Looking for new air seats and need suggestions

[orca]

My wife thinks the seats in our Sportchassis are not comfortable enough and has suggested we get new ones.  Going on the net has done nothing to help me choose because there is mind boggling array of models and manufactures.  Going to truck stores has not helped because none of the floor models have the air hooked to them so i can not try the features and must take the word of the salesman!  If anyone here has changed out their seats for new ones i would appreciate hearing the good and bad about the brand and model you chose.

Thanks......Dave

[Darryl&Rita]

Dave, at the least, sit in them. Air base or not, the seat bottom I like won't satisfy you, or your Missus. Narrow it down, then push for air before buying. I'm assuming your truck already has air ride bases. If not, be careful to pick a new base that will fit in your truck. Not all bases will fit in all trucks.

[spindrift]

I was very happy with product selection, price, and customer service.  I would recommend going to a few dealers and sitting in one before buying.  It's amazing how different seats feel to the rump.

https://www.seat-specialists.com/

Edited September 24, 2021 by spindrift

[orca]

I have been to 3 or 4 dealers with seat displays and sat on all of them.  The problem is without being able to use the features such as the Bostrum i looked at today with air side bolsters and lumbar adjustments i have no idea how comfy it will be after 6 or 12 hours.

Good tip about bases though, thanks!

[spindrift]

Bolsters and lumbar features, IMHO, are fairly similar across brands.  Additionally, they don't take the brunt of your rump as does the seat.  I'd look for seat comfort first and foremost and go from there.

[jenandjon]

Legacy seats are the best for the price. You can find them at just about any truck dealer.  Do not buy cheap. I did once. Learned my lesson. If you are on a budget you can find used ones at Vander haages. The do carry new ones as well.

 

https://www.vanderhaags.com/Search-Results.php?items=10&subcategory=cab-and-sleeper-cab-interior&inventorytype=seat-air-ride-seat&typesetid=9000

Edited September 24, 2021 by jenandjon

[jenandjon]

7 hours ago, orca said:

I have been to 3 or 4 dealers with seat displays and sat on all of them.  The problem is without being able to use the features such as the Bostrum i looked at today with air side bolsters and lumbar adjustments i have no idea how comfy it will be after 6 or 12 hours.

Good tip about bases though, thanks!

They didn't have their display hooked to air?

[geodog1]

I purchased a KNOEDLER AIR CHIEF for my wife. It was expensive, but, she LOVES it. It is a much better sitting seat than the one which was installed by VOLVO.

 

 

ShortyO

[orca]

Jenandjon;  I have been to the Volvo, Kenworth and Freightliner plus three aftermarket dealers and none of them had air supplied to the seat display!  It is kinda like going to look at a new 5er but not being able to put slides out.  I just don't want to spend that much money blind! 

[orca]

13 minutes ago, geodog1 said:

I purchased a KNOEDLER AIR CHIEF for my wife. It was expensive, but, she LOVES it. It is a much better sitting seat than the one which was installed by VOLVO.

 

 

ShortyO

ShortyO;  That is interesting!  My friend singled a 1998 Volvo and those seats are more comfortable than my Freightliner.  Thanks!  I have looked at that brand but delivery, is 4-5 months out!

[spindrift]

They're worth the wait.

Our son just ordered a truck camper with an estimated delivery date in March. 

 

 

[Jaydrvr]

If you're ever in the Joplin neighborhood, stop by 4 States Trucks. They have an extensive collection of seats and usually have a decent selection in stock. I can't remember how many have air to them, though.. Jay

Edited September 24, 2021 by Jaydrvr

[podwerkz]

Sears Seating and Bostrom make some really nice ones, I spent many miles and years on them. They both make a variety of air-ride seats, lots of options. 

My preference was high back, and high density foam covered in cloth, with swivel-down armrests with adjustable stops on the armrests, and automatic oscillating massager, don't laugh...they feel really good!

Make sure you buy one with inflatable lumbar pad and inflatable side bolsters.

Be sure to check the fore/aft (slap-back) isolator, and in my case, I like a lock-out lever or knob for the isolator under my right knee..just a personal preference.

Sears Seating and Bostrom are kinda mid-pack, not the most expensive, but both are easy to get replacement parts for.

 

 

 

 

 

[orca]

I was kind of leaning toward Bostrum.  The dealer has one on display and is looking into availability and delivery time.  Best of all wife tried it and approved it!  I would like to try one of the Knoedler Air chief but they are out of my price range and the wait time is 4-6 months!

[podwerkz]

Keep in mind that as we age, sitting for long hours (especially while driving) can get more and more uncomfortable because our glutes and hamstring muscles gradually lose muscle tone..and those muscles carry a lot of the weight and pressure along with providing some cushion for your 'sit bones'.

Mainly the point is, that even if you spend $2000 on a seat, don't expect it to be perfectly comfortable for 10 hours a day if you are past about 50 years old. You just gotta take breaks every 2 hours or so. This also helps refresh the mind and reduce the risk of DVT. 

Yes, spend the money for a good quality seat, but also, use common sense when driving all day. 

 

[DJohns]

I will add a comment. My wife only weights 110 pounds. With the nationals in my Volvo she hardly moves because she is so light. I have called national but they basically could care less and a new shock is 6 months out. REALLY!  So if your wife is on the light side I would  make sure you find a seat that has air for a fit before you buy.

[noteven]

My little phart KW has Legacy Silver seats, with very low hours, installed by a previous owner. 

Like most truck seats all the interconnecting moving parts and pins have clearance and slop in them.  The flopping side to side is most annoying. 

What if someone like the famous inventor phoenix2013 invented a seat base with heim joints and HMVWhatchamacallit plastic in the moving joints so there was ever only .005" clearance, 

then added tunable damping like a desert racing truck or 2 of my motorcycles have

 

Oh, also on a class 8 making sure your cab air ride dampers are not full of air instead of oil helps with ride quality. 

 

 

[Jaydrvr]

2 hours ago, noteven said:

My little phart KW has Legacy Silver seats, with very low hours, installed by a previous owner. 

Like most truck seats all the interconnecting moving parts and pins have clearance and slop in them.  The flopping side to side is most annoying. 

What if someone like the famous inventor phoenix2013 invented a seat base with heim joints and HMVWhatchamacallit plastic in the moving joints so there was ever only .005" clearance, 

then added tunable damping like a desert racing truck or 2 of my motorcycles have

 

Oh, also on a class 8 making sure your cab air ride dampers are not full of air instead of oil helps with ride quality. 

 

 

For about $5000 (each), you can have the fancy Bose seats with active suspension.. As I recall, they're based on the same principle as active feedback speakers, using sensors to track and accurately counteract the motion of the seat. Jay

[Star Dreamer]

I like our GM mini van seats, 2nd row seats. Mounted them to our standard air ride bases. Driver's side even has a drink holder.

[Brad & Jacolyn]

We had Legacy Silver installed yesterday in Wichita. Ordered them 12 weeks ago but they are now here and the wife approves. Life is good.

[orca]

Wow!  Something is odd!  I use the "unread content" button and this thread has not come up since Sept 25 so i thought the thread was dead!

Thanks all for your thoughts and recomendations.  I think i can wait until i visit some of the giant truck plazas that seem to have stock of the higher end custom seats.  

Something i will also look into is "restuffing" my existing seats.  Those seats are almost 20 years old and i am sure the new types of foam will be more comfortable,  not to mention a few thousand dollars cheaper!

[rickeieio]

There's always the option of just buying new factory foam and putting it under the old covers.  Not difficult.

Edited October 8, 2021 by rickeieio