front seat type airstream sprinters

[herrick51]

Hello,
Just curious how Airstream prepares or replaces the oem front seats. According to sources I've conversed with,to be a certified Mercedes upfitter you cannot change front seats except for paddding and seat covers. The seats seem to look comfortable but how do the present owners feel about the comfort level? Thanks
Mary

[lewster]

I have over 250,000 miles on the front seat of an '04 and now an '11 Sprinter service vans. Up to 18 hour days in the driver's seat.
They might not look great, but they certainly are comfortable for the long haul.

[Lily&Me]

We have over 130,000 miles on our seats.

No problems, and they remain very comfortable.


Maggie

[Protagonist]

According to the sales staff at Airstream of Mississippi— I asked when I was shopping for my Interstate— the seats are the original Sprinter seats, just reupholstered and fitted with swivel bases that the originals didn't have.

In terms of comfort, my Interstate is the most comfortable vehicle I've ever owned or driven. And I've owned fourteen vehicles since I got my driver's license, and driven dozens of different Government Motor Pool vehicles for work.

When I drive back to the family homestead every year, 750 miles one way all in about twelve hours, in every other car I've ever driven, by the time I arrived I'd be so sore I could barely move. With my Interstate, despite the larger size, I arrive with no discomfort in legs, back, butt, or shoulders. Even when I'm not going camping, the Interstate is my preferred vehicle for any out-of-town trip for that very reason.

[aa9zz]

I totally agree. In my opinion, this is the most comfortable ride I have ever owned. I look forward to the drive as much as I do the to the destination.

[wayneskid]

This is from the MB Body/Equipment Mounting Directives manual that was in effect at the time my Sprinter was built. "Daimler AG will issue a certificate of endorsement at its discretion for modifications to the seat attachments (including seat bases) and seat belt anchorages or for the installation of seats other than those available from the factory."

My experience is that this is the most comfortable, enjoyable vehicle I've ever driven. Much of that is due to the design of the seats and seat mounting.

[gmillerok1]

Originally Posted by herrick51

Hello,
Just curious how Airstream prepares or replaces the oem front seats. According to sources I've conversed with,to be a certified Mercedes upfitter you cannot change front seats except for paddding and seat covers. The seats seem to look comfortable but how do the present owners feel about the comfort level? Thanks
Mary

Actually, the seats in my 2007 Roadtrek, built on a 2006 Springer chassis with OEM seats, were much more comfortable (and more adjustable). My wife complains about the seats in the 2011 Interstate as the bottom seat is shorter and her long legs hang off. For me, I don't have any problem, but I don't have legs that go on forever, either.

Gerald

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by gmillerok1

For me, I don't have any problem, but I don't have legs that go on forever, either.

Now you're just bragging about the dear wife. I'm sort-of envious, but not enough to give up bachelorhood (yeah, like I could find anyone who'd have me).

[Lily&Me]

Originally Posted by gmillerok1

Actually, the seats in my 2007 Roadtrek, built on a 2006 Springer chassis with OEM seats, were much more comfortable (and more adjustable). My wife complains about the seats in the 2011 Interstate as the bottom seat is shorter and her long legs hang off. For me, I don't have any problem, but I don't have legs that go on forever, either.

Gerald

Ha! I have long legs, although I'm shrinking a bit as I get older. The passenger seat in ours was still pretty comfortable for me.

But, when we replaced our coach battery I think 2 years ago, they added "spacers" to the area under the passenger seat, in order to accommodate the new battery. Much better, room-wise.

The spacers looked like simple metal pipe, cut to a several inch length to add the extra height/room. Would be easy enough to do, I would think.

Don't ask me exactly where or how, because you would have to look to see and know. I just know it took only a few minutes for him to cut these and finish the install.

Long legs need some place to be.


Maggie

[73shark]

That was the first thing I noticed in our first trip was when I got out at the destination, it didn't take several minutes for the stiffness to go away. I attributed it to both the comfort of the seat and the fact that it sits higher so that your legs aren't as horizontal as in other vehicles.

[SmokelessJoe]

Mary,

As you can see here I travel both by SPRINTER and Mini on road trips.



The trusted little MINI has been my daily driver for almost 10 years and I wouldn't want to leave it behind but I must admit that I really like the amazingly comfortable, high up seating and the wide panoramic view from the Sprinter's cab as I roll along cross country.

The weight of the whole rig is almost 6 times as much but the unit has comparable road hugging handling to the MINI alone. I like too the bottom end feeling of torque from the diesel.

Sergei

[Boxster1971]

Smokelessjoe -- what a nice rig!!

I too like the torque of the diesel. My 2012 Sprinter/2013 Interstate has more pep than my previous Ford E350 with 5.4L V-8.

- - Mike

[herrick51]

Originally Posted by herrick51

Hello,
Just curious how Airstream prepares or replaces the oem front seats. According to sources I've conversed with,to be a certified Mercedes upfitter you cannot change front seats except for paddding and seat covers. The seats seem to look comfortable but how do the present owners feel about the comfort level? Thanks
Mary

We contacted Aero of Oregon in Scappose and they retrofitted our seats with their materials from seats used in the private aerospace planes. Not perfect ,but much,much better and happy with work.

[73shark]

We find the seats to be very comfortable.

[PSchw]

The seats are very comfortable and supply very good support and I wish the second row had the same seats.

[kaylorsan]

Our second row seats are very comfortable (2012 Interstate). My only issue is the arm rest are way too high. I'm 6', and if I use them I jam my shoulders into the top of my neck. Not sure who they were designed for. I wish they were adjustable...

[73shark]

I know the second row changed sometime after 2011 to include shoulder belts but my second row seats are great and the armrests seem to fit.