30' Recliner models anyone?

[FCStreamer]

My sales rep told me the recliner models were not very popular (which may explain why they were discontinued ) Anyone else have a recliner model? Step into this thread please.

How have you found the recliners so far? Comfy?

I saw someone remove one of the dinette benches closest to the recliners to provide more space. What do you think about that?

Anyone swap out their recliners for some Lazy Boys?

[RVGK]

2014 FC30

JC order dropped by another buyer picked up because of recliners

2.5 years on road no regrets-adjustability key feature along with open space to hold awkward items

[Zybane]

Really, if you think about it, a reclining sofa is the best option (Classic). You get two recliners, can lay down and watch TV laterally, and you also have another sleeping spot. Really the only thing you lose is the ability to swivel, which isn't that big of a deal.

[dkottum]

How about a 25' Flying Cloud RB with 30' recliners, table, and center console. We had these parts installed at Jackson Center a few years ago for long term travel comfort. We've camped over 400 days total with this arrangement and love it.

The recliners are nice and can swivel toward the center console, where I replaced the little drop-down table top with a much larger drop-down top that we now use for most meals, computers and writing. She uses the side drop-down table for her hobbies, extending it as in this earlier photo.

Interesting as well is the bath in our 25 FC is the exact bath used in the 30' models. I turned the bath door upside down and screwed the hinge to the opposite jamb so the door now opens to the bedroom, not the living room. Also moved the bath tow ring to the side and added a larger mirror, in addition to the small shaving mirror.

[dkottum]

Or swivel to have a cup of coffee and watch the world go by, in this case our fellow Airstreamers at the Jackson Center Service camp.

[J. Morgan]

I like the look. Nice job on the mods!


Superat stultitia.

[DHart]

We bought a 2016 30' Serenity Recliner model last year and installed our own preferred recliners in it.

Here's the scoop with photos:

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

We have since returned to a Class A motorhome, as we found we did not have enough comfortable floorspace, nor enough storage for our needs with the 30' Airstream. But it was an interesting and enjoyable 9 month experiment for us.

In hindsight, if we had to have an Airstream... we would have recliners again, or no Airstream at all.

We also found that the Classic model electric reclining sofa seats were a very poor (unsatisfactory) substitute for true, quality swivel, rocking recliners, which offer the ultimate in comfort.

Our preferred recliners are the "Picot" model made by Best Furniture, ordered with full leather upholstery.







We used the same recliners, before the Airstream, in our 44' Class A DP and are doing so again, now, in our 32' Newmar Class A

[paiceman]

I converted a 25' from front dinette to two Stressless Chair recliners. Then converted a 30' FC from a front couch to the same two Stressless Chair recliners and then took them out and put in two Lazy Boy recliners. Used the two Lazy Boys in a 38' motorhome where I took out the lounge area and replaced with them. In all cases I put back the factory installed dinettes and or lounges before selling. The toughest change out was the motorhome as we had to removed a window to get one part of the factory installed lounge out. Now we have a 2015 FC which we ordered with two factory AS recliners. They are not the best recliners we have used either at home or in a trailer/motorhome, but they are ok. Pretty firm at first but have softened up a bit, they do recline and have an integrated foot rest. I tried the factory couch recliners and did not like them as there is no head support, there is in the recliners. I like to lean my head back recline a bit and nap.

Bud

[FCStreamer]

I find this seating area a very personal thing. You either love it or your don't. I am also a little apprehensive about the recliners Airstream picked, as they seem a little skinny. But I am not worried as I can always replace them with something beefier (as long as it fits through the door!

Thanks you everyone for your comments!

[AirEgger]

When shopping for our 2012 FC, we looked at both the recliner version and the standard couch models. For us the recliners worked best mainly for the reasons posted above. No regrets so far.

[Zybane]

Do people actually sit around rocking back and forth in a recliner though? I never see that.

[dkottum]

FCStreamer, no concerns about the size of the 30 recliners. They are very large and need to be to fit the space. We tried our Ekornes recliners from home in there and they were too short and looked oddly small. The Airstream Villa recliners sit tall, so much so Cheryl uses a little folding foot stool when sitting without the foot rest.

[Echelon73]

We have the original Villa recliners and really like them. They are probably not as comfortable as some recliners, but we really like them and we do swivel around to look out the front quite often.

[pappy19]

We had JC replace our couch with 2 recliners and love them. The couch was very uncomfortable and the rocking recliners are great for individual control.

[Al and Missy]

The original purchaser of our 2001 Safari had the front sofa replaced at JC with LaZBoy recliners and custom storage around the front and sides that removed the flip up table. At first we liked it, and still like the idea of the recliners, but we had to eat off TV trays which was inconvenient with the rocking motion of the recliners and there was no inside guest seating.

We traded for a 2002 Classic 30 slideout with a Villa leather jackknife sofa in front which is not as comfortable as our previous recliners. We talk occasionally about replacing it with a recliner sofa, but I want to be sure to get head support and to retain the bed conversion.

Al

[Tyvekcat]

yeah the recliners look intriguing, the wife and cat prefer the couch, where I end up being the backrest of a 'recliner' . I guess if you can get recliners that are 'heated' they may move off me and onto the recliner. Until then probably not.
Been thinking about a Mitchell Gold/ Bob Williams couch replacement .
( Made in NC).
Comfortable like home. Maybe cut one down from the outlet or something.
The ottoman has really helped the standard couch in the Serenity.

Have a good one,

[TinTop]

We have the 30ft FB rear dinette, I like the recliner and the wife enjoys a couch to lie down. Took out dinette and replaced with a Lazyboy. Was going to order Villa online but really wanted to set in before buying, works for us. The end table is temporary til we figure out if we want built in or furniture.

[Utahron]

All interesting options, thinking of replacing the L shaped couch in my 30'FC to recliners. JC seems to be the most expensive option, looks like this might be a good DIY, any thoughts or comments.

[dkottum]

Originally Posted by Utahron

All interesting options, thinking of replacing the L shaped couch in my 30'FC to recliners. JC seems to be the most expensive option, looks like this might be a good DIY, any thoughts or comments.

I think so. As noted earlier we put the 30 recliner seats and tables in our 25. It took me an hour or so to remove the dinette and lounge from our 25 with only a power screwdriver. The thing to look for before you start is if there are any major systems under the couch such as the electrical converter/charger or furnace.

If clear under there its just a matter of taking out the couch, probably filling some little screw holes in the vinyl floor, putting screws or rivets in any holes in the walls (you'll never notice them, they are among many others and mostly behind the recliners), and setting in the chairs of choice.

I would recommend a fold-down table top between the (swivel) recliners 24-28" wide (probably tapered to fit nicer between the chairs) and 28-30" long. You will use it for computers, writing, smaller meals, and snacks/drinks when watching movies or tv. We made one (after the photo) and it stays up whenever we are in camp.

We did not fasten the recliners to the floor and they have never moved when traveling. I like the idea of keeping the Airstream's hitch weight close to 10% of trailer weight, so among the steps we have taken, before hitting the road we slide the recliners back a few feet. Less hitch weight gives us more payload capacity in the truck, less w.d. bar tension and smoother ride.

Shop around for recliners, pick ones that suit you. The Airstream Villa recliners fit the space nicely and are at least okay for comfort, but there may be some you like better. We like the villa recliners well enough but the flip-back head pillow can be irritating, we flip it back a lot.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by pappy19

We had JC replace our couch with 2 recliners and love them. The couch was very uncomfortable and the rocking recliners are great for individual control.

Very, very few RV sofas offer anywhere close to the comfort of a good quality home sofa. We have replaced the RV sofa in three RVs (two motorhomes and our Airstream) with Best Furniture Picot swivel/rocker recliners and we've spent countless hours relaxing (and many hours napping) in our recliners. They make extended time spent inside the RV very comfortable and relaxing.



Generally speaking, RV sofas really suck after about 10 minutes of sitting on them. Then what do you do?