During their quest for a new couch, every RVer will come across something called a jackknife sofa.

Many RV owners are now wondering what a jackknife couch is.

And now, after some investigation, we’re ready to tell you all there is to know about them.

A jackknife sofa in an RV is a sofa that can be pulled out and used as a bed.

All you have to do is pull the seat down and it will lie flat.

Because it doesn’t have a hefty mattress, it’s a perfect alternative to a traditional pull-out sofa.

Because of their low cost and ease of use, these devices have become a popular choice.

This is a basic summary of what to anticipate when purchasing an RV jackknife couch.

However, there is much more to learn about these items before deciding whether or not you need one.

So, please allow us to assist you by giving you with the information you need to make an informed choice.

What You Should Know About RV Jackknife Sofas

This section will go through all of the ins and outs of these items in great depth.

We’ll also go over what an RV jackknife couch is, how to care for one, and the advantages of having one.

This knowledge will help you understand why these couches are becoming more popular.

What Exactly Is It?

The first thing you notice about an RV jackknife sofa is that it appears just like a regular couch.

It’s usually constructed of leather and has enough room for at least two people to sit in it.

To put it another way, it’s a terrific spot to relax and enjoy a movie or two while on your RV journey.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Lynn & Andrew |Travel + RVLife (@you.me.andwillowmakes3)

But what sets these items apart is their ability to convert into a single-person bed.

It can perform this duty thanks to a sliding rear that creates a level surface.

This makes them the ideal piece of furniture to keep on hand in case of unexpected visitors.

Here’s a video that demonstrates how these jackknife sofas transform into a nighttime bed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMinIaAKVNQ&ab_channel=ThorMotorCoach
Jack Knife Sofa Conversion – Thor Motor Coach

These items might be anywhere between 60 and 75 inches long.

Because of the wide range of possibilities, you’ll need to know how much room you have in your RV.

What Is the Best Way to Take Care of It?

Taking care of an RV jackknife couch is similar to taking care of a standard sofa.

You’ll only have to be cautious while converting it to a bed and make sure there’s enough space.

Otherwise, if it comes into contact with anything sharp, it might cause tears and rips.

Read the instruction handbook that came with the couch.

Any cleaning recommendations for the sofa that need extra care should be included in this resource.

If you don’t follow these directions, you risk destroying the fabric by using the improper cleaning materials.

And, if you want your couch to look good for as long as possible, reading the handbook should be a top priority.

What Are Its Advantages?

There are many advantages to having a jackknife couch in your RV.

This section will go through the main reasons why someone could find these things valuable, in my opinion.

It should help you decide whether or not acquiring one is a good idea.

#1. Affordable

RV jack couches are much less expensive than pull-out sofas.

These goods are clearly a cheap approach to guarantee that your visitors have a place to sleep at all times.

#2. Occupy Less Space

These items also take up less room than a traditional pull-out sofa.

This advantage stems from the fact that they take up less space when used as both a sofa and a bed.

Because of the restricted space aboard RVs, this feature is crucial.

#3. Transitioning From A Couch To A Bed Is Simple.

Transitioning from a couch to a bed is straightforward with Jackknife couches.

Most of the time, all you have to do is pull on the sofa’s seat to make it lie flat.

This seamless transition isn’t often seen in other pull-out sofas.

#4. It’s Simple To Relocate

Unlike other sofa beds, an RV jackknife couch does not come with a substantial mattress.

Because of this, these items are easier to transport.

When you’re attempting to put one in your RV, it’ll come in useful.

#5. The Ideal One-person Bed

These goods are ideal for when you have a visitor staying with you.

All you have to do is pull on the sofa’s seat, and you’ll have a nice sleeping area for them.

Some of these jackknife couches are large enough to comfortably seat two persons.

If you’re still unsure what these items are or what they can do for you, we’ll give you five instances.

Each of the RV jackknife couches listed below should provide you with a clearer notion of what to anticipate.

The Top 5 Jackknife Sofas for RVs

We think these five RV jackknife couches are the greatest on the market right now.

They will all supply you with a pleasant piece of furniture that is also versatile.

We really hope you like them as much as we do.

#1. Lippert Components 68” RV Jackknife Sofa

The Lippert Components 68″ RV Jackknife Sofa is a robust and comfortable piece of furniture for RV owners.

This sofa is made of high-density foam, which provides excellent support anytime you sit on it.

As a consequence, your visitor will not have a stiff back or aches and pains when they wake up.

It also changes to a bed with simplicity, using just one move to complete the operation.

However, the style of this couch is its finest feature.

This model has stunning PolyHyde upholstery, making it a sofa that will make your visitors envious.

Furthermore, this material is both long-lasting and simple to clean.

A one-year guarantee is included with this couch.

#2. Thomas Payne 68″ RV Jackknife Sofa

This sofa is made of Euro-leather vinyl, which not only looks wonderful but is also simple to clean and maintain.

This trait is beneficial to those like myself who are lazy and don’t want to put out any work to maintain it in good condition.

It also helps that this jackknife couch has a simple conversion mechanism.

It’s a three-step technique that won’t take long or need much work.

Because of the high-density foam, the bed will be considerably more comfortable than you imagine.

This foam, together with the cushioned backrest, will ensure that anyone sleeps on this couch is very comfortable.

It’s worth noting that this sofa features a steel frame that’s scratch and corrosion resistant.

#3. RecPro Charles 60″ RV Jackknife Sleeper Sofa

Despite its diminutive size, the RecPro Charles 60″ RV Jackknife Sleeper Sofa is a model not to be overlooked.

In truth, the sofa’s small size does not prevent it from delivering comfort to those who sit on it.

Due to the usage of suprima fabric, this couch may deliver a high degree of comfort.

This cloth is really soft, and buyers have commended it in their evaluations.

The metal bed frame of this couch should also appeal to you.

This element provides solidity to the couch, ensuring that it does not wear out.

To put it another way, you can count on this couch to last a long time.

It also helps that the sofa comes in four various colors, allowing you to match it to your existing decor.

Its capacity to morph in a matter of seconds is another feature that everyone would appreciate.

It eliminates any potential annoyance or difficulty from the procedure.

Furthermore, the bed it transforms into is six inches thick, which will give enough support.

#4. Thomas Payne 68″ RV Jackknife Sofa w/ Leg Kit

The mahogany hue of this jackknife couch by Thomas Payne will give your RV’s interior a luxurious air. PloyHyde Euro leather is also used, making this luxurious appearance simple to maintain.

You’ll like the leg outfit as well.

This innovation allows for more storage behind the sofa, which might be a lifesaver for RVers who like collecting goods.

It also helps that this couch has a removable kickboard, which makes it much simpler to use this area.

The other qualities of this couch are quite similar to those of the first Thomas Payne product on our list.

It has the same three-step transition procedure, cushioned backrest, high-density foam, and other features.

In other words, it contains all of the fantastic features of the previous version, including the leg kit and detachable headboard.

I’m not sure about you, but those two additions strike me as winners.

And the price wasn’t even increased much.

As a consequence, I believe this couch is deserving of your undivided attention.

#5. RecPro Charles 70″ Jackknife RV Sleeper Sofa

The RecPro Charles 70″ Jackknife RV Sleeper Sofa is the last item we’d like to talk about.

This jackknife sofa holds up well against its competitors, with characteristics that rival any other jackknife sofa.

For example, it’s made of a long-lasting, soft suprima fabric that’ll make sleeping on this couch a pleasure.

This material is abrasion-resistant and simple to clean.

This couch is also supported by a metal frame, which is something else to consider.

This metal frame is corrosion and scratch resistant, which adds to the sofa’s longevity.

Given these characteristics, there’s no reason to suppose it won’t be there for a long time.

It’s also worth mentioning that this cloth is available in four colors.

This feature may seem little, but having the option to choose the color of your furniture is always a plus.

Finally, the fact that this couch is 70 inches in length doesn’t hurt.

After reading all of this information on RV jackknife couches, selecting the ideal one should be a breeze.

If you have any more queries, please leave them in the comments area. We’d be delighted to assist in any way we can!

Published on

Written by Bob Matsuoka
Bob Matsuoka is a blogger and founder of RVing Beginner blog. He has been blogging for over five years, writing about his own family’s RV adventures, tips for people who are interested in buying an RV or taking their family on an adventure by RV.