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Topic: Recliner couch modifications (Read 1150 times) previous topic - next topic

Recliner couch modifications

I'm considering doing some remodels to my 2000 u320 with slide.  Specifically installing a pop up tv cabinet under the window behind the passenger seat, moving the jack knife couch in front of it, and then placing two  powered recliners where the couch currently is in the slide out. Also redoing the floor.  See attached drawing.  Anyone have any comments or ideas about getting 110v power to the slide walls?

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #1 –
I like it! Wonder how much walking clearance with slide in? I have same floor Plan. When I went residential refrigerator, I had Xtreme modify the Outside refrigerator vent opening into outside tv.
Not a lot of curbside refrigerators, do not a modification that most people would find useful. But with your refrigerator curbside you might find it of interest
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #2 –
Thanks, I will be getting to the frig sometime, but first really need a comfortable place to sit and watch tv!  Any thoughts on getting 110v to the slide?

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #3 –
You can make the window sill (or part of it) be the top of the TV lift.  Put a camera on the back side of the TV so you can show what is outside on the TV.  Almost every electric lift mechanism will start off or get noisey.  I have looked at electric desks for sit down or stand up that have the range, load capacity and have been pretty quiet for much less than an electric TV lift.  I would look carefully, maybe repurpose one of those.

120v will most likely come from the bathroom, you need a flexible connection that will not get pinched ot tangled up in the slide mechanism.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #4 –
Good ideas, thank you very much for the input

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #5 –
My slide 120V comes out of the pillar behind the drivers seat at floor level.  You do need to take the slide out to access the junction boxes on the pillar and the slide.  Are you sure you don't already have 120V outlet under the dining table.  Mine is tucked up high on the pillar and not really visible.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #6 –
Rich, different slide mechanism in a 2000.  No 120v availble in the slide as built.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #7 –
Check with chair manufacturer - the ones I saw on internet seem to use a power supply that appears to step AC down to DC -

If that is the case and it is simple 12V DC, that is available in the slide room already in the overhead lights.

Not sure the wire gauge and amp capacity -

long shot perhaps....
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #8 –
John, check out this site for recliners.  They do need 110 to work!  The price is right and it is RV friendly and will go easily in your door, as it comes in three boxes. 
RecPro | RV Parts | Restore Your RV
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Tim Fiedler –
Check with chair manufacturer - the ones I saw on internet seem to use a power supply that appears to step AC down to DC -

That's a great idea.  I would almost be willing to bet they use some form of automotive seat actuator.  Could possibly hide a nicad battery pack in it and just charge it occasionally,  avoid  having  any wires to deal with.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #10 –
John, have you looked at this site?  Thomas Payne recliners with or without center console, but they are manual operation, but wall huggers.  Having done some extensive search, what I found was all the electric operated ones have a converter, but it goes from 12 volt to 110 only, not the other way around.  We were looking when we had our fifth wheel and settled for furniture out of Pplmotorhomes.
Here is the link for the Thomas Payne collection:  Thomas Payne RV furniture, RV Furniture, Marine Furniture, flexsteel...
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #11 –
Quote from: John Kilpatrick –
I'm considering doing some remodels to my 2000 u320 with slide.  Specifically installing a pop up tv cabinet under the window behind the passenger seat, moving the jack knife couch in front of it, and then placing two  powered recliners where the couch currently is in the slide out. Also redoing the floor.  See attached drawing.  Anyone have any comments or ideas about getting 110v power to the slide walls?

I've torn my 2000 U320 down to the bare bones to do a complete interior remodel, doing something similar to what you have planned.  I'm self performing all the work and it is has been a very slow process.  The one thing I have found is that you will definitely have to buy an RV purpose designed sofa as any box store options are just too large.  I've done lots of measuring and research and still haven't settled on furniture yet.  Leaning towards buying a sectional and putting the two section opposite of each other so I have matching upholstery. 

I want to get rid of the jack knife sofa as I don't see the value in re-covering it to match a new sofa.  When you move the jack knife to the opposite wall, you will need to build a platform for it to sit on, same height or greater than your slide out sits off the floor or your pull out drawer will not function. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #12 –
John, We found our recliners at a local furniture store without console I built the console using upholstery they got for me from the manufacturer.  They are 110v and I mounted the recliners so that the back in upright position was 5" from window sill.  they work for us and when the back is off they went through door easily. (backs to most recliners have a cam loc that will allow you to detach back  from seat for ease of handling)
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #13 –
Chris what did you do with the aqua hot under the sofa
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #14 –
I shortened the heater hose on one side so it would lay square to the wall then fastened it to floor under recliner.
It blows air out under the recliner.  I started to mount it vertical and put a vent in the console but there was plenty room under the recliner so I left it flat on floor.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #15 –
Chiming into this conversation late....

John Kilpatrick - I think the idea of this sounds nice, but there wouldn't be any space to walk through the coach with the slides in. 

Talked with David Flanagan at FOT and he showed us a Realm with 4 slides where the previous owner spent over $--,--- having them do exactly what you are doing:  where the booth dinette was, they installed a lift television, put a couch in front of it, and installed 3 theater recliners where the couch used to be.  After David repeatedly warned them that there wouldn't be a lot of walk through room, the owners went ahead with the remod.  Fast forward 2 months later, they picked up the coach, didn't care for the remod because they couldn't walk through the coach with the slides in, and sold the coach that weekend.  The following Monday, the coach was back in David's shop, and the new owners were paying to have it all completely undone, and restored to it's original floorplan.  That coach had 4 slides.  YMMV   

What would be super nice, in my opinion, is to do the recliner chairs where the couch is in the slide, and have the lift television behind the passenger seat, skip the couch, and instead, have a fireplace in the bottom of the lift cabinet.  That is our dream plan.  ^.^d
The selected media item is not currently available.Amanda and Douglas
Lily *meow* (RIP 7/19/23) and B.T. *meow* (RIP 9/12/18)
1997 U320 40' - "Brawley"
Motorcade #17266
Escapee #113692

Re: Recliner couch modifications

Reply #16 –
Yes, remove the one couch and install a desk with TV lift or a cabinet with fireplace and TV lift built in.
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus