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Steve & Susan · 08-19-2015, 07:23 AM

Hello -

Has anyone replaced the sofa in their International 28' with recliners? We are thinking of doing it but would like to know cost and issues.

Thanks!

AWCHIEF · 08-19-2015, 08:44 AM

Easy project done by many here on different models. Remove a few screws and staples and it all comes apart like a jig saw puzzle.

87MH · 08-19-2015, 12:16 PM

It's important to find "was hugger" recliners. The wall huggers are designed to not require space behind the recliner when in the reclined position.

See my installation in the '78 Sovereign thread in my signature line.

Al and Missy · 08-19-2015, 12:27 PM

I didn't do it, but the original owner had it done in JC. Hardest part will be getting old stuff out. My recliners were originally held in place with 2 lag screws each into the floor. I had to remove them a couple of times and it got too hard to line up the holes in the bases with the holes in the floor so I put in what I think are called "combination bolts" which are lag screws on one end and machine threaded on the other. I can easily drop the recliner bases over the threaded part and lock them down with nuts.

Al

DHart · 08-19-2015, 12:55 PM

Some utility components which may be located under the existing sofa may need to be relocated into a nearby cabinet, or enclosed somehow. Have a look under your entire sofa area to see what may need be done there. One solution which MIGHT apply to your circumstances is to have a center console built, between the recliner positions, to house any re-located utilities and/or to provide a convenient counter top.

Wall huggers may not be a requirement, depending on the space you have. It would be good to go with recliners that are not especially bulky, however. We found the Best Furniture "Picot" recliners with the swivel/rocker/recliner features fit wonderfully in our 30' International, are exceptionally comfortable, high quality, and do not need to be secured to the floor - they are very stable on the berber rug we positioned under them. We use the berber rug for that reason and also because the vinyl that AS uses for the flooring in our 2016 Serenity is quite thin and easily damaged/torn. The berber rug allows us to move the recliners around as desired without creating any issues with the thin vinyl flooring. More on this can be found here:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f48/...ch-139797.html

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f483...on-138601.html

dkottum · 08-19-2015, 01:04 PM

Search or contact forum member BAB (Barry), he has converted his 28 nicely. The furnace and the converter are mounted under the L part of the seat (at least on later models 28's), you will have to set one recliner nearer the middle if the Airstream and the other right next to it. It will work.

Al and Missy · 08-19-2015, 03:18 PM

Here is the layout for mine. There are storage bins in the center console and behind the recliners. The converter was relocated to the bin behind the left recliner.

Sorry, photo upload not working again.

Al

bruharNV · 08-20-2015, 10:44 AM

I pulled my couch out and replaced with two recliners with foot stools separate.. Just keep in mind that it sounds much easier than it is. First I removed the two folding tables on each side of the couch then removed the couch. I then completely relocated the inverter into the box on the tongue and removed the battery boxes and set up the batteries in boxes on the tongue. This required some rewiring? Then I sealed the access doors to the old battery boxes and installed wall paneling around the front end from floor to windows with the access door to the fuse box on the paneling. I then extended my flooring to the front wall as I had installed Pergo flooring a couple of years prior tot he edge of the couch. I also removed the old curtains and installed new hanging curtains. Last I reinstalled the single swing up table in the middle between the two new recliners.
When all finished I decided to install some indoor outdoor carpets under the recliners.
I will send some photos when I get home on my home PC.

It looks a lot better but you loose the extra bed and it took a lot of work.

Arcticfox · 08-20-2015, 11:10 AM

As Doug (dkottum) mentioned above it can be done and BAB did it. Do a search and you will find lots of comments and images.

The issue is the long list of items that are now housed under the "L" portion of the couch. Some of it can be moved, but some of it cannot (think water heater) as a result one needs to leave at least a bench in the location were the "L" is now to hide the components. As a result you might/might not end up with the recliners placed in a pleasing location. In our case, we looked at it very hard and finally decided that we were not interested in having the recliners jammed together and restrict the usability as a result. Other may feel different, but the 28' is not the best floorpan to do this on.

hope this helps

Cheers
Doug

KathleenBenk · 08-20-2015, 11:15 AM

Has anyone done a 27ft. Classic? HATE the dinette area and it is SO uncomfortable to watch TV.

dkottum · 08-20-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathleenBenk

Has anyone done a 27ft. Classic? HATE the dinette area and it is SO uncomfortable to watch TV.

The 27 Classic is the same process as any other 27, and many have converted the entrance door side. Take out the bench seat, narrow the table by cutting it down or replacment, and set the recliner in there. Simple.

Two recliners become restricted by the furnace location. It can be done and someone here did it. Move the furnace forward. Cut a new opening in the side shell for it and put an exterior access hatch in place of the former furnace opening. Not simple.

fth · 08-20-2015, 02:05 PM

Has anyone done this to a 2005 Classic 30?

DHart · 08-20-2015, 02:07 PM

Should anyone with a 30' model stop by this thread, as far as I know, converting a 30'er should be relatively easier. Of course, you will need to check under your front L-sofa to be sure, but the utilities located under the sofa may be fairly less-involved to relocate. A center console would likely be required to house the inverter and/or other components that might be moved, but that may be all that would have to be moved, and the center console makes a handy counter space between the two recliners.

DHart · 08-20-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fth

Has anyone done this to a 2005 Classic 30?

We were writing our posts at the same time! I guess I anticipated you stopping by.

Vic McCarthy · 07-18-2016, 03:23 PM

Looking for BAB (Barry) for info on how he removed the sofa and replaced with armchairs.

sheriff1 · 07-18-2016, 04:45 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of our 27 FB.
Moved the heater forward, removed all seating, built cabinets, new counter tops, new Shaw LVT flooring.
I did all the work myself with exception of fabricating the counter tops. I wouldn't hazard a guess what someone might charge to do this. The love seat is twin recliners and rather comfortable. I'll probably change to 2 recliners at some point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathleenBenk

Has anyone done a 27ft. Classic? HATE the dinette area and it is SO uncomfortable to watch TV.