Replaced my factory Foam with Firmer

[gypsydad]

OK folks...foam arrived last week all wrapped in dacron...came shrinkwrapped in a box, and of course, it swelled up when we pulled it out of the box. Next, compared the new foam with the old foam on our wood floors..the new stuff does indeed keep us off the wooden floor, where as the original foam from our AS cushions sank immediately to the floor; so far, so good.

Now the fun starts...although we thought we ordered the exact size of bottom cushions, we did not take into account the small pieces being separate since we had not looked inside the cushion covers to discover the smaller piece separated by it's own zippered compartment...so now some cutting and maneuvering to be done. Will update when we get this task complete.

[Cbuechele]

I’m definitely going to replace my 2017 25’ FC cushions! Your detailed information is very informative. Not sure if I missed it but where did you purchase your Dacron and how how much (width x length)? I noticed it wasn’t on the order from Foam Factory. I called them and the girl suggested I have them cut and wrap but not sure if I want to do that with the two odd shaped cushions? Also, still unsure about the Lux-HG?? The person at Foam Factory said she’d mail me 2”x2” samples...don’t think that will help! After reading all the threads I’m starting to think Lux-HQ will be ok

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by Cbuechele

I’m definitely going to replace my 2017 25’ FC cushions! Your detailed information is very informative. Not sure if I missed it but where did you purchase your Dacron and how how much (width x length)? I noticed it wasn’t on the order from Foam Factory. I called them and the girl suggested I have them cut and wrap but not sure if I want to do that with the two odd shaped cushions? Also, still unsure about the Lux-HG?? The person at Foam Factory said she’d mail me 2”x2” samples...don’t think that will help! After reading all the threads I’m starting to think Lux-HQ will be ok

Thanks!
Lux HQ will be perfect. As far as the Dacron, I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby but any fabric store like Micheal’s ect should have it.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Thanks!
Lux HQ will be perfect. As far as the Dacron, I purchased mine from Hobby Lobby but any fabric store like Micheal’s etc. should have it.

Right you are! As the first guy to do this mod, well, at least over on the 23D thread, I can assure the LUX HQ is perfect. For the record, I got our dacron at JoAnn's Fabric.

[Cbuechele]

Thank you!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by Arcticfox

Thanks EVERYONE for your input on this thread, its been a wealth of info....

Our 28' FC still has the original foam and I'm VERY INTERESTED in making a change as well. I will be (very interested) in seeing gypsydad's conclusions before trying to figure out our best option for foam.

I'm located in Canada so shipping foam to me at home might be an issue. That said, we will be heading south in mid January for a couple months. Can a project like this be accomplished while on the road? We will be in Yuma for a month and in Palm Springs for a similar length of time. I'm sort of thinking one could have foam shipped to us in either location and try to do the change out while in the south. With the number of folks who have done this job already, do you feel it can be done while on the road?

Thanks in advance for your thought.

Cheers
Doug

Well, we finally got our cushions cut and inserted into the coverings and were able to do a real comparison of our new HD36 HQ foam over stock cushion foam. We sat on one cushion, both inside the house on the floor, and then on the L-couch inside the 28' AS, side by side with the old cushion. The new foam works out great with good support; most important is, it does not bottom out, which is what we were concerned with. (I am 230lbs.)

Not sure about the LUX HQ foam as compared to HD36 HQ we went with. Would be interesting to have a test cushion of both; since I did not, I went with the company recommendation, since they sell both? For now, we are pretty happy with our choice. YBMV (your bottom may vary)

[firemed509]

Just finished doing our cushions in our 27fb. What a easy project. I can already tell we are going to enjoy them. Thanks for the post!

[nryn]

My Airstream is at Jackson Center right now. Can anyone verify for me that the 5" thick sheet is what I need for Globetrotter cushions? Also, how much dacron does one order?

Very interested in doing this before our spring trip. I basically stand at the counter all the time because the cushions are too soft.

[RFP]

Originally Posted by nryn

< snip > I basically stand at the counter all the time because the cushions are too soft.

Yikes, I thought that Airstream used the new, firmer foam in all the trailers from about 2016. I got the idea to replace the foam after visiting our local Airstream dealer a couple of years ago and noticing how much more firm the new cushions were. The new foam I used as replacement is pretty much the same as that in the "newer" trailers.

[GettinAway]

We are now in a 2020 Globetrotter. The foam is much more firm than it was in our 2011 23FB. The covering is a lot less flexible also. I was going to order foam for the 2011, don’t see the need in the 2020. We’ve been in it now for over two weeks, with an unusual amount of rain keeping us indoors.

[kscherzi]

Thank you GMFL for a great write up and how to instructions. I just completed the same project you documented. Used new replacement foam from the Foam Factory wrapped with Dacron. The cushions no longer have that wrinkled look and I no longer sink to the plywood when sitting down. I would describe this foam to be firm and supportive.

I am very happy with the outcome. This was a good project to keep me busy while sheltering at home.

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by RFP

Yikes, I thought that Airstream used the new, firmer foam in all the trailers from about 2016. I got the idea to replace the foam after visiting our local Airstream dealer a couple of years ago and noticing how much more firm the new cushions were. The new foam I used as replacement is pretty much the same as that in the "newer" trailers.

Sorry for the late reply. We did a test while at Jackson Center in October and different models have different cushion foam density, for sure...Globetrotter vs FC ; International same as FC but different covers... See earlier posts here--new models of AS's and our 2017 were same density in FC models ...we found the aftermarket foam to be a superior improvement over AS cushion foam, as others have stated in this thread. (and it was much cheeperr then getting from AS!) Also, they come wrapped in Dacron so no need to purchase extra. Easy peasy to do this if your interested...see the earlier threads in this post.

[wilsodf]

GFML - was the thickness of the new pad you ordered from Foamfactory, 5"?

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by wilsodf

GFML - was the thickness of the new pad you ordered from Foamfactory, 5"?

If your using same covers, just measure the thickness of your cushions and outside dimensions and discuss with the Foamfactory folks...they will hook you up with what you need and also they come wrapped in Dacron already...easy peasy...to do this yourself...

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by wilsodf

GFML - was the thickness of the new pad you ordered from Foamfactory, 5"?

5” is what I used.

[GettinAway]

Originally Posted by GMFL

5” is what I used.

Ronnie,
Do you think you’ll need to replace the foam in the GT? I’ve seen some FB posts where some full timers are having issues with the foam and the covering material. So far, ours seems comfortable.

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by GettinAway

Ronnie,
Do you think you’ll need to replace the foam in the GT? I’ve seen some FB posts where some full timers are having issues with the foam and the covering material. So far, ours seems comfortable.

It’s being looked at. I think I will replace it at some point, but I want to get a few trips behind us first.

My next big plan is to build a ottoman to prop our feet on and to use as a seat for the other side of the long table that utilizes one of the front bed cushions as it’s topper.
I’ve gotta order the laminate and then we should be able to get it started.

The plan is to match the radius corners like the rest of the cabinets.

[wilsodf]

Just finished replacing the bottom cushion foam in our 2014 FC 27FBT. The old cushions looked tired and old. They now look brand new and the longer you sit in the them the more comfortable they are. Thanks for the suggestion, it has made a big difference. One of the single best upgrades I have done.

[wilsodf]

Thanks again to all who posted on this topic and all the great instructions. I ordered the Foam from from the same place Ronnie did and you guys made it easy.

Thanks Again!!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by wilsodf

Just finished replacing the bottom cushion foam in our 2014 FC 27FBT. The old cushions looked tired and old. They now look brand new and the longer you sit in the them the more comfortable they are. Thanks for the suggestion, it has made a big difference. One of the single best upgrades I have done.

Looks great! Those new cushions make a big difference in comfort for sure! The gray covers makes yours look like a GT model!