Shock absorbing seat pads?

[larryrmnp]

My cruising is limited by my wife's tolerance for being bounced around. What is the best seat pad or material for cushioning her? It needs to be something elastic. Memory foam, inflatables, and open cell foam all seem comfortable but not for absorbing jolts. One site likes the TravelMate Wellness Seat Cushion.

Thanks

 

[gandrimp]

In my opinion, my 93 has the best seat (for comfort) That I have ever sat on. Even after 700 miles a day. My wife will agree with me. That said, I believe the only way to get more comfort would be an air ride seat.

What suspension do you have? Lower air pressure in the tires, lighter springs (if you have heavy springs), shocks can all help the ride.

Best of luck to you in your search, I have close friends that love to travel overland style, but one of them just cant tolerate the jarring of our Missouri road system.

 

[Patineto]

Air ride truck seats are a great place to start..

Many of then even have a shock absorber with the proper linkages (not a gimmick) from there the sky is the limit, military/industrial technology that can cost as much as the truck..

 

[crikeymike]

Maybe talk with an upholstery shop, like someone who does marine interiors and stuff and see if they can redo the seat cushion with something else. Memory foam seems to be everywhere these days.

 

[larryrmnp]

Thanks to all. I should have mentioned our rig is a stock, not yet baselined, 95LC.

I looked at the Air Rides. Looks like a good seat. Maybe down the road. I'll see how much is left over after retiring and moving. For now I'm looking for a quick fix. Eventually, we will need to replace/rebuild the driver's side so I will look at the Air Ride and call an upholstery shop to see if they have any ideas.

We alway sit on memory foam pillows for long trips but they don't do much for jolts, as in rocky tracks.

I ordered the Travelmate and will try it, and we have some spongy closed cell foam we will try next trip.

I saw a camping pad with built in mini springs that looked like it might be useful but I can't find it now.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Try good old fashioned thick sheepskin maybe

 

[JCruse]

My cruising is limited by my wife's tolerance for being bounced around. What is the best seat pad or material for cushioning her? It needs to be something elastic. Memory foam, inflatables, and open cell foam all seem comfortable but not for absorbing jolts. One site likes the TravelMate Wellness Seat Cushion.

Thanks

Thick latex foam. You can buy a custom cut piece on a few websites. Thickness, density, width and length. Memory foam is just foam that collapses IMO. Latex is springy but not bouncy. It's been the gold standard foam for 80 years.

I have a 10" thick piece in my garage about 5 feet long that came from a Futan bed my neighbor thew out. At 270lbs my butt barely goes half way into it and laying on it (under the truck) feels weightless.

The other choice would be the seat cushions that are sold for wheelchairs. The serious kind for people who have to spend a lifetime sitting in one. Those are seriously cushioning.

 

[larryrmnp]

Back from the mountains. Well, the wife didn't like to Travelmate seat pad. I already tried a sheep skin because that is what I use but she didn't like it. I will try the thick latex foam. I don't think she would go for the wheelchair things I've seen, but I can ask. Will try the lower air pressure. Thanks again to all.

 

[mudgudgeon]

definitely put tire pressures, shock absorbers, then springs at the top of the list.

I run 33" tyres at about 36psi on road, about 25psi offroad, down as low as 12 -15 if you want lots of traction in rough stuff.
adjust your speed accordingly, as steering will get vague as you lower tire pressure

after that, sneak a sprinkle of cement onto her cornflakes in the mornings

 

[Patineto]

Friends that do this..

Tell me is not about the suspension (fully riding seat, bolted directly to the floor) what you need is to not move around, aka a ''bucket'' seat and a five point harness those not hurt...

 

[Bogo]

I'll second air ride seats, but doing one in a SUV might be a bit hard. The range of travel will be very limited in the SUV. Almost no up to keep one from bashing one's head against the roof, and maybe a couple inches down to keep from crushing the feet of the passenger behind. Thinking about it it may be able to be done. I have them in two out of three of my John Deere tractors. For the gals, a five point safety belt will be totally out. Just go for a standard 3 point, but seat mount it due to the seat moving in relationship to the vehicle interior. The biggest issue I've had with air ride seats is when they hit full travel on their air spring. A much stronger damping rate towards travel limits is a must. Shock absorbers are also a must.

 

[Clutchee]

Look at corbeau seats; wife loves them in cruiser and buggy.
Now will actually fall asleep riding in buggy or cruiser due to how comfortable they are.