Traveling in a van is exciting because of the ample space on the rear and interior décor from cabinets. But if you are traveling a long distance, it can be tiresome. Thanks to campers with recliners where you can relax and have a feel–at–home experience.
You can put any recliner in your camper and offer your passengers a cozy feel while traveling. The recliner you choose for your van depends on the available space and how delicate they are because some may get damaged while trying to fit them in your camper.
Recliners help you break the monotony of sitting upright in one position for the entire journey. Moreover, regular recliners occupy more space and will limit the number you put in the van.
We have researched and compiled what you need to know about recliners, their various types, and the right dimensions when adding them to your van. Read and learn more from this post.
What is the Difference Between RV Recliners and Regular Recliners?
Recreational vehicle recliners are different from regular recliners in design, size, and material used to build them.
Here is a table of differences between the two types of recliners.
RV Recliners
Regular recliners
They are smaller because they are designed to fit the smaller space in the van
They are larger and occupy bigger space.
They are made of light wood to prevent them from exerting too much weight on the van. Some parts are made of plywood.
They are made from common wood and fabric and are heavier.
They are designed to withstand abrasion and movement within the van while traveling.
They cannot withstand frequent movement and easily get damaged.
Most lack a motion feature because there is limited space in the van.
They have a motion feature to help old and sick persons move around.
They are covered by polyurethanes, a synthetic fiber because it is light and can withstand extreme weather conditions while traveling.
They are covered by cotton, polyester, and leather. The fabric is not exposed to extreme conditions, making them last longer.
They are relatively short to keep passengers safe from bumping their heads on the cabinets.
They are relatively high because of plenty of space indoors.
They are secured by screwing them firmly to the floor of the vehicle
They are not secured and are easily movable.
What Are the Dimensions of RV Recliners?
The dimensions of RV recliners depend on the type and model. There are three main types of recliners used in recreational vehicles, with slightly different dimensions.
Small Size Recliners
Small size recliners have a 30-inch width and about 40 inches height. The sitting area (depth) is about 36 inches. If you plan to acquire small-size recliners for your van, each will occupy a 30×35 inches area. Small-size recliners are ideal for kids and petite people. If you frequently transport children and light-bodied customers, consider purchasing these sets of recliners.
Medium Sized Recliners
A medium-sized recliner is about 31inches wide and 38-42 inches high. The sitting area is about 40 inches. Medium recliners occupy a 40×42 inches space with a five-inch allowance for reclining. Persons between 6 feet 5 inches and 6 feet 9 inches tall are the ideal users of these classes of recliners. Also, young parents with toddlers can use them because they have enough space for the parent and baby.
Large-Sized Recliners
A recliner about 40 inches tall and 42 inches wide is a large recliner. The sitting area ranges between 40-45 inches and occupies at least 45×50 inches. To allow users to recline comfortably, a five-inch margin all around the space where the recliner sits is necessary.
People who want maximum comfort, those with a disability, and those with ill health should use a large recliner.
There is no standard dimension for recliners in any of the above categories. You can alter the dimensions to meet your needs and fit the available space.
Can You Put a Regular Recliner for Campers?
Yes, you can use a regular recliner in your RV if it has enough space. Regular campers occupy more space and can only be used in a van with adequate space. However, if you plan to put a regular coach in your van, consider the following factors.
Size of your van entrance. Most recreational vehicles have narrow entrances meant for passengers. A piece of home furniture is bigger than the entrance width, and it may not be easy to bring them into the van. If your van has sliding doors, you can easily put a regular coach inside before sliding the door back.
Space in your van. The amount of space for recliners in your recreational vehicle determines the type of seat to put there. If the space is large enough for home furniture, you can put them in the vehicle.
How will you keep them safe from damage? Unlike camper recliners, home furniture is built from heavy timber and natural fabric. These materials are fragile and can easily tear while transporting the furniture. If you plan to add them to your RV living room, you should look for a way to transport them while protecting them from damage.
Adding home furniture or recliners to your recreational vehicle is one way of giving your customers greater comfort as they travel. To avoid damaging them, you should minimize the distance you transport them before putting them in your vehicle.
How Do You Secure Regular Furniture in RV?
After putting your regular furniture in a recreational vehicle, you must take care of them and protect them from damage. Securing the furniture involves limiting its movement and preventing its cushions from falling off as the vehicle moves. There are many ways of securing your regular recliners in a vehicle. They include:
Fix them to the floor using bungee cords. To keep the furniture static, screw four eyebolts on the four corners of the couch and cover the couch with a net and fix it to the screws. The cords keep the seats and other items static hence protecting them from damage.
Protect the edges and keep the parts together using strapping tape. A strapping tape glued along the edges of your furniture protects it against wear and tear. To secure the parts, strap the cushions and other parts to the frame of your seats to keep them from falling.
Secure the furniture to the floor using metal brackets. You can fix the furniture to the floor by creating metal brackets and drilling the legs of the recliners before mounting them to the floor.
Hold cushions in place using Velcro straps. Home furniture comes with cushions that can fall off easily. This may cause discomfort for your passengers. Thanks to the Velcro straps, which secure your cushions tightly to the frame. This method of securing the cushions ensures they remain clean and protects them from tearing off.
Do All Recliners Come Apart?
Yes, all recliners come apart, and you can easily disassemble the backrest from the chair’s base. Recliners that come apart are easier to pack and transport when changing residence or transporting them after purchase.
The backrest of a recliner chair contains locking levers that you can open and lock easily using a screwdriver and pliers. Note that you should ensure the levers are unlocked before carefully pulling off the backrest to avoid breaking the levers.
After transportation or cleaning, you should put the dismantled backrest back into position and lock the levers. If the parts are not assembled well, they can fall apart and cause injury. This is why you have to ensure all recliner chairs are fixed and secured properly in your van and at home.
How Heavy is a Recliner?
The weight of a recliner depends on its size and type. Home furniture is built from heavy material, while RV ones are built using lighter material. A home recliner is, therefore, heavier than a vehicle recliner.
In addition, we have three main categories of reclining chairs, small, medium, and large. The small-sized chair weighs less than medium and large chairs.
For home chairs, the small-sized one weighs about 320 pounds while the medium one weighs about 350 pounds. The large-sized chair is the heaviest, with a mass greater than 380 pounds. Note that these masses may vary depending on the material making the frame and the type of fabric used.
Recreational vehicle recliners are lighter because of the low-density material used. Most RV chairs weigh about 100 pounds.
Conclusion
Recliners add to the elegance of our homes and recreational vehicles. Choosing the right type and size of a recliner is crucial to ensure ultimate comfort. Before acquiring the chairs, consider their users and any special needs they have. In addition, learn how to assemble and dismantle the chairs to avoid accidents and discomfort while on the chairs. And if you are purchasing them for recreation, study the market and know your audience before purchasing.
Traveling doesn’t have to be dull and tiresome, let your passengers derive comfort from reclining seats.
