Has anyone put in a second couch?

[Buddy and Beverly]

We have a 36' FDDS, and are wondering about the feasability of putting a second couch in place of the recliner. Has anyone done this? If so, how long can the couch be? Also, does it have to be really low back because of the window. I know that some come with two couches, and I can't remember about the windows (nor even about the size of couches). We feel we need more sleeping space (maybe more room).

This is prompted due to sad news on Friday. Our son, Timothy, age 43, was diagnosed with a genetic macular disorder that was supposedly present at birth but has now manifested itself. He is almost blind in one eye, and the condition has now shown up in the other eye. He was told that medically nothing could be done. Also, on Friday, his wife was hospitalized and gave birth to a son, their first child. We would like to take some trips together.

There are many friends and relatives who are praying for him. I have not met most of you; but I feel that, in a way, you are my friends, too. Many of you helped so often when we had problems with our coach and never were condescending when we had even simple ones that we couldn't figure out. For those of you who believe in prayer, we would appreciate them for Tim.

Beverly and Buddy

[Buddy and Beverly]

We have a 36' FDDS, and are wondering about the feasability of putting a second couch in place of the recliner. Has anyone done this? If so, how long can the couch be? Also, does it have to be really low back because of the window. I know that some come with two couches, and I can't remember about the windows (nor even about the size of couches). We feel we need more sleeping space (maybe more room).

This is prompted due to sad news on Friday. Our son, Timothy, age 43, was diagnosed with a genetic macular disorder that was supposedly present at birth but has now manifested itself. He is almost blind in one eye, and the condition has now shown up in the other eye. He was told that medically nothing could be done. Also, on Friday, his wife was hospitalized and gave birth to a son, their first child. We would like to take some trips together.

There are many friends and relatives who are praying for him. I have not met most of you; but I feel that, in a way, you are my friends, too. Many of you helped so often when we had problems with our coach and never were condescending when we had even simple ones that we couldn't figure out. For those of you who believe in prayer, we would appreciate them for Tim.

Beverly and Buddy

[takepride]

He certainly has ours (prayers).

Couch-wise... look in the original sales brochures for options on the second couch (also earlier years).

However, you ought to be able to bolt down anything you like, that fits, and still opens fully. Flexsteel and Villa ought to have something appropriate.

Since the windows are valanced, a too tall couch would just need to set out a couple inches from the wall, but most folding couches require that spacing anyhow. Just verify the area needed (behind) for the unfolding, before bolting it down. A test run at install time will allow you to gauge it perfectly.

[J R Sprague]

Have followed many of your difficulties on this form with your coach. We will keep you and your family in our prayers during this time of need with your son and his family. If your travels bring you to Eastern Washington and you need a place to stay please contact us.

Rod and Karen Sprague

[Tom and Patty]

Beverly and Buddy,

Sorry to hear about your son. We will keep him in our prayers.

We just took our couch out. It sat behind Patty (passenger side). Thankfully it came apart in three pieces, both arms unbolt and then you are left with the seating area itself. You might look for that, in order to get it through the 26" door. Otherwise you might have to remove a window. The couch did hide the window a bit, but not much. Adding up the pieces (3) I get about 67-68 inches.

We took our couch out to give more room to Kayla our 15+ year old GSD.

If you were closer we could trade

[dgerstel]

Beverly and Buddy,

We are sorry to hear of your family's health issues and will pray for you.

When we met at the factory in May or June last year, I thought that we showed you our interior, but with meeting so many nice folks, it is hard to remember who saw what. We got our coach with 2 couches. It makes the room for the chair at the front of the dinette a little tight, but is not a problem. It does make into a short bed, makes that area more open when the slide is in and allows more people to sit comfortably. The passenger side couch just sits on the floor and is attached to the wall. You can probably make any couch of the right dimensions work. If you don't mind the possible higher cost, you can probably get a matching couch from FlexSteel.

Dale

[gjstacy]

Beverly and Buddy,

We can't help you with your sofa question, but wanted to let you know that you, your son and his family will be in our prayers. We hope the joy of traveling with you will help ease the sorrow of your son's eyesight loss.

[Lindenberg]

My 36 FDS has a sofa behind the passenger seat.
http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/a/07/c3/09/24_4.JPG
http://i13.ebayimg.com/04/a/07/b9/c9/4b_4.JPG

There is a heater duct that comes up under the sofa and runs to a register that is located on the side of the sofa directly behind the passenger seat.
http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/a/07/c6/b6/d2_4.JPG

The bottom front of the sofa lifts off just like the sofa behind the driver's seat for easy access to the storage area under the sofa.

[Buddy and Beverly]

Thanks for your replies. As of last night, we decided to chuck the idea of a second couch. Until Lindenberg mentioned ducts, I had completely forgotten about this. When I went to look at our MH, I realized the duct would be directly under the couch. Buddy doesn't want to start modifying things like this.

Also, we don't think we could get the recliner out without going thru a window, even if we could bring the couch in in parts. We have had such good luck with our coach regarding no leaks in slides or windows (and we have been in horrific thunderstorms with slides out), that Buddy said he did not want to start messing with it and maybe start some problems. Guess the whole idea of a second couch was not as simple as I first thought.

Thanks for these suggestions anyway, and thanks for prayers.

Thanks, Spragues, for the offer of a place to stay. Some day we take you up on it. Likewise, you are welcome here.

Beverly