Swivel seats in Ford Class C

Can these Ford based swivel seats be used in the 90 Degree position OR do they need to be the full 180 degrees. The way I see it is, if the passenger seat were comfortable to use while facing the drivers seat then the floor height might not be an issue for us in the over 70 crowd.

What's needed is an after-market RV cab seat swivel mechanism that also has adjustable height.

Many Class C motorhomes have a coach area with a bit higher floor than the cab floor so as to, among other reasons, provide taller/larger outside storage areas. So a swiveled seat needs to also be raised to make it's seating position as close as possible the same as other seats in the coach area. There is enough head room in the cab area to have a swiveled passenger seat be temporarily raised a bit higher when facing back and still not have it's occupant hit their heads on the cab ceiling or cabover bed bottom. We usually even have the rearward section of our cabover bed shoved forward and stacked up on top of the forward section of the bed when not using the bed, so there is of course plenty of headroom above the passenger seat should it be swiveled to the back and raised at the same time.

If not raised - just try getting out of a swiveled seat onto the coach area floor when the coach area floor is 3-5 inches higher than the cab area floor. It's pretty tough unless you're a kid ... especially if the good old knees aren't those of a kid.

Dakzuki wrote:
Not a Ford but the swivel seats in our Sprinter based RV are great. They go up and down so when turned aft, we just adjust them up all the way. They are perfect for kicking back reading a book or a 15 minute power nap with the seat reclined. Sheepskin covers are the icing on the cake.

We tried the seats in a Solera and I thought they were great. They sat low to the floor, which bothers some people but it made a good foot rest as far as I was concerned. Maybe they could have been jacked up a little higher, but not too much, I don't think. The Solera's cab floor is probably 5-6" down from the coach floor.

Not a Ford but the swivel seats in our Sprinter based RV are great. They go up and down so when turned aft, we just adjust them up all the way. They are perfect for kicking back reading a book or a 15 minute power nap with the seat reclined. Sheepskin covers are the icing on the cake.

We have a swivel passenger seat as shown in this picture. To be honest, the only time we use it is when we have guests when more seats are needed. Otherwise it stays forward with rare exception.

FYI: Our front seats don't have door-side armrests. If the passenger seat had one, it might be harder to swivel.

We can spin the passenger seat, but not the drivers seat because of the steering
wheel. It works in a pinch but is a PITA!

Brian

We have an after market swivel on the pass. seat. As most have mentioned it's a pain to swivel and probably easiest to to do from outside the passenger door. Once it's done, you do have an extra cabin seat and it is a recliner. Nice for reading or taking a nap.

Couple things to watch for:
On another unit, the base was angled up in the normal position, when turned around it angled down - very uncomfortable.

If there is a rise in the cabin floor, behind the seat, it makes it tough for some folks to get out of the seat.

Norm

Pretty fiddly in my E350 based Pheonix Cruiser, but once in a while ill spend the time to swivel the pass seat. Mainly because I can.

I hope I did the photo correctly. I purchased Two Swivel bases from a Coachmen Dealer (also used on Forest River units. I installed both in only a couple of hours. The swivels are made by Atwood (yes there is a left and a right) and cost about $370 each plus shipping. There is a lever on the inboard side that moves the seat at a 45 degree angle back and center, permitting clearance from dash/steering wheel or side doors. I did add about 3/4" in spacers to increase height some. My floor behind seats is only a bout 1.25" higher than the cab floor. They work great but some may feel they are to low when turned and I agree it would be nice to have a power seat option raising them. May research that in the future.
Video at River Forest showing them turning the seat see: https://www.facebook.com/ForestRiverClassC
Also see: http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f18/swivel-seats-32330-5.html POST #49 for photo of his installation (looks similar to mine.)
I agree if you have a dinette or other item close to your seat back then a swivel is not for that seat.

In my 1983 Jamboree the floor plan is open. We went camping with some friends and when we cooked outside, we were invaded by a swarm of wasps. We moved indoors, put up the table and swiveled the seats around. Everyone had a nice seat and was comfortable for some brekky.

I have been paintballing on a weekend and everyone was in the RV to hang out at the end of the night. We used the seats then as well. I like the swivel seats and have used them. I think they ROCK!!!

Jose