I swapped the old saggy couch in our 2017 Grand Design Imagine 2600RB for a RecPro 68" jackknife sofa in “Mahogany.” I’ve lived with it for three months now. Two weekend trips and one full week on the road. Kids, a muddy dog, and one rainy stretch in Tennessee. Here’s how it went, no fluff.
If you’re still shopping, take a peek at the broader selection of jackknife sofas RecPro offers to compare sizes and colors.
P.S. A full spec sheet and unboxing notes live in my dedicated RecPro 68″ jackknife review if you’re into nuts-and-bolts details.
Why I Swapped the Old Couch
Our old sofa was lumpy. The fabric pilled and felt rough on bare legs. It squeaked when you moved. Also, it didn’t pull out flat. We needed a bed for my niece, and my back needed mercy.
A buddy at the park swore by the RecPro jackknife. He said, “It fits, it’s easy, and it looks sharp.” I was sold after I sat on his for five minutes with a coffee. Sometimes you just know, right?
That same buddy had earlier pointed me toward some RV recliners that we trialed on real camps, but in the end the jackknife won out for space-saving.
The Install: Rain, Coffee, and Two Wrenches
We did the install on a wet Saturday. Door clearance was tight. Our entry door is about 26 inches wide. We had to take the back off the sofa to get it inside. It wasn’t hard.
What I used:
- 1/2-inch socket
- Phillips screwdriver
- Furniture sliders
- Painter’s tape
The base comes in two main pieces. We mocked it up in the slide first, taped the floor, and pre-drilled where the brackets hit. It bolted into the same holes our old couch used, which felt like a small miracle. Two people can do this. It took us about 90 minutes, with a snack break.
Tip: Leave about a hand’s width between the sofa and the wall. Ours needed around 9 inches to lay flat without rubbing the paneling.
First Sit: Firm but Friendly
The first sit felt firm. Not hard—just supportive. The faux leather is smooth and a bit cool at first touch. It warmed up fast under a blanket. I’m 5'5", and the seat height worked for me. My husband is 6'2". His knees were a touch high, but he didn’t complain during movie night.
Armrests are simple. No buttons. No power. That’s the point for me. Fewer things to break on the road.
Sleep Test: One Adult, One Kid, Zero Fuss
Let me explain how it sleeps. It pulls flat in one sweep. No wrestling. My niece, who is 10, slept fine. I tried it for a full night on our second trip. I felt the middle hinge a bit on my hip. A thin foam topper fixed that. Without a topper, I’d do one night. With a topper, I’d do a weekend.
If your crew’s sleeping quarters include bunks, my hands-on review of an RV bunk mattress breaks down what to expect comfort-wise.
Size-wise, it’s close to a full bed, but not quite. Two kids? Sure. Two adults? Maybe if you really like each other.
Life With a Dog and Two Snack Monsters
The material wipes clean. Mud, Cheeto dust, hot cocoa—I’ve seen it all now. A damp cloth did the trick every time. I keep a tiny brush to clear the crumbs from the hinge.
One note: on a hot day, the dark color runs warmer near the window. A light throw blanket keeps it comfy. Also, when we hit a rough patch of road, I heard a small squeak from the frame. A bit of felt tape on one bracket stopped it.
Looks: Yes, It Classed Up the Space
It actually made the room look bigger. The lines are clean and low. The “Mahogany” is rich but not shiny. You know what? It made our old dinette look tired. Funny how one new piece calls out the rest.
Little Things That Bugged Me
- The hinge bar can be felt if you sleep on your side without a topper.
- It needs space from the wall, so measure your slide.
- On very hot days, the seat can feel toasty by the window.
- The entry door shuffle was not fun, but we managed.
For readers curious about future upgrades, there’s a detailed owner discussion on swapping a jackknife sofa for theater seating that lays out measurements, bolt patterns, and real-world comfort notes.
Two-Month Check-In: No Peeling, No Sag
No peeling so far. I wipe it down once a week with a mild cleaner. No cracks. No sag. The stitching looks tight. The seat foam bounced back after my nephew used it like a trampoline. I gave him the look, and then I checked the seams—still fine.
Who This Sofa Fits
- Weekend campers who need a real place for a kid or guest to sleep
- Folks who want simple and sturdy over fancy power seats
- People who like easy cleaning and a neat look
Who might not love it:
- Tall adults who need a true queen bed
- Anyone who hates firm seats
- If your slide or wall clearance is tiny
If you’re a solo RVer who occasionally turns that spare sleeping spot into a way to host new friends you meet on the road, you’ll know that finding company in a new city can be its own puzzle. I’ve tested out a few dating and hookup apps while traveling, and my candid rundown of Benaughty’s features, member quality, and safety tools explains how the platform can help you line up casual meet-ups without wasting precious campsite time. Check it out if you want honest pros, cons, and sign-up tips before you swipe.
For instance, if your travels steer you toward Colorado’s Front Range and you’re curious about the local after-dark scene, this no-frills Aurora USA Sex Guide breaks down the city’s best nightlife spots, meet-up etiquette, and safety pointers so you can enjoy a hassle-free night out without playing tourist roulette.
Real Moments That Sold Me
- Rainy night in Chattanooga: we watched a storm roll through. I stretched out with a book. No back ache after an hour. That was new for me.
- Early morning in Asheville: Daisy (our golden) jumped up with wet paws. I sighed, wiped the prints, and it looked like nothing happened.
- A laid-back Sunday at the creek-side pads of Riverhouse Acres campground let us test the sofa during an afternoon nap, and it passed the quiet-time comfort test with flying colors.
- Sleepover Saturday: niece and her friend giggled until midnight on the flat bed. It held steady. No wobble. No squeak.
Quick Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Clean look, easy wipe-down
- Firm support for sitting
- Smooth, one-sweep pullout
- Held up to kids and a dog
- Install took under two hours
Cons:
- You may feel the hinge without a topper
- Needs a few inches from the wall
- Warm in sun-facing spots
- Tight door fit during install
Tips I Wish I Knew
- Measure your door and your slide, twice
- Keep felt tape and furniture sliders on hand
- Add a 1-inch foam topper for guests
- Leave space behind the sofa for airflow and a clean pull-down
- Vacuum the hinge now and then so crumbs don’t grind
- Upgrading your main bed? Check out how our switch to an RV king mattress changed storage and sleep.
My Verdict
I’m glad we bought it. It made our small space feel tidy and calm. It’s firm, it’s simple, and it works. Not perfect, but solid. If you want a fuss-free RV sofa that can handle pets, kids, and road bumps, this one earns its keep.
Would I buy it again? Yes. With the same color. And I’d still stash that little topper in the pass-through, just in case.