Okay....so this may be a really stupid question, but my husband is stumped!!!

We just purchased a 2004 Winnebago Sightseer with 12,000 miles on it. According to the records kept by the previous owner, it only had it's oil changed once.....and they never changed the air filer, so my husband is in the process, as we speak, of changing the oil. He wants to change the air filter, but in order to do so, according to the manual, you have to take out the center "hump" between the driver seat and the passenger seat by unscrewing the drink holder....then loosening the screw on the rear of the "hump". According to the manual, it's an air-tight seal and you should be able to lift it up and pull it off.......but he's been working on it for about an hour and it won't come!!! It's loose....but doesn't seem to want to come out!!! Do any of you have ANY tips?? This is a smart, mechanical guy....so I feel for him! Thank you in advance for any tips!
Shelley