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Topic: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more (Read 572 times) previous topic - next topic
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Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
It was a bad day, though beautiful weather here in Cochise County, Arizona. Our Diamondbacks lost the World Series, and then I found out that Lazy Daze had closed last August. I guess my 1991 24' is now a collectible, but that is small consolation for discovering that the epitome of American RV craftsmanship is gone, leaving the field to countless pieces of junk made somewhere in Indiana. Bought mine back in 2016 from a family near the LD factory, and then enjoyed a visit to the factory... a few models under construction, with a long waiting list... craftsmanship far more important than assembly-line speed.
The owners were old, and I'll bet that last year, then really old, they chose to just shut the place down rather than selling to Thor for money they didn't need.
Will I keep my old 1991? Of course. It runs well, doesn't break down. If it blows up I can rebuild the engine and transmission for what, 5 or 6K? A few months ago, bought a new set of Michelins after seven years on the ones it came with, sort of my own committment to honoring this highly-evolved LD design and build quality. And its aircraft-grade paint job still sparkles under our bright Arizona sun!
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #1 –
Hi Jon;  The Newton brothers had both passed around 2010.  Ed's son Steve took the reins and under his management lots of good improvement were done to keep up with the times.  When GM went bankrupt, GM to wind down medium-duty truck production | Commercial Carrier Journal    the chassis that Steve had chosen to extend the reach of the Lazy Daze brand went with it. The three made cost the company a lot for tooling and to develop the floorplans. Only three Kodiak motorhomes were made, and All three are still out there.  The one still in California made an appearance at Morro Bay campground this last March where I got a show and tell, and photos!
    The changing demographics was hard on the company, along with the cost of gasoline. The CoVid pandemic,  travel precautions and the disruption of supply chains during and after the pandemic doomed the Lazy Daze brand. Thanks to Steve, he didn't sell us out to Thor, or some other manufacturer.  The last coach made belongs to a member here on our group.
    A small history along with some pictures is on the Caravan Club website.  That Club is the one originally sponsored by the LD factory.   Why Page  
     Welcome to the Club Jon.  We are all in this together.     RonB     p.s. Sorry about the Diamond Backs. There is always next year!
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #2 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
     Welcome to the Club Jon.  We are all in this together.    

I wanted to say thank you for all the past and present moderators, along with contributing members, that create a valuable resource that will significantly reduce the “learning curve.”
Sam
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #3 –
Ditto that, Wingersky. I discovered this Forum back in 2016, after I bought my Lazy Daze. Seven years ago. And for the last five, doing tourism for the city of Tombstone, the LD spent more time in my driveway than was proper. But now, retired again, what a pleasure to discover that the Lazy Daze group is alive and well! And that I am welcomed back again after all these years... that's special.
Tombstone is in Cochise County, the Land of Legends in southeastern Arizona. Apaches Cochise and Geronimo in the hills only eight miles from town, back then. So much history here, still alive along historic AZ 80 off I-10 from Benson down to Douglas at the border. And like many places out in the middle of nowhere, RV friendly. Vist Tombstone, park anywhere. No knocks. No stoplights, either. Just the True West!
Don't know if I can contribute much to our storehouse of LD knowledge, except my standard response to folks who ask "What's your gas mileage?" Reply -- "if this was a Rolls-Royce, you wouldn't ask that, would you?" Which gets them confused, and frees me up to go off and wonder 'what IS my gas mileage?' Who knows. 31 years old, it runs just fine, and who cares about the details.
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #4 –
"...frees me up to go off and wonder 'what IS my gas mileage?'"

If you're gonna dance you gots to pay the fiddler!    :o   ;)   :D
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jon Donahue  - 
Ditto that, Wingersky. I discovered this Forum back in 2016, after I bought my Lazy Daze. Seven years ago. And for the last five, doing tourism for the city of Tombstone, the LD spent more time in my driveway than was proper. But now, retired again, what a pleasure to discover that the Lazy Daze group is alive and well! And that I am welcomed back again after all these years... that's special.
Tombstone is in Cochise County, the Land of Legends in southeastern Arizona. Apaches Cochise and Geronimo in the hills only eight miles from town, back then. So much history here, still alive along historic AZ 80 off I-10 from Benson down to Douglas at the border. And like many places out in the middle of nowhere, RV friendly. Vist Tombstone, park anywhere. No knocks. No stoplights, either. Just the True West!
Don't know if I can contribute much to our storehouse of LD knowledge, except my standard response to folks who ask "What's your gas mileage?" Reply -- "if this was a Rolls-Royce, you wouldn't ask that, would you?" Which gets them confused, and frees me up to go off and wonder 'what IS my gas mileage?' Who knows. 31 years old, it runs just fine, and who cares about the details.
People that ask about gas mileage do not know much about MHs so they ask mundane questions.  That is great if they are a buyer though!! HaHa.    Safe and fun travels to you. 

I have been looking many years for a 2016+ 31 IB or 31 TB LD.  I passed on some I wish I bought.  But maybe one will find me soon.  I recently bought a popup just to get out.  I tempt my wife with wineries and casinos to get her to go.  But my days are numbered with that strategy! HaHa…. Oh I did adjust my strategy again and rented a 42 foot fifth wheel in Key Largo for a month this Winter.  That should buy some more time!!! HaHa…

RonS
Ron and Linda
Ada Michigan
 
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #6 –
Ron,
Seems most LDs out there for sale are mostly the 31IB.   I come across them searching for an older 26 mid bath.  Maybe look again?

Ramon
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Re: Just found out Lazy Daze is no more
Reply #7 –
Quote from: mrfixit454  - 
Ron,
Seems most LDs out there for sale are mostly the 31IB.   I come across them searching for an older 26 mid bath.  Maybe look again?

Ramon
You are correct.  But I desire a newer (2016+) motor home.  I do not have the property to work on older ones. 

RonS
Ron and Linda
Ada Michigan