Most Comfortable Seats for Van Life | Scheel-Mann Seats Review and Install

[@bonniepwtf]

I used to drive 11 hours a day doing my last job & you're so right about having a quality seat being worth it, especially with back issues. Take care guys.

[@Weretherussos]

Thanks Bonnie

[@Victor47930]

THIS is the video I have been waiting for since I noticed you had the Scheel-Mann seats. Thanks.

[@Weretherussos]

You’re welcome!

[@TonyPhillips-jy7ev]

Thx for getting back on the road in a van missed you guys / and thx for sharing your ford transit… made me decide on van I’m looking for ! Loves and be safe prayers ….. ugh miss Leo though…..

[@ricklombardo9420]

Another great informative video Joe. Nice job. I would like to point out one safety concern that I learned many years ago. When you start a vehicle you should always be in the operator’s seat not standing outside. I realize the chances are small of anything negative happening, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

[@Weretherussos]

Hey Rick - thank you that’s a good point and reminder.

[@johnwilliamson9453]

Joe, I was just on the phone with Nicole this week, and yes the quote was $6500 with me installing (pausing to catch breath). After looking over all the moving parts, I was simply overwhelmed. You are such a meticulous and smart guy, I don’t think I could or should attempt this alone. Now if you want to travel to Sedona.... Really thorough, comprehensive guide you and Kait have made here.

[@Weretherussos]

I’ve learned that you just take one step at a time and it’s easier than you think.

[@johnwilliamson9453]

@@Weretherussos You’re the calming voice in the storm!

[@tradersato]

Look at Recaro seats. Also GERMAN made and i dont think the markup is as much.

[@stimulatemyexistence5669]

6500 is more than my 1998 roadtrek with 50k miles... with brand new tires and a jackery 1000. Wow

[@TXGranny2]

Great install video! Makes me appreciate the time it takes for someone else to do the job for me! Ready for your next adventure 👍

[@BloomByCC]

Bless you Jo! I just emailed the company to find out which seats are best for my ram pro master 1500 chassis. Appreciate all you do for the Van life community.

[@VladimirP2003]

Those seats look comfy!

[@suzannewch7202]

Great detailed “how you installed” video! Happy (comfortable) travels!

[@Weretherussos]

Thank you Suzanne!

[@NolanChung-v8h]

litterally exactly what i need. thanks!

[@Weretherussos]

Glad I could help!

[@robertabrams8562]

Those seats are really nice looking Joe! Every time I see them I feel the proper thing to say should be : “Joe to Enterprise….Kait, beam me up”! 😆🖖🏼

[@Weretherussos]

Lol

[@maxineoliver7404]

Thanks for informing the comforts and practicality of these seats-they sound amazing! Also, thanks for sharing on how to assemble the seats with instructions included!👍🏞

[@Weretherussos]

You’re very welcome

[@scottthejeepguy7499]

GREAT VIDEO, nice job, I think ya nailed it. The seats look really awesome. Would love to try em.

[@242rox12]

Awesome information Joe! I really appreciate it. I’m planning on changing out my seats as well and adding these seats to my RV. Again, great information as always my friend!! Looking at upgrading our Pleasure Way Lexor to the Mode LT hopefully within the next year!

[@Weretherussos]

And they do work in a ProMaster!

[@robertcollin77]

Thank you for the video. Never even knew about the seats until I saw your video. My wife and I have a 2008 Winnebago View that we decided to install a set in. The stock seats were ok but just the Mercedes Vinyl seats and after a short period of time your lower back would get sore and under your thighs. I installed them about 1.5 months ago and have done short trips so far. We have a 2 week trip to Texas and back from Connecticut so they will be put to the test. I saw the video shortly after you posted it but took awhile to make the decision to buy. Its a sizable monetary investment.

[@Weretherussos]

Just make sure you give yourselves time to adjust the seats to you and tune them. Also, these seats work best with proper seating so make sure you've got it adjusted so you're sitting upright and not slouched.

[@adventureswithgnomie6553]

Did you let Kate dial in her seat? Good information.

[@alohatvn]

Super awesome video 📹. Love ❤️ the seat.

[@reecemcdaniel8207]

Awesome video, am definitely thinking of adding these to my van and this video was so helpful!

[@Weretherussos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ginNjus]

Wow. Nice!!! These Ergo seats look like the defunct Recaro sporty car seats.

[@sasstewart1222]

Great video! These are awesome seats, i'd love to swap these in my promaster but at $6200 they were too expensive.

[@carwashguy]

Can you swivel the seats without opening the doors? Great video

[@Weretherussos]

Yes you can

[@LtDan-ov6bf]

*Excellent and honest review*

[@edwardwoods5977]

Most excellent commentary

[@Weretherussos]

Thank you Edward

[@darrellbrixey5341]

Awesome video guys

[@doctorisout]

💆‍♀️ Massaging heated, cooled?

[@roundstone2020]

Joe, have you thought about a follow up video? These are very expensive seats and finding out what you think after 2 years would be great.

[@Weretherussos]

So the video actually had the follow up built in. As I mentioned in the video, by the time I installed these seats, we’d already had a set in the truck for about two years and loved them. Two years after the install in the Transit, I wouldn’t own a Transit without putting these seats in - they’re that good.

[@roundstone2020]

@@Weretherussos cool thanks, I called Scheel mann and told them I would be buying a pair next year. Also stated that I'd seen them on your channel. Thanks again!!!

[@lchinchey]

At 1:03 the shoulder to neck area of the seat does not look comfortable. This shape has been used for many years, and I guess it is ergonomically best? How do you both like it now? I only drive around town, so for short drives it’s ok but I’d prefer better support behind my neck.

[@Weretherussos]

We love it and have no complaints plus the headrest is fully adjustable

[@bkelley1979]

Great content as always bro! 💪😎🇺🇲

[@Weretherussos]

Thank you!

[@garretlewis4103]

I would like to upgrade the seats in my Colorado.

[@Weretherussos]

I’d give them a call and ask if they make brackets to fit

[@alvinmousseau1100]

Great video enjoy your new home

[@jvtech388]

Thanks, this video is very helpful

[@Weretherussos]

Glad it was!

[@TonyPhillips-jy7ev]

Epic video thx for sharing

[@snookrookie]

Hello. What is your Oregon june show schedule?

[@Weretherussos]

Hood River this weekend for the Adventure Van Expo and then the PNW Overland Expo outside of Bend.

[@vha27]

Great video as always. As a Scheel-Mann veteran with a lot of time on them, can you offer any advice regarding choosing full leather vs synthetic leather with cloth inserts for my STO. As much as I think full leather would be the best quality, cleaning and wear resistance, I feel that the cloth might be a better choice especially for long drives and would feel softer sitting in and a lot more breathable compared to full leather.

[@Weretherussos]

I would opt for the non full leather option. Not only do I like the feel but they’re easy to clean and look better, in my opinion

[@azcoulter]

Hi Joe - Great instructional video. Were the original seats heated?

[@unjustpilotx9478]

Thanks for the deep dive into the wiring that's where I feel least comfortable most times. Do they provide a manual for installation with torque specs for the swivel base and seat bolts?

[@Weretherussos]

I don’t remember - I’d suggest given them a call. I go by the German torque spec of Guten Tight

[@doctorisout]

Less airbags? Does that void van warranty?

[@Weretherussos]

The only warranty it would void would be the factory seat but I removed that.

[@stacyhackney6100]

Thank you

[@Weretherussos]

You’re welcome!

[@jon8625]

Just a great video--the kind that inspires confidence that it is an achievable DIY. I am guessing you have an electronic parking brake. Am I right? The reason I ask is that with the manual parking brake that I have I might run into interference if I add a swivel to the drivers seat.

[@Weretherussos]

Yes the manual parking brake is an issue.

[@thudang3039]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Weretherussos]

You bet!

[@realpaddy5270]

Thank you!!!!!

[@XRX800]

I looked into getting the School-Mann seats for a 2023 Transit and was told that they do not have factory side airbags that the OEM Ford seats come with. Also, some sensors might have to be deactivated if these seats are installed. Was that the case with your install? Also, while I understand they have a lot of adjustability, they cannot be adjusted up and down. Is that also your experience?

[@Weretherussos]

Correct with the airbags but no other sensors were affected. You can see in the video where I wire things up so that it makes it think the airbags are still there. You cannot adjust up and down but you can buy different height mounting brackets. We went with lower brackets

[@johnsabo844]

Are these the Vario R seats with the higher bolsters on the lower seat, or the Vario F with lower bolsters? Scheel-Mann notes “The R style seat base has leg support bolsters that are the most supportive. They cradle your legs, but can be more difficult to maneuver around when entering the vehicle if it is taller.”

[@dougsmith8107]

Are aftermarket swivels required for the 21-23 transit? I thought you mounted right to stock swivel but now it appears you also replaced swivels?

[@Weretherussos]

Yes they’re required. The factory swivels are welded to the seats

[@clayjames2461]

Great video. Any chance you guys are going to post a video comparing the Transit and Sprinter platforms now that you've had the LT for a little while? I've had the LT on order since last September, but with the delays I won't get it until 2023, possibly well into it. In the meantime, I bought a used 2020 Storyteller. I'm really on the fence about whether to cancel the LT order, or try to sell the 2020 shortly before the LT arrives. Would love to hear any thoughts you have about how the two compare

[@Weretherussos]

Yep - it’s on the list of videos we plan to make

[@clayjames2461]

@@Weretherussos Great!

[@richardburguillos3118]

Great video, well done. They look amazing. Looks like it will run over $2,000 per seat, so $4,000 to $5,000 for both seats or am I misunderstand their pricing?

[@Weretherussos]

These were around $6,500. Seat plus arm rests, heat, swivel mount, mount for swivel to the chassis

[@flybyairplane3528]

WTR,,,, JOE Hello, I knew you had this brand in the CREW CAB you had before, So I was waiting to see if you might change them, alas, YES you did ,,way back RECARO, was all I could get, but a sports car and this is NIGHT & DAY, but YES great comfort means a hell of a difference STAY WELL regards toKAIT,,,, 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@thomas-ms6st]

I was just looking into changing my transit seats..what swivel system did u get? and do u still have to open the door to swivel like the stock system ..I have a 2020 I got the stock dual swivels seats

[@Weretherussos]

We used the swivels from Amazing Auto. The Scheel-Manns can actually fold forward so you don’t have to open the door

[@gigilaroux762]

Is this company’s head rests adjustable front and back? I find bucket seats always have my head pushed too far forward.

[@Weretherussos]

Yes, they're completely adjustable. Up, down, front, back.

[@angelaandretta8301]

Can the seat be raised for a 5’ driver

[@Weretherussos]

You’d have to buy taller mounting brackets for the seat. The seat itself does not raise

[@TheEdelKampers]

Hi Joe, Those are some great looking seats. I bet they feel as good as they look. Fred's on the website checking them out now, LOL. How is the weight compared to the stock seats? Mary💕Fred

[@Weretherussos]

Thanks! On the Transit the weight is about the same. All depends on the vehicle.

[@TheEdelKampers]

@@Weretherussos Thank you. Have a wonderful week.

[@VikingLion75]

Hey Thanks for such a great vid. I’ve been eyeballing these for a couple of months. Remind me of how tall you are? I too have the lower back and neck issues but not sure which bracket size to order. I’m 6’2” but not sure I want my knees higher than my hips. Look forward to your feedback… 🙏🏻

[@Weretherussos]

I’m 5’11 with the half inch bracket. I’d go for the taller one if I were you. Call Scheel Mann and ask them

[@ChesterLeeArmstrong]

Hi, I assume these various are NOT air seats? Ty

[@Weretherussos]

Correct

[@ChesterLeeArmstrong]

@@Weretherussos thank you. I want at least one airseat in my 97 Ford f250hd 2wd long bells, 7.3 xcab auto. Rides like a dump truck and original seats are antiquated to be polite but really are junk. My and my 3vlittle white pards are ready to rumble down the road. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Enjoy your travels And be safe. Lee

[@Weretherussos]

I also have these in my 2000 F350 7.3 and can drive all day in it.

[@earlhamil731]

Which seats were in the transit from Ford. Manual? 4 way? 10 way fabric? Leather?

[@Weretherussos]

Manual Fabric. The leather electric aren’t much better

[@earlhamil731]

So you now have power seats?

[@source5729]

Both u & wife found these perfect for your different backs?

[@Weretherussos]

We do since each seat can be completely adjusted for what works for us.

[@Van_Liberty]

I HATE HATE HATE these Ford Transit seats!!! They are no better than park benches… May I ask the total cost? It is understood that you have personal options I might not choose. Just curious…🍻 Thanks for making this video! ☕️

[@Weretherussos]

The seats with no options are $1,800 each. With the options we chose, passenger sensor, mounting brackets, swivels, shipping and tax - the total came out to about $6,500 for both.

[@Van_Liberty]

@@Weretherussos Thanks and some things in life are so worth the price. I will stop by that seat shop, for sure, if I’m ever in Oregon and that is very likely…

[@Weretherussos]

Also check to see what shows they (or we) might be at. Lot of people have their seats and again since the seat is universal it doesn’t matter the vehicle.

[@driver8M3]

@@Weretherussos did you actually pay full price?

[@anthoneyurtz5689]

I have 5 neck and 3 lumbar vertebrae that are fused. I am also all torso so those sound like they are perfect. As much as I like my Storyteller seats I can always use more comfort. You guys have a show or meetup itinerary schedule for this year? I'd love to see the new LT and check out your seats.

[@Weretherussos]

Here you go! ckarchive.com/b/n4uohvh8w8oq3

[@feouellette]

do these recline?

[@Weretherussos]

Yes they do

[@fdthird]

Nice info…Is there any market for the OEM seats and airbags to defray some of the cost of those seats?

[@Weretherussos]

Used seats go for about 450-600ish but you’d have to find someone local because of the size and weight to ship

[@nancylagoyda5337]

Great review! Do you have two vans now? Thought I heard you say that.

[@Weretherussos]

No, we have our Ford F-350 with the seats and this van

[@tommyeverest]

💺🔥nice job

[@tradersato]

I just dont feel safe taking out airbag seats and putting in non airbag seats. Ive had Recaro seats in 3 vehicles and, like you, having a longer back, loved the better fit. But those vehicles did not have airbags. Now with air bags being an integral part of the safety of a vehicle inna crash, I’d hate to know I diminished its safety for my own comfort. I wish the aftermarket seats also came with an airbag.. then it would be a no brainer.

[@roncaldwell3797]

Where is your truck at today

[@Weretherussos]

At our new (to us) house

[@lrobie123]

the kind of project where doing the job several times always improves the ideas for the install on the next install

[@folkmaster3]

I know it would look strange, but how about just changing the driver's seat. ?

[@Weretherussos]

Absolutely. Why change both if you don’t need to

[@MusicLuv80]

I have driven many Ford cars including Ford Transit due to work but every one of them were so bad I was having back and neck pain all the time.

[@ChesterLeeArmstrong]

....like a dump truck if running unloaded I should say. A loaded would make a difference. But not enough.

[@chillis28]

👍👍

[@bjtravelersRV]

😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@ianfurqueron5850]

Expensive seats, but yeah... if you spend as much time driving as you guys do, can be worth it.

[@Weretherussos]

Our thoughts exactly. Plus the fact that I’m not hunched over when I get out is another bonus

[@nitay8248]

Ummmmm, I think I would just pay someone to do that for me!😵‍💫👀😂😂

[@wolfrv695]

👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@jiffry58]

$6500 for 2 seats and they’re not power😮

[@googleuser846]

@ford redesign the seats in these. They are factory garbage. Extremely uncomfortable #ford