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Topic: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs (Read 1192 times) previous topic - next topic

Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Their new chairs are made with integral pedestals and do not fit the old pedestals per Villa.  Just wanted everyone to know that it's important to measure the exact size of your chair's baseplate that bolts to the floor.  Especially if you have tile up front.  Then measure out your bolt pattern which is usually 8x8 or 8x10.  Villa makes a lot of different size baseplates for different RV builders, and they change over the years.  That baseplate has to be established when ordering if you want to drop the new chairs onto the old floor holes.  I did that about 100 times and then waited a month for the chairs to arrive.  Low and behold 8 bolts out and 8 bolts back in.  Whew!  Villa's newer chairs changed to a different travel-rail vendor since my 2004 model. These fore aft travel-rails permit the chair to move about 1-2" more rearward and a lot farther forward.  I'm guessing like 10".  Makes swiveling a cinch, and you can really get up close to the steering wheel and pedals if that's your desire.  Not so much of an advantage if you've got short legs and a big tummy.  Adjusted my steering column up 1 click and started my diet today. :) 
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Hach –
  I did that about 100 times and then waited a month for the chairs to arrive.   
Mark, a couple of questions:
Did you order directly from Villa, if not where?
Lead time?
How about some pics of your new chairs?
Thanks
Bill and Marsha Kuykendall
1999 Foretravel U320 36' CAI
Build Number 5446
2006 Lexus GX 470

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #2 –
Exactly what I want to do on my 98. What was your bolt hole measurements. Mine, I think are 10 by 8. Or maybe 10 by 10. And yes please send pics!
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #3 –
Sorry for the delay, but I was at graduation festivities the last couple of days.

Yes, I ordered directly from Villa.  They are not far from home, so I had an opportunity to sit in a bunch of chairs that were ready to be shipped.  I settled on the design for Marathon coaches as it seemed to support me best.  Not far off from the Foretravel OEM seats, but just a little less puffy.  I did spec out that they put the Foretravel logo on my new chairs and they obliged.  My coach is stored away so I can't get pictures of the installed seats today, but I do have pictures of the chair that I selected.  I had them covered in Ultraleather that nearly matched my originals as you can see in 1 of the pictures.  I caught them in between production runs, so they had capacity.  The lead time was exactly 1 month.  I added heat, massage, electric headrest, electric recline, and electric lumbar support.  Seat height, tilt and fore-aft are all standard with the newer "peanut" control lever.  Swivel is also standard.  DW also got an electric footrest.  I chose not to put in a ventilation module simply because I didn't want to have a different perforated material in the seat center.  To each their own.  Mike Ramirez (Sales Manager) is a prince of a guy and we've known each other for 10+ years trying to keep my old seats in service.    Villa International, 13760 Midway Street, Cerritos, CA 90703  (562) 404-8111
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #4 –
Just to be clear, my bolt pattern on the passenger side was 8x10.  The diver side was 8x8 except the outboard forward bolt was 8x10 in order to miss the shock absorber.  The mounting plate on the new chairs had holes drilled to accommodate either pattern.  I don't think they did anything special for me, but rather the baseplates come with holes to accept an 8" or 10" spread fore and aft.  Double check with Mike after you verify what you need. 
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #5 –
Looking at a recliner, both front seats and a couch. I suspect it will be 10000 coach bucks.... More to ship up to Canada
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Hach –
Sorry for the delay, but I was at graduation festivities the last couple of days.

Yes, I ordered directly from Villa.  They are not far from home, so I had an opportunity to sit in a bunch of chairs that were ready to be shipped.  I settled on the design for Marathon coaches as it seemed to support me best.  Not far off from the Foretravel OEM seats, but just a little less puffy.  I did spec out that they put the Foretravel logo on my new chairs and they obliged.  My coach is stored away so I can't get pictures of the installed seats today, but I do have pictures of the chair that I selected.  I had them covered in Ultraleather that nearly matched my originals as you can see in 1 of the pictures.  I caught them in between production runs, so they had capacity.  The lead time was exactly 1 month.  I added heat, massage, electric headrest, electric recline, and electric lumbar support.  Seat height, tilt and fore-aft are all standard with the newer "peanut" control lever.  Swivel is also standard.  DW also got an electric footrest.  I chose not to put in a ventilation module simply because I didn't want to have a different perforated material in the seat center.  To each their own.  Mike Ramirez (Sales Manager) is a prince of a guy and we've known each other for 10+ years trying to keep my old seats in service.    Villa International, 13760 Midway Street, Cerritos, CA 90703  (562) 404-8111

Those look terrific.  Does the seat back support rotate forward/back independently as the seat bottom?  In my coach with OEM seats (2000 U320), the seat base and back support do NOT move independent of each other.  At least not in any way I have found with the controls on the outside of the seat.  I'm having some sciatic issues and the angle is much too acute for my current comfort levels while sitting.  Would like to find a seat that allows the backrest support to lean back without changing the position of the seat base. 

Thanks,

Evan
2000 U320 4010

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #7 –
Hello, Evan.  Yes.  The seat back reclines independent of the seat base.  I suffer, too, from back issues which motivated my change.  Moving closer to the pedals, adjusting the seat base, lumbar support and seat back independently really took a lot of strain off my back.  Whatever it takes to keep me in the saddle one year at a time. 
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #8 –
Evan don't you have a lever somewhere that you pull or push so the back can be adjusted
independent of the seat.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #9 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Evan don't you have a lever somewhere that you pull or push so the back can be adjusted
independent of the seat.

Not that I can find.  I tried feeling around up in the seat and cannot feel anything that makes me think the seat back moves independently. I have a 2000 U320. 
2000 U320 4010

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #10 –
My lever is along side the seat and I pull up on it to move the back.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Changed Out Old Villa Captain's Chairs for New Villa Captain's Chairs

Reply #11 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Evan don't you have a lever somewhere that you pull or push so the back can be adjusted
independent of the seat.

After more poking around and fiddling with the passenger seat which has a powered back tilt function, seems I must have a stripped gear or some other issue that is keeping the drivers seat back tilt function from working.  I can hear the motor turning, but nothing moves.  Looks like I'm taking the seat apart this weekend to try and remedy. 
2000 U320 4010