Flaking vinyl seats

Builder 123 · 09-19-2018, 02:52 AM

I have a 2013 Thor Palazzo 33.2 and the vinyl on the sofas and captain chairs are beginning to flake. Is anyone else with a Thor having this problem is there anything that could be done?

Motoko · 09-19-2018, 09:45 AM

I have a 2015 Axis 24.1 and have the same flaking problem with the sofa. I've been full-timing in it since May of this year and figured it wasn't built for constant use. But I am surprised that the fabric didn't last very long.

Planned to have the sofa replaced with theater seating anyway, so I just covered the sofa with a slip-cover and will use it until I can get it replaced.

The Gritz Carlton · 09-19-2018, 10:52 AM

Rooms-To-Go had the same serious problems with the latest, greatest type coverings also...so much so that they discontinued use of that material. Lots of names for it (Pleather, Bonded Leather, etc.). It's a technology (stretch) of using a blend of vinyl and shredded leather to make it. It was suppose to look and wear like leather...right. Best bet is to just bite the bullet and replace it with real leather of real vinyl. You can't polish a turd. It's horrible material and repairing is impossible.

JamieGeek · 09-19-2018, 10:59 AM

Welcome to the site Motoko.

TurnerFam · 09-19-2018, 12:05 PM

ours has done the same - driver and passenger seats get 'flakes' all over you if you've sat in them for a while, and the jack knife sofa and booth seats all are flaking as well... have been for well over two years or more.

knucklehead · 09-19-2018, 12:29 PM

It's a well known fact that mfg. build these things as cheap as possible. Just like cars, they look good on the lot but 5 years later a much different story. Hate to be "Debbie Downer" here but that is just a fact, build it cheap a let the few that fail get fixed after the warranty expires. Done it my whole life...

The Gritz Carlton · 09-19-2018, 12:32 PM

Sad part is...Thor will not help. It's one of those items covered by the manufacturer's warranty...which blew out the window long ago...when the window blew out. Lots of class action suits against RTG but no court would stand up for them. I'm sure if Thor knew these were going to be such a problem they would have gone a different direction (we're assuming logic here). It was a period specific problem for just a few years. Does anyone have a newer than 2016 unit that has these issues?

abjbrtd · 09-19-2018, 01:12 PM

Our 2012 SOB had the problem. The manufacture set up a procedure to take care of it.
Take pictures including the manufacture tag (so they would know your color) then send them to a specific customer service manager.
A few weeks later UPS delivers new covers.
Pay a few hundred $'s or replace them yourself.

We traded for the Citation a couple of weeks before we got the covers, but had made it part of the deal. Our new dealer was very pleased to have them.

Contact Thor, not your dealer including this thread and any other info you can find.
Here's a google search to get you started.

https://www.google.com/search?lr=&as...w=1366&bih=651

blw2 · 09-20-2018, 08:39 PM

ours is looking really bad now...
saddest part is that we went out of our way to get this upholstery option over fabric. DW thought it would clean up better...kids, spills, etc... well I guess it did for a while

I've been looking for a replacement sofa or futon. Have just about decided to zip the covers off and take them to an upholstery shop to copy. Not sure about the cab seats yet...maybe find a decent cover but I can't imagine a good fit.

Then my dread will turn to the matching trim on the dinette, which is sure to fail eventually

Builder 123 · 09-20-2018, 08:48 PM

I have called Thor both their local rep at Lazydays and their customer service number no help on either call and I don’t know what I’m doing next. Thanks to all who have replied. I will update as I find something out

The Gritz Carlton · 09-20-2018, 09:18 PM

your coach is 5 years old. The only company that might shed mercy on you is the furniture manufacturer...if they are still in business. I wouldn't lose much sleep on this one.

99dart · 09-20-2018, 11:47 PM

Wow, what a mess! Ours haven't started flaking...YET! But, both cab seats have scratched and peeled in couple of places. I mentioned in another thread that the "interior protection plan"(whatever it's called) actually paid us $600 for the issues on the seats. I wish there was a way to get this stuff replaced BEFORE it goes to Heck!

The Gritz Carlton · 09-21-2018, 01:30 AM

Scratch and peel it in a few spots...make it worth your time and investment. Pay the up-charge for leather.

blw2 · 09-24-2018, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

your coach is 5 years old. The only company that might shed mercy on you is the furniture manufacturer...if they are still in business. I wouldn't lose much sleep on this one.

I found the name on a tag and called the company that made my sofa. It was a while back and I've forgotten the name of it

anyway, had a good conversation with someone there. At that time she said they were still making that "pattern" but I'd have to buy through Thor...through a dealer. they couldn't sell direct and couldn't make me a new cover in a different fabric. Sounded like they knew well that this stuff was no good, but were only using what Thor spec'd. We talked about how their fabric upholstery is basically the same stuff used in regular furniture and should last a lot longer.

Oh well...

The Gritz Carlton · 09-24-2018, 09:36 PM

It was...they thought...see Post #3. It turned out to bite them in the b-hind. Good reason "Pleather" isn't being made anymore! Just like Shell Pest Strips or Carter's Little Liver Pills...gone!

gmc · 09-24-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

... It was a period specific problem for just a few years. Does anyone have a newer than 2016 unit that has these issues?

Well... my 2014 just started showing signs of this in last month or so - mostly the dinette, some on the couch and drivers seat...

Not sure if a 2016 not showing it means the problem was fixed - or just hasn't been long enough... They had to make it last through the warranty at least... lol

Was thinking about replacing the couch with recliners - but really wasn't planning on doing anything with the 'U' shaped dinette...

SarahR · 10-06-2018, 07:16 PM

2012 Ace now all upholstery flaking. Not sure what to do.

oasisdrake · 10-06-2018, 07:51 PM

Hi everyone, do you know what years are affected as far as the flaking or peeling in the seating? Also is there a way to tell if it's pleather or actual leather?

Markgott · 10-06-2018, 08:01 PM

We have a 2015 Thor Tuscany, and couch and captains chairs are all flaking. Ordered new furniture from Bradd & Hall to be installed on our pilgrimage south this fall.

vmyoung61 · 10-06-2018, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oasisdrake

Hi everyone, do you know what years are affected as far as the flaking or peeling in the seating? Also is there a way to tell if it's pleather or actual leather?

Unless it’s a really high end coach, it’s the fake stuff. Leather has a distinct smell. I believe, if it was real leather, you would know it.

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