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myredracer's avatar
myredracer
Explorer II
Jan 10, 2014

Theater seating and sofas

We just got word that our new TT is coming off the production line in a few weeks. We had ordered theater seating but apparently they can't install it because it won't fit. The dealer didn't elaborate but when we looked up theater seating for an RV (CW offers a set) it seems it's not the width, but the depth from front to back that's the problem. It looks like it would be 5-6" deeper.

Does anyone know if this is typical with all theater seating? I measured our set at home and it is 39" deep, just like the CW set. This would be in our slide which is the side and it would reduce the distance to the dinette across from it. We were really looking forward to this.

Plan B: We are wondering if there are more comfortable sofas available? Ours (jacknife type) is not all that comfortable to sit in because it's not very deep, especially for longer periods. It's about 34" front to back. I have no idea if these types of sofas are typical in all TTs? We've got 74" in width available and could live with something a couple of inches deeper. Our manufacturer has a "deluxe sleeper sofa" available in a different model line and perhaps that would be a bit more comfortable. Something with a puffier front edge with more support would help, even if the depth stays the same.

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  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    I would have them delete the seating and buy a LazyBoy.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    So it's a recliner that was renamed to add an option and more $$$$$? Sounds like it's not worth it to me!
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    I see what you're saying. But in reality if you're in the chair reclined then when you get out it's in. So theoretically only one person would have to deal with one recliner being out. If they're both out then you're both in them. Make sense?

    We will have the same problem with our rear sofa. It's right in front of the door. So if someone's in the reclined position then someone couldn't go out or come in. Not really that big of a deal as we usually only sit around inside when it's rainy out or in the morning. Once we get up and rollin we are outside in the loungers:)

    It almost looks like two recliners would work better as you could swivel them if needed.
  • hitchup's avatar
    hitchup
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    We have a LazyBoy loveseat (Pinnacle) that replaced Lane Theater seats. We actually switched it from our trade because it's more comfortable than most RV or residential loveseats.

    It has to be pushed back towards wall to pull slides in, but there is enough clearance in front to recline and lift up the foot rest when slide is out and it's pulled away from the wall.

    Would 2 recliners work? They can be at an angle and give you room to walk into the hall to the bathroom.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    All of the wall-hugger ones that I saw on the internet were around 39-39.5". If it was 37", it *might" work. The problem is not when it's in the fully reclined position, it's when it's retracted. We don't have a problem when the slide is in, it's when the slide is out and it's in reclined position, it would protrude too much into the circulation space.

    Spree 262RKS For 2014, they squared off the bathroom wall. In the 2013, they had an angled wall which might have made it more possible to have up to 39" in depth.

    If we could find something, we'd have to delete the sofa and would be faced with getting it into the trailer. I'm not sure if these things can be partially dismantled easily or not.

    You're right about RV stuff being overpriced. At least not as bad as boating stuff. For example, Marinco shore power stuff is like double the price in a marine store... On the other hand, we're a little leery about lower priced furniture. Our home theater seating that's about 3 years old has genuine simulated leather and a lot of the outer coating (or whatever you'd call it) is wearing right off. It looked great in the showroom and the price was too good to pass up.... :(

    goducks10 wrote:
    You need to look for the 'Zero clearance-Wall hugger type sofas. I have been looking for one as well. I have 37" of clearance for the slide when it comes in. Also only 67" for width. If you go to some furniture stores and talk to the sales people you'll find more available than CW. IIRC Ashleys and Laz Y Boy don't have wall hugger type in theater seating. We found some really nice love seat sofas at a store near us that sells ElRan furniture out of Canada. They can take components and mix and match what you need. All were under the 37" we need and all were wall huggers. When you recline the back doesn't go back towards the wall. It will only go back when you full recline and it's about 8" more. My price was around $1200.00 for a love seat without the center console. I don't have enough room for one. Very nice quality. Overkill for the weekend camper. Shop around some. I find RV specific furniture way over priced. FWIW the sofa I mention comes shipped in two pieces so install would be easy. I think most chairs are probably shipped that way to save space.
  • goducks10's avatar
    goducks10
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    You need to look for the 'Zero clearance-Wall hugger type sofas. I have been looking for one as well. I have 37" of clearance for the slide when it comes in. Also only 67" for width. If you go to some furniture stores and talk to the sales people you'll find more available than CW. IIRC Ashleys and Laz Y Boy don't have wall hugger type in theater seating. We found some really nice love seat sofas at a store near us that sells ElRan furniture out of Canada. They can take components and mix and match what you need. All were under the 37" we need and all were wall huggers. When you recline the back doesn't go back towards the wall. It will only go back when you full recline and it's about 8" more. My price was around $1200.00 for a love seat without the center console. I don't have enough room for one. Very nice quality. Overkill for the weekend camper. Shop around some. I find RV specific furniture way over priced. FWIW the sofa I mention comes shipped in two pieces so install would be easy. I think most chairs are probably shipped that way to save space.
  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    CW's offering: CW theater seating

    Pretty much the same as a fixed rocker but attached together with a console between seats.

    Just did some googling on space-saving and wall-hugger models but they are the same depth.

    For something closer to real theater seats, there's this: theater seats Would take up less space and look very comfy... ;)

    Maybe the problem with the sofas is that they are pretty much all uncomfortable.
  • PawPaw_n_Gram's avatar
    PawPaw_n_Gram
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Theater seating requires extra depth for the recliner function to work correctly unless it is a really high end set.

    Let me see if I understand this correctly - the manufacturer offered theater seating as an option - and now says that it won't fit in the space?

    Is it obstructed by slides, or what?

    As far as other sofa's - I've never found a comfortable sofa bed. There is one in our current TT. It's better than the jackknife in our previous TT, but only marginally so.

    That's why we have a model with two Lazy Boy recliners.

    Could that be an option for you? \

    Two recliners which can be turned sideways for slide/ closure clearance. Ours have to be turned sideways to bring in the opposing slides.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    I just read about "theatre seating" in an ad in Trailer Life. So, what is theatre seating? The only theatre seating I know is where the row behind you is higher than the other!

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