Reasons to Replace Your RV Furniture

Whether you’re living in your RV fulltime or just spend a good amount of time camping, you’ve probably thought at least once about replacing the furniture in your rig. This is especially true for those with older rigs, and even more so for those with growing families that they need to accommodate.

That said, some people are afraid of taking this big step. This is totally understandable. RVs aren’t cheap, and to just start tearing into your tiny home-on-wheels can feel insane. However, there are many benefits to doing so, and you’ll almost certainly be glad you did once the project is finished.

Here are several great reasons to go ahead and start the overwhelming project of changing out your RV furniture. At least a few of these reasons will apply to most people, and for others, every single one is accurate.

Comfort

While there are some RVs that come equipped with plush, comfortable furniture, others can’t hold a candle to the comfort of traditional furniture. Generally this is a result of manufacturers cutting corners to save a few pennies, and boy, does it show.

Of course, if you spend any amount of time in your motorhome or trailer, this just won’t do. Flat, uncomfortable mattresses and lumpy or hard couches are bad for the back and make for some pretty miserable movie watching sessions and sleepless nights. Therefore, replacing uncomfortable RV furniture is a no brainer.

Durability

Another result of those corners that get cut all too often is less-than-durable furniture. Cracks, bends, and rips are things that happen regularly in RVs. In fact, when we pulled the dinette out of our own RV, we discovered the entire thing was held together by staples. There wasn’t a single screw in the entire piece, and that certainly did explain why our seats were falling apart.

We replaced the dinette with a nice little table and chairs, and have found that this setup is much more practical and comfortable, as well as durable.

Fashion

For some odd reason, RV manufacturers always choose the most boring and bland colors. In newer rigs, this can usually be remedied by adding some colorful throw pillows, hanging something bright on the walls, and throwing down some rugs.

Unfortunately, it's not always that easy when it comes to the older motorhomes and trailers out there. Not only are these RVs decorated in the dull browns and grays found in nearly every rig on the road, but the couches and window dressings tend to incorporate horrible, outdated fabrics that simply cannot be passed off as attractive anymore. Pair the awful prints with the dirt that becomes ingrained in RV furniture over time, and you’ll be in desperate need of some new seating in your home-on-wheels.

Space

Today there are more RV floor plans on the market than ever before. Unfortunately, there still isn’t something for everybody, and many people find the the current floor plans simply don’t give them the space they need. However, by pulling out the current furniture and replacing it in clever ways, these people can actually create more floor space in their rigs, making the whole place feel roomier and more comfortable.

Weight

Furniture is one of the heaviest things you carry in your rig. Therefore, if you discover you’re over your cargo limit and you’ve been toting around a chair you don’t use, it only makes sense to get rid of the piece and replace it with something lighter and more useful—or nothing at all. After all, why would you risk the safety of your family for a silly chair that pushes you over your rig’s weight capacity?

Storage

Thanks to clever designers like the folks at IKEA, some furniture can double as storage, meaning you can replace a couch with another couch and gain several square feet of storage space through the use of lift-up cushions or under-couch drawers. If you’re always finding yourself in need of more storage space, it might be time to replace your furniture.

Mold

Because of condensation and leaks, mold is an unfortunate reality for many RVers. Obviously, this is an issue you want to avoid if possible, and it can be avoided, but sometimes mistakes happen. If you find yourself with a moldy area in your RV, you may also find mold on your mattresses or couch. In these cases, cleaning is likely to be ineffective, and a new piece of furniture will need to be purchased.

Quick Tips

If you’re planning on replacing your RV furniture there are some things you should know. Here are my top quick tips:

• Break it down — Because RV doors are small, you’ll probably have to break most items down to get them out of the rig. Additionally, you’ll want to buy furniture that requires assembly to ensure you can get it in the door beforehand. IKEA is great for this.

• Bolt it down — Furniture that is likely to slid around the rig or tip over during trips must be bolted to the floor. This is important no matter what, but especially if you drive a motorhome because flying furniture could seriously injure you or your passengers.

• Measure everything — Motorhomes and travel trailers are small spaces. This means you’ll have to find small furniture to fit. Knowing your measurements before heading to the store is a must.

• Plan wisely — If you plan on painting your RV walls, do it during the furniture replacement process. This will allow you to paint after pulling out the old furniture and before putting in the new, giving you much more space to work with.

• Remember your weight — Weight is an important thing when your home is on wheels. Always be aware of how much your furniture weighs, and also whether a particular piece will put you over your weight limit or add too much weight to one part of the rig. Safety is the most important thing, after all.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to replace your RV furniture. If this is something you’ve been considering, I say go for it. Keep the tips above in mind and make your tiny space your own. You won’t regret it!