Drivers/passenger Seat Upgrade on a 1999 Shasta Sprite?

[jimx200]

We are really enjoying our 1999 Shasta Sprite with Ford 350 chassis and Triton V10. However, we would like to upgrade both the driver and passenger seats since ours are too soft, not supportive, and don't have headrests. Looking for suggestions on aftermarket seats or even used ones (model/year, etc) from a later model rv at a wrecking yard. Comments most welcome!

[Naio]

Subscribing because I would like a different seat in my van. I tried one of those $100 pads, but it was less good than just stuffing a pillow behind my back. I'd like a less duct-tape-ish solution, though 🙂

[tatest]

I like the XLT standard seats in my 2013 E-350 van better than the Winnebago-supplied seats in my 2004 motorhome, because they fit me better (I'm short) and provide more back support. The seats in the RV are OK, but the seats in the XLT-trim van are better.

But what works for me might not work for you. People come in all shapes and sizes and fitting a seat can be harder than fitting a shoe or a pair of slacks. There are a lot of aftermarket seats out there for vans, as well as OEM seats that work quite well for some people, but you need to personally try them out.

This is not easy, the finding and the trying. Over the years I've sold, given away, or just quit road tripping with half a dozen vehicles because the seats that felt fine on a 30 minute test drive and worked out fine for short trips around town turned out to be back killers when sitting and driving for stretches of four hours or longer. The experience has taught me that seat height and length are critical, as well as being able to adjust for an upright position. Legs stretched out, slouching, slightly reclining all cause back problems for me. Soft springing doesn't work because it means slouching. Best seat for me is a straight-back wooden kitchen chair with a short seat, hard to find that in a motor vehicle.

So I am getting better at finding seating that works. The more you understand about what you need, the less likely you'll get something that doesn't work any better than what you have.

[Tyler0215]

Check out the local junk yard. Lots of seats available. You would probably need a custom made base to mate the the seat frame to the floor of your rig; but a welding shop should be able to do that reasonably.

[cgmartine]

I have the same problem on my 2008 Tioga. I checked around with upholstery shops, and found the costs prohibitive. I also checked for used chairs, but they hover around $250.00 and up. The best alternative is just to get one of those plastic/fiber pads that you attack to the outside of the chairs. There are some with massage settings. Look on Ebay, they run from about $85.00 and up.