Airstream will not provide Recliner options for 2016

[kb7our]

Originally Posted by DHart

0While my local dealer informed me that their Airstream Sales Rep stated "no recliner models for 2016", another forum member here was told by their dealer that the recliner option WILL be available for 2016.

SO.... this apparent conflict of reports is likely to be resolved later this week during the AIRSTREAM/DEALER meeting that is going to take place. Hopefully the news by week's end will be that the recliner option WILL be offered again!

Any idea what the verdict was on retaining the recliners?

[DHart]

Last word I got from my dealer after the recent dealer's meeting is that there will NOT be any recliner-options available with the 2016 models.

My dealer was able to wrangle AS into making a 2016 recliner model (with cabinetry to match) for me, but not supply the actual recliners (I want to use my own). The custom order charge dinged me hard, but that's ok, I probably would have had to spend about as much to get everything re-done (relocating electrical components, build center cabinet between the recliners, etc.) had I just accepted a regular model with sofa.

Delivery on my special order 2016 30' Serenity is expected by mid-July! So excited!

[graysailor]

I too am interested in a 2016 Classic. Also wanted the recliners with the fold down table. Discovered that the sofa is a sofa with recliners built in but still with no fold down table. The two dealers that I have spoken with don't really seem to know what they can and cannot do with regards to options. For example. I could live without the power awning but the dealer tells me that they are standard on the Classic. A few other small items are still in question.

[ghaynes755]

My 2015 Classic sofa has a fold down table. Center section back folds forward. Did that get eliminated in the 2016's?

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by graysailor

I too am interested in a 2016 Classic. Also wanted the recliners with the fold down table. Discovered that the sofa is a sofa with recliners built in but still with no fold down table. The two dealers that I have spoken with don't really seem to know what they can and cannot do with regards to options. For example. I could live without the power awning but the dealer tells me that they are standard on the Classic. A few other small items are still in question.

The power awning is an option. Our 2016 Classic was ordered and built without it.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

My 2015 Classic sofa has a fold down table. Center section back folds forward. Did that get eliminated in the 2016's?

Nope. The fold down center backrest with Corian "table" is in our 2016 Classic.

[graysailor]

My dealer is suppose to be checking on the power awning as to whether it is an option or not. The table we are referring to is the table that is in front of the sofa or recliners and that has been eliminated. Other dealers have told me that while some complained about the recliners being eliminated not enough people ordered them so they were discontinued.

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by graysailor

My dealer is suppose to be checking on the power awning as to whether it is an option or not. The table we are referring to is the table that is in front of the sofa or recliners and that has been eliminated. Other dealers have told me that while some complained about the recliners being eliminated not enough people ordered them so they were discontinued.

If you mean the flip up table mounted to the wall opposite the door or the one next to the door, both usable while sitting on the couch, yes those were not included in the 2015/16 Classic.

We are already in contact with the Cabinet Maker who makes the Cherry cabinets for Airstream to get some custom matching flip up tables made, but we are going to use the trailer for a couple of months before agreeing on a final design and placing an order.

[Msmoto]

Having spent a fair amount of time in my recliner....I absolutely love it. There are some adjustments I will make, as in tilting the seat back slightly more, and changing the head rest slightly, but I think I have slept in it many an hour as it is very comfortable, much more than the sofa, IMO.

As to the Power Patio Awning, now that mine has the reprogramed circuit board, has a new motor in the roller, new connection to this, and has been adjusted properly at the factory in Chicago, absolutely flawless operation to date. It is easy to see that the adjustment issue and properly measuring the resistance of the motor in the roller is critical to proper functioning.

As in other issues with Airstream, I suspect if one makes the requests know adequately, almost any option can be obtained, just requires persistence in communicating with JC. And, of course, there is the issue of money...LOL

[Msmoto]

Oh, yes, I have changed the road side recliner as follows: Loosen the rear bolts holding the seat to the frame. Remove the front bolts. On mine they are a metric 1.25 thread, I believe, but these may vary.

Install 3/4" spacer between frame and seat, install new metric bolt, about two inches long, using thread locking agent if desired. Tightened all bolts as appropriate.

What this does is to change the seat angle to higher in front. Thus when one sits in the recliner one is pressed more into the back, and IMO this is a bit more comfortable. This will also raise the foot rest height when extended. The 3/4" spacer effectively raises the front edge of the seat about 1 1/2" from the floor. This is quite significant IMO.

This mod can be accomplished for a couple dollars, may be the best couple bucks I have spent so far...

[graysailor]

Does anyone on this thread know who the makers of the recliners that Airstream used is? Most likely will remove my sofa and install the recliners myself.

[dkottum]

graysailor,

Villa Lift Euro Recliner, Glastop Inc.

[DHart]

Guess I should provide some updates here. We were able to have Airstream make a 2016 30' Intl. Serenity with the "Recliner Option" layout for us... but without the "factory" recliners. We have a pair of recliners (Best Furniture "Picot" swivel/rocker/recliners in leather) that we have used in our 44' Diesel pusher motor coach that offer supreme comfort, rock, swivel 360 degrees, and recline to bed-like comfort. We bought a new pair of them to put in the coach, ourselves, upon delivery. And they fit the coach like they were made for it.







The swivel feature makes them great to swing around to look out windows in any direction.


They are very well made (all-USA made) moderately heavy, and we have found that when tucked into the corners of the coach, they don't move AT ALL during travel.

We brought the new coach home today.... very exciting!

[kb7our]

Originally Posted by DHart

Guess I should provide some updates here. We were able to have Airstream make a 2016 30' Intl. Serenity with the "Recliner Option" layout for us... but without the "factory" recliners. We have a pair of recliners (Best Furniture "Picot" swivel/rocker/recliners in leather) that we have used in our 44' Diesel pusher motor coach that offer supreme comfort, rock, swivel 360 degrees, and recline to bed-like comfort. We bought a new pair of them to put in the coach, ourselves, upon delivery. And they fit the coach like they were made for it.







The swivel feature makes them great to swing around to look out windows in any direction.


They are very well made (all-USA made) moderately heavy, and we have found that when tucked into the corners of the coach, they don't move AT ALL during travel.

We brought the new coach home today.... very exciting!

Very nice setup similar to what we would like to have, probably in a 16 or 17 model. Thanks for sharing these pics which are very helpful. Now I'm wondering if there is a way to have this layout in a 28 without all the stuff they put under the L part of the sofa. Now this would be nice although it's hard to pass up the bathroom window you get in the 30.

[DHart]

Originally Posted by kb7our

Very nice setup similar to what we would like to have, probably in a 16 or 17 model. Thanks for sharing these pics which are very helpful. Now I'm wondering if there is a way to have this layout in a 28 without all the stuff they put under the L part of the sofa. Now this would be nice although it's hard to pass up the bathroom window you get in the 30.

kb7our... The benefits of the 30 RB over the 28 RB were significant enough to us to offset having 2' additional length to tow and park. Larger bathroom, larger hall closet, more kitchen counter space, slide out pantry.

We wanted the dinette, in addition to the recliners, because we find a lot of use for counter and table space and sometimes I like to sit at a table to work on certain projects. We didn't really need BOTH seats at the dinette, however, and wanted a nice open space for our 100# Golden Lab, so I removed the front dinette seat (easy to do... just a few screws) and turned the subwoofer to be against the roadside wall. This cleared a huge amount of floorspace and opened things up even more, without having to give up having the dinette. This works perfectly for our needs as our dear Golden Lab has an awesome spot, out of the way, for his cushy bed and feeding station. We have no need for any sleep spaces other than our Queen bed, so we lost nothing with these mods.

As for the electronics that are normally placed under the L-shaped sofa, Jackson Center located them inside the center console that is between the two recliners.





We usually eat in the recliners, but if desired, there's room for us both to eat at the dinette - side by side.


We love the lack of cabinets over the dinette. It gives the coach a much more open, spacious feel and lets in even more light to the very light and bright interior.


For an RV without slides, this configuration gives us all the floor space that we need with great seating and reclining comfort and, with the new mattress we just installed, great sleeping comfort indeed.

We are coming from a pretty luxurious and well-appointed 44' diesel-pusher Class A motor coach, but with the Airstream so-configured, we're not really missing much by downsizing to the trailer.

[kb7our]

Thanks, DHart! Another very helpful post and wow....that extra space without the bench is great for a large dog so I get that from also having a Golden although she only lasted 8 years. If needed, a chair could easily be added to that side. Looks great with the recliners. We're getting closer to a decision, coming off a 32' Dolphin with 2 slides we just loved for 8 years.

[pappy19]

Originally Posted by dkottum

graysailor,

Villa Lift Euro Recliner, Glastop Inc.

This is the maker that the mother ship installed in our 30' Classic w/slide. The only issue is the fold up table isn't usable as it hits the curb side recliner. I have a wood working friend that is looking at adding 2-3 hinges that might make it work.

[twilly3217]

I have a 2016 AS Classic and m very disappointed with the recliner couch. Where would I get the conversion done to get just recliners?

[time2play]

Originally Posted by twilly3217

I have a 2016 AS Classic and m very disappointed with the recliner couch. Where would I get the conversion done to get just recliners?

I'm curious, why are you disappointed in the recliner couch on your 2016 Classic?

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by twilly3217

I have a 2016 AS Classic and m very disappointed with the recliner couch. Where would I get the conversion done to get just recliners?

Do it yourself. I've done it on three Airstreams, and several RVs including a Newmar Motorhome. Not hard at all. Buy the "zero clearance" recliners and thereby save some leg room in the front. I'd love to do it on our 2017 Classic, but wife is tired of modifications on RVs, so I live with it.