Finally Found our LD November 05, 2016, 10:34:17 pm After many months of searching with several dead ends along the way, we inked a deal today on our first Lazy Daze. I first saw the ad on Craigslist earlier in the week, but it was also listed on RV Trader and here on the forum. 1998 26.5 Midbath, Unique DesignThe "unique" layout with the couch instead of a dinette up front opens up the interior of the coach enough for my daughter's wheelchair to travel from one end to the other. Plus my hubby is very social so the extra couch is sure to get a lot of use. There are a few items that I have to address, the overhead bed was removed and we want to put it back. I figure an upholstery shop can help with that. There's no generator and it isn't set up for one, any idea what size AC the 1998 26.5 came with? It looked identical to the one in our airstream but maybe you can't tell from the outside, our portable genny could just run the last AC but nothing bigger. Then the roof and end cap seams are ready for a resealing with some old gunk to remove, any advice on a place near LA to get that done or is it a DIY job?We will pick it up later this week after I get to the credit union. See you on the road! 5 Likes
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #1 – November 05, 2016, 10:58:02 pm Great news and well done. I bet you can feel the excitement from your head to your toes! And I also bet your daughter is equally as excited. Please keep us posted on your progress as you make this LD your own. Within a short time, you'll get some help on the important questions in your post. Btw, here is a generator topic that might be of some help?GeneratorBest wishes.
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #2 – November 05, 2016, 11:03:35 pm Well good for you. 👍👍👍👍👍I liked that unique twist on the MB design as soon as I saw it.Top bunk. Memory form? A heavy sleeping bag or comforter? An easy fix I suspect.Enjoy.Ed
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #3 – November 06, 2016, 08:01:56 am The Companion is a great resource. This article might answer your question about sealing the roof.EdThe Lazy Daze Companion: eternabond
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #4 – November 06, 2016, 08:12:28 am Happy to hear you found the right one for you! Congrats!🚐😊
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #5 – November 06, 2016, 10:40:44 am Congrats on finding your Lazy Daze!Two observations/questions to the LD community:1, Did all of you folks who buy into how badly the silver/charcoal supposedly fades notice how great the paint looks on this 18 year old rig?!2. I wonder **how** the original purchaser got the UNIQUE floorplan approved by the powers in charge at Lazy Daze?!Good luck!Steve K (remembering the look I got from the Newtons when I asked for 2 deviations in 2002)
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #6 – November 06, 2016, 10:59:36 am Awesome, congrats on your purchase!
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #7 – November 06, 2016, 11:04:17 am 'Two observations/questions to the LD community:1, Did all of you folks who buy into how badly the silver/charcoal supposedly fades notice how great the paint looks on this 18 year old rig?!2. I wonder **how** the original purchaser got the UNIQUE floorplan approved by the powers in charge at Lazy Daze? "For the silver paint to have held ups so well, it must have been stored inside, the best way to preserve a LD for the long term.I have no idea how this rig was produced. We almost bought a new LD in 1995 and Ed just about refused to do anything in a non standard form. When we finally did buy new, Steve was adamant about not making any major changes. I had to beg to have the single solar panel rotated 90 degrees, to accommodate our kayak roof storage.Don't know if LD responses to bribes or maybe they were testing a modification to the floor plan, as a potential option.LD has produced a few off-beat floor plans. The LD Caravan Club has a member who owns a barn full of rare and unusual LDs, he drives a different one to each caravan.Larry
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #8 – November 06, 2016, 11:20:25 am Indeed, congratulations.It appears to be a perfect fit for your family. Your persistence in the huntmay well serve as an encouragement to others who are looking for that illusive LD. Some have abandoned their search in frustration due to poorly maintained rigs. Others have been broken-hearted to find their new babies a bit under the weather. Buck up. What is broken can be fixed. This in itself may well serve as an encouragement to those of us who currently possess our treasured LD to take care. It doesn't take much to let a beautiful thing to go to pot.New or previously owned, a well cared for LD can bring many years of travel pleasure. Cheers and we'll see you in camp.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #9 – November 06, 2016, 11:31:24 am Quote from: Larry Wade - November 06, 2016, 11:04:17 am."...The LD Caravan Club has a member who owns a barn full of rare and unusual LDs, he drives a different one to each caravan..."Larry, Now there's something I'd love to see. A barn full of rare LD's. And I thought my LD (Laser Disc) collection was unusual.I wonder. Is there a LD (Lazy Daze) calendar out there somewhere? I'd love one. Hmmm, food for thought? Just sayin'Kent
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #10 – November 06, 2016, 11:39:16 am Hi 3Bostons. Congratulations on your new coach. The pictures of it looked great. I'm guessing that LA means Los Angeles, Montclair is a suburb of LA. The only place I would let touch my coach's end caps would be the Mothership. They also do roofs. They will honestly tell you whether or not it needs any resealing, and do it the 'factory' way. You could also see what the overhead bed looks like in one of the models, and get a price for them to restore it to original.The pictures make it look like you only need a two piece mattress with the wood support. As far as the A/C goes this one should have a Brisk-Air Duotherm 13,500 btuh model. I dont think the Carrier 15,000 btuh option was available yet. if your portable genset can do about 20 amps startup, and about 12 amps running that should work. You might want to disconnect any other possible loads, converter and such. The Airstream could have had a smaller model, maybe an 11,000 btuh. RonB
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #11 – November 06, 2016, 11:59:08 am Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - November 06, 2016, 11:31:24 amI wonder if there a LD (Lazy Daze) calendar out there somewhere? I'd love one. Hmmm, food for thought?Here you go.The Lazy Daze Caravan Club 2014 Caravan ScheduleLarry
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #12 – November 06, 2016, 12:28:55 pm "end cap seams are ready for a resealing"In the search box at the top of this page, type 'end cap separation ' and you will get a limitless discussion on this regrettably common issue.Ed
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #13 – November 06, 2016, 02:04:03 pm "When we finally did buy new, Steve was adamant about not making any major changes."-----A blast from the past! When I ordered my TK in April, 2003, I dealt with Ed; he got his neck bowed about making any alterations whatsoever, citing the familiar refrains of "You don't need that!" and "Lazy Daze is factory-direct, not custom!" After a bit of "discussion", he agreed to deliver the rig with Bilsteins and without the magazine rack, the clock, and without the curtain on the front inside of the overcab bed, a hangover from when LDs had a window in the front of the cabover! (LD finally did grasp that putting a curtain over a solid wall was dopey, but it took a while to get there! )Over the years, I (and almost every other LD owner!) have done a LOT of customizing add-ons and personalizing changes to our rigs; many are cosmetic, but most (in my case, anyway) have been to enhance function, performance, and "driveablity", i.e., guts, not feathers. I did check out the "display" 24' TK on a recent factory visit; very nice overall, and with many positive design and materials changes, but also with a few "dealbreakers" (for me), not the least of which are the time, energy, travel to installation locations, and cash outlay to tart up a new one to my specs! As always, YMMV!Joan 1 Likes
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #14 – November 06, 2016, 02:48:54 pm " but also with a few "dealbreakers" (for me),"What were the dealbrakers, Joan? Virtual hugs, Judie•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #15 – November 06, 2016, 04:00:08 pm Way back as early as 2004 I found Steve to be 'flexible'. I asked for and was granted the deletion of the ice maker, coffee maker and box awning, to be given credit in lieu of.When I asked for the dual fuel water heater you would have thought I'd asked for a miracle! Even though the two units are exactly the same dimensions the extra wiring was a deal breaker. No joy there! And, at least on the newer models (2005 and younger), you can thank me for the handicapped grab bar just inside the coach door. No model prior to mine had that feature stock from the factory! 1 Likes
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #16 – November 06, 2016, 04:10:17 pm Well, you asked...... For me (and these are certainly YMMV issues!), the display TK had the "modern" paint scheme and the "cherry" (dark) paneling. (The display TK was green, the color of my current rig; that would still be my color choice, but in the traditional paint scheme if that were still available.) The upholstery choices are still all butt-ugly, but the fabrics are of lesser quality, i.e., a rougher and looser weave, now than when Butterfield was in business and doing the interiors. The couch cushions seemed much softer (than mine); not sure how these will hold up.For the TK model in general, my primary dislike is that the combined black and grey termination valves (still located amidships, but now combined) stick out a bit, are angled down, and hang very low. IMO, they're very vulnerable to getting snagged. Vince told me that he hasn't had any "feedback" on this, i.e., owners showing up to have the valves repaired/replaced, but the outlet valve position would be a cause for concern if I were to consider a new TK, and indeed would encourage looking at a different model, probably a FL. Also, the sink has been re-positioned to offer a more comfortable working angle, but in order to accomplish this, there's a lot more space behind the sink than in "front" of it. Perhaps the behind-the-sink space is good for "storing"/setting stuff on, but I didn't feel that the actual amount of work and prep space was any better than in my old rig. The TK bathroom is the same (functional, but compact, with the behind the driver's seat cut-out to allow adjustment of the seat back; kind of a "kludge" solution, but it works!), but I'd do the same thing to the medicine cabinet that I did to my 2003; remove it and put wire shelving (or other; mine is wire and it works fine) on that behind-the-toilet wall. There is no storage space in a TK bath; if one wants to accommodate TP, towels, toiletries, etc., the space (whatever it is) has to be wall-mounted and lightweight enough to hold the supplies and not pull out of the 1/8" thick wallboard. LD has made a lot of improvements and upgrades, many unseen, in all current models; I think that it's difficult to realize just how much LDs have changed over the years, particularly since the "think" seems to be that LD is "static", unless one has owned (or been very familiar with) LDs of earlier vintages. Again, these are only my opinions and perceptions; others may not agree. Despite a few "issues", I liked many things about the new models, and if I were to consider another RV, it would still be a Lazy Daze! Joan 1 Likes
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #17 – November 06, 2016, 04:24:10 pm Thanks guys were excited, of course as a used rig it does have some items to address. The front end needs to be looked at and the roof sealing jobs are sketchy. I'm worried about getting some of the stuff off cause it doesn't look like the right product to use. Some kind of amber colored brittle substance around the bath skylight for example... it was garaged for most of its life in Colorado and outdoors with a cover the last few in San Diego. The owner said the couch was an option at the factory, don't some models have a couch there already so it must not be a huge change to make. There's a few other items we have to address as well, once we get her home. I will be here a lot as we get her spiffed up and ready to roll.
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #18 – November 06, 2016, 04:57:31 pm "but the outlet valve position would be a cause for concern if I were to consider a new TK, and indeed would encourage looking at a different model, probably a FL. "I had the same concern when ordering our '15 TK.Having been raised for some 12 years on a MB, giving up the amazing view out the windows simply was not an option for us. It was the TK with the classic paint job, or nothing.Some 17,000 miles later with lots of those miles on some really miserable FS and BLM roads has put my concern to rest. The valves were combined, per Todd, to make it easier and more convenient to dump. Compared to the MB, the valve low point is about 1" lower. By watching where I'm going and being attentive to tire placement, I have never scraped the valve.One time we were driving down a long, nasty FS road and spotted a perfect boondocking spot. The road was sunken below my parking destination by perhaps 6-8". I simply took my shovel and contorted the "cliff" for about 4', backed up, placed my front tire on the contour and carefully drove up. Here was the reward.Of course, that's why LD makes different models. There is no one-size-fits-all.Sure missing the huge MB bathroom. Ed
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #19 – November 06, 2016, 05:03:07 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - November 06, 2016, 04:00:08 pm"...Way back as early as 2004 I found Steve to be 'flexible'......at least on the newer models (2005 and younger), you can thank me for the handicapped grab bar just inside the coach door. No model prior to mine had that feature stock from the factory!..."Well now, I thank you, kind sir. I use that grab bar every time I enter the coach.A few months ago I received my "survey" from LD. I have, as of yet, not filled it out. At the time it was just too soon to decide what I might like to add to our beautiful LD.Two things I would like are 12 volt screw on lug style outlets on the rear outside. Possibly inside the Tire Cover and one mid ship. Possibly inside the battery compartment. This would be nice for such things as the TPMS and the Mascerator as well as any number of other 12 volt applications.Any other ideas? Maybe I'm still too enamoured by our LD to know any better.Kent
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #20 – November 06, 2016, 05:17:36 pm Ed, thanks for posting your experience; it's good to hear that you have had no "clearance" problems with the dump set-up on the newer TK. Although I'm certainly used to the separate black and grey valves, a single termination valve is definitely a more convenient dump arrangement than the separate valves on my older TK. Wishing you many more "snag free" miles! Joan
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #21 – November 06, 2016, 07:07:23 pm I'm glad for you 3 bostons...I was Cheri Carols next phone call....you got my rig!!!Never mind that.. Good luck. Your next challenge was my biggest concern... I know a 4000 Onan will drive that A/C unit but they are 3k online plus installation...Best of LuckJefferson Brooks
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #22 – November 06, 2016, 07:14:11 pm Quote from: JCT - November 06, 2016, 05:17:36 pmWishing you many more "snag free" miles! JoanWhen contemplating the change for the sake of convenience, Steves other point was that, based on customer feedback, the majority will never leave a paved surface with their rig so the reduced clearance should not be a problem.However:Two things are worth pointing out.1) the grey water dump pipe is 2". It seemingly takes forever to empty that tank vs the 4" black tank line. I find myself twiddling my thumbs waiting for the grey tank to empty.2) sometimes, but not real often, in fact only once since we've owned it, the sewer connection at a dump station is surrounded by a curb that is so high that connecting and completely emptying the tanks with the lower dump valve is very difficult. On one occasion, I had to raise the tires on that side with blocks to make the connection. Less than ideal. All in all, it's workable with care.Ed
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #23 – November 06, 2016, 08:35:28 pm "....based on customer feedback, the majority will never leave a paved surface with their rig so the reduced clearance should not be a problem."----- Ed told me 13 years ago that nobody needed solar because "everybody" hooked up to power! "....the sewer connection at a dump station is surrounded by a curb that is so high that connecting and completely emptying the tanks with the lower dump valve is very difficult."------I've encountered quite a few "designed by the clueless" dump stations; the raised curb in front of the dump hole is a particular favorite. One has to "burp" the dump hose, lifting and lowering it in sections over the curb to empty the tanks; blup, blup, blup, blup...... !Joan
Re: Finally Found our LD Reply #24 – November 06, 2016, 08:49:31 pm Quote from: JCT - November 06, 2016, 04:10:17 pmWell, you asked...... For me (and these are certainly YMMV issues!), the display TK had the "modern" paint scheme and the "cherry" (dark) paneling. (The display TK was green, the color of my current rig; that would still be my color choice, but in the traditional paint scheme if that were still available.) The upholstery choices are still all butt-ugly, but the fabrics are of lesser quality, i.e., a rougher and looser weave, now than when Butterfield was in business and doing the interiors. The couch cushions seemed much softer (than mine); not sure how these will hold up.Joan, do you have photos of your LD? It certainly would be a treat to see them.
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