RV Seats: Standard and Custom Options, Pricing and More

By Tricia Vaughn
How To Guides and Hacks

One of the most important parts of any RV? The RV seats. From the captain chairs in the cab to the sofa and recliners, the seats in your RV ensure you have a comfortable place to rest your feet after a long day of exploring. For this reason, it’s important that your RV seats are comfortable, meaning you may find yourself needing to replace your RV seats as they become old and worn out. 

In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know to replace your RV seats. From types of RV seats to RV seat pricing, we’ll cover it all. 

A Comparison of RV Seats

RV seats don’t come cheap. Below is a table outlining what you can expect to pay for RV seats, depending on the type you need.

Captain Chairs

First let’s take a look at Captain Chairs. When you think of RV seats, these may be the first that come to mind. These are the seats that can make or break a long day of driving for both the driver and co-pilot. When making the decision to purchase a set of captain chairs, this is not the place to cut corners. You will want good quality, comfortable chairs that fit your personal shape and size.

Class A Captain Chairs

These seats are usually level with the main floor of your RV. They will normally swivel around and can be used as dining room chairs, or to view the TV or another focal point in your living room such as a fireplace. Class A seats may even recline, or have additional options such as built in heat or a remote controlled massage feature.

Class C Captain Chairs

These are the “little brothers” to the Class A chairs and one major difference is these chairs don’t usually recline. Unlike the Class A type that are on the same level as the interior, the Captain chairs in a Class C motorhome are located in the step down cab of the interior. It is still very important to choose one that meets your needs and level of comfort.

Material Options

Both Class A and Class C chairs can be covered in your choice of material. Some of the options are vinyl, fabric, a durable polyurethane in either haloleather or ultraleather, and a top of the line kashmira fabric which is super soft and classed as heavy for duty wear.

Extra Options

  • Adjustable arms
  • Manual or power lumbar
  • Remote swivel
  • Remote slide and swivel
  • Heated seats
  • Build in massage

Average Captain Chair Price

As you can see, there are a wide variety of options for captain chairs which leads to a wide variety of prices. You can expect to pay at least $350 – $500 for economy, $500-$900 for middle class, and $900 and up for top of the line captain chairs.

Both Class A and Class C captain chairs should meet the federal and industry safety standards, which you will find with any reputable company.

One important factor is to make sure the seats you purchase are designed specifically for your RV. Did you know that your insurance company can deny coverage in an accident if your seats are not approved for the vehicle you have? Most companies that sell RV seats clearly state which options are for which specific class of motorhome.

RV Sofa

Now let’s talk about another seat in your RV – the sofa. This piece of RV furniture is replaced more often than other pieces of furniture. The sofa is a lot like the kitchen in your home, a general place for people to congregate. The first place most people go to when they come into your RV is your sofa.

In addition to a comfy place to sit, RV sofas usually convert into a bed. Now if it’s just two people traveling in an RV this may not be an important factor. But if you are like me, with two kids and one of them who always wants to bring a friend, you’ll agree that we need all the extra sleeping space we can get! 

Types of RV Sofas

There are several different types of RV sofas out there. The list below will help you determine which type might be best for you and your RV. 

  • Easy Bed – This type of RV sofa lifts up and pulls out to form a bed. You sleep lengthwise. These are best for occasional use only.
  • Magic Bed – This type converts by lifting the seat base and pulling it out towards you while the legs support the bed. You also sleep lengthwise, and it fits standard double bed sheets providing more room than the Easy bed.
  • Sofa Sleeper – This type of sofa converts into a full size bed, with a slightly shorter width. The added size takes up more room in your RV.  Usually 86-inches of clearance is required for a sofa sleeper. They also use standard mattress sheets up to a queen size.
  • Jackknife Sofa – The jackknife sofa is commonly found in Class C Motorhomes or travel trailers and pulls out like the Easy beds.
  • Fold and Tumble Sofa Sleeper – This sofa provides the advantage of a larger bed with a built-in inflatable mattress. Queen sheets will fit this bed, and it requires about 10-inches less space than the standard sofa sleeper.

Average RV Sofa Price

RV sofa prices start at around $300 for a basic jackknife sofa, but can get up into the $2000-$3000 range when you start looking at the nicer and more customizable options out there. 

A great way to save on RV sofas? Consider buying your RV sofa (and other RV furniture) used. 

RV Recliners

Just like RV Sofa Beds, RV Recliners come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials to fit your needs.

Some even come as double recliners with a fold down drink holder or storage compartment in the middle. This type could be used to replace a sofa. Some also come with a remote massage feature – just think how great that’ll feel after a long day of driving! 

RV recliners come in many shapes and styles as well. If you’re concerned about space, RV recliners are a great choice because they come in some really narrow sizes. Some are small enough to fit in a 29-inch wide opening, and they also break down to fit through the door of your RV.

Average RV Recliner Price

We’ve found decent RV recliners for around $300 and we’ve seen super nice double recliners for $1000+. Obviously, the more options and features you want, the more you’re going to pay, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to keep it basic. 

Remember to let your style flow into your RV and most importantly, choose furniture that you find comfortable and enjoyable to use. This will make your rig more like a home and will ensure you have a comfortable place to return to after each adventure you take. 

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