We're bloody Kiwis and bloody proud of it too, but we have towed a van all the way around your vast country and thru the middle as well. And it took a long time. But it was a great long time and we didn't bludge a crumb from youse dudes either, however we did share some of ours. Plus we met scores of beautiful people, 95% of them Australian.
But that's not what I'm here to annoy you about. We're currently checking Oz caravan websites looking at used vans to buy, because we want to do it again. What we don't understand is why the cushioning on the seats, in most vans, is still the same as it has been for years. Can anyone tell us why the backs of the seats have to be made up of 2 rolls of cushions, with one overhanging the other like the flab on a very obese persons gut? Also, why do the seats have a large roll along the front edge that cuts off circulation to one's legs and, if you've done a ham string at any time, tends to create an unpleasant numbing sensation to the back of one's thigh?
I know we need enlightening on occasions, (usually not, as you will know,) but enlightenment on this would be gratifying.
Kiaora
C and D
Sheba said
08:02 PM Sep 8, 2011
Hi C & D. Welcome. Why don't you contact the relevant 'Van Manufacturers and ask them. They would probably make them to suit your preference. They won't know of problems like this if people don't tell them.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Gerty Dancer said
09:22 PM Sep 8, 2011
Sheba wrote:
Hi C & D. Welcome. Why don't you contact the relevant 'Van Manufacturers and ask them. They would probably make them to suit your preference. They won't know of problems like this if people don't tell them.
Cheers,
Sheba.
And if you get an answer C and D please let us know. I'm currently seated on said uncomfortable van seat!
Kiaora to you too!
Sheba said
10:33 PM Sep 8, 2011
Why don't you do the same Gerty ? Surely they will take notice when more than one person complains ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Landfall said
10:44 PM Sep 8, 2011
They will take notice?
I'd love to see that
Junko, and a few others are still using the cheapest foam they can get their hands on, despite many complaints to the dealers and on forums.
When we had our Junko, we returned it during the warranty period for warranty work and even before we mentioned said cushions, the dealer remarked he was sitting on the base of the seat with no support?
When we said, yes, is it possible to replace the foam with a higher density product?
The answer was NO! Junko would not pay for it, but they would replace all the upholstery with the same quality stuff. If we wanted better foa, we would have to pay for it.
This sort of quality has been fed to the Australian consumer for years.
Dusty
Sheba said
12:08 AM Sep 9, 2011
You're still talking about taking complaints to the Dealers. I suggested going to the Manufacturers.
Maybe the Dealers don't tell the Manufacturers of the complaints. Surely it's worth trying to go to the source, instead of just asking the salesman.
Cheers,
Sheba.
C and D said
06:26 AM Sep 9, 2011
Good idea, I knew you'd come up with an answer. I'll email a few of them and see if I get an intelligent answer. You don't like those 'Junkos' Landfall?
Landfall said
07:50 AM Sep 9, 2011
C and D wrote:
Good idea, I knew you'd come up with an answer. I'll email a few of them and see if I get an intelligent answer. You don't like those 'Junkos' Landfall?
Actually I don't mind them.
I think that they made their name on the earlier ones like the Westport, tried to improve the look of them with the fibreglass one's (we had one of the early ones of these) and by trying to keep the price down, have reduced the quality accordingly.
But, for the money and the warranty, they are OK.
We had so many issues with ours the best solution would have been 5 litres of petrol and a gas lighter, other than what we did. Get rid of it.
All the manufacturers know about their seat cushions, it's the profit margin they care about.
Dusty
signwilson said
09:38 AM Sep 9, 2011
No such thing as comfortable caravan seating I removed mine and installed vy holden belina seats with lambs wool covers wonderful
gubby said
09:53 AM Sep 9, 2011
Hey Dusty, I think your van has spoilt you, it makes others look very basic...
rockylizard said
11:33 AM Sep 9, 2011
Gday...
I fully understand the difficulty of getting van seat cushions that are comfortable and have foam that will actually last and not sag/compress.
We insisted on Extra Hi-Density Foam cushions when we ordered our van and it came with a 10-year Warranty on the foam.
Within the first year it had sagged where we sat mostly and we spoke with both the dealer and the manufacturer. They sat on the seats and refused to agree they had sagged no change under warranty!!
So I bought some meranti - light weight but strong wood used in caravan construction and built the seat frame, and took it to an upholsterer to attach foam and cover. We were able to sit on samples of the foam he had and finally chose 30mm hi-density foam used on kitchen chairs.
Now, more than 12 months on the cushions are still excellent provide support, comfort and have not sagged where predominantly sat on.
Attached are photos of the outcome.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 9th of September 2011 11:34:55 AM
That looks like a far better seat that the ones we had in our Windsor. Although I wouldn't say they sagged, but they were totally uncomfortable. We had an el shaped dinette seat that we could hardly get into because of the table, so we put the table in the cruiser and used a small picnic table sometimes when we dined inside.
I have to get those emails off to the manufacturers.
Cheers
Dave.
Landfall said
01:42 PM Sep 9, 2011
gubby wrote:
Hey Dusty, I think your van has spoilt you, it makes others look very basic...
I know mate,
Six years on and the seating is still comfortable, looks like new and definetely does not sag.
And, as you have seen, we sleep on our dinette seats.
Then again, our van isn't built for "Aussie conditions" nothing keeps falling off it!
Cheers
Dusty
C and D said
09:05 AM Sep 16, 2011
I've received 2 replies so far from caravan manufacturers re caravan seating: From Jayco David, You comments are a bit general. We have options available for firmer or softer seating, and our seats are not designed as you described. I suggest you visit your local dealer and discuss your requirements and hopefully we can accommodate your needs. From Roadstar Hi You can generally have the upholstery to suit your needs, and from what you are saying you can have it done. It sounds easier to make, but I do not think that it would be the preferred way. Maybe they haven't seen the seats I mean. Dave
JayDee said
11:23 AM Jun 24, 2016
We are in the process of replacing the L shape dinette. The L shape has been ripped out.
Covered the Wheel arch with spare carpet to abate the winter cold.
Having a cabinet maker box in the wheel arch. ( this will give us extra storage space) will have 2 lift up lids for access to storage on wheel arch.
Also installing a tri fold table and we will place 2 small cabinets on each end of the arch cover.
The 2 recliner / swivel chairs have arrived and been assembled ( Very very comfortable. Just what we want)
I think I could do the reno myself, but at the end of the day it would still be Jay & Dee non professional presentation.
But prefer a Pro. job.
when completed Photos will be posted.
Jay&Dee
Hey, You Okkers
We're bloody Kiwis and bloody proud of it too, but we have towed a van all the way around your vast country and thru the middle as well. And it took a long time. But it was a great long time and we didn't bludge a crumb from youse dudes either, however we did share some of ours. Plus we met scores of beautiful people, 95% of them Australian.
But that's not what I'm here to annoy you about. We're currently checking Oz caravan websites looking at used vans to buy, because we want to do it again. What we don't understand is why the cushioning on the seats, in most vans, is still the same as it has been for years. Can anyone tell us why the backs of the seats have to be made up of 2 rolls of cushions, with one overhanging the other like the flab on a very obese persons gut? Also, why do the seats have a large roll along the front edge that cuts off circulation to one's legs and, if you've done a ham string at any time, tends to create an unpleasant numbing sensation to the back of one's thigh?
I know we need enlightening on occasions, (usually not, as you will know,) but enlightenment on this would be gratifying.
Kiaora
C and D
Hi C & D. Welcome. Why don't you contact the relevant 'Van Manufacturers and ask them. They would probably make them to suit your preference. They won't know of problems like this if people don't tell them.
Cheers,
Sheba.
And if you get an answer C and D please let us know. I'm currently seated on said uncomfortable van seat!
Kiaora to you too!
Why don't you do the same Gerty ? Surely they will take notice when more than one person complains ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
They will take notice?
I'd love to see that
Junko, and a few others are still using the cheapest foam they can get their hands on, despite many complaints to the dealers and on forums.
When we had our Junko, we returned it during the warranty period for warranty work and even before we mentioned said cushions, the dealer remarked he was sitting on the base of the seat with no support?
When we said, yes, is it possible to replace the foam with a higher density product?
The answer was NO! Junko would not pay for it, but they would replace all the upholstery with the same quality stuff. If we wanted better foa, we would have to pay for it.
This sort of quality has been fed to the Australian consumer for years.
Dusty
You're still talking about taking complaints to the Dealers. I suggested going to the Manufacturers.
Maybe the Dealers don't tell the Manufacturers of the complaints. Surely it's worth trying to go to the source, instead of just asking the salesman.
Cheers,
Sheba.
I'll email a few of them and see if I get an intelligent answer.
You don't like those 'Junkos' Landfall?
Actually I don't mind them.
I think that they made their name on the earlier ones like the Westport, tried to improve the look of them with the fibreglass one's (we had one of the early ones of these) and by trying to keep the price down, have reduced the quality accordingly.
But, for the money and the warranty, they are OK.
We had so many issues with ours the best solution would have been 5 litres of petrol and a gas lighter, other than what we did. Get rid of it.
All the manufacturers know about their seat cushions, it's the profit margin they care about.
Dusty
Hey Dusty, I think your van has spoilt you, it makes others look very basic...
Gday...
I fully understand the difficulty of getting van seat cushions that are comfortable and have foam that will actually last and not sag/compress.
We insisted on Extra Hi-Density Foam cushions when we ordered our van and it came with a 10-year Warranty on the foam.
Within the first year it had sagged where we sat mostly and we spoke with both the dealer and the manufacturer. They sat on the seats and refused to agree they had sagged no change under warranty!!
So I bought some meranti - light weight but strong wood used in caravan construction and built the seat frame, and took it to an upholsterer to attach foam and cover. We were able to sit on samples of the foam he had and finally chose 30mm hi-density foam used on kitchen chairs.
Now, more than 12 months on the cushions are still excellent provide support, comfort and have not sagged where predominantly sat on.
Attached are photos of the outcome.
Cheers
John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 9th of September 2011 11:34:55 AM
That looks like a far better seat that the ones we had in our Windsor. Although I wouldn't say they sagged, but they were totally uncomfortable. We had an el shaped dinette seat that we could hardly get into because of the table, so we put the table in the cruiser and used a small picnic table sometimes when we dined inside.
I have to get those emails off to the manufacturers.
Cheers
Dave.
I know mate,
Six years on and the seating is still comfortable, looks like new and definetely does not sag.
And, as you have seen, we sleep on our dinette seats.
Then again, our van isn't built for "Aussie conditions" nothing keeps falling off it!
Cheers
Dusty
I've received 2 replies so far from caravan manufacturers re caravan seating:
From Jayco
David, You comments are a bit general. We have options available for firmer or softer seating, and our seats are not designed as you described. I suggest you visit your local dealer and discuss your requirements and hopefully we can accommodate your needs.
From Roadstar
Hi You can generally have the upholstery to suit your needs, and from what you are saying you can have it done. It sounds easier to make, but I do not think that it would be the preferred way.
Maybe they haven't seen the seats I mean.
Dave
Covered the Wheel arch with spare carpet to abate the winter cold.
Having a cabinet maker box in the wheel arch. ( this will give us extra storage space) will have 2 lift up lids for access to storage on wheel arch.
Also installing a tri fold table and we will place 2 small cabinets on each end of the arch cover.
The 2 recliner / swivel chairs have arrived and been assembled ( Very very comfortable. Just what we want)
I think I could do the reno myself, but at the end of the day it would still be Jay & Dee non professional presentation.
But prefer a Pro. job.
when completed Photos will be posted.
Jay&Dee