Time for new cushions ...

[bison35]

I just purchased a used 2014 Aliner Classic. Overall, it's in good shape and we're really excited to get off the ground from tent camping. I'm not sure if it's just that the cushions on this one are well-loved or if they're just not right for us, but I can tell they are going to be too soft - I'm bottoming out with ease and I'm pretty light. I don't think a simple topper would do the trick as I'd imagine it could get fiddlier than we'd want in going back/forth from dinette/bed and sofa/bed. So, I think we'll want to get replacement cushions, ideally keeping the same configuration so that we can go back/forth between sofa/bed and dinette/bed. Two questions for those with some knowledge: (1) Any good leads for sources for new foam and probably covers? (2) Any wisdom to pass along from getting replacement cushions?

 

[kitphantom]

I'm about to replace the foam in the dinette cushions in our '15 TT. They were fine at the beginning of last season, by the end we were sliding off the front of the seats. I have the advantage of a good fabric and foam place here in town, and this time, I'm taking the old foam with me, so they can see what it was. Last time I bought foam there, they had a good dozen, or more, choices for firmness, resilience, and thickness. They are very helpful, such as when we needed all new cushions in our first popup when we renovated it.
The dinette only gets used as a bed a couple of times a year, I add a topper to smooth out the spaces between cushions, and the slight shaping of the back cushions. When my friend goes with me, we just leave the dinette as the bed, there's just not much room in the trailer to change back and forth. So far, we have been able to just eat outside, although we could manage inside with TV trays or such.
I was going to have someone make entire new cushions - I could, but don't want to do so. (I made the covers for the bed and dinette in that first popup.) The silver and cream vinyl looks neat and vintage, but is not nice to sit on in hot weather. I found stretchy knit slipcovers on Amazon, which are working well to make them more comfortable, so we'll stick with the original covers for now, since they're in good shape.

One hint for putting the foam into the covers, if you need to do so: wrap the foam with very light plastic. I've been told they call it "skin" in the upholstery industry. I just use the lightest disposable dropcloth I can find. Slide the foam in, and remove the plastic - or not, the plastic was still there when we took the foam out of the covers the other day.
Some have had good luck with an online foam store, I think it is/was called Foam Factory, but I never had to order foam, with our local resources.

 

[PointyCamper]

Purchased replacement foam from
foambymail.com
They will send you samples but they are too small to judge imho.
Got this
Lux High Quality Foam
Arghhhh way too firm. Bought something else and put a topper on it. Lotsa $ down the drain but my new cushion covers are perfect. I made envelopes the proper size to fit the new cushions by measuring and then sewing flat, turning right side out, installed cushion and tucked in corners. Hand sewed back seam.
Fabric would have been a big expense but I was given a roll of medium weight blue cotton.
I am not much of a sewer (prefer staples but this was really easy
with proper measuring.
Good luck.
PS think of laying a box on wrapping paper and cutting to correct size to wrap a package, you sew the side seams up from the fabric folded in half. HTH

 

[kitphantom]

One of the issues with foam is that if it's solid enough to not sit out, it tends to be too firm for comfortable sleeping, even for those of us who need a firm sleeping surface. That's one reason I'm glad we have the local, knowledgeable foam source, I've guess wrong a couple of times over the years trying to make chair seat cushions.

 

[PointyCamper]

G

One of the issues with foam is that if it's solid enough to not sit out, it tends to be too firm for comfortable sleeping, even for those of us who need a firm sleeping surface. That's one reason I'm glad we have the local, knowledgeable foam source, I've guess wrong a couple of times over the years trying to make chair seat cushions.

Good idea. I will look around!

 

[Dnodoz]

We replaced our Aliner’s foam from Foamorder.com. They have every type and softness you can think of. We went with their recommendation of
“EverFlex™ V34 Medium foam, as a bottom foam, Thickness: 4 in”

Since we use the dinette for sitting and sleeping it had to be suitable for both. We’ve had them for several seasons and have been happy with them. However, if it were a sleep only setup I would get the next level of softness.

They also make custom covers but we did not use that service as ours were still ugly but in good shape.

 

[BlackJackAlley]

I just purchased a used 2014 Aliner Classic. Overall, it's in good shape and we're really excited to get off the ground from tent camping. I'm not sure if it's just that the cushions on this one are well-loved or if they're just not right for us, but I can tell they are going to be too soft - I'm bottoming out with ease and I'm pretty light. I don't think a simple topper would do the trick as I'd imagine it could get fiddlier than we'd want in going back/forth from dinette/bed and sofa/bed. So, I think we'll want to get replacement cushions, ideally keeping the same configuration so that we can go back/forth between sofa/bed and dinette/bed. Two questions for those with some knowledge: (1) Any good leads for sources for new foam and probably covers? (2) Any wisdom to pass along from getting replacement cushions?

If the covers are in decent shape, you can look for an upholstery store that sells foam. There are many foams out there. Try and find one firm enough for your needs. I did this last year and the foam crew even stuffed the cushions for me and didn't charge. Made an excellent improvement. If the covers are bad I'd still consider finding a suitable foam and have new covers made.

 

[JimPH]

I just purchased a used 2014 Aliner Classic. Overall, it's in good shape and we're really excited to get off the ground from tent camping. I'm not sure if it's just that the cushions on this one are well-loved or if they're just not right for us, but I can tell they are going to be too soft - I'm bottoming out with ease and I'm pretty light. I don't think a simple topper would do the trick as I'd imagine it could get fiddlier than we'd want in going back/forth from dinette/bed and sofa/bed. So, I think we'll want to get replacement cushions, ideally keeping the same configuration so that we can go back/forth between sofa/bed and dinette/bed. Two questions for those with some knowledge: (1) Any good leads for sources for new foam and probably covers? (2) Any wisdom to pass along from getting replacement cushions?

I have a 2016 Aliner Classic. We sold our mattress right after we purchased the camper new. That one was way too hard. So we replaced it with a new one from Costco. The one in it was a 3/4 mattress and we replaced it with a full size which does fit in the Aliner 2016 Classic. We then added the 2 inch top foam that we got also at Costco. Probably overkill but very very comfortable . Only other suggestions I can offer for your new used Aliner is: make sure tires are less than 5 years old. If older, replace them. Nothing worse than changing a tire and looking for a new spare when you want to be camping, not shopping. And they always go flat in the worst places. Next I recommend a wind kit if there is not one already on it. I have given my simple wind kit directions out to many Aliner owners so if interested just let me know and I will pass the directions on to you. They are simple to assemble and make your Aliner very safe in strong storms or heavy wind. Last, make sure the axel and bearing have been properly greased because again, you don't want bearing going out when you are on a trip. Some people do their own, i take mine into a friend mechanic and pay $100 and know it is done correctly. I also put in a port-a-potty that works great. Fits perfectly under one of the front benches. Love this camper, and I am sure you will also. We are from Minnesota and have traveled to both coasts numerous times and all over Canada as well. I pull mine with a Toyota Highlander and really don't know it is on the back.. Happy camping off the ground.
written 2 days later: OOPS!
I need to do a better job reading. You have the Aliner with the cushions for the bed, not the mattress. Don't think that can convert to a full mattress as I suggested above. Others seem to have good ideas for those. I do have cushions on the other end but never slept on them.