Community Forums

teddyu · 08-20-2012, 02:17 PM

As stated before, my coach is also affected - both captain's chairs and the couch. Been in contact with both Flexsteel and Flair Interiors (couch). Received estimates from both for new covers. Under $700 for all three. I'll pay to have the items recovered to restore the look of the coach. I'll keep the receipt for the work to show the next owner that I took care of the problem. My re-investment will be recovered when selling the coach. It is sad that I have to do this, but saving my investment is in my best interest. I'm trying to think that these items are no different than the tires, shocks, or brakes. Makes it a little easier, but... JM2¢...

bonabob · 08-21-2012, 11:34 PM

If Michilin or Goodyear had a reputation of the tread falling off their tires in a couple of years with very little mileage, they would go out of business. Don't let Damon/Thor get away with it. Let all future RV purchasers know the reputation of Damon/Thor when it comes to this particular situation. Who knows what may be down the road for we Damon/Thor owners. After all, our manufacturer cares more about the bottom line than the products they produce and the people who purchase them, which may also take into account any safety situations that may arise in the future.

okeefecrew · 08-27-2012, 08:37 AM

I've been reading this thread with interest. This does not appear to be only a Thor problem. My 2008 Fleetwood Fiesta LX has exactly the same problem. My seats are Flexsteel and Fleetwood advertised that it is covered in Ultraleather. My rig has only approximately 7000 miles and both front seats are cracking and the finish is flaking off exposing the cloth backing. I will be contacting Ultraleather about this problem. Has anyone heard back or received any response from Ultraleather yet?

docj · 08-27-2012, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okeefecrew

I've been reading this thread with interest. This does not appear to be only a Thor problem. My 2008 Fleetwood Fiesta LX has exactly the same problem. My seats are Flexsteel and Fleetwood advertised that it is covered in Ultraleather. My rig has only approximately 7000 miles and both front seats are cracking and the finish is flaking off exposing the cloth backing. I will be contacting Ultraleather about this problem. Has anyone heard back or received any response from Ultraleather yet?

I would suggest carefully reviewing the information Fleetwood provided about your MH to make sure that Ultraleather was actually specified by name. Ultraleather is a trade-marked fabric that has several very similar competitors. My impression is that sales people tend to say that furniture pieces are upholstered in Ultraleather because they are trying to say that it isn't real leather, but they don't realize that the product might be "similar" to Ultraleather but not the actual brand name product.

Triker56 · 08-27-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

I would suggest carefully reviewing the information Fleetwood provided about your MH to make sure that Ultraleather was actually specified by name. Ultraleather is a trade-marked fabric that has several very similar competitors.

Fleetwood bouchure on the 2008 Fiesta LX has Ultraleather as a option.
And is specified with that name in print. No salesman.
You can download all brochure's and some flyers of Fleetwood models at the below link. Fiesta models are in the Fleetwood RV Legacy Product Library

Most other models
Fleetwood RV Brochure Library

In my 1999 brochure they say it is a "Leather Power Driver Seat"
Maybe that is why it hasn't flaked or peeled yet.

okeefecrew · 08-27-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Triker56

Fleetwood bouchure on the 2008 Fiesta LX has Ultraleather as a option.
And is specified with that name in print. No salesman.
You can download all brochure's and some flyers of Fleetwood models at the below link. Fiesta models are in the Fleetwood RV Legacy Product Library

Most other models
Fleetwood RV Brochure Library

In my 1999 brochure they say it is a "Leather Power Driver Seat"
Maybe that is why it hasn't flaked or peeled yet.

Yes, thank you. I was going by what is stated in the Fleetwood brochure for my motorhome. I very clearly states "Ultraleather." My guess is that Ultraleather must have had a bad run of material during this time period, which is starting to show up after 3-4 years. It seems that Flexsteel is trying to blame Thor for supplying an inferior material, however I find it strange that my Ultraleather brand material is doing the exact same thing

.

billyb · 08-27-2012, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okeefecrew

I've been reading this thread with interest. This does not appear to be only a Thor problem. My 2008 Fleetwood Fiesta LX has exactly the same problem. My seats are Flexsteel and Fleetwood advertised that it is covered in Ultraleather. My rig has only approximately 7000 miles and both front seats are cracking and the finish is flaking off exposing the cloth backing. I will be contacting Ultraleather about this problem. Has anyone heard back or received any response from Ultraleather yet?

my 08 windsport brochure states "infinnis leather " , which is flexsteels brand, and it is doing the same thing. it doesn't say anything about "ultraleather". we sent an email 2 weeks ago to flexsteel ,and they never responded. we almost bought the fiesta lx, nice looking unit, but settled on the windsport because we got a better discount from "rvdirect
"

okeefecrew · 08-27-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billyb

my 08 windsport brochure states "infinnis leather " , which is flexsteels brand, and it is doing the same thing. it doesn't say anything about "ultraleather". we sent an email 2 weeks ago to flexsteel ,and they never responded. we almost bought the fiesta lx, nice looking unit, but settled on the windsport because we got a better discount from "rvdirect
"

The one thing in common so far is Flexsteel. Makes me wonder...

billyb · 08-27-2012, 02:33 PM

it looks like someone who knows how to do it, should get a class action lawsuit in the works, if they can get enough owners to join in.

okeefecrew · 08-27-2012, 03:41 PM

Here are some pics I just took of my 4 year old with 7000 miles Flexsteel Ultraleather seats:

Theluckys · 08-27-2012, 03:56 PM

Okeefecrew - Thanks for posting the pictures of the problem. I'm a late-comer to this thread and it's nice to see what people are complainin about.

Theluckys · 08-27-2012, 04:15 PM

Is this deterioration of the seats limited to the Damon/Thor Flexsteel or all Flexsteel?

Have any other MH owners had this problem as well?

The reason I ask is that we have Flexsteel fabric chairs and the Mrs wants to get leather chairs. According to Flexsteel there are three (3) types of materials:

Vinyl

Softec Leather (Polyurethane)

Genuine Ultraleather (Polyerethane)

Should I be concerned about purchasing replacement Ultraleather Captain's Chairs or should I be looking at another manufacturer?

G.G. · 08-27-2012, 04:20 PM

So, first it was Thor/Damon's fault for furnishing Flexsteel with an inferior product. Did Fleetwood provide Flexsteel with a bad product as well... and during the same time period? Something isn't adding up.

okeefecrew · 08-27-2012, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dance Chick

So, first it was Thor/Damon's fault for furnishing Flexsteel with an inferior product. Did Fleetwood provide Flexsteel with a bad product as well... and during the same time period? Something isn't adding up.

This is my question as well. Though my seats are supposed to be genuine Ultraleather, which is supposed to be the "good" stuff. My feeling is that no one is wanting to take responsibility and the various manufactures are trying to blame the other. Though I didn't post with the intent of getting my seats fixed for free, I am curious as to the extent of the problem and how many rv owners are stuck with an inferior product.