Hi all, Brand new members here. First post. After some advice from you seasoned travelers. We travelled up the middle and down the west coast for 3 months in 2014 and did the east coast in 2018. We're about to buy our retirement van and want to have recliners. Option 1 - brand new build with recliners or option 2 - a modern used van. If I we get a used van, how easy is it to remove the seating etc so we can have the non-fixed recliners? And can you do it yourself? Cheers Cummo
Possum3 said
12:00 PM Dec 1, 2023
Welcome Cummo,
Type and age of forever van is dictated by your tastes and depth of pockets.
A new van by the reputable builders would be my preference (mind you there are only about 5 vans I would ever consider, Kedron Trackmaster, Bushmaster, Evernew, Explorex).
They are expensive with customer focused servicing and warranty (for the life of the van).
Removal of cafe type seating in any van will most likely require carpentery/cabinetry skills - they will never be an unbolt/unscrew and replace.
KJB said
12:39 PM Dec 1, 2023
CummoSue wrote:
Hi all, Brand new members here. First post. After some advice from you seasoned travelers. We travelled up the middle and down the west coast for 3 months in 2014 and did the east coast in 2018. We're about to buy our retirement van and want to have recliners. Option 1 - brand new build with recliners or option 2 - a modern used van. If I we get a used van, how easy is it to remove the seating etc so we can have the non-fixed recliners? And can you do it yourself? Cheers Cummo
Just keep in mind the weight factor (the enemy of caravans..).....and will they fit through the door! I have seen that some "recliners" can be quite heavy .....especially compared to the lightweight original caravan style seating.........
-- Edited by KJB on Friday 1st of December 2023 12:51:17 PM
BarneyBDB said
05:44 PM Dec 1, 2023
Also keep in mind what is under the seats and can it be re located?
In my case it is the batteries, electrics and water heater.
Gundog said
06:31 PM Dec 1, 2023
Approximatly 8 years ago we removed the cafe seating from our Jayco Sterling, it was basically tech screws and self tappers, we started with 2 recliners chairs but they took up too much room, and then we brought office chairs from Officeworks, and they suit us.
I think in hindsight my choice would be a new van build, optioned to our preferances.
CummoSue said
09:15 AM Dec 8, 2023
Thank you Possum3
CummoSue said
09:16 AM Dec 8, 2023
Thanks Barney
CummoSue said
09:18 AM Dec 8, 2023
Thanks Gundog
CummoSue said
09:19 AM Dec 8, 2023
Thanks KJB. Whichever way we go the recliners we're planning on getting are the lightweight style with foot stools.
Hi all, Brand new members here. First post. After some advice from you seasoned travelers. We travelled up the middle and down the west coast for 3 months in 2014 and did the east coast in 2018. We're about to buy our retirement van and want to have recliners. Option 1 - brand new build with recliners or option 2 - a modern used van. If I we get a used van, how easy is it to remove the seating etc so we can have the non-fixed recliners? And can you do it yourself? Cheers Cummo
Type and age of forever van is dictated by your tastes and depth of pockets.
A new van by the reputable builders would be my preference (mind you there are only about 5 vans I would ever consider, Kedron Trackmaster, Bushmaster, Evernew, Explorex).
They are expensive with customer focused servicing and warranty (for the life of the van).
Removal of cafe type seating in any van will most likely require carpentery/cabinetry skills - they will never be an unbolt/unscrew and replace.
Just keep in mind the weight factor (the enemy of caravans..).....and will they fit through the door! I have seen that some "recliners" can be quite heavy .....especially compared to the lightweight original caravan style seating.........
-- Edited by KJB on Friday 1st of December 2023 12:51:17 PM
In my case it is the batteries, electrics and water heater.
Approximatly 8 years ago we removed the cafe seating from our Jayco Sterling, it was basically tech screws and self tappers, we started with 2 recliners chairs but they took up too much room, and then we brought office chairs from Officeworks, and they suit us.
I think in hindsight my choice would be a new van build, optioned to our preferances.
Thank you Possum3
Thanks Barney
Thanks Gundog
Thanks KJB. Whichever way we go the recliners we're planning on getting are the lightweight style with foot stools.