Setting up a zero gravity camping chair means unfolding the frame on flat, level ground until every leg touches down, then using the side knobs, lift handles, or folding-lock lever to pick and secure your recline angle.
One unlocked lever and a chair that folds under you is the classic first-day mistake — the frame slides shut the second you lean back. The sequence below stops that: ground check first, lock check second, recline last.
Unfold The Chair And Confirm The Feet Are Planted
Open the frame fully and set it on flat, stable, level ground before anything else, because VonHaus explicitly prohibits uneven ground and a chair that rocks will not lock cleanly.
VonHaus spells out the order for its 22/035, 22/036, and 22/037 models. Stand the chair upright with the pillow facing forward, move the folding-lock handle to UNLOCK, then hold the backrest and push the seat base gently toward the ground until the front and rear legs both sit firmly on the surface. Put a foot on the rear-leg support and pull the backrest upright before you sit down.
If your chair uses side knobs instead, pull it open until the legs spread wide, and on canopy versions flip the canopy over the backrest now — reaching over a reclined chair to do it later is how people strain a shoulder.
Keep fingers outside every hinge, side lock, and handle while the frame moves. Folding and unfolding create real pinch points, and the joints close fast.
Pick Your Recline Method And Lock It In
The chair’s adjustment hardware tells you which method to use: a folding-lock lever, a pair of side knobs, or two lift handles.
- Folding-lock models (VonHaus 22/035–22/038): place both feet on the footrest bar, lean back, and push the footrest forward and upward to your angle. Move the handle to LOCK. To come upright, switch to UNLOCK and press down on the footrest with your feet.
- Side-knob models: loosen the knobs on both sides, recline to the angle you want, and retighten both. To sit up, loosen them again, put one foot on the rear leg, and push the backrest upright.
- Oversized handle-lock models: lift both side handles to recline, then push the handles back to lock. Reverse it by lifting the handles, bracing a foot on the rear leg, and pushing the backrest up.
Locking at a mid-angle is easier on your knees when you climb out.
Weight limits vary by model, so check yours before the first sit. Never exceed the stated figure, and skip the chair entirely if any part is cracked, worn, or missing. Manufacturer-approved replacement parts are the only ones that belong on it.
Know The Dimensions And Common Failure Points Before You Buy
Size and terrain decide whether a chair works at your campsite long before the recline angle does.
| Spec Or Issue | What To Expect |
|---|---|
| Upright footprint | 35.5 in L × 27.5 in W × 46.5 in H on one representative model |
| Reclined footprint | 63 in L × 27.5 in W × 31 in H — plan the space behind you |
| Folded size | 27.5 in W × 6 in T × 39 in H, slim enough for a car trunk |
| Seat height | 19.75 in on that model, close to a standard camping chair |
| Chair slides or folds mid-lean | Lock lever still on UNLOCK, or ground not level |
| Recline drifts on knob models | One knob left loose — retighten both sides evenly |
| Canopy version wobbles | Canopy not flipped fully over the backrest before reclining |
Two habits prevent most damage. Remove any accessory tray before folding, and never stand on the chair or use it as a step. Keep it away from open flames and combustible chemicals, and do not leave kids or pets unattended around it, reclined or not.
If you are still comparing frames, capacities, and canopy options, these tested zero gravity camping chair picks cover the models worth checking before you commit.
VonHaus publishes its full zero gravity chair model 22/035–22/037 instructions if you want the original wording for the lock and footrest sequence.
Common Questions
Why does my chair snap shut when I lean back?
The folding-lock handle is probably still on UNLOCK, or the chair is sitting on sloped ground so the frame never seats properly. Move the lever to LOCK, reset the chair on flat, level ground, and press the legs down until both ends touch before you sit.
Can I adjust the recline while sitting in the chair?
Yes on most designs, with care. On the VonHaus folding-lock models, keep both feet on the footrest bar and control the lean with your legs rather than dropping back. On knob models, loosen both side knobs evenly, shift your weight slowly, and retighten before you relax.
How much weight will a zero gravity camping chair hold?
It depends on the model, so read the label rather than guessing. Never exceed the stated limit, and retire a chair that has bent or cracked parts.
Sources
- VonHaus. “Zero Gravity Chair 22/035, 22/036, 22/037 User Guide” Source for the unlock, leg-plant, recline, and lock sequence and the 95 kg limit.
- VonHaus. “Zero Gravity Chair with Canopy & Drinks Holder 22/038 User Guide” Source for the canopy model’s procedure and the 110 kg capacity.