Has anyone raised the driver's seat in their E350/450?

[Mikmal]

I'm just trying to get the driver's seat a little higher. I see where there are 1/2" up to 2" riser kits available. Just wondering is anyone has done so and if you're satisfied with it.

[Chateau_Nomad]

I raised both driver and passenger seats in our 2020 Chateau 24F. The intention for the driver seat was to both raise it and allow further rearward travel. However I did have to modify the trim on the slide room edge to allow for seatback clearance.

I used Unistrut rails:
https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Unist...58585678&psc=1

One 5' rail will do one seat. Tools needed: hacksaw, drill, flat file and socket set. I went to the local hardware and purchased hardened stainless bolts, flat washers, lock washers and nuts. I filed off the end edges of the Unistrut so it wasn't sharp, then sprayed black with rattle can paint.

Remove the seat an lay bottom side up. Measure where you want the seat. Drill 4 holes in Unistrut. Bolt the Unistrut rails to the seat rails... moving forward or back as desired. Then reinstall seat using existing factory floor bolts.

I have pics somewhere... I'll post when I find them.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Here ya go...

[Dan-sr@perra-us.net]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

I'm just trying to get the driver's seat a little higher. I see where there are 1/2" up to 2" riser kits available. Just wondering is anyone has done so and if you're satisfied with it.

Years ago, on my Tiffin Allegro I razzed the driver seat 1 1/2"by cutting 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood to the size of the pedestal base and drilling four holes in the same pattern as the pedestal base. Then I got longer grade 5 bolts to bolt it back down. I did get about 1" more room to slide the seat back but not much more since the dinette seatback would have needed to be removed to get more space.

[ador]

I raised the FRONT about 1 inch using stack of washers from Home Depot and longer bolts. This is to stop me from sliding out of the seat when driving. I can imagine that can also be done on the REAR.

[Lt Keefer]

I hope everyone realizes that seat attachment is an engineered safety function in all modern vehicles. Adding spacers that have not been engineered for the stress of a collision could be a mistake.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I hope everyone realizes that seat attachment is an engineered safety function in all modern vehicles. Adding spacers that have not been engineered for the stress of a collision could be a mistake.

Have you seen the aftermath of a serious Class A collision? The seats are the only things left.

[Scubawise]

Originally Posted by Lt Keefer

I hope everyone realizes that seat attachment is an engineered safety function in all modern vehicles. Adding spacers that have not been engineered for the stress of a collision could be a mistake.

I agree! And insurance may not cover in an accident.
I used these and they are amazing !

[bry899]

Originally Posted by Scubawise

I agree! And insurance may not cover in an accident.
I used these and they are amazing !

I also use a cushion, not sure the make but raises the seat at least an inch and makes the seat more comfortable, and no work.

[Lt Keefer]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Have you seen the aftermath of a serious Class A collision? The seats are the only things left.

No, I have not. But the OP is talking about a class c.

[Chateau_Nomad]

...then there's the safety factor of riding a motorcycle on the freeway (legally) at 70 mph without a helmet... not that the helmet would make a difference. At least I have airbags...

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

...At least I have airbags...

And that is why I went with a Super C and not a Class A bus. How many bus collisions at the front end where the bus driver survives? Not many.....


I think your setup looks pretty solid and doesn't diminish safety if you used high qrade bolts.

For the washer approach shimming the seat upwards, that could be safe if you use something like a grade 10.9 or 12.9 bolts. However, I think your approach is better because your mounts have more surface area across the entire floor.

If you just use washers or some type of spacer to raise the seat, it could start to create stress cracks in the floor pan when stopping and starting from too much torque creating a rocking motion. Spreading those forces across the floor like you did it would prevent the seat from rocking from the torque.

[puppygeo]

I installed these risers and it gives me a 3" lift.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/TNK-SR200

In addition, I cut out a few inches from slide which gives me another 3" while driving. If you are wondering, it does NOT affect the stability of the slide. I added velcro to the slide face and the back of the fascia and replace the fascia when the slide is open or I'm not driving.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by puppygeo

I installed these risers and it gives me a 3" lift.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/TNK-SR200

In addition, I cut out a few inches from slide which gives me another 3" while driving. If you are wondering, it does NOT affect the stability of the slide. I added velcro to the slide face and the back of the fascia and replace the fascia when the slide is open or I'm not driving.

I did the EXACT same with our slide... I stapled the Velcro because the "sticky" didn't hold after a few uses.

I gained a ton of legroom after this mod. I had to do something... because I couldn't drive very far with my knees against the dashboard! It was like riding a tricycle!

You would think Thor would get smart and move the slides rearward enough to allow the driver seat to function???

With the trim stuck in place, you wouldn't even know it was modified!

[puppygeo]

Ahh yes, I'm pretty sure YOU are the one I borrowed this idea from. You made a positive impact on my life! Thank you!

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

You would think Thor would get smart and move the slides rearward enough to allow the driver seat to function???

LOL, just proves that RV designers have never been camping, right? "It all looks good on the drawing board"

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

I did the EXACT same with our slide... I stapled the Velcro because the "sticky" didn't hold after a few uses.

I gained a ton of legroom after this mod. I had to do something... because I couldn't drive very far with my knees against the dashboard! It was like riding a tricycle!

You would think Thor would get smart and move the slides rearward enough to allow the driver seat to function???

With the trim stuck in place, you wouldn't even know it was modified!

Thor isn’t the only ones. Forest River has the same issues.

[Elqueso2]

Originally Posted by Mikmal

I'm just trying to get the driver's seat a little higher. I see where there are 1/2" up to 2" riser kits available. Just wondering is anyone has done so and if you're satisfied with it.

I raised both seats up using 3/4 X 1 X 2" steel spacers. Worked out great. Sitting a bit higher but gained the needed legroom I was hoping for. Cutting into the slideout is an option too and I'll have to see how my mod works out first. So far it's good. Here is my post below.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f87/cant...-659676-2.html