Fake leather berkshire fiexsteel seat issues

[Moracechaney]

My Berkshire 360fws captain seats made by flexsteel are showing terrible wear after a year of use, or 15k miles of use! The beading around the edges is totally worn off showing the fabric backing as well as edges of the arms an the passenger footrest. Looks like I will need to replace them, and to maintain match also the couch, as they are now that worn out looking. Never ever had these issues with any car I every owned. Was told by factory rep at the recent goodsam rally that 'what else would I expect at this price point coach'. He has been with FR for 4 months, and I would be surprised if still there in another 4, but that is another story!

So, is mine the only one wearing out quickly? Thanks mc

[wnytaxman]

We have a similar amount of miles on our 2011 390bh and our seats are not showing any wear at all. I would take up the issue with Forest River, other than the probably now unemployed rep you talked to, and see what they say. It should not be showing wear this early in the ownership run.

[kingwood390bh]

The seats on my Berkshire(ultraleather) are much better than my previous Damon. I wore the driver's seat by sliding into it. No such problem with the Berk. The fabric should be available from Ultraleather to be completed by an upholstery shop. The guy who got "real leather" at his $1 million price point will lose $500k in three years. I respect the Berkshire's value, don't you?

[AREA51]

We also had our drivers seat show considerable signs of wear within a year. I took it to the dealer, they took pictures and sent them to Forest River who in turn sent the material for the damaged sections to them. The dealer then installed the secions or had them done locally. Our coach is a 2008 360QS but we bought it as brand new in 2011 with all the warrantys intact, it only had 1200 miles on it. Forest River and our dealer has stood by anything that has been a problem (and we have had a few). In your information packet you should find the Flexsteel warranty.

Good Luck,
AREA51

[lefaivre]

We have may similar milage on our 390BH-60. So far, none of seating shows any signs of wear depite having 2 small kids and 2 dogs.

Sorry to hear that you are having such bad luck ... this seams like excessive wear at any price point.

Just before purchasing our Berk, we upgraded all seating in our old Discovery to full grain distressed leather. It looked fantastic and was surprisingly affordible. This might be and option to consider rather than replacing with the original coverings.

[Moracechaney]

Thanks to all for the info! Lefaivre, who did you find to do your prior coach seats as I would like to go real leather if not crazy expensive?

[62_inrightlane]

I have a 2012 360FWS and have 6K on the clock. According to Forest River and the 2012 Berkshire brochure, our seating is leather. We have spent about 150 nights in it this year and no issues with any of the upholstery.

Try contacting the Forest River warranty department.

[Moracechaney]

Well my final update on the ultra leather seat issues. Seats continued to peal off outer layer exposing the cloth backing. I sent many emails to Randy (Forest River) with pictures. I also called and asked him to review the pictures. He never responded to the pictures! I called flex steel, they had me find the chair label tucked under the seat which has the material information included along with seat model info. They said the material on the chair wasn't theirs, but instead material Forest River had provided them, so not their issue, but FRs. So big run around!

At the end of the day, seats were an eyesore and no help forth coming so I found a local south Fl shop and had them redone in brown leather. Cost me $800 each ($1600) which was much cheaper than my other option to replace with new seats ($1100-$1800 each).

I have many issues behind me, most of them assisted or handled by freightliner or cummins, Both great to work with! Forest River, not so much!!!

[NO3putt]

Having ours recovered at local shop. Going to be about $500 each, better then replacing them anyway. Contacted flexsteel about them, wasted my time.

[jrlebaron]

Mora I have the same problem. My solution will be the same as what your's was. I think Flexsteel and FR have a form letter covering this problem and read it to everyone that call cause I got all the exact same answers you did. I think people from FR should check with Tiffan on after market customer service. Jim

[62_inrightlane]

While I haven't had any issue with leather seats or other seating services I have had other issues and found Forest River and Randy to be one of the best at customer service. And believe me I've had more than my share of interaction with major companies. They repaired a few issues while still under warranty and even an issue with our power management system out of warranty at no cost to us.

I'm not saying they are perfect all the time. I'm just sharing my experience with them.

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