Re: Upholstery Reply #25 – January 12, 2005, 09:58:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 49242"...not just a bunch of grumpy old farts." ;-)Quote Andy Baird Andy, the politically correct, considerate, sensitive way to identify this group - according to Lorna - is: "old phartz".Chris Horst 2002 30' IB Denver
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #26 – January 12, 2005, 10:06:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 49243All this said, the upholstery offered by other RV makers is pretty universally bad as well. I was also looking at a Jayco at the time we bought Ruby and they too had goofy patterns. After looking at all of these manufacturers doing essentially the same thing, I came to the conclusion that they put patterns in RV's that hide dirt and stains. A solid color choice would certainly show spots.DaveRuby the red 04 RK
Re: Upholstery Reply #27 – January 12, 2005, 10:22:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 49244"After looking at all of these manufacturers doing essentially the same thing, I came to the conclusion that they put patterns in RV's that hide dirt and stains. A solid color choice would certainly show spots." You're absolutely right, Dave. I learned that with my solid beige re-carpeting job a couple of years ago, which shows dirt much too easily...and will be replaced with something lightly speckled later this spring. But I don't think anybody here is advocating solid upholstery colors--just a less offensive pattern. Gertie's mid-eighties upholstery, mentioned in an earlier post of mine and generally liked by those who commented here, is an example of a pattern that hides dirt, stains and wear so well that many people are surprised to learn it's twenty years old--yet it doesn't hurt your eyes the way the new upholstery does. In short, it is possible to choose a fabric pattern that's practical, durable *and* attractive. Lazy Daze just hasn't done so.Andy Baird
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #28 – January 12, 2005, 10:53:44 am Yahoo Message Number: 49248At 04:03 PM 1/12/2005 +0000, you wrote:QuoteAfter looking at all of these manufacturers doing essentially the same thing, I came to the conclusion that they put patterns in RV's that hide dirt and stains. A solid color choice would certainly show spots. If I were selecting colors and patterns for an RV, I;'d certainly keep that in mind as well. But you can achieve the same effect with patterns that are small and colors that don't shout at you. There are hundreds of newer carpet designs, for example, that have an irregular texture (as in Berber) and are composed of tweedy, "spotted" colors where another spot or two just looks like part of the pattern. The LD carpeting all seems to be in solid colors and with a flat texture that is virtually guaranteed to show every spill and dirt mark. The blue and beige plaid fabric we have in our 1980 LD has been there for 25 years, and any spots it has acquired have disappeared into the multicolored background. We vacuum it once in awhile, but that's about "it" for upkeep. Admittedly, it's a bit of a bold pattern (though done in soft colors), but you can achieve much the same results with a smaller scale design and similarly "quiet" colors. I think another poster probably got it right when he or she suggested that LD got a great deal on fabrics that couldn't be sold elsewhere. That would explain a lot.Sonsie
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #29 – January 12, 2005, 12:37:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49260QuoteIn my opinion, LD's target customer should be a 55-year old "baby boomer." I think that these persons represent the market for RV's in the next 5 to 10 years. I also think that this target market might have an opinion of the "new upholstery" that is different than ours. In fact, the new upholstery might not be "wild" enough. I, too, fit in this group of *baby boomers* (albeit 4 years older than your age 55 target group), and I think the fabric in the picture is horrible! Would it keep me from buying an LD? Probably not, because we'd be buying more than just upholstery. However, I sure as heck would do something about changing it at the earliest opportunity! And that's a shame...why buy a new RV just to turn around and *have* to reupholster the furniture because it's so god-awful ugly?Linda & Earl 2004 23.5' Red TK From Quartzsite, AZ
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #30 – January 12, 2005, 02:46:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49266I follow lots of RV forums, and I see over and over that many people end up buying RVs because they like the way they look. You and I might go with the 5 star rated RV, close our eyes, hold our noses, and order slipcovers, but first impressions count a lot for most people considering spending a whole big wad of cash on something. For that much money, they really want to like it. My guess is that whether this horrible-looking fabric was attractive or not wasn't really considered. The fabric was probably chosen purely for its durability and ability to repel or hide stains. I'm sure it's very "serviceable." I think Airstream has the right idea. They offer interior designs that knock my socks off. My practical side will win out, but Airstream tugs at me big time with those sleek, beautiful interiors. (I'm 48.) There is no reason why RV interiors can't be stylish, or at least reasonably attractive to the eye, or at least attractive enough not to offend people. All LD needs is a little design help. It's a great product. Why not show it off in its best light? Presentation counts.Livia
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #31 – January 12, 2005, 03:41:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49268I'm sure that the Powers That Be at the Mothership will be completely immune to any and all arguments and discussions regarding style. After all, they already have the best reputation and longest lead time
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #32 – January 13, 2005, 07:37:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 49300(snip) . . . "After looking at all of these manufacturers doing essentially the same thing, I came to the conclusion that they put patterns in RV's that hide dirt and stains. A solid color choice would certainly show spots." . . . My first LD, the 23' 1987 Multiplan, had a solid light tan. I really liked it. The fabric still looked good when I sold her back in 2003. It seemed to shed dirt and didn't stain. Maybe I was just lucky. Life might have been different if there had been little kids, but Monk the Wonder Dawg and I did very well with it.Sarah[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Upholstery Reply #33 – January 13, 2005, 11:26:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 49307"wingale2002" wrote: "Taking some time to look at this fabric and fabrics of the past, makes one long for 2002 beige/brown color way. Very easy on the eye and still enough texture and mix to hide those stains. Wonder what the chances are of bringing back an older fabric?"IMO, LD could narrow the interior upholstery/trim choices to two color "families" for all the current exterior colors *IF* the fabric, colors and patterns were more subdued and neutral -- and tastefully chosen! For example, one of the upholstery/trim choices could be shades of greys; this would work with all except the brown exterior. A second choice of tan/beige colors would go (some better than others, of course, but certainly better than the choices now!) with all of the exterior colors.Another problem is one of consistent supply/fabric and trim materials availability in the quantities that LD needs. I think that "bringing back an older fabric" would be next to impossible; mills don't work that way. They produce what they produce when they produce it, and a company contracts for what they will need to fulfill a production commitment. If a mill were small and customer- service-oriented enough (or if the order were large enough!), they *might* make a special run, but this is not common practice. I don't know if LD deals with a fabric jobber/supplier who represents several fabric manufacturers or if they deal directly with a mill. I also don't know how what and how many selections are presented to them, or who's doing the choosing; this person may have to pick among the best of a bad lot!As in other aspects of their manufacturing processes, LD doesn't change vendors or products or anything else without *considerable* deliberation, and attractice, tasteful upholstery and trim colors may not be seen as high priorities. When I bought my 2003, Ed commented several times on how durable the upholstery facbric was and how well it hid wear and soil; not a word about its appearance. But, durability and eye appeal don't have to be mutually exclusive, and "tacky" is not a requirement of RV decor; LD might want to give *serious* consideration to an overhaul -- preferably by someone with color sense and restrained taste -- of their interior fabric and color choices.Joan
Re: Upholstery Reply #34 – January 13, 2005, 11:54:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 49309Quote "IMO, LD could narrow the interior upholstery/trim choices to two color "families" ... choices could be shades of greys [and] second choice of tan/beige...>QuoteJoan JoanThat suggestion has merit. Not only would it help avoid confusion when trying to choose but it would be more economical for the factory.But, can't you hear people griping about 'not enough choices'?In our 2004 we chose the tan/brown/plum to go with the Teal/Green exterior and if you don't dwell on it too long we've found we can live with it. And, if Ed's contention that it's "durable" and Andy's experience with it over 20 years prove anything, I guess it will hold up as advertised.However, the very first thing I did when we got Lazy Bones home was to give all the cushions and carpets a liberal coating of "303 Fabric Guard", available at the Mothership or Camping World. Took 3 16oz bottles for the entire job and only time will tell if it was worth the effort and expense.Steve S. Lazy Bones
Re: Upholstery Reply #35 – January 13, 2005, 07:49:21 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49314The 2003 and 2004 tan/brown/plum may stand for many years to come as the apex of high couture
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #36 – January 14, 2005, 04:58:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49346Group - The whole discussion (approx 40 posts) has me "really" scared because I went to the factory and placed an order on December 3, 2004 for a 23.5 FD WITHOUT my wife seeing the fabrics! I am trying to talk her into going tomorrow so that my life might be spared at pickup time! I hope there is still time to change to her choice of fabrics and color.John
[Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #37 – January 14, 2005, 08:31:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49354Quote I am trying to talk her into going tomorrow so that my life might be spared at pickup time!I hope there is still time to change to her choice of fabrics and color.Quote John My husband and I will also be at the factory on Saturday..wannabees who just need a fix until we can buy a used one sometime this year hopefully! Nothing wrong with drooling I guess!Linda
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Upholstery Reply #38 – January 16, 2005, 09:14:26 am Yahoo Message Number: 49446Group- We rushed up to the factory Saturday morning, my wife changed to the brown-plum, Steve and Ed made the change to the order and we jumped in the car and headed home.Whew! My life has been spared!John PochodowiczOn Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:58:39 -0800, John Pochodowicz jpochodowicz@...> wrote: Group - The whole discussion (approx 40 posts) has me "really" scared because I went to the factory and placed an order on December 3, 2004 for a 23.5 FD WITHOUT my wife seeing the fabrics!
Upholstery Reply #39 – January 17, 2005, 02:09:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 49506Thank you, thank you, thank you! Goodnight upholstery issue.We are #8250, 26.5MB, Blue, and expect our VIN letter in the next day or two..... Good friends got theirs yesterday -- and they are one purchase order number ahead of us.Why do the days of waiting get longer when the delivery date gets closer? ? ? ?Anita Campbell Escondido, CA.