How many 26.5 IBs are out there? October 02, 2009, 01:00:19 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106284We're definitely looking at 26.5s of various flavors. I'm really intrigued by the Island Bed layout, but there are very few out there for sale. Can anyone advise what year that particular floorplan first appeared and roughly how many have been built?Frank Damp Anacortes, WA
Re: How many 26.5 IBs are out there? Reply #1 – October 02, 2009, 01:24:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106286"I'm really intrigued by the Island Bed layout, but there are very few out there for sale. Can anyone advise what year that particular floorplan first appeared and roughly how many have been built?" Frank, I don't know what year the 26.5' IB first appeared, but it was discontinued in 2005. This model was never popular (I don't have exact numbers) because the bedroom took up so much of the available space that there was very little left over for daily activities. In fact, if you don't count the bedroom, which is only used at night, this 26.5' model actually has less usable living space than any of the 23.5' models! Highlights: The kitchen has no useful counter space. The single-seat sofa can expand to seat two, but it completely blocks the entry door (!) when extended. There's barely room to sidle around the foot of the queen bed, due to the toilet and shower encroaching into the bedroom. Wardrobe space is minimal. And so on. Owners will of course paint a more favorable picture, but for my money this is the least practical floorplan LD ever came up with.Andy Bairdhttp://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: How many 26.5 IBs are out there? Reply #2 – October 02, 2009, 08:26:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 106291I think they started making the 26-1/2 foot Island Bed model
Re: How many 26.5 IBs are out there? Reply #3 – October 03, 2009, 12:19:54 am Yahoo Message Number: 106294Thanks, both of you. I did wonder, Andy, what compromises resulted from trying to get a queen-size bed in a 26' rig. My enthusiasm for that model has diminished a bit!Maybe an RB or an RK would work better.Frank Damp
Re: How many 26.5 IBs are out there? Reply #4 – October 03, 2009, 12:44:34 am Yahoo Message Number: 106296The compromise is a lot of real estate that is used mostly only at night.On a 26.5ft LD this is a great loss/waste of space. On a 36ft diesel-pusher not so much because there is so much room left beside the bedroom. (We've had 2 LD's and a 36ft DP.) The MB has a terrific super-king bed in the rear that is transformed into a living room with panoramic views during the day. A great multi-use feature.The RB even multi-uses the bath area. I'd guess is the RB has the largest bath of all LD's (when it is fully enclosed). If you want a bed already made up at all times in a 26.5ft LD, sleep over the cab.best, paul"Thriving not surviving" - Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon) - See our website at www. LazyDazers.com