Community Forums

youracman · 03-19-2013, 07:58 PM

I am looking at used 5th wheels online (shorter/lighter ones) and I note that many floor plans that interest me have the two "easy" chairs at the far (rear) end of the 5'er. I would wager that those chairs are firmly bolted to the floor.

For the last 8 yrs or so I have had to sleep in a recliner (not uncommon for us really old dudes, I am told) but I am wondering if there is room width-wise to utilize a pwr recliner in place of one of the existing recliners/easy chairs there at the end of the trailer (maybe by removing the "end table" that is usually installed between them.)

Also, not many recliners have a "zero wall clearance" feature.....I doubt that any of the power recliners do. I did notice that one "5'er for sale" ad showed one of those 2-piece Euro recliners with its ottoman sitting "side saddle" where the 2 chairs were originally. Looked clunky, but was perhaps the only way it would work for him.

My only RV experience was with a little 20ft Terry "stick trailer" I bought new in the 60's (for $3,500).......pulled it thousands of miles and it cost me the whole repair sum of one new tire

I do remember though that I had to secure things inside pretty well before I took off with it. So, whatcha think? Would it be feasible to use a recliner out away from the wall at night; scoot it back during the day, and then perhaps engineer a way to clamp it down before "heading out"? I just think I could make it work. Heck, maybe you RV folks do this sort of thing all the time........

TIA for our advice. Ed S in Fairview, TX

tuffr2 · 03-19-2013, 09:31 PM

I would say 'yes' you could do that easy if you can get the original chairs out and the new wizz bang chair thru the door.

You could probably reuse the original anchors points too.

jdoc · 03-19-2013, 10:26 PM

When we got our Hitchiker Champagne back in 2003 we had the Euro Recliners put in it along the the ottomans that matched. They were not bolted down you moved the table that went between them turned them sideways facing each other. We then put the ottomans between them and the end table was put between the slides. They rode that way for many miles without any problems at all. We just wished we would have kept them when we traded it for our Bounder DP.

Jerry

Clydengail · 03-19-2013, 10:37 PM

My 5er has two regular Lazy Boy recliners that we move wherever we want when parked. For travel, they ride back to back and strapped together.

youracman · 03-19-2013, 10:58 PM

Thanks guys. Great input. Most all recliners come apart easily (the back comes off making two parts to transport, etc) I hadn't thought about clearance for entry though, so I would need to verify that will not be a problem cuz I reckon is sure could be. Strapping a couple of chairs together (or just strapping the new recliner to the remaining original chair....which is attached to the floor... seems like a great idea.) Nice and simple.

I had visions of the chair slamming into the stairs in front in the event of a hard/panic stop, but maybe I worry too much.

Thanks again .......

chuck123 · 03-21-2013, 06:50 PM

We had two recliners in the rear of our open road. They weren't attached to the floor we just had to move them sideways to clear the slide while traveling.

mcouncil · 03-25-2013, 10:27 AM

We substituted one of the stock recliners for an electric power lift chair in our rig and haven't had any problems with it. It rides without being tied to anything.

Bill1374 · 04-02-2013, 01:40 PM

I've had 2 fifths with the recliners in the rear and neither were fastened to the floor. Set them back to back for travel and they stayed put. Went to the euro recliners in this trailer and I love them. They are in the slide and not fastened so travel back to back.

Bill

Happy Prospector · 04-02-2013, 06:30 PM

We bought our power recliners, with removable backs from Lazy Boy, and when you set them to heavy vibrate, unless the tires are securely blocked the trailer will vibrate on down the road. Hit the Lazy Boy Store and give them a try.