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Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Yahoo Message Number: 128518
Hi folks, glad I found your Yahoo Group.
 I'm an ex-sail boater who will be retiring in a short 10 months and assuming the fulltime RV life style. Haven't yet purchased a RV but, after 18 months of research, the LD is on the short list.
 Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD? I have found this to be a better question than the usual, "What do you like?" or "What makes LD so good?". Its kind of like buying a car, I never ask whats under warranty, I ask what's NOT under warranty.
 No need to sell me on the product, I have done my homework and found LD to probably be the best Class C available. Still, there must be something that isn't quite to your liking or something that continues to be a problem (even if its a small one).
 Of course I'm asking about to everything here; the unit construction, milage, engine problems / maintenance, company responce to its customers, drivability, weight managemant, layout, water systems, electrical systems, et. Any issues with anyone?

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Skipper Dave
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128519
There is nothing I don't like about my LD.  The only thing I would do differently is purchase the 31" Twin bed model.  I have the 27RB

Betty Jean
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128520
On Feb 12, 2012, at 2:04 PM, mbloto_2000 wrote:

Quote
Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD?
Nothing.

Martha in Santa Fe 2009 MB

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128523
On Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:04:13 -0000, "mbloto_2000" mbloto_2000@...> wrote:

Quote
What is it you DON'T like about your LD?
Skipper Dave, We wish it had two full baths and a trash compactor.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128524
This is our third new LD: nothing.  Our first was a new 92 Multifloor plan, we had for ten years. Second one a 2001 rear bath, we loved. Also owned for ten years. We just bought a 2011, 31 foot with an island bed. We have never been disappointed. Penny __ From: Betty Jean bettyjean92211@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:23 PM
 Subject: Re: [LD] Newbe here saying hello and asking....

There is nothing I don't like about my LD. The only thing I would do differently is purchase the 31" Twin bed model. I have the 27RB

Betty Jean
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128525
Skipper Dave Apparently there were a few things that I did not like about the Lazy Daze, because I replaced several items.
(1) I replaced the 6 cu ft refrig with a 7 cu ft refrig.
(2) I replaced the converter with  a Progressive  Dynamics PD4645.
(3) I replaced the lead acid batteries with AGM's.
(4) I replaced the bathroom fan with a Fantastic Fan.
(5) I replaced the 19" TV with a Jensen 21" TV. (To be fair the TV industry changed, so this was required)
 Also there were things that did not come with it, so I added a few things.
(1) Progressive  Industries EMS HW30C power conditioner.
(2) Three 44 cell 100W solar panals (3) Xantrex linkpro  Battery Monitor (4) Solar charge controller.
(5) Jensen DVD

That is about it since September 15th 2004.

David 2004 26.5 MidBath  in Spokane, Washington

Quote
__ From: mbloto_2000 mbloto_2000@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 1:04 PM
 Subject: [LD] Newbe here saying hello and asking....

Hi folks, glad I found your Yahoo Group.  I'm an ex-sail boater who will be retiring in a short 10 months and assuming the fulltime RV life style. Haven't yet purchased a RV but, after 18 months of research, the LD is on the short list.  Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD? I have found this to be a better question than the usual, "What do you like?" or "What makes LD so good?". Its kind of like buying a car, I never ask whats under warranty, I ask what's NOT under warranty.   No need to sell me on the product, I have done my homework and found LD to probably be the best Class C available. Still, there must be something that isn't quite to your liking or something that continues to be a problem (even if its a small one).  Of course I'm asking about to everything here; the unit construction, milage, engine problems / maintenance, company responce to its customers, drivability, weight managemant, layout, water systems, electrical
systems, et. Any issues with anyone?  Looking forward to hearing from you all!  Skipper Dave

 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128526
About the only thing we wish for is better mileage. But the LD gets excellent mileage for its size, performance, and carrying capacity.
It's just that gas prices are astronomical and our daily driver is a Prius, so we are painfully aware of what it costs to take the LD on a trip.

But that's not anti-LD. It's just a fact of owning any RV.

Sonsie
Re: Newbie here saying hello and asking....
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128527
"I have found this to be a better question than the usual, 'What do you like?' or 'What makes LD so good?.' No need to sell me on the product..."
 That's a good cut-to-the-chase approach, Dave... and one that makes for much shorter replies, at least in this group. (Now if you'd asked Fleetwood owners, it'd be another story. ;-)
 No rig is perfect, so I'll take a crack at your question. For more details, see my "Skylarking" website (http://www.andybaird.com/travels/skylarking/), in particular the posts "Skylark as delivered" and "upgrade frenzy." Here are a few of my less favorite things, in no particular order.
 * Too many couches, not enough workspace. Or if you want it short and sweet, "no desk." My 2003 midbath came with seating for ten (!), but since I travel solo that was useless to me. On the other hand, I work on the road, yet there was no workspace... and using a computer at the dinette table gets old after about half an hour. Solution: I ripped out one couch and built an L-shaped desk.
 * Small pantry cupboard. Adequate for weekend trips, maybe, or if you mostly eat out, but not for a fulltimer who likes to cook. I built my own pantry, adding 12 shelf feet of space. I use the built-in cupboard as a spice rack.
 * Noisy air conditioner and furnace. Small, high-speed blowers that exhaust directly into the living space are noisemakers, and the only way around that is to bury the items and run the air through ducts. Some class Cs do that, but they either have taller profiles (ductwork above the ceiling) or sit high above their wheels and wallow a lot (ductwork under the floor. Lazy Daze builds a low-profile coach with a low center of gravity. Given a choice between good handling and quiet HVAC, i chose the former.
 * Accordion blinds that have to be restrung every few years due to fraying cords. Yes, I have the parts and I know how to do it, but I'm tired of restringing my blinds.
 * AC and 12V outlets under upper-level cabinets. Plug anything in, and you have cords dangling in front of the windows, spoiling those glorious panoramic views. I've added some lower-level outlets.
 * No 12V outlets in overcab bed area. Come on, how are we supposed to plug in a reading lamp? Charge our cell phones overnight? Power that mattress warmer we were just talking about? I added five 12V outlets, plus switches for the warming pad and reading light.
 * No fan at the foot of the overcab bed. My '85 LD had one (with a switch at the head of the bed) and it was great on hot summer nights. Dunno why they discontinued this feature. One of these days I'll get around to adding one.
 * Overly complex trim on drawer and cabinet fronts. Collects dust, hard to clean, visually cluttered. Someday I may get ambitious and replace them all with plain, flat ones (IKEA style), but it's going to be a big job.
 * Upholstery fabrics range from unattractive to ugly. Just my personal opinion here. :-) Some people like 'em fine. I covered mine up as soon as I bought the rig.
 * Textured wallpaper behind stove and sink. Collects grease and dirt; almost impossible to clean unless you scrub every square inch with a toothbrush. I covered that whole area with self-stick vinyl tile. Looks great, cost about $15 and took on y a couple of hours to apply. (and no, the heat of the stove doesn't bother it--everybody asks that. ;-)
 * Solar panels not tiltable and not easily added to. I replaced mine, since they were only 85-watters and I wanted 100W panels. And I can tell you that at this time of year, tilting the panels *does* make a difference. I don't often dry-camp in wintertime, but I am now, and the AM Solar tilt bars are getting a good workout.
 There's probably more, but that's what comes to mind right now. Looking over that list, I'd have to say that there were very few things I don't like about the coach as delivered, and most of those were easily remedied.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128528
Dave,
 Well, I have an '05 MB (mid-bath), so things have changed since then.  But, at the time I ordered my LD the standard A/C was the Duomatic Penguin and a larger A/C was an extra option.  The A/C works just fine in the East, but once when it was 108 degrees in NM, I wished I had opted for the larger unit.  The larger A/C is now standard on the 27' LDs.  If this was a sufficient problem problem for me I could always replace the A/C unit.
 I still feel the area over the cab could be more aerodynamic.  Specifically, as seen from the "top view" (i.e. if you were looking down from a helicopter over the LD) the front corners would be less severe (i.e. larger diameter curve).  A curvature like the Ford hood would be good.  I believe that would help the mileage when driving fast on the Interstates.
 Given that the highest point on the rig is at the A/C unit, it would not hurt to raise the roof at the cabover by a say 4 inches and then drop it down to normal level.  This would avoid "Lake Newton" at the front of the rig and give more headroom in the cabover area.  With a foam memory topper on the bed there, I find it just a bit claustrophobic.  But, really, I prefer sleeping on the back sofa for easy night access to the bathroom.  Yes this would be stealing an idea from Born Free, but it could be thought of as being a compliment. :)
 Many of us have updated our LDs with Seelevel tank gauges and battery monitoring systems.  These things might matter to people who boondock a lop.  These things could be standard.  There are other such little thing that others have added to their LDs.
 It's been over 7 years now since we picked our LD from the Mothership and I'm no hurry to buy a newer rig.  When I do, it will be another LD.

Alex Rutchka, SE #4 '05 MB
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128529
Quote
"Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD?"

Skipper Dave
Dave

What's not to like???
 As they are built they are darned near perfect. And, you won't find a better company to do business with. They will work with you to try to accomodate your every wish (nearly). There is a limit however and when you reach that they put their foot down and that's as far as it goes.
 Example; I asked that the coffee maker be eliminated. Done, with credit. I asked that the entry wall be reinforced so that I could mount a handicap grab bar. Done, with explanation of how and where. I asked that the awning be deleted. Done, with credit. And when I explained what I would replace it with they volunteered to reinforce the mounting points during construction.
 However, when I asked why I could not have a gas/electric water heater in lieu of the gas only, it was said, "No, because that's the way we do things."
 Manufacturing processes will determine what's possible and what's not and in the end you will wind up with the best coach on the road.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128530
In a message dated 2/12/2012 1:04:17 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  writes:

Now  for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD? I have found this to  be a better question than the usual, "What do you like?" or "What makes LD so  good?". Its kind of like buying a car, I never ask whats under warranty, I ask  what's NOT under warranty.

Skipper Dave,  I like everything on my 2003 MB 26.5 LD. I read Joan Taylor's 4 part article about Lazy Daze and bought a used unit in May 2010. You can read the articles by Joan Taylor by going to:
 _http://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search?q=joan+taylor_ (http://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/search?q=joan+taylor)
 Great grandma and I are happy LD campers. Just the 2 of us. Grand kids are grown and great grand kids live far away. After 9 years of use everything still  works on my Daisy.     Escondido,   CA       John and  Mitzie

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128531
Quote
Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD?
Welcome Dave.
 For me, what I don't like is the small subframe LD uses to extend from the main frame to attach the holding tanks and hitch plate.
 It's very small and so doesn't allow for much in the way of added weight to be placed behind the rig. I carry a small motorcycle on the back on a custom made rack and even added 2 more receivers to make it sturdy, yet I have some cracking of the bumper  top at the spots the subframe extends.
Maybe LD did this to keep people from adding too much weight to the hitch, but on other LD's I've seen that tow, it still happens.
 I'd also like to see LD use aluminum on the corner pieces instead of plastic which over time develops cracks probably from two different materials and expansion differences from that.

Jay
Jota
96 23.5 FL
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128532
wrote:

Quote
What is it you DON'T like about your LD?
--- I'm OK with listing a few of what I consider to be LD "warts" on my 2003 TK, but said dislikes might not be relevant to other floor plans/models, optional equipment choices, and/or model years of production. For one example, my TK has an 18-gallon black tank; this can be a real constraint when dry camping/boondocking in remote areas or for long periods of time.  But, TKs built after 2008? - 2009? later? offer a 28-gallon black tank, so this particular issue is moot for later TKs.
 And, IMO, any "dislike list" has to be separated into two parts, i.e., inherent design or build features/materials/placements that *can't* be changed (or would be very expensive or require a LOT of work!) and those things which can be lived with, modified, deleted, added, re-decorated, re-built or otherwise personalized. (And, I don't know of *anyone* who is running a "just as delivered" LD!)
 An example of "inherent design" vs. "discretionary change": the water pump in the TK is located on the floor behind and under the little bottom drawer of the galley cabinet; accessing the pump requires hands the size of a squirrel, knees of iron, and a Bumper-recommended LED flashlight for landing aircraft. (Cutting an access hole in the outside wall of the cabinet end would require re-locating the LPG alarm). I can choose a different model of pump (discretionary), but re-locating the water pump and the lines (design/placement) would not be feasible.  (A list of specific "dislikes" (for the 2003 TK only) is included in Part 3 of the series "Long Road to a Lazy Daze"; the articles are in the "Companion", accessible from the home page of the message board.)

As ever, YMMV.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128533
As a large sailboat owner from 1985 to 2010 and a class C owner of some sort or another since 1992, I can tell you life will be much simpler, very much less costly, and quite satisfying with your LD motorhome. No more bottom paint issues, diesel fuel contamination and replacement injectors, flat batteries from the desire for cold beverages, midnight toilet dis-assemblies because someone flushed something they did not eat first.  Sea nettles will no longer clog the air conditioner (or head). Electric and water systems will be similar enough to the boat that you will feel at home. Storms can be weathered by pulling over. The only reefing you will need to do is the awning. You already know more about leak management than most RVers will ever need to know. Navigation is next to no challenge, you are always aground, there is no commercial shipping sneaking up
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking.... For Eddie
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128534
Loved this Eddie! Thanks and fair winds.

Skip

__ From: sunnyeddie2000 oshit69@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2012 7:14 PM
 Subject: [LD] Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....

As a large sailboat owner from 1985 to 2010 and a class C owner of some sort or another since 1992, I can tell you life will be much simpler, very much less costly, and quite satisfying with your LD motorhome. No more bottom paint issues, diesel fuel contamination and replacement injectors, flat batteries from the desire for cold beverages, midnight toilet dis-assemblies because someone flushed something they did not eat first.  Sea nettles will no longer clog the air conditioner (or head). Electric and water systems will be similar enough to the boat that you will feel at home. Storms can be weathered by pulling over. The only reefing you will need to do is the awning. You already know more about leak management than most RVers will ever need to know. Navigation is next to no challenge, you are always aground, there is no commercial shipping sneaking up
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128535
Skipper Dave, it looks like you have gotten some good feedback.  I will add my 2 cents worth, from 3 years of fulltiming.

1) The factory indicators as to Fresh, Grey, Black and Propane tanks are at best, crude approximations.  The SeeLevel Gauges that many of us have installed do a much better job.

2) There has been LOTS of discussion about roof design.  I don't like the current design but weighing all the pros and cons, I am not convinced that a better option exists.  Every alternative involves trade-offs.

3) There is no 120v outlet near the TV.  Many of us use DVD players or DVR's, most of which run off 120v.

I (like so many of us) have made a number of additions or modifications, but these are things that are more individual, so I do not see them as design or operational issues.  My mods include adding hydraulic levelers, 4 solar panels, adding 6 AGM batteries, changing fluorescents to LED's, changing tail lights to LED's, adding a whole-house inverter, designing and building a quick and easy insulating foam bulkhead between the cab and the back, wine glass rack, spice rack, knife rack, bookshelves, and replacing the barrel chairs with a recliner.
 Things that have given me problems include my original water pump (the notorious Shurflo Extreme 5.7), my refrigerator ignitor board, my hot water ignitor board, leaking toilet seals, and a failed AC unit.  All were fixed under warranty.  My front hatch blew off in high winds in the first few months.  It was undamaged and I repaired it myself, later sharing with Vince at the factory the cause of the failure and my remedy.
 Like any home, my RV requires maintenance and occasional repairs but, on the whole, has been extremely reliable, comfortable and functional.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128536
From the perspectives of two self-described "RV Weenies," there isn't anything that we haven't been able to handle...yes, sometimes with professional help, but nothing that would ever be described as a deal breaker. And we've never sunk.
 We chose the LD as our retirement indulgence based upon its reliability and quality. From pre-purchase, pre-Mothership-visit telephone calls to after-purchase "issues" (one pilot error repair, one water pump, one toilet seal, and one unit-specific warranty item...very minor and cosmetic...), our interactions with all at The Mothership have been without stress and genuinely pleasant. Also, their cost estimates for work are extraordinarily accurate.
 We very recently had the Shur-Flo 5.7 waterpump replaced, after it well and truly died, with a Revolution 4008...much quieter. That was an out-of-pocket expense. And we will be having new sofa cushions put in this summer...we sleep in the lounge with the two sofas pulled together to make an oversize king...flinging our 65+ selves up into the overhead bunk was never the plan and is not in the future.
 Since we picked our MB up in March 2007, we have put 38,707.5 miles on her (we just pulled into San Antonio this afternoon) with our annual voyages about 7 months in duration. We have had the pleasure of rambling from East to West Coasts and back a couple of times as well as having to be in place in Florida for 2 seasons...in all, it's been a very gentle RV experience...especially as I compare our "issues" to those of my sister and brother-in-law in their 40' triple slide Vectra.
 Just like on a boat of any size, in the LD, everything has its place and every place has its thing. This will likely be our one and only RV, but most assuredly any replacement RV would be an LD.

TinaP 2006 MB "Wild Thing" Looking Forward to the San Antonio Rodeo & Stock Show

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2006 MB
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking.... For Eddie
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128537
As a former sail boat owner - a Tartan 37 - I line up 100% with Eddie. We still sail (a Rhodes 22, which we have towed behind the LD) and kayak (two to paddle and a third to sail) which are carried on the toad roof (dinghy, if you will). We have had LD's since January of 2004. It is much easier to take on fuel, dump the black tanks, and restock the larder.  We started with a '99 26 RB and moved to an AE 2006 30IB. Being used to small space management, land cruising is a breeze. We are out from four to eight months a year.

Cruising on land is much simpler and if you take the "path less traveled" you will find anchorages less crowded. We are water and green space lovers although we have also enjoyed the desert southwest.

Smooth sailing, or is it smooth land cruising?

Cheers, Bob
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128602
Quote
Now for my question. What is it you DON'T like about your LD? I have >found this to be a better question than the usual, "What do you >like?"> Of course I'm asking about to everything here; the unit >construction, milage, engine problems / maintenance, company responce >to its customers, drivability, weight managemant, layout, water >systems, electrical systems, et. Any issues with anyone? Skipper Dave
Hi Skipper Dave,
 Sorry I'm a little late with a response; I have enjoyed reading the other responses. I don't think you got many actual dislikes, of course this group is very biased in favor of Lazy Daze and rightfully so.
 We have a 2003 Midbath, purchased new and enjoyed for 104,000 miles.
 I have a few items that have bothered me. Some of these are the nature of a Ford based Class C; some are things I wish Lazy Daze would change.
 First item we don't like is a Ford issue; there is not much foot space on the passenger side of the truck cab. Not much you can do about it, but I keep hoping that LD will change to a pickup truck based truck chassis that would allow some other powertrain choices (diesel), better suspension (steering) design, and a much better truck cab. That being said, the current E450 has served us well.
 Next is an item that I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned; the height of the toilet. On the Midbath floorplan, and probably the other floorplans that share its bathroom location(above the rear wheel well), the toilet is very high from the floor(far more than ADA specifies for toilets). Last year, I got to tour a couple of 2011 Midbaths, and was upleasantly surprised to see that LD actually increased the height of the toilet! Seems they think the extra height will help with preventing blocked drains that some folks have experieced. First thing I did when we brought our rig home, was make a raised floor in the bathroom so my feet could touch the floor when sitting on the toilet. And I'm not short either.
 Others have mentioned the tank monitors. Why LD hasn't gone with a functional improvement to a Seelevel system is a mystery.
 Another item that I don't care for is the tint of the windows is too dark. And we feel that the flourescent lighting is too bright at times, especially over the dinette.
 I don't like all the exposed screws on the exterior of the body; I feel they are a potential source of water penetration. Nor do I like the rear corner edge/endcaps. While I have not had a problem with the endcap separation, it sure seems that a lot of folks have had that problem. Maybe LD has improved the adhesive they use. The problem seems sporadic in nature. I've seen old rigs with great seals/no gaps and I know of folks with rigs only a few years old that have had major problems with separation.
 One final item; I wish they could design a floorplan that would allow a couple of recliners or redesign the sofas so they could include some sort of leg support (like a recliner). In the early 2000's, there were a couple of travel trailer mfgs. that offered an "incliner sofa" as an option; the front of the sofa could be raised to allow you to raise your legs somewhat like a recliner.
 In no way am I trying to infer we don't like our LD. We LOVE it! For the last couple years, we've been looking at other rigs, mostly fifth wheels and smaller Class A's, hoping we will find something we would like a bit more. So far, we haven't found any other rig that would suit our needs better. Realizing that everybody uses their rigs differently, for our use/travel style, if we were replacing our rig right now, it would most likely be another LD.

Steve K.
 PS. Don't many of you wish that the factory would take trade-ins so you could more easily buy a new rig?
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath
 
Re: Newbe here saying hello and asking....
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 128614
YES!  YES!  YES!!

Betty Jean

PS. Don't many of you wish that the factory would take trade-ins so you could ore easily buy a new rig?