Flair Sleep Sofa Replacement Air Mattress

[Radio]

Bummer. but it gets better.

Our Flair sleep sofa air mattress developed a pretty good leak on our last trip out. Didn't have much luck (at first) trying to find the leak and so researched the idea of replacing the mattress with a new one. After some effort I was able to locate Flair Interiors, who manufacture most of the furnishings that go inside our RVs, Forest River and Keystone products in particular.

I sent them an email to their customer service address and received this prompt and helpful reply:

Good morning. Thank you for your inquiry.

Flair no longer carries the tan air bladder with straps as the company that made them does not any longer. Flair does not sell products to the retail public any longer as Flair only sells to the RV manufacturing facilities. You may order through the RV Manufacture such as Forest River, Thor etc….

OR

Flair now carries an INTEX Brand Air Bladder ~ Dark Blue Vinyl / flocked top

60” Queen Intex Part Number is 66777E

54” Full Intex Part Number is 66776E

These mattresses are available for purchase online at places like Amazon.com OR at stores such as Sears/Kmart and Gander Mountain. The cost is usually between $50.00 and $70.00.

Thank you,

Warranty Specialist
Flair Interiors, Inc.
1010 Eisenhower Drive South - Goshen, Indiana 46526
Phone: (574)-534-2163 / Fax: (574)-535-0483

So I learned a few things.

1. The correct name for the mattress is "air bladder" which sounds like a medical condition.
2. That fuzzy stuff on top is called "flocking"
3. The original mattress, oops, the original air bladder is no longer made, and Flair now uses a different one that seems to be pretty much "off the shelf"
4. Flair prefers to sell only to RV manufactures but will point you in the right direction
5. Flair's website is here, and some of it doesn't work. http://flairsandbox.com/
6. I shopped Amazon and others for the Queen size (the part number is valid) and found them under $40.

And then I got lucky and found where the seam had let go in my original "air bladder". I prefer the original as it has a method, by Velcro straps, to secure the air bladder to the sofa. So if my fix holds, I'm good. If not, a replacement mattress (oops, air bladder) will be here well before our next trip.

[electricflyer]

My bladder has a leak also, but it is the result of old age. It is OEM and only one model was made like it. I don't know if Velcro will shove the issue, I might look into it.

[NN5I]

Originally Posted by electricflyer

My bladder has a leak also, but it is the result of old age. It is OEM and only one model was made like it. I don't know if Velcro will shove the issue, I might look into it.

Maybe it just needs new fuzzy stuff. If that's the case -- well -- flock it.

[W7JZE]

Originally Posted by electricflyer

My bladder has a leak also, but it is the result of old age... <snip>

Me too !

Originally Posted by NN5I

Maybe it just needs new fuzzy stuff. if that's the case -- well -- flock it.

Heh, heh, heh... Everybody in here is crazy! Oh... wait a minute...

[wa8yxm]

You folks picked the perfect day for this thread... Here is why.....

http://www.gocomics.com/speedbump/2015/06/25

[Radio]

Well, I guess you guys are either older than me or wear out faster.

My patch didn't work. I had some RTV sealant I brought home from work. That stuff will stick anything to anything in almost any environment. Except, of course, the vinyl that air beds, excuse me, air bladders, are made of. Every bit of it peeled right off, clean as a whistle. So at least no harm was done.

So I guess I'll go over to Dick's Sporting Goods and find a bladder patch kit. If it works, I'll let all you leaky bladder guys know.

[NN5I]

Why not go first to a furniture store that sells water beds, and get a water-bed patching kit. That's virtually certain to work.

I've never bought a water bed, but every one I ever saw came with a patching kit, and I understand that it's not unusual to have to use them -- and that they really work, too.

I would not have expected RTV to work long -- at all, really -- in that application.

[Radio]

Originally Posted by NN5I

I would not have expected RTV to work long -- at all, really -- in that application.

It had the advantage of being at hand.

People have suggested the patch kits for vinyl swimming pools. I have thought about those old "Monkey Grip" tube/tire patch kits.

I'll come up with something. Finding the hole was the hard part.

[electricflyer]

How about Rhino Tape. If it works as good as the glue it should do the trick.

[Radio]

Well for $4.99 at Dick's I got a patch kit designed for inflatable boats and such. Got lots of toluene in the glue that came with it.

Maybe it will stick as good as it stinks.

[Radio]

Originally Posted by Radio

Maybe it will stick as good as it stinks.

Seems to be holding. We'll see.

[coupevillefish]

Yes, it is a Crock-Pot.