Uncomfortable seats
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
- captain Byrne
- Registered user
- Posts: 1004
- Joined: 19 Mar 2009, 10:01
- 80-90 Mem No: 7107
- Location: Glasgow
- Contact:
Uncomfortable seats
We're about to set off on a pretty longish journey and have been trying to figure out a cheap way of making our 30 yr old captain seats a tad more comfy. We've tried cushions in various positions but without a great deal of success. Just wondering if anyone has tried any of those back support thingies?. Anyway, thoughts or solutions appreciated.
- CovKid
- Trader
- Posts: 8411
- Joined: 30 Apr 2006, 13:19
- 80-90 Mem No: 3529
- Location: Ralph - Coventry (Retired)
- Contact:
Re: Uncomfortable seats
I've always found the captains seats incredibly comfy, even on long journeys. I do get leg cramp I must admit but once on the motorway I can generally stretch the left leg to the left of the clutch pedal and the right finds its own spot. Perhaps yours need an un-pick and the foam replenishing?
Roller paint your camper at home: http://roller.epizy.com/55554/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for MP4 download.
- pionte
- Registered user
- Posts: 549
- Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
- 80-90 Mem No: 8209
- Location: Tonbridge Kent
Re: Uncomfortable seats
or spend a day sitting on my seats.... they are truly uncomfortable !



2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989
- Titus A Duxass
- Registered user
- Posts: 5777
- Joined: 24 Nov 2007, 08:22
- 80-90 Mem No: 4475
- Location: Cologne
Re: Uncomfortable seats
CovKid wrote:I've always found the captains seats incredibly comfy, even on long journeys.
Same here, even managed to do 17 hours once.
VW T3 GTi Camper 2,0l
-
- Trader
- Posts: 8077
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: Uncomfortable seats
ive sat in yours and they seem fine to me, im spoilt with granada armchairs in mine lol
where you heading
mm
where you heading
mm
Re: Uncomfortable seats
A few people have mentioned 'Captains Seats', as though there's a common type. My van has Wolfrace captains seats that were apparently fitted from new - they're on the original receipt. Is this what people are referring to? The arms are a bit sloppy now - if I leave them up out of the way, when I brake they tend to fall forwards. I've had them apart, but there seems to be no way of tightening them up - it looks like they're just a friction fit, and once the friction has worn away that's it. Any tips on how to stiffen them up (there's one for the 'out of context' thread!)?
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
- captain Byrne
- Registered user
- Posts: 1004
- Joined: 19 Mar 2009, 10:01
- 80-90 Mem No: 7107
- Location: Glasgow
- Contact:
Re: Uncomfortable seats
Not too much of a problem for me but it's the other half - she gets a bad shoulder after a couple of hours, it's the curve on the seat back pushing her shoulders forward. Anyway, will think of something.
mm - off to Croatia for 3 weeks - can't bloody wait!
mm - off to Croatia for 3 weeks - can't bloody wait!
-
- Trader
- Posts: 8077
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 20:55
- 80-90 Mem No: 1948
- Location: lincolnshire
Re: Uncomfortable seats
ah yes lumbar gap, need to recline the seat a bit and a soft cushion to fill the lumbar area. on my nasty fjord on es i have a pump to inflate that area
croatia, good choice ,enjoy
mm

mm
- browneyes1311
- Registered user
- Posts: 507
- Joined: 02 Jul 2006, 17:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 2714
- Location: llanarmon yn la, n wales
Re: Uncomfortable seats
Ive got the original seats in mine (83 T25) and yep aches on a run. Ive bought one of those lumbar support webbing things and it does seem to help.
Mind you it could just be my age I maybe falling to bits along with Myrtle de Turtle.
Myabe I should look at one of those psoh Captains seats but somehow it sort of changes her character
Mind you it could just be my age I maybe falling to bits along with Myrtle de Turtle.
Myabe I should look at one of those psoh Captains seats but somehow it sort of changes her character
1983 air cooled T25 high top.(hopefully someone will tell me what conversion) name Myrtle de turtle
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 566
- Joined: 06 Sep 2012, 12:23
- 80-90 Mem No: 12090
- Location: Kilham, East Yorkshire
Re: Uncomfortable seats
I find the captains chairs very comfy, both in my present camper and previous Karmann Gypsy. The only thing that makes me stop for a rest is the kids nagging or my bladder 

1984 Westfalia Vanagon Camper Wolfsburg Special Edition
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 345
- Joined: 12 Jan 2013, 20:28
- 80-90 Mem No: 11947
- Location: wherever the van is
Re: Uncomfortable seats
CJH wrote:A few people have mentioned 'Captains Seats', as though there's a common type. My van has Wolfrace captains seats that were apparently fitted from new - they're on the original receipt. Is this what people are referring to? The arms are a bit sloppy now - if I leave them up out of the way, when I brake they tend to fall forwards. I've had them apart, but there seems to be no way of tightening them up - it looks like they're just a friction fit, and once the friction has worn away that's it. Any tips on how to stiffen them up (there's one for the 'out of context' thread!)?
As you suggested this would make a good thread of its own.
My RH drivers arm rest won't lock in place and I can't se how to fix it.
Other than that the seats are very comfortable. Better than my A5
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 103
- Joined: 22 Oct 2012, 22:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 12273
- Location: Walton on Thames
Re: Uncomfortable seats
CJH wrote:A few people have mentioned 'Captains Seats', as though there's a common type. My van has Wolfrace captains seats that were apparently fitted from new - they're on the original receipt. Is this what people are referring to? The arms are a bit sloppy now - if I leave them up out of the way, when I brake they tend to fall forwards. I've had them apart, but there seems to be no way of tightening them up - it looks like they're just a friction fit, and once the friction has worn away that's it. Any tips on how to stiffen them up (there's one for the 'out of context' thread!)?
I've not got captain seats in mine but just a thought maybe you could wind some chord or rope around the joint to stiffen the arm rests up. Might work and hopefully it'll be concealed in the joint.
Eric
1.6 TD Autosleeper. 1986
Re: Uncomfortable seats
Fande t25 wrote:I've not got captain seats in mine but just a thought maybe you could wind some chord or rope around the joint to stiffen the arm rests up. Might work and hopefully it'll be concealed in the joint.
Eric
Thanks for the suggestion. This is from memory, but imagine a U section underneath the arm, made of thin steel (<1mm), with a pivot of about 1" diameter bolted to the seat back and passing through 1" holes in both sides of the U section. The friction appeared to be solely between the pivot and the 1mm steel of the U section. On first look I couldn't even see what prevents the U section pulling off the pivot (there must be a circlip that I couldn't see), let alone how to tighten them up. It was as if there's something missing - maybe a friction band or a spring. I'll have to take another look. My apologies - I shouldn't be hijacking the OP's thread.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ