seat covers

[markatherton]

I would like to cover the original seats on my 97 concourse with sheepskin to preserve the original upholstery. Anyone have a good source to cover the flexsteel seats? Mark in San Diego. Thank you.

[HoosierB]

No experience with this vendor, but a possible source:
http://www.autoenhance.com/sheepskin-rv ... overs.html

[kdarling]

Oooo, nice find on that RV centric cover maker.

This Colorado lady on eBay has been nice in emails, and likewise seems willing to customize to a photo:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ALL-SHEEPSKIN- ... 2093787064

The most expensive covers out there are sheepskin even on the sides, while less expensive versions have faux fur on the non-seating parts, which often sheds.

Sheepskins are wonderfully comfortable both in winter and summer, plus they repel liquids.

[Blue~Go]

Sheepskins are wonderfully comfortable both in winter and summer, plus they repel liquids.

Although you do have to watch out for wolves

[HoosierB]

Although you do have to watch out for wolves

That's pretty "Ba-a-a-a-a-d"!

Seriously, having had high quality sheepskin seat covers in other vehicles, there is a downside....
When the vehicle has been closed up and gets hot, the scent of "sheep" permeates throughout the interior. "Peeewhuuu!" Hey, it's a dead animal's skin! You may want to consider synthetic fur covers.
Just sayin'...

[markatherton]

Is that really true? Anyone have actual experience?

[HoosierB]

Is that really true? Anyone have actual experience?

To clarify... yes, the pair I had smelled bad. But, this was some years ago. Mine were fitted for a 450SL and of the best quality available at the time. After sitting on a warm/hot day with the top up, the odor was pretty intolerable. I would hope the process of sheepskin hide preparation has improved.

Other considerations:
• check the company's recommended cleaning process. They're not all the same and some are more involved/harder to clean than others.
• long vs. short sheared fibers: long fiber mats quicker and should be regularly "combed out" with a course bristle type brush.
• if you choose the "full seat cover" style, once installed you won't want to remove them. It's a hassle... and may determine how often you choose to clean them (and they will need to be cleaned).
• for not much more money, I will have my cloth Flexsteel captains chairs reupholstered in Ultraleather... easier to butt slide in/out, and to keep clean (IMHO).

[SMan]

I really like sheepskins and my experiences with them have spanned close to 35 years now. I have had them in a variety of vehicles (RV's. Daily drivers, and classic cars). A few I can remember off the top of my head include: 1981 Firebird, 1968 El Camino, 1969 Mach I, 1968 Chev PU, 1974 Mercedes 450SL, 1990 Jeep Cherokee Laredo, 1975 Pontiac Gran Prix, 1995 Jeep Wrangler, 2000 Jeep Wrangler, 1993 Tioga motorhome (E350), 1982 Corvette, 2008 Rav4, and I am sure I have missed a few. Obviously I am a big fan. I have had full sheepskins, those with faux back and sides and also the ones that cover only the seating surface. They are certainly harder to find these days and with airbags shouldn't be used in certain applications.

The 2000 Wrangler I currently have them in I purchased new and am on my 2nd set in 18 years. After all that use I really haven't found odors a real issue. (I consider myself a smell sensitive person) That is true even in my cars that have sat for extended time periods. Maybe that is the type/quality/brand I have used. Now when they get wet they can smell a bit. Also when they are new they can be a bit strong. All this said everyone is different in how they tolerate smells.

[Blue~Go]

•... for not much more money, I will have my cloth Flexsteel captains chairs reupholstered in Ultraleather... easier to butt slide in/out, and to keep clean (IMHO).

I like that idea. First, you get to enjoy the stock seats without any covers to faff with (good covers are minimum faffing but they are still covers). Then you get nice seats later as well when they are reupholstered in the covering of your choice.

I had no experience with Ultraleather until a friend bought an RV with both the dinette and the sofa upholstered with it. It is pretty nice! Really soft and supple and not "plasticky." Cleans up so easily too. It is slightly slippery but as you say that could be a plus. Also they make another type that is anti-slip.

All that said, I "temporarily" cut pieces of fleece and use those as seat covers. I just knot two ends behind the metal bars of the headrest and it stays in place due to the friction between the stock cloth and the fleece. Then I throw them in the laundry with minimum fuss (and put on a clean piece since it's easy to have multiples). But they do slightly resemble the couch covers you'd have in a dorm, vs. really nice seat covers. So far they have lived up to the adage that there's nothing as permanent as a temporary fix But they do have their virtues.

[kdarling]

I love sheepskins.

They save your legs from getting burned in the summer, and your butt from freezing in the winter.

And they just plain feel luxurious to sit on and grab a handful of

I recently ordered some Kookabura Wash from Australia and cleaned a pelt I had stored for years in a plastic tub. Good as new.

Their only downside to me is that they insulate heated seats too well!