How to Extend the Life of Trailer/RV Furniture
Updated 08/22/2021 | Published 05/27/2018
Question:
We just had a horrifying experience with the upholstery on the furniture in the used 2015 fifth wheel we bought Within the first week, the upholstery began to peel! I am skittish about buying anything that isnt true leather now, but synthetic is all I can find. Has anyone had this experience with any of your products? What type of upholstery should I buy/avoid?
asked by: Cathy T
Expert Reply:
Since Thomas Payne is all that we carry (as of May 2018) I am not well versed on what kind of other materials are used for products from other manufacturers, but the Thomas Payne RV Dual Reclining Sofa # 195-018-019-020 does use PolyHyde Euro leather vinyl upholstery with a polymer coating. This material is great for maintenance and it does resemble leather for a nice look, but it wears just like household furniture would.
The reason why your furniture started peeling within the first week of you using it is because it wasn't taken care of properly by the previous owner. Any furniture will wear quicker in a trailer because when the trailer isn't in use the furniture is subject to the heat or cold of the outside. If the sun is constantly shining through the windows on the furniture that will wear it down as well. If pets are allowed on the furniture then that will also contribute.
To help the life of the Dual Reclining Sofa # 195-018-019-020 last longer you will need to try to keep it shielded from the sun while in storage as well as find ways so that the heat or cold isn't so extreme inside the trailer.
Jane S.
5/23/2020
While what ‘EXPERT’ Jon G said would normally be true....it’s NOT true in this situation. RV upholstery from 2012-2015 (maybe 2016 too) was this wonderful Pleather material. Looked great, felt great, but deteriorated, shredded to the touch after a year or two. Had nothing to do with the care of previous owner, just a poor product they no longer use in RV’s. It happened to us with a 2015 Siesta Mercedes Sprinter.....on the TEST DRIVE! (This was in 2018). It looked great when we walked in, drove like a dream.....then when the salesman stood up, the upholstery from sofa was Shredded all over the seat of his pants! Warning: if you buy an RV from that time frame, you must factor in the cost of re-upholstering. Our cost was over $3,000, we used marine grade vinyl. Excellent choice for comfort and durability......the RV dealership gave us a $400 credit??.