Fabrics and Formica

[KarenH]

The only input I have on this subject is that unless something is very wrong with the foam, avoid having to replace it. It would be pricey to ship and medium- or high-density foam is terribly expensive. I know from having to replace cushions in my old pop-up tent trailer...over $300 just for the bottom cushions around the dinette.

Edited: Like gbaglo, I have the stock fabric and have had no issues with it. In fact, I spilled my inaugural celebratory drink on it the first night and it cleaned up beautifully. And after two years, it still looks great.

[gbaglo]

My 17B is seven years old. All the original fabric is just fine. Where I sit at the front dinette could use a cleaning. Other than that I have nothing to report and no reason to get new upholstery.

[Fox hunt]

i was also wondering about changing out the cushions /window pieces- mine are still nice but i would like more color. My big table is always a bed so i never see the cushions so maybe just slip covers for the small dinning table cushions and the window toppers?

[KarenH]

If you have sewing skills, there's no reason any of that couldn't be done to jazz up the Lark. Or ETI could do it but it may be prohibitively expensive.

[gbaglo]

Why not throws or pillows?

[E-pad]

Well, Escape wants $626.50 for new cushions and covers, which I feel is pricey. But I haven't researched any other options yet.
By the way, how would you go about replacing the fabric on the window valences?
Cypherian, if you don't mind my asking, what did you finally do with yours...get them steam cleaned, dry cleaned, or get new ones?

[float5]

No reason to use Escape for that from NC and pay shipping. Your local places will do it. Don't know why you would replace the foam.

We chose Sunbrella partly because of condensation. Sunbrella has little in the way of the kind of print usually seen in a trailer but Sunbrella should be very tough and cleanable compared to other fabrics. We bought a dark solid that should hide any possible stains. But we expect that stains can be cleaned better on it than on other fabrics.

We have had steam cleaning elsewhere but we also have a little steam cleaner at home that we have used on the cushions.

[KarenH]

Originally Posted by E-pad

Well, Escape wants $626.50 for new cushions and covers, which I feel is pricey.

Wow, I disagree and think that given the cost of foam, the fabric, and the labor involved, that's a very reasonable price...and I don't even know if you're talking about just the front dinette or the whole trailer.

[techfan]

Originally Posted by E-pad

Well, Escape wants $626.50 for new cushions and covers, which I feel is pricey. But I haven't researched any other options yet.
By the way, how would you go about replacing the fabric on the window valences?
Cypherian, if you don't mind my asking, what did you finally do with yours...get them steam cleaned, dry cleaned, or get new ones?

Two screws hold the valences in place. Once removed, you will see that the fabric is simply folded, tucked and stapled. Easy replacement.

[gbaglo]

Quality foam is not cheap, or even close.

[Donna D.]

Follow any of the all-molded towable forums, you'll find replacement for foam and fabrics can cost (easily) $1,500.

Those on the Casita Forum KNOW where Casita manufacturing has the upholstery work done. IF you're a new Casita buyer and want custom upholstery work done... go ahead. You get ZERO credit from Casita.

Grateful Ten Forward has MY custom upholstery and it cost me $100 plus the cost of the upholstery. SWEET!

BTW: upholstery (the good stuff) patterns are typically only good for a YEAR, then they're discontinued. I Found THAT out.

When I ordered the fabric for Ten Forward, I ordered 20 YARDS, waaay more than needed. But, I love it and expect to love it ten years + from now and if something needs to be replaced, I'm ready...

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by E-pad

Well, Escape wants $626.50 for new cushions and covers, which I feel is pricey.

As a reference, I just bought foam cushions for a Trillium 1300, and the foam alone was nearly $400. For them to sew was $60 per cushion, plus fabric costs. We had the fabric gifted, and my daughter is sewing the covers, to save some money. If we paid for it all, it would have been a lot more than you were quoted, for a much smaller trailer.

All prices quoted in Canadian pesos.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

As a reference, I just bought foam cushions for a Trillium 1300, and the foam alone was nearly $400. For them to sew was $60 per cushion, plus fabric costs. We had the fabric gifted, and my daughter is sewing the covers, to save some money. If we paid for it all, it would have been a lot more than you were quoted, for a much smaller trailer.

All prices quoted in Canadian pesos.

I would agree. We just ordered some new cushions for our patio chairs because the squirrels have done their damage over the years. For 6 cushions in a medium grade fabric, the charge was $600, and that doesn't include shipping. If you haven't shopped for upholstery in the last 5-10 years or so, it can get very expensive, very quickly. I think $626 CAD ($494 USD at the current rate) is a very reasonable price to replace all the cushions in an Escape. Also, the upholstery shop they use does decent work, and you know they'll fit exactly.

[Rossue]

Just bought some 4" foam for "Il Dude"(our son). Same as we used for our mattress foundation. Comes from Texas; price for a 54"X 80" is $300.

[amirie]

I did throw my covers in the washer (and dryer for very short time)) this spring---we have a 2008 trailer and they came out really really well....
I had been (hoping?) for new covers---but alas they stayed very well intact!

[float5]

Originally Posted by amirie

I did throw my covers in the washer (and dryer for very short time)) this spring---we have a 2008 trailer and they came out really really well....
I had been (hoping?) for new covers---but alas they stayed very well intact!

That was brave of you --- except for the fact that you wanted new covers. . You can always do them again!

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

BTW: upholstery (the good stuff) patterns are typically only good for a YEAR, then they're discontinued. I Found THAT out.

Oooo, good to know! I'll keep this in mind as I found the fabric I want and knowing my luck ....

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

(snip) OMG, I can't believe the mistake I would have made if I didn't get bigger sizes of Formica and that bigger piece of fabric. (I bought a yard on eBay).

I know this is an older comment, but I just took it to heart. I ordered a yard of the fabric I really like off ebay. That way I can fling it around and see what it looks like in different lighting situations and flop on it to see how it feels. AND compare it to the patterned fabric I want pillow covers made from (with cats, of course).

Here's what I got:

Sunbrella 58012-0000 Volt Berry 54" Upholstery Fabric

Can't wait!

[StarvingHyena]

Originally Posted by Floating Cloud

That was brave of you --- except for the fact that you wanted new covers. . You can always do them again!

Just a sideways comment:

I lived and traveled with large dog on my sailboat for 14 years (pre training for an Escape) and had Sunbrella frabric for the upholstery. After a typical 9 - 10 month cruise the cushions would be looking decidedly scroungy .... but the large machines in a laundry mat would work their magic. They would come out looking like new year after year... it was amazing. Spilt wine, muddy dog feet, fish blood (cockpit cushions), extreme UV exposure and all other stains weren't able to stay ... they all washed out.

I'm really sold on that fabric and have ordered it for my new 17A.

Tom

[sallemann]

Originally Posted by StarvingHyena

Just a sideways comment:

I lived and traveled with large dog on my sailboat for 14 years (pre training for an Escape) and had Sunbrella frabric for the upholstery. After a typical 9 - 10 month cruise the cushions would be looking decidedly scroungy .... but the large machines in a laundry mat would work their magic. They would come out looking like new year after year... it was amazing. Spilt wine, muddy dog feet, fish blood (cockpit cushions), extreme UV exposure and all other stains weren't able to stay ... they all washed out.

I'm really sold on that fabric and have ordered it for my new 17A.

Tom

Wow. What a testimonial. Ok, I'm convinced. Thanks for that info.