of the infinite adjustments of the back and the sort of "floating" effect while going down the road. The back of the seat is VERY supportive and has 3 different lumbar bars that can be adjusted. the armrests are adjustable, as well. I need to play with it some more to see where it works best for me .... but I do not drive very much. In warm weather, it blows cool air on your seat and back, too!!!

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #9 – November 08, 2015, 01:19:20 am

Quote from: BobW – November 07, 2015, 12:37:40 pm

...............I know that there are better driver's seats out there. But how and where does one "test drive" a seat before buying? ........
Thanks
Bob

Bob,
I still have to be very careful, but I was fortunate and found a pair of surgeons (one nerve and one bone) that practice and operate together, as a team, and do miracles.

Having suffered with a couple of severely herniated discs for twenty years, having been blessed with two successful back operations (after years of agony and believing that surgery was the absolute last resort) and after having endured countless years of therapy, I can identify with your back issues and your desire to test drive various seating options. I assume that you have searched the forum and have read the previous posts, for example:

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23688.msg184920#msg184920

I don't have a magical "test drive" answer for you but from experience, I can advise that it is nearly impossible to gauge the benefits of one seating option over another on short test drives. I have been fortunate in being able to drive several driver's seating options (Isringhausen {ISRI}, RECARO, Bostrom, USSC, Knoedler) over long distances and even then I found the final choice to be difficult.
I did find it to be a bit more scientific to become very specific with my back surgeons and a trusted physical therapist regarding exactly what I needed to look for and to be aware of in trying to find a seat that specifically addressed my needs. From those discussions, I was able to better understand the parameters that I needed to focus on. For example:

range of posture adjustment needed for proper head/neck/upper, mid ,lower back/hip alignment — have them critique what you think is proper posture — more than once

degree of side support and lumbar support adjustability needed — how much, how "cupped" and how firm

the proper arm posture and support dimensions

the proper leg posture and support dimensions

[/list]

From test drives and from all of the above, I had determined that the Knoedler seat offered me the most advantages and it became an additional deciding factor in the purchase of our current coach.

One of the few seating options that I never tried is the Bose. If I understand the Bose system correctly, it is technology similar to their headphones noise cancellation except that it is high and low frequency motion that is induced to cancel/nullify the high and low frequency seat vibrations/movements in heavy trucks. Having experienced class 7 & 8 heavy trucks without cab or cabin suspensions, and knowing that Foretravels don't have that type of vibration/movement, the Bose option wasn't pursued. The Bose option is designed to solve a problem that we don't have and if you think the Knoedler option is expensive, Bose charges a lot more pennies for solving the problem we don't have.

A few ways to try a lot seats is to drop in to a few Peterbilt, Kenworth and Freightliner dealerships. Many have various air seats on the showroom floors. Another option is going to the truck shows in the cities -- they all have the latest and greatest. And of course, try to find some Foretravels, Prevost conversions and Newells that have air seats that you can fiddle with and ask questions about. Forum friends especially!

Now that I have had several thousand miles of experience with the Knoedler seat, I should take this opportunity to update my previous post and say that the Knoedler choice has been ideal for me. Both the Flexsteel and the Villa driver's seats that we had in the 1998 U270, used to bother my back badly, whereas most car seats did not. To my consternation, on long trips, the Lexus seats always did. The Knoedler seat, though, has never bothered my back and on days like today (> 400 mile days) I have had no seat related discomfort.

I do stand by my previous assessment that it will be difficult to install one air seat for two individuals of widely different heights and weights. Due to the range of the air piston upon which the seat "floats", the vertical range appropriate for one is going to make it marginal to unacceptable for the other. Our seat height ranges perfectly for me but is too high off the floor for my wife. If it could be installed about 3 inches lower for her (it can't), it would be too low for me. Unlike others, we re-position (swivel) the seat at every overnight stop, to use it in conjunction with the other coach seating. As installed, ours is fast and easy to re-position.

The air leak down problem (that I mentioned in my previous post), was easily found and rectified. It was just a loose fitting in the seat that needed tightening.

Hope this helps,
Neal

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #10 – November 08, 2015, 01:27:02 pm

Our seats have both settled towards to center of the coach and need restuffing. Does anyone have a scource who is good at these Flexsteel seats??
Brian.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #11 – November 08, 2015, 01:32:45 pm

Quote from: speedbird1 – November 08, 2015, 01:27:02 pm

Our seats have both settled towards to center of the coach and need restuffing. Does anyone have a scource who is good at these Flexsteel seats??

These days, it's almost cheaper to buy fresh seats (perhaps an upgrade?) What's a coach buck or so for if not to provide comfort?

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #12 – November 08, 2015, 01:57:57 pm

This years coach bucks went into the Silverleaf instrument display and the brake caliper pins!!!
Maybe next year?? The seat most certainly didn't collapse under the weight of my wallet!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #13 – November 08, 2015, 02:04:37 pm

Maybe if several of us get together we can get a deal on Knoedler chairs.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #14 – November 08, 2015, 05:03:52 pm

+1 here on the group buy

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #15 – November 08, 2015, 05:09:17 pm

Was looking at the Bostrom brand also,will look for a over the road expo,there must be one where they have all these seats to
try on for size.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #16 – November 08, 2015, 05:16:42 pm

+2 here!

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #17 – November 08, 2015, 05:26:46 pm

Count me in, as well, #3. Where do we circle the coaches?

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #18 – November 08, 2015, 06:20:50 pm

Yes please, I want a new seat.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #19 – November 08, 2015, 07:13:22 pm

I will join up on this group effort also Brad Metzger

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #20 – November 08, 2015, 09:42:32 pm

OK boys and girls.

Knoedler Manufacturers — RV & Coach Luxury Seats : Grand Chief

The earlier GV models might need a different chair to match their geometry.
Swivel would be nice. Heat and cool would be nice. Not sure about arms at least for me.
Maybe if we approach FOT with an order for 8 or 10 chairs they will do a deal especially if they do the upholstery. Just thinking. Opinions?

What about the other chair?

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #21 – November 08, 2015, 10:26:17 pm

I think the seats are upholstered by Mfg., not FOT. Even the ones they use on the new coaches - FOT specifies the material and Knoedler builds and covers the seats. I

like getting them from Flanigan and FT - maybe a set price on the seat and install - options would be extra (lots of configuration options

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #22 – November 09, 2015, 09:39:36 am

Look at Neal's original post. It looks like they used a Villa base for non powered swivel and Villa Ultraleather fabrics upholstered at FT to match existing upholstery. More homework required. Plus I need to find matching upholstery/comfy seat for the pass side.

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #23 – November 09, 2015, 09:47:28 am

Regarding the Knoedler seats, I doubt that FOT would allow me to test drive any motorhome for the purpose of testing the seat! If I ever replace our OEM seat, would the replacement seat mount into the four bolts through the floor? Or do they attach on a platform that then mounts through the floor?
Other than walking into a Camping World, do any other seat manufactures have seats on display that can be sat on before buying?

Bob

Re: Better driver's seat needed

Reply #24 – November 09, 2015, 09:54:18 am

I opted out a Knoedler with heat and cooling,was $3500.00,the bose were around $6000.00.

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