Major “Leather” Issues

[CoachPJG]

I bought a new a 2013 Sunseeker model 3170 in January of 2014. In April of 2017 I notice some flaking on the back bunk bed couch. It was just a small spot and a covered in with a patch. Within a month I started seeing more flaking throughout the RV. Now in April of 2018 the leather is completely falling apart. Is anyone else experiencing this?

[Decon Blue]

Me thinks that is Pleather.

[Locky]

It is not real leather. It will be described as a man made leather like material.

[Duckogram]

It is pretty much an industry wide problem with materials. My 2014 Coachmen, built in 2013 had the exact same problem. I believe there is some relief available from FR. I never pursued it but others have been able to get new material to recover the seats. The cost of getting it done would not be covered. I suggest you try to contact the FR rep and ask. Use of honey is indicated.

[CoachPJG]

Yes, I know it was not real leather. I didn’t think I need to explain that. I just thought it would last more than three years.

I am also hopeful that FR reps are watching this forum.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by CoachPJG

Yes, I know it was not real leather. I didn’t think I need to explain that. I just thought it would last more than three years.

I am also hopeful that FR reps are watching this forum.

You would be advised to contact Your Division of Forest River if you Hope for Relief on your "Pleather"! Others have had "LUCK"! Youroo!!

[CedarCreekWoody]

The reps don't monitor the forum. You should contact them directly if you wish them to know.

[Walholler]

If I had to cover the cost of replacing the material, I would replace with a material that would last more than 3 years or replace the furniture with a better grade.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by Walholler

If I had to cover the cost of replacing the material, I would replace with a material that would last more than 3 years or replace the furniture with a better grade.

Just went through the same thing with 2 recliners and sofa. Ours had three pleats and when I talked to a friend who does upholstery she said it would be cheaper to just buy new furniture due to the labor involved with all the seams. So we bought two wall hugger loveseats from Recpro. They seem to be of better quality but, time will tell

[jvalich]

Re-upholstered the interior of my 2014 SportsCoach this last year. We purchased it used and as a furniture retailer, I knew what I was getting into as I saw the beginning signs of peeling and cracking. I contacted FR and they sold me the cut and sewn replacement covers for the complete dinette, sleeper sofa and both Captain chairs for $700 and I have about 6 hours of my time into it. The new material from Williams was not bonded leather but rather 100% PU fabric. Many furniture manufacturers have gone the same route, bonded leather to a PU/PE fabric or blend.

What you will need to do the job is a furniture staple puller https://www.woodcraft.com/products/o...All%20Products, as there are many to remove, a good heavy duty stapler with a supply of heavy duty staples.

If you do the captain chairs you might also need hog rings and a set of pliers, https://www.lemproducts.com/product/...All%20products

[johnruff]

It is called bonded leather and it happens after a couple of years. It happened in my 2014 Crusader after two years. I went to online forums and it also happens to home furniture. It lasts long enough to get through the warranty and then needs to be replaced. Look for stuff that is either real leather, a high quality vinyl or cloth. Like you, I loved it when I first got it, smelled like leather. Two years later I paid $200 to have the back of one theater seat recovered in a decent matching material only to have the seat and arms come apart on the next trip. Just another added expense that buyers have to absorb like tires, cap fade, poor dicor application, faucet replacement, etc. Welcome to RVing - always something to fix. Didn't used to be that way or at least not as bad IMO. You expect some things when you pull something like that around but you expect certain things to be done right. It is not a FR issue but an industry issue. I did contact Thomas Payne via FR - nothing happened other than they said it was not their problem.

[dahagen]

Contact Forest River immediately. The will send you all new seat cover material (bench, couch, etc.) at no charge. You need to find the 'do not remove under penalty of death' tag on one of the items of furniture and give then all the numbers. They will ship it free. You can replace the material (it is made up for your unit) but you have to install it yourself. An upholstery shop will do it, too but they will charge you. I am going to do it myself. A friend paid $500 labor to have the couch, bench seats and captains chairs redone.

[Lorenzo Verducci]

The same thing happened to my 2015 FR Lacrosse. It had only been used for a total of seven months when the sofa sleeper and reclining chairs began to delaminate. This January, I contacted the manufacturer, which is Franklin Furniture, and they told me to contact our trailer manufacturer. I contacted the Warranty Department at FR and explained the problem. I sent them photos of the delaminating furniture and explained that the sofa and recliners where not exposed to direct sunlight. About a week later, I received an e-mail which stated that my warranty had expired nearly two years prior and they wouldn't do anything about our sub standard furniture. I think that it is appalling that the furniture manufacturer and FR won't stand behind their products.

[NO3putt]

FR has had this issue for years, our 2009 Berkshire did it along with many others. We just had ours recovered at our expense since FR didn't want to help out. Skip

[adamsworld]

It is not just rv problem.
What do you expect when all our stuff is made in china any more.....

All fake leather furniture I have seen including my own has the material falling or peeling off after just a year. Just outside of warranty by the way.
P.S. DON'T BUY FAKE LEATHER!!!!

[Delco Bobby]

Originally Posted by adamsworld

It is not just rv problem.
What do you expect when all our stuff is made in china any more.....

All fake leather furniture I have seen including my own has the material falling or peeling off after just a year. Just outside of warranty by the way.
P.S. DON'T BUY FAKE LEATHER!!!!

Yup, have same situation with the sofa in my home living room. Brand name manufacturer. Problem started around 5 to 6 years of use.