On The List - 31 Island or Twin

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On The List - 31 Island or Twin

September 03, 2020, 12:37:35 pm

We've decided to make a motor home change after just three years, should have selected the Lazy Daze in the first place. We are on the list (still not in production, so it will be awhile) for a 31 Island bed, but we are also considering a 31 Twin. Anyone that has experience with both would be greatly appreciated, it is not clear if the drawer/closet space in the Island vs Twin is the same or their are differences.

By going to the Lazy Daze I will lose a couple of bells & whistles:
>> Ability to easily flush the Black / Grey tanks, I've seen ideas on this forum to deal with this, so additional research on my part will be needed - Not a deal killer thought.

>> Towing my Jeep, I upgraded my tow hitch on my current C class to an 8000 lbs hitch, I need to visit Lazy Daze (12 miles from my house which is a huge advantage for me) to make sure the rear of the chassis can take a new hitch - this would be a deal killer if I can't make this change after I were to get it home. My Jeep is 5300 lbs, the Lazy Daze has the same GCWR (Ford E450) so I know it can handle towing the Jeep, just need to add a new hitch.

>> Automatic Awning - having an manual awning is not a big deal, it appears that the awnings used on the Lazy Daze is a good one, any comments/experience to either support or dispel my understanding would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to be long winded on this post. Thank you for any input/thoughts you have have for me.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #1 – September 03, 2020, 12:57:01 pm

Camco tank flushers can be installed.
Holding tank flusher | Flickr

The hitch can be beefed up by a hitch shop, your new rig will have a GCVW OF 22,000-lbs.

Some Fiama awnings can be converted to electric operations.

Now, start waiting.
Larry

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #2 – September 03, 2020, 01:13:25 pm

Larry,

Thank you for the quick response. I do have a very good hitch shop near me, they did the work on my current motor home. In reading other posts I see that some have done a great job of adding a tank flush, I just hope there is room on the 31 to add on.

I know Lazy Daze likes to keep things simple, eliminate the things that can fail (all the automation and slides) which is why I want to move to a Lazy Daze, but tank flush valves seem pretty basic and the cost to add would be minimal during a build.

The one down side of the Lazy Daze, it is a long waiting period; but I plan on RVing for a long time, so the wait will be worth it.

Dan.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #3 – September 03, 2020, 01:57:43 pm

If you go to "Prices and Specs" on the company site, you'll find some detailed information. I believe it shows the wardrobes as 44 and 46 inches for the 31'. I forgot which is which.... Frank

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #4 – September 03, 2020, 02:08:29 pm

Thank you Frank, I’ll take a look at the specs. That isn’t much difference in closet space.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #5 – September 03, 2020, 03:22:28 pm

Dan,
We have also visited this issue several times.

The big difference (besides bed) we have found:
-- The wardrobes hanging width is a little bit bigger in the TB - see the specs.
-- The back cabinet that goes across the top of the LD is a little longer in the TB (on the IB it only goes between the two wardrobes).
-- The total number of drawers is listed as the same in the specs. The wardrobes by the IB have one drawer by the bed (and a space beside each bed large enough for phones, cpaps, etc. ). I don't know the drawer space under the wardrobes for the TB. The specs don't list widths of drawers so I don't know if there is any differences there (they might be the same and the bottom part is used for storage accessed from the outside for TB like it is for IB.
-- On the 2015 LD IB we looked at in El Mirage, AZ (RV trader listing), there is a small pantry type area on the outside of the bathroom wall, by the foot of the passenger side of the IB. I don't believe this additional storage is in the TB and it might have been an addition after purchase.

The big difference for us was the feel of the room. The wardrobes right next to and encroaching on bed space from the sides have a more enclosed feeling (for us) than the wardrobes being at the foot of the bed.

Note: We make U shaped beds (did this on our TK and plan to do it on our 31 TB). For us, this is a good compromise, giving us the best of a king sized bed while being able to get out easier (not climbing down to the foot of the bed to get out). We make additional support for the additional bed area and leave a narrow walking area (when you sit up, it is right where your feet go and extends to the foot of the bed). The top part is solid bed from head to hip area, so plenty of cuddling area, our current narrow walking area is just over a foot and feels plentiful (we tried a larger walking space originally but felt it was a waste of empty space).

I suggest trying to find both bed styles and lay in them to see how the space feels to you.
Adjusting to small changes in cabinet spaces can be done.

FYI, I was very surprised that the 31' did not have a lot more storage area inside than the 24'. Though there is more space to put in shelving if desired.
Jane

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #6 – September 03, 2020, 04:10:01 pm

"... it appears that the awnings used on the Lazy Daze is a good one,..."

Now, right there, you will get a variance of opinion! I happen to NOT like the OEM awning that LD uses! When I ordered my 31IB I specifically let it be known that I would be installing an after market awning. I was given credit for their version and the mounting points for a different awning were reinforced (blocked) during construction. Since that time my rig has had a 20' A&E (Dometic) awning. Can you imagine how much shade is provided by a 20' awning? Awesome!

I had twin beds in a prior RV and the wife would complain about sleeping so close to a cold outer wall. That cinched the choice of an Island Bed.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #7 – September 03, 2020, 05:46:03 pm

Thank you Steve, great input.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #8 – September 03, 2020, 05:47:44 pm

Thank you Jane, a lot of great info to think about, I appreciate it.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #9 – September 03, 2020, 09:19:24 pm

Dan, I should mention also the outside storage is very different in TB vs IB.

Speaking just of the bedroom area...

The walkway takes up more space in the IB as it goes on both sides of the bed as well as some at the foot of the bed. Where as the TB only has the walk way down the middle - which means more bed space.

With the TB, the area under the beds have outside bins to get into that area. This gives two very large outdoor storage areas that the IB doesn't have. The fresh water tank takes up a big amount of one of these. This means the IB has more storage with smaller bin doors and not the large storage areas in the rear that some of the models have (TK, MB, TB).

The island bed has the fresh water tank under the bed. There are some drawers that go under the bed close to the wardrobes - I saw these on the floor plan but I admit I never looked at them in an actual LD.
I believe there is also more storage available under the IB that I have heard others talking about using by pulling the entire foot of the bed up, but someone with that IB would have to confirm this.

Both the IB and the TB have the long storage that goes all the way across the LD width, for long items. Great for long things like skis, fishing poles, etc. but I could easily see things getting lost in the middle of that if someone didn't add some roll out trays or ways to access the middle of that area.

Handy people can change use of the storage space, by adding drawers/doors/sliding trays, etc. to make it how they want to use it. Including turning part of the storage under the twin beds into inside storage.

Jane

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #10 – September 03, 2020, 09:21:51 pm

A last PS. IBs are a lot more popular, which means easier to find used. TBs are more rare overall.
In fact when I put our name on the list, I was told we rarely build 31' [of either style].

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #11 – September 03, 2020, 11:10:18 pm

I have a 30IB and I dont like how the side cabinets make a somewhat enclosed feeling. I have tried sleeping the opposite direction and it is much better, but need to build a folding headboard to keep pillow from falling off the end of the bed. Also lose the ability to put your water glass, etc on the side of the bed. I have never seen a 30TB, but if the beds are similar to the 24TK, they are not overly comfortable and the cold air coming off the windows is not pleasant.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #12 – September 03, 2020, 11:31:27 pm

Quote from: Jane and Scott - September 03, 2020, 09:19:24 pm

Both the IB and the TB have the long storage that goes all the way across the LD width, for long items. Great for long things like skis, fishing poles, etc. but I could easily see things getting lost in the middle of that if someone didn't add some roll out trays or ways to access the middle of that area.

Handy people can change use of the storage space, by adding drawers/doors/sliding trays, etc. to make it how they want to use it. Including turning part of the storage under the twin beds into inside storage.

Jane

To access the center of the long storage area you can open the faux spare tire cover, unlock the center compartment,. This gives access to this area which also stores the spare tire.

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #13 – September 04, 2020, 12:13:04 am

We have a 31'TB and love it. The actual sleeping space is a few inches wider compared to the IB. We like the wardrobes at the foot of the beds. It is true that to make the beds comfortable we add memory foam toppers. Sleeping next to the window can be a issue for cold sleepers but it has not been a problem for us.

Randy

Re: On The List - 31 Island or Twin

Reply #14 – September 04, 2020, 01:57:25 am

Jerry - that is nice to know, I was looking in there thinking what a pain to get to things in the Middle (of that long storage area).
Jane

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