Source for Back Support Pads???

[Roger]

This is a strange request I suspect, but not a joke.

Does anyone know a good source to buy a pad of some sort that I can hang from the top of my seat to support the upper half of my back while driving? I've found all sorts of bottom seat pads and gel packs in the local AZ, O'Reillys and on-line. Even found some mesh back rests and various lumbar-type of supports, but nothing for the top half of my back.

I bought my dream car 2 months ago, a Toyota Avalon. Today, I hate the dam thing.

What I've discovered is that after sitting in the bucket seat (leather) for more than 30 minutes my back just starts killing me. The seat "looks" normal enough. But the lower portion of the seatback protrudes so far out that the top half of my back does not touch the seat. If I lean back to rest, my back is so curved it hurts. And that's with the lumbar support OFF! I took a quick trip over to Memphis and back a couple of weeks ago (8-9 hour trip) and my back hurt for two days after I got out of the car. I covered the leather seats with fabric seat covers...didn't help. I took the car back to Toyota and they tactfully told me the seat met specs and matched other Avalons on the lot, which I think is correct. On a lark I wedged a towel between my shoulder blades and the seat. There was an unmistakeable feeling of relief. So I'm after a pad of some sorts to fill the 3-4 inch void behind my shoulder blades. Hopefully an aftermarket product exists and my wife doesn't have to sew one up from scratch. I've owned cars for 30+ years and have never run into something like this before.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[TheTanSedan]

I sympathize with the problem. Proper spinal alignment is the ne plus ultra of long distance driving for keeping the mind/body rested and alert.

As a former professional truck driver I have covered far too many miles on broken-down cheaply made seats.

I recommend you contact OREGON AERO (a specialty supplier) for their advice. (And for you F-117 or SH-64 drivers, they have you covered, too.)

If the seat bottom is correctly made, then the seat back will likely "fall into line" for you.

Both my Dodge truck and Jeep XJ will have seats re-done by them.

www.OregonAero.com

See Seat Cushion Systems: An Introduction