[Tim]

Michael, I think the answer depends on whether you will frequently carry passengers or have overnight guests. For us the two sofa setup we had in our XL-40 worked so well that we installed a second sofa when we bought our current non-slide bus. We also changed out the table/chairs dinette for a booth. For us, a really fun aspect of this hobby is piling in a bunch of friends or co-workers for a ski trip, tailgating, winetasting, or taking my son’s teenage buddies to play paintball or whatever. More seating is best for a use like that and I want the party to be up by me when I’m driving so I’m not left out. Even when its just me and my girlfriend on a trip the configuration works for us. We get one couch to watch TV or read and the dogs get the other. Cozy. For some, the downside of dual sofas, especially in a non-slide coach, is that you end up with jacknife sofas producing two full size beds very close to each other, rather than one queen. This works fine for us, but a couple who frequently travels with another couple might really want a single sofa/queen sleeper setup. Even though the configuration works for us, I must say honestly the jacknife sofas are not that comfortable to sleep on. (Don’t ask why I got to test them.)

In any event, changing the configuration by removing or installing a sofa is not a huge expense. I don’t think the sofa configuration should be a dealbreaker for a bus you otherwise love, especially if you are on the fence about which configuration is best. Good luck with your hunt.

[Peter]

I think the salon configuration regardless of which it is had pluses or minuses and if looking for a used coach none of the common layouts should be a show stopper. But your use of the coach will dictate if you can live with the layout or not. We have had all three you listed. Our favorite was a sofa on one side, and two chairs with a cabinet between them on the other. Neither of us gave up anything. We could each have the same comfortable chair, or we could sit on the sofa, or even lay on the sofa, or open it and use it as a bed.

We had a two sofa configuration. Neither sofa was as comfortable as the two chairs we previously had, but were OK. We missed having the cabinet for easy access storage. We did have storage under all sofas but the cabinet just was our preference.

We now have a sofa and a recliner with an ottoman, and the cabinet can be set up for storage, a printer, or any other use. It has a computer drawer which I use extensively. The bad thing about our current set up is only one of us gets the recliner at a time. Unlike the previous layouts, having another couple usually ends up with one of the four of us sitting at the dinette. The lifestyle does not find us entertaining another couple in the coach so that is relatively unimportant, but is still something to consider.

We also have had all dining configurations. The best was a booth with wide seating so 4 could eat comfortably. We had an expandable table but we never seated more than three (a matching folding chair was provided) and we placed that at the end. We now have a J booth and I don’t like it. At all. It is just not as convenient as the booth or chairs and table. Again, all this is personal choices and depends on the use of the coach.

[Archived]

Hi Michael,

In our previous coach we had a sofa with two recliners across from the sofa with ottomans and a legless dinette with four chairs (two normal chairs and two folding chairs). The table would slide out for more room if needed.

So, when we were building the new one, we decided on two sofa’s across from each other for max seating. We both find the sofa’s very comfortable and both turn into beds with an electric button.

We chose the J-booth dinette so if we are both eating, we can watch TV (our backs are to the window) or if one of us wants to sit on the ‘J’ part, that person is looking forward. We didn’t care for the two attached chairs that look out the window but apparently that is a popular set-up.

We also didn’t want the regular booth as one person can’t see the TV. With the ‘J’ booth, we do have a storage drawer under the ‘J’ seat that slides out (for small computer printer, etc.). Also, both sofa’s have drawer storage as well.

The H-45 has the driver’s and passenger seats setting down 3 steps so those chairs cannot be part of the sitting area, hence, the two sofa’s (for us). The way the ‘J’ lounge is designed, additional guests can sit there and be part of the conversation group and the ‘J’ lounge is very comfortable. It’s where I sit mostly at my lap top.

We both enjoy lying on the sofa’s to watch TV as we both have our own. We also have two ottomans if we want to sit on the sofa and put our feet up (lots of configurations).

You should think about what works for you and your family. If you find the perfect coach without the perfect seating, it might be worth it to change it the way it works for you.

In our previous coach, I did get tired of ‘loose’ furniture (dining chairs, recliners, etc.). I kept thinking in a panic stop, they might come flying.

Good luck,

Mark

[Davy]

We’ve had our coach just over a year. We were very set on a single couch. The coach we bought had two couches that pull out into beds. I intended to replace one of the couches with a desk and easy chair. That still hasn’t happened and may never happen. The couches are both very comfortable and we spent much of the summer spoiling Grand-kids and the second couch was a blessing.

[Jerry]

Thank you to all who took the time to give me their experiences and suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to reply, the suggesions have been very helpful. Especially the suggestion to not reject a Coach because of the seating; simply change it after determining if it does not suit our style. Thanks again Michael