Replace Jack-Knife Sofa

[Texas_Nomad]

I want to replace an uncomfortable jack-knife sofa in my small TT. It is located in the slide of my 2019 Coachmen Freedom Express 192RBS. It appears to me that a slightly elevated platform could be fabricated. It would need to be about 4" high to clear the wheel well and cover some wiring that is visible at the back. It would only need to be deep enough to allow a wall-hugging recliner to sit atop. The front edge of the platform could have a roller or casters like a mechanic's creeper. I'm handy with DIY projects but I would love for a few members to weigh in with their opinions and suggestions. Am I crazy to think this modification is possible? Thanks

[Texas_Nomad]

Thanks for your responses. I've spent a lot of time thinking about how this might be accomplished and decided not to undertake the project.

To lower the platform on which the jack-knife couch rests would require some interior welding that would have to be outsourced.

[JBarca]

Texas Nomad wrote:

I would scrap the old jack-knife sofa and replace it with a recliner. I was hoping someone on RV.Net might have already attempted something similar and could offer some tips.

Hi,

I have a friend who ditched their jack knife sofa and put in 2 recliners in their slide.

But, it depends on how your camper is built for this to work. What is under your jack knife sofa now?

On our prior camper, that jack knife sofa was in a non slide floor plan and the water heater and the furnace was under the sofa. That meant there was no good way to move the water heater or furnace, you had to deal with the sofa change in some other fashion on a platform etc. as opposed to a slide floor mounted recliner. Thus, it never happened and we sold the camper.

In the case of the friend with the sofa in the slide, there was an outside cargo door entry storage area under the sofa. They gave up the storage space, removed the wood framework inside the slide holding up the sofa frame which was part of the storage area. Then removed the entire sofa and storage woodwork. Now the floor is flush and wide open. Then 2 standard floor mount type of recliners fit in the slide space perfectly. There was a booth dinette also in this slide. The camper had what used to be called super slide. They are a little over 13 ft. long on the outside.

I have pics somewhere if it would help any, but it all starts with, what is under your sofa today and can you live without that floor space etc.?

Hope this helps

John

[Texas_Nomad]

ajriding wrote:
"Wall hugging"? Do you mean one that, when leaned back, does not go back? Not sure what you mean with the rollers.... You want to move the recliner forward on rollers to be able to recline?

Yes, I've heard them referred to a wall hugging recliners. They can be placed as close as 2" or 3" to the wall and not hit it upon reclining.

My slide is very narrow, too narrow to fit the depth of a recliner. I would need to fabricate a platform deep enough for the recliner to fit. It would need some kind of roller mechanism on the front edge of the platform so it did not gouge or scrape the floor as it moves in and out.

I would scrap the old jack-knife sofa and replace it with a recliner. I was hoping someone on RV.Net might have already attempted something similar and could offer some tips.

[ajriding]

"Wall hugging"? Do you mean one that, when leaned back, does not go back? They make recliners that only move forward so you can be against the wall when upright.

I was at first thinking for you to just take the sofa to an automotive, or to regular, upholstery shop. Have new foam put in, new fabric, make it comfortable...
A recliner is better for one person seating - more comfortable for sure.

A platform is no problem. Not sure what you mean with the rollers.... You want to move the recliner forward on rollers to be able to recline?
Maybe drawer slides instead of rollers if this is the case. You can get slides to hold any amount of weight.

[jdc1]

The only problem I could foresee is getting in and out of the recliner...if you are old like I. If you can find a recliner that you may be able to cut down a few inches, this might just work.