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Jack knifesofa

2003 295u 36 foot

Our original sofa is showing cosmetic signs of wear. Any suggestions as to how to best deal with it? Reupholster? Try to find oem replacement? Replace with Thomas Payne or similar? If you have already dealt with this issue, what did you do?
Thanks
Ron

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #1 –
I wouldn't touch Thomas Payne furniture with a 10 foot pole. We had it in our fifth wheel.

I am yet to find anything that can compete with the quality of the original furniture that came in these coaches, I would reupholster, and that was our plan when we were going to keep the U320
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #2 –
Trina at MOT does magic. We have a 93 GV that had the original upholstery and padding. She redid everything for us last month's and it's awesome. The guts were in good shape but she made it new, and comfortable. All new cushions and fabric.

Edited to add: when I can, I'll post a picture of before and after.
1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #4 –
Reupholster.  The jack-knife sofa Foretravel used is high quality Villa, I believe.  We went from OEM fabric (which didn't wear well) to Ultraleather Brisa.  The Brisa line has micro-perfs so it's vented and isn't sticky like some other pleathers.  Cleans up easily with a damp microfiber.

FOT's upholstery group did ours, but we've also seen Trina's work at MOT in person and would not hesitate to choose either shop.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #5 –
If you want the same fit, remove, take apart, and take to any upholster shop. New ones are always different size.

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #6 –
Trina at MOT gets our vote. A reupholstered OEM in our rig. You can be very creative with the front chairs as well.



Alan & Gerri Ortiz
1996 U295 36 ft.
"Rocinante"
Hartwell, Georgia
1999 Subaru Forester
Build No. 4957 Motorcader 17399

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #7 –
I took mine apart and delivered it to a good local upholstery shop - furniture not auto. We picked a high quality automotive vinyl from his sample book. I picked it up after he finished, brought back into coach and reassembled. Less than half the price of MOT. We also had him do the dining chairs in the same fabric and at the same time. Definitely would not trade it out for a Thomas Payne.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #8 –
I put RecPro products  in the same class as Thomas Payne!  Our recliners are peeling the so called leather on the chairs.
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: Jack knifesofa

Reply #9 –
Quote from: juicesqueezer –
I put RecPro products  in the same class as Thomas Payne!  Our recliners are peeling the so called leather on the chairs.

Probably bonded leather.  It's 10-20% shredded bits of leather fiber/pulp and 80-90% polyurethane binder, extruded like thin dough or thick paint onto a backing, then embossed to look like real leather.  They put a great marketing spin on it, though...  "Real Bonded Leather" ::)
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Reupholster.  The jack-knife sofa Foretravel used is high quality Villa, I believe.  We went from OEM fabric (which didn't wear well) to Ultraleather Brisa.  The Brisa line has micro-perfs so it's vented and isn't sticky like some other pleathers.  Cleans up easily with a damp microfiber.

FOT's upholstery group did ours, but we've also seen Trina's work at MOT in person and would not hesitate to choose either shop.
What was the lead time on the reupholster? I would like to have our jackknife sofa redone and our Flexsteel captains chairs at the same time.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Bob & Sue –
What was the lead time on the reupholster? I would like to have our jackknife sofa redone and our Flexsteel captains chairs at the same time.

Since this question quoted my post,

Ours was done over 10 years ago when we had a major remodel done to the coach.  Your best bet is to call both and find out the current scheduling.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #12 –
Reason i ask is because 2 years ago i tried to get an upholstery appointment.  Sorta got ignored and when we showed up for some other work (over 2300 miles from our home) , found out they had a huge coach that fire destroyed the inside being  completely rebuilt.    No time for anything else.

  Having said that i prefer to patronize Foretravel every chance i get. Very important to me to keep them supported so.  We're giving them another shot at it in spring of 25.  Our coach will have its 30th birthday and it deserves a little makeover.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Jack knifesofa

Reply #13 –
Whether you stick with the original or go with something else depends on what you want from the furniture. We had the original jackknife sofa that had good fabric but took it out and replaced it with Thomas Payne "Theater Seating" (we sold the old sofa on Facebook). Why? Because while the original sofa was built like a tank, it was not very comfortable if you sat on it for very long. The seating we put in will not last as long as the original, but it reclines, has adjustable lumbar and headrest, has heat and massage, and is comfortable enough to sleep in. I have tried sleeping on the jackknife with it folded out, and I hope to never do it again. So if the jackknife sofa meets your needs, reupholster it. But if you want more than just a basic sofa, consider other options.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.