I started reading ChewyRV's post about upgrading to a newer model RV and decided I needed to post this as a warning. Our 2015 Fleetwood Expedition's furniture started to crack and peel. Now mind you, this furniture has been well taken care of. Cleaned with recommended cleaner and protected with recommended leather protector. No animals and no children. Bradd and Hall in Elkhart told us the "stuff" (play on words)the RV manufactures put in these units is not meant to last. They also told us they are making good money on replacing this so called leather furniture...as a final word on the subject, if you plan on "Upgrading" be careful of the furniture in your new unit. You could ended up down-grading. And as a foot note, Fleetwood reminded us of the "ONE YEAR warranty" And ChewyRV, rethink the Fleetwood part.

The upholstery is NOT actual animal hide leather but a man made product that has prompted many complaints about it peeling and cracking.

Real leather doesn't peel - you have bonded leather and cheap bonded leather at that. Pretty common problem and some mfg may help if you complain long/hard - but don't count on it.

ksg5000 wrote:Real leather doesn't peel - you have bonded leather and cheap bonded leather at that.Yep ! The top thin layer is called "plating".Modern "synthetic leathers" (vinyl) are much more durable. Personally, I like cloth, especially microfiber.

While shopping for an RV in 2018, we found a unit that was in the sweet spot for price and configuration. That was, until the photos the owner sent to us showed slip covers on all the furnishing. I asked specifically about bonded leather failure, and the owner waffled until I asked for photos without the slip covers. The sale site was deleted and I never heard from the gent again. Caveat empor indeed.

I could be wrong but the stuff thats failing isn't bonded leather. It's a bad run of man-made stuff that has been discussed here at length. Sadly, very few are getting much help from either the coach builders who used it or the manufacturer who put the furniture together.

"Leather" coming apart and peeling | Good Sam Community

SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2020
If you want real leather, you need to buy a Prevost. Everything (including the seats in your ride) is 'faux' leather.
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jan 12, 2020
I could be wrong but the stuff thats failing isn't bonded leather. It's a bad run of man-made stuff that has been discussed here at length.

Sadly, very few are getting much help from either the coach builders who used it or the manufacturer who put the furniture together.
Yankee_Clipper
Explorer
Jan 12, 2020
While shopping for an RV in 2018, we found a unit that was in the sweet spot for price and configuration. That was, until the photos the owner sent to us showed slip covers on all the furnishing. I asked specifically about bonded leather failure, and the owner waffled until I asked for photos without the slip covers. The sale site was deleted and I never heard from the gent again. Caveat empor indeed.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2020
ksg5000 wrote:
Real leather doesn't peel - you have bonded leather and cheap bonded leather at that.

Yep ! The top thin layer is called "plating".

Modern "synthetic leathers" (vinyl) are much more durable. Personally, I like cloth, especially microfiber.
ksg5000
Explorer
Jan 12, 2020
Real leather doesn't peel - you have bonded leather and cheap bonded leather at that. Pretty common problem and some mfg may help if you complain long/hard - but don't count on it.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2020
The upholstery is NOT actual animal hide leather but a man made product that has prompted many complaints about it peeling and cracking.

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"Leather" coming apart and peeling

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