TheSamba.com :: View topic - Cheap ubiquitously available seat covers that fit well?

Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:28 pm

Heya :)

Since we're about to take off on an extended trip, I thought I'd see if there were any options in seat covers for the captains chairs in a 91 vanagon gl that hit the following points:

• fit reasonably well
• are ubiquitously available for in-store pickup (we'll be crossing the border into the US in early may, and would want to pick something up pretty early on in our trip). No time for cross-border mail order.
• are preferably cheap (but we'll bend on this point if there's something really nice available).

Basically just trying to get the seats protected with a minimal amount of hassle and expense.

-T

Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:18 pm

the larger chain of auto parts store carry a large selection, but seems like they are made by same manufacturer. So there wasn't a different selection in the stores I looked at.
You might try them online to see what they carry in the stores and then head to the nearest one after you come across.

Pep Boys, AutoZone, Advanced Auto are some of the stores online for a start and they usually have a store locator so type in the zip code for where your crossing.

Fri Apr 18, 2014 9:30 pm

OP, I've yet to find any to fit the bill. There are some nice options like wet-okles and I think Sewfine makes some too, but they are not inexpensive in any way. Personally, I'm thinking about doing the towel thing. Put two grommets at one of the long ends of the towel spaced out to fit the headrest. That way the towel doesn't fall off while getting in/out of the seat. Super easy to take on/off and just throw them in the wash after your trip.

Kevin

Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:10 am

If choosing a generic seat cover that might bag and fold I'd at least get sheepskin ones that provide the most comfort and might help disguise the poor fit. Armrests will prove to be a greater hassle than the headrests during installation.

Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:19 am

No such thing!

Generic covers fit poorly, slide around, are often made of weird uncomfortable fabric, wear quickly, look poor, etc.

Bite the bullet!
Call Carol at SewFine and get proper quality, factory like seat covers!

She will send you samples, she will do custom work with colors and fabrics of your choosing.

A link to the catalog........
http://html5.publicationprinters.com/default.aspx?...e7e6ee2751

But...... No online ordering, call her. She says it's to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.

Do it properly once and be done with it!
For an entry price of $280 per pair........ It's a no brainer!

Dave

Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:29 am

Not cheap but excellent quality and the company can fit any seat perfectly.

http://www.wetokole.com/

http://www.wetokole.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SR...ange_high=

Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:07 am

:bay_blue: Yes there is at Cabelas there trail gear seat covers. All of $25 each, and will fit arm rest to. 600 denier built to take it all even my dog. I love mine fit great look great, in tan or gray . Also put them in my Toyota and Subaru. :D

Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:32 pm

Though I haven't tried this, I do recall reading a post where someone discovered these cheap hand truck covers (moving blanket) fit over the seats with slight mod for arm rest. Pretty cheap and disposable once you've found they've served usefulness.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-truck-cover-98345.html

Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:51 pm

I use this one

http://www.pepboys.com/product/details/46716/00603/

also at Autozone, O'Reilly...

it has pockets in the back too... easy to wash ... cheap enough to throw away when worn...

you have to cut holes for armrests...

Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:23 pm

Cabelas has some covers that fit great, wear really well and are washable.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-TrailGear-S...l+Products

Sat Apr 19, 2014 10:07 pm

K58 wrote: Cabelas has some covers that fit great, wear really well and are washable.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-TrailGear-S...l+Products

I agree, I have these on my van. And if you are travelling down I-5, you can stop at the Marysville,wa Cabella's and get them. About 1.5 hrs from the border.

Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:52 am

a vote for real sheepskin if you can find them. Best material in both hot and cold weather. From a performance standpoint, nothing comes close.

Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:55 am

Steelhead wrote: a vote for real sheepskin if you can find them. Best material in both hot and cold weather. From a performance standpoint, nothing comes close.

I doubt we could find a sheep who wouldn't agree...well maybe the smart ones :lol:

Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:50 am

joseph928 wrote: :bay_blue: Yes there is at Cabelas there trail gear seat covers. All of $25 each, and will fit arm rest to. 600 denier built to take it all even my dog. I love mine fit great look great, in tan or gray . Also put them in my Toyota and Subaru. :D

+1 for the cheap Cabelas seat covers. Just installed a set yesterday. No need to remove arm rests which is a huge plus. The fabric seems durable albeit a bit 'canvasey', but they ought to hold up better than the more expensive generic autobarn types when our labs sit in them whist we are away.

Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:53 pm

Sewfines are the long goal. Unfortunately, we leave in under 2 weeks, so I don't think the timelines would work out :( Hence the search for something cheap and cheerful to use in our immediate application.

djkeev wrote: No such thing!

Generic covers fit poorly, slide around, are often made of weird uncomfortable fabric, wear quickly, look poor, etc.

Bite the bullet!
Call Carol at SewFine and get proper quality, factory like seat covers!

She will send you samples, she will do custom work with colors and fabrics of your choosing.

A link to the catalog........
http://html5.publicationprinters.com/default.aspx?...e7e6ee2751

But...... No online ordering, call her. She says it's to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.

Do it properly once and be done with it!
For an entry price of $280 per pair........ It's a no brainer!

Dave

Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:55 pm

Awesome possum—sounds like these are the plan. I'm planning to stop at that exact cabelas anyhow, as I need to restock on CR123A batteries for my flashlight, and I've had good luck on pricing there in the past.

Thanks for the suggestion!!

adv rider wrote: K58 wrote: Cabelas has some covers that fit great, wear really well and are washable.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-TrailGear-S...l+Products

I agree, I have these on my van. And if you are travelling down I-5, you can stop at the Marysville,wa Cabella's and get them. About 1.5 hrs from the border.

Sun Apr 20, 2014 6:00 pm

I've considered the wet okoles in the past, but I tend to run warm, and I can only imagine that sitting around on neoprene all day is a surefire recipe for swamp butt ;) They really don't seem like they'd breathe particularly well...

If I was loading in and out of my van in wet gear surfing or boating every day they'd be a no-brainer, but don't seem like comfort for extended driving is the primary design goal given the choice in materials.

insyncro wrote: Not cheap but excellent quality and the company can fit any seat perfectly.

http://www.wetokole.com/

http://www.wetokole.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=SR...ange_high=

Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:33 am

K58 wrote: Cabelas has some covers that fit great, wear really well and are washable.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-TrailGear-S...l+Products

x2, i have a set of these in my Westy.
The grey color matches the westy grey nicely.

Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:41 am

For many years I used the generic seat covers mentioned earlier in all the posts, available at box stores or flaps. They serve the required purpose just fine-cheap seat covers to protect the original upholstery. The tall bucket seat covers fit over the captains chairs and head rests. You can cut holes to slip around the arm rests without removing them. The small bench seat covers fit reasonable well over the rear bench.

These are by no means "show" quality covers and aren't meant to be. But they are completely adequate for the intended use and the total investment is $40. You can spend hundreds on custom covers, but then aren't you defeating the purpose of not caring if they get dirty? (and yes, this is a crash photo but it's the only one I had.)

Mon Apr 21, 2014 11:40 am

djkeev wrote: No such thing!

Generic covers fit poorly, slide around, are often made of weird uncomfortable fabric, wear quickly, look poor, etc.

Bite the bullet!
Call Carol at SewFine and get proper quality, factory like seat covers!

She will send you samples, she will do custom work with colors and fabrics of your choosing.

A link to the catalog........
http://html5.publicationprinters.com/default.aspx?...e7e6ee2751

But...... No online ordering, call her. She says it's to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings.

Do it properly once and be done with it!
For an entry price of $280 per pair........ It's a no brainer!

Dave

Sewfine does not make slip on seat covers. They call their new upholstery "seat covers". To use their products you need to remove the old upholstery and install theirs.

"no, we do not make slip covers...original upholstery only.

Thank you.
Carol Werner"