93 Excella front couch

[Lumatic]

I find the front couch on my 93 Excella uncomfortable both for sitting and sleeping. The couch is a roll over type where the back is hinged and rolls over in front of the seat to form a bed.

I do want a couch that opens to a bed in the front.

1. Has anybody been able to rebuild the couch so it is comfortable?
or/
2. What did you replace it with?

Thanks
Marshall

[kla47sea]

We have a 1977 Argosy and are thinking about changing out the uncomfortable sofa bed in the front and maybe building a replacement. I've found a photo of the one I'd like to have, but don't know where to start on the frame and finding someone to make the cushions.

Appreciate any suggestions.

[Lumatic]

Thinking about this Flexsteel jackknife sofa (maybe in ultra leather) which will fit between the OEM upholstered arms. I will reupholster the arms to match. Whatdya think? Anybody do any thing similar?

Cabello | Flexsteel.com

[Paddledipper]

I found this photo on the Internet. It is what we would like to do instead of our gaucho.

[dcasr]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

I find the front couch on my 93 Excella uncomfortable both for sitting and sleeping. The couch is a roll over type where the back is hinged and rolls over in front of the seat to form a bed.

I do want a couch that opens to a bed in the front.

1. Has anybody been able to rebuild the couch so it is comfortable?
or/
2. What did you replace it with?

Thanks
Marshall

________________
Presuming that the 93 Excella front couch is the same couch as in our 1990 Excella 29', we had ours redone by Arlene Fowler in Paducah KY and our grown son and a grown daughter and granddaughter have all slept (at different times!) on ours and say that it is very comfortable. We did add small block supporters under the front portion that is cantilevered out. We put them in when used, and remove them when it is folded back into a couch. These blocks add a sturdy feeling. Arlene redid the couch padding when she redid the cover, so that may have made it more comfortable. Redoing the couch is not an inexpensive deal however, but can we weighed against other options and their expense.

[madpiper]

We had ours recovered with a blue vinyl that matches the excella trim. It wasn't too hard to take out the old gacho our but took 3 months at the upholstery shop to recover. It was $ 610.00 and is now easy to clean and comfortable. With dogs and grandchildren we didn't want to cloth.

[65Streamer]

Tim from the VAP and others have posted after installing aftermarket couches. Beware of any tanks or electrical currently under yours that would prevent this. Tims blog is available through the VAP website. Living close to Indiana - I've checked out RV furniture overstock dealers and found some nice items. However, the PO did a slick install of a full size, fully sprung twin trundle bed in my 65 which works too well to discard yet. It retains the factory wood armrests, backrest and still allows the self storing table to function.

[Alden Miller]

I agree that they are uncomfortable! I have the fabric and foam to redo ours. It is next on my project list for the Airstream. I am hoping that the new foam will help since it made a noticeable difference when we redid the dinette.

-Alden

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Alden Miller

I agree that they are uncomfortable! I have the fabric and foam to redo ours. It is next on my project list for the Airstream. I am hoping that the new foam will help since it made a noticeable difference when we redid the dinette.

-Alden

This is what I am leaning towards by Flexsteel
Flexsteel 4075 Easy Bed w/Optional Removable Arms

Looking at mine the springs are probably stretched out. My upholstery guy says the foam is probably shot. We are then talking about a complete redo which I am guessing will cost about $700. I doubt that design can ever be made truly comfortable. So this is what I am leaning towards by Flexsteel

Flexsteel 4075 Easy Bed w/Optional Removable Arms

[paulken]

I have a 94 with a jack knife sofa that need replaced. Looks brand new it's the foam that needs replaced. The Flexsteel looks like a nice replacement.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by paulken

I have a 94 with a jack knife sofa that need replaced. Looks brand new it's the foam that needs replaced. The Flexsteel looks like a nice replacement.

There are not too many 72" wide RV couches out there. At 72" the couch will fit between the oem armrests which I will reupholster to match the sofa.

[Alden Miller]

I think materials for new foam and fabric cost us around $200 (Love those coupons from Joann Fabrics). Now just setting aside the time to do it...


-Alden

[NC Camper]

Originally Posted by kla47sea

We have a 1977 Argosy and are thinking about changing out the uncomfortable sofa bed in the front and maybe building a replacement. I've found a photo of the one I'd like to have, but don't know where to start on the frame and finding someone to make the cushions.

Appreciate any suggestions.

You might want to check your local community college or trade school for furniture making or upholstery classes. I have a sofa and two wing chairs that I have had for years that were made at our community college in a furniture upholstery course. They have survived several moves and rounds of new upholstery. The sofa is longer than standard (is a killer to get upstairs!) and I can't see why they couldn't make one to AS specifications. Where I bought mine they sell the finished products at the end of the class for a fraction of what you would pay anywhere else.

[Lumatic]

Before I order a Flexsteel sofa bed for $1500 t0 $2000 I am checking out futons. I stopped in a futon store yesterday and could get one with storage and a good mattress for about $500 with no shipping charges. One thing I really like about futons is a much higher seat back. I asked the futon guy about clearance between the futon and the wall in back of the futon (front wall of trailer) and he said what others have done in an RV installation is mount the futon on a track to roll out the futon when clearance is needed to fold down the bed.

Does anybody have any suggestions on what I could use for a track? Has anyone done anything similar?

[kla47sea]

I don't know how close you are to IKEA, but they have several sofa/beds that are very interesting

[Hittenstiehl]

Check out the Bedding from Ikea. It does not need much room from wall and has a folding spring that comes forward when being set up. Very comfortable for sleeping, a bit firm for sitting.