Flexsteel exit

[TJ&LadyDi]

That's encouraging, @NWIP. I'm guessing that Newmar finally got to the point where dealing with Flexsteel was simply a no-win situation. That will probably put a dent in Flexsteel's bottom line, if not a large hole that may sink the ship.

TJ

 

[Neal]

It may also be that Flexsteel is no longer going to supply Newmar with any backfill and Newmar is going to have to bear the burden. I'm just hoping that future Newmar owners never have to deal with this flaking saga again.

 

[MapNerd]

“Interesting announcement as Newmar has agreed to replace all my furniture coach due to the ongoing issue material flaking. This condition has been going on for over 5 years and still not resolved. I don’t know how this is profitable for Flexsteel as they have to cover the cost of replacement or Newmar as they have the labor cost of replacing. Now I have to wonder what happens when the new furniture has an issue?“

UPDATE-I was informed that with Flexsteel’s departure from RV business, Newmar is looking for alternative to fill their orders. Once Newmar makes a final decision they will advise me of my options in having furniture replaced. Looks like replacing with Flexsteel is no longer an option which doesn’t really bother me.

I got the same response in regards to replacing my drivers chair because the footrest doesn’t (and never has) worked properly. They said they were consulting with a local shop which I assumed to mean the company that is replacing Flexsteel. I can’t recall their name at the moment but it was in the 2021 model announcements.

Anyway, the real question is what that means for replacements. I had my dirvers chair repaired at North Trail once already. The repair didn’t last a day and it’s been broken since FPU. I am now insisting on a replacement of that chair. But if they can’t get it from Flexsteel, doesn’t that mean they can’t match the fabric?

if that’s true, I see a whole lot of Flexsteel furniture being replaced throughout a whole lot of coaches.

 

[Neal]

Sorry Newmar, this problem has been around since 2015 and you made no changes to correct the problem. You should eat this and fix it.

 

[FL-JOE]

Newmar (or Flexsteel) replaced our two front seats at about the 20 month mark due to flaking on the driver's seat. The different color piping was "unavailable" so even though the passenger seat hadn't started flaking yet they replaced them both so they would match.

What worries me now is what happens in year 4 or 5 when the rest of the Flexsteel furniture starts flaking in the coach?

 

[MapNerd]

What worries me now is what happens in year 4 or 5 when the rest of the Flexsteel furniture starts flaking in the coach?

That’s one of my main concerns which is why I’m aiming to get them to replace it all if they can’t replace the drivers chair and match the fabric. Did I mention the co-pilot chair is also showing signs of imminent failure?

 

[sheridany]

Well this is going to be interesting as Newmar is replacing the furniture in my coach next week. I may be SOL if it fails again. Given how long it took to get the furniture made shipped etc, (months) I may opt to have it recovered at an RV furniture shop as I doubt Newmar will replace it again since I am out of warranty.

 

[FL-JOE]

That’s one of my main concerns which is why I’m aiming to get them to replace it all if they can’t replace the drivers chair and match the fabric. Did I mention the co-pilot chair is also showing signs of imminent failure?

I'm thinking you would have some leverage with a 2020 model. When we were at the factory last year I'm guessing over a third of the units there for service had one or more pieces of furniture being replaced. I didn't personally speak with any of those coach owners but I would have a hard time believing they were all paying for the replacements.

 

[ARD]

@TJ&LadyDi I plan on having a discussion about that but not real optimistic. When I did build sheet back last year I asked about getting Villa as their recliners fit tall people better and I was told not a chance. I think it’s one of those things Newmar does for model distinction.

Hopefully, Newmar will take care of you. When I talked to Midway RV I was told the 2021 Dutch Stars will have the Villa furniture. The luxury line will also have Villa, but a mo betta Villa.

 

[ARD]

That's encouraging, @NWIP. I'm guessing that Newmar finally got to the point where dealing with Flexsteel was simply a no-win situation. That will probably put a dent in Flexsteel's bottom line, if not a large hole that may sink the ship.

TJ

Actually, it was my understanding Flexsteel said they were going to stop supply in the middle of Newmar's production and Newmar was sent scrambling to find alternate supplier.

 

[MapNerd]

Hopefully, Newmar will take care of you. When I talked to Midway RV I was told the 2021 Dutch Stars will have the Villa furniture. The luxury line will also have Villa, but a mo betta Villa.

I don’t know why they don’t just go with Villa across the lines. The furniture is the most interacted with component in any RV. It pays to just go with quality up front. Newmar of all brands should know that.

 

[Neal]

Has anyone had bad experiences with Villa? Is Villa really better in the end or is it the level of materials Newmar is spec'ing out?

 

[MapNerd]

The furniture isn’t even that complicated. I’m kind of surprised Newmar doesn’t just hire 25 guys to start cranking out their own custom furniture.

 

[CoreyinWP]

I had villa furniture in my Entegra. Replaced the couch after the first year.

I think it is totally dependent on what is specked by the mfr. I had flexsteel captains chairs and had them re-foamed. Many have had the same issue on their Entegra. Ted Cook, one of their sales managers told me it was an internal debate on the foam quality. Quality, lost.

 

[Neal]

In my touring of other RV vendors (clubs) on this site I've been paying attention to the furniture in the gallery views. They sure seem to have much better furniture out there in the towables it seems.

 

[Doc Burry]

Wow we must be lucky, our 2009 Ventana 3961 has great looking, and functional, Flexsteel seats and furniture and nearly no wear on them?! Perhaps Newmar has been let down in the past 5 to 6 yrears by their less than quality furniture.

 

["EZ"]

My guy at Custom Classic Coach told me that Flexsteel doesn't make RV furniture any more.

 

[Neemer]

Wow we must be lucky, our 2009 Ventana 3961 has great looking, and functional, Flexsteel seats and furniture and nearly no wear on them?! Perhaps Newmar has been let down in the past 5 to 6 yrears by their less than quality furniture.

Doc, Newmar has no one to blame but themselves and perhaps the offshore maker of the coverings, who could have snookered Newmar into thinking their coverings were quality stuff. Flexsteel made the furniture with covers specified by Newmar.

 

[AZDUNER]

What years of the Dutchstars were affeccted by the defective material? I'm looking at some 2017 Dutchstar 4018's now and was wondering if I should be leery?

 

[Neal]

I've seen it as far back as 2015's