Hershey RV show 2016 July 08, 2016, 07:28:15 pm We're booked for 5 nights at the Conewago CG in Elizabethtown PA for the '16 Hershey show. Will be focused on comparing LD to similar sized Class C rigs. Looking forward to viewing Nexus, Thor, Forest River, Winnebago etc. we're gearing up to buy new (for the first time) in 2-5 years. We've narrowed things down this far...New rig (We intend to own for 15-20 years).28' max length (Constrained by our space in front of our town home, our HOA hasn't squawked at the LD.) And we like the size anyway even if this restriction didn't exist.Want 2 sleeping areas, (correction, we want 2 Living areas) LD RK is on our list. (We'll fly to LA to see model).Happy w/o slides but won't rule out a slide on dinette/couch. (We don't want a bed in a S/O because noise travels through the seams.)Need at least the same amount of counter space as a LD RB. (We like the Minnie Winnie 25B but NO counter space).Price around 100KFord 450Class C desirable (I love sleeping in BOC alone.) Also like being shaded when I'm driving.Want power awning. Not sure on levelers, We use RV 2-3 months/year, no plans to FT. Blocks work fine for us.Todd
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #1 – July 09, 2016, 09:42:25 am RK is no longer being manufactured by LD.
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #2 – July 09, 2016, 10:33:04 am Thanks for the heads up. (It is still shown on their website).
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #3 – July 09, 2016, 12:04:37 pm It's not possible to predict what RV manufacturers will even be around in your projected "buy new" window of 2-5 years from now, or even if a class C will fit your lifestyle and travel plans at that time. But, based only on what's currently available, if you expect to get a class C that will hold together for 15-20 years, I'd seriously consider ordering an LD; delivery of whatever model you choose will likely take at least a year anyway. Although this timing pushes your window, you're already familiar with the quality of the LD brand, and the current price is within your stated maximum.IMO, none of the other brands you listed produce a "15-20 year" class C. No brand is trouble-free, certainly, and every rig has its "warts", including LD. And, all require diligent maintenance to keep them going down the road, no matter how solid the rig is when delivered. But, initial build quality is critical to longevity, and LD has it all over the other brands you mentioned (again, IMO). Design, engineering, construction, and factory support were the criteria I used when I bought my LD 13 years ago, and I would apply the same standards again if I bought a new one. (The only other class C that I might consider would be a Born Free, but I don't know if the build quality has been maintained since John Dodgen sold the business. And, I don't believe that BFs have the overcab bed area that you said you wanted, and they are above your $100k price point.)As ever, YMMV! 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #4 – July 09, 2016, 12:14:03 pm Oops! Born Free does offer a cabover bed option in some models. 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #5 – July 09, 2016, 03:45:09 pm Lazy Daze doesn't seem to be doing the big RV shows any more, so don't expect to see them in Hershey. They weren't even at the Pomona show (practically in their back yard) the last time they went.
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #6 – July 09, 2016, 04:45:12 pm Quote from: thefuofus - July 09, 2016, 03:45:09 pmLazy Daze doesn't seem to be doing the big RV shows any more, so don't expect to see them in Hershey. They weren't even at the Pomona show (practically in their back yard) the last time they went. In the past, LD only attended the Pomona RV show, in October. They discontinued the practice a few years ago.Why bother when you sell everyone you build, without advertising.Steve seems to be preparing for retirement, most likely when the E450 is replaced. At that point, the existing floorpans and their matching templates, used in construction, would all need re-design to fit whatever new chassis replaces it. It will be a huge and possibly expensive process that Steve may not want to engage in.The consensus of many of the LD Caravan Club members is that the end is near.Only time will tell.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #7 – July 09, 2016, 07:32:56 pm I confess to the feeling of a lump in my throat at the thought of what is coming. My first inkling of this came while visiting the website and realizing it hadn't been updated in over a year. Larry's post provides further insight into what may be going on. We are in an aging RV and recognize the need to replace it within a few years. It's been a great experience from day one. We're not sure what the future will bring.
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #8 – July 09, 2016, 10:41:40 pm So no more Newton's after Steve?This is distressing.
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #9 – July 10, 2016, 11:51:17 am Quote from: huskerblue - July 09, 2016, 10:41:40 pmSo no more Newton's after Steve?This is distressing.Really, who knows what the future holds?Ford, or some other company, could introduce a modernized version of the E450, that would dimensionally be the same and not require a full re-design of the coach. All RV manufacturers would appreciate this.The E450 is a 20+ year old design, a new E450 could incorporate the improvements made over the last two decades. Ford produces an aluminum body for the new F150, so that is a possible way to reduce weight. Ford has modern turbo diesels and better transmissions, used in Ford trucks, that could be used to significantly increase mileage. Instead of shrinking the cab to european standards, it would offer a chance to widen the cab, to match the wide body, and increase the legroom on both sides.Who knows?Stay tuned!Larry 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #10 – July 10, 2016, 06:14:37 pm The following link is a couple of years old but it does shed some light on the future of the Ford E450.Ford Will Continue E-Series Cutaway/Stripped Chassis - PickupTrucks.com NewsPart of the article suggests that "the E-Series will technically continue to produce two other E-Series models (the E-350 and E-450 stripped chassis and cutaway) until almost the end of the decade."Nevertheless, as Larry mentioned above "who really know what the future holds?" DW and I will just be happy to see a bit more of the future ... period! And so it goes. 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #11 – July 10, 2016, 06:39:42 pm Been curious why LD never went with the F series truck? What does the E series offer that the F series lacks?
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #12 – July 11, 2016, 01:13:52 am Quote from: Rick Akin - July 10, 2016, 06:39:42 pmBeen curious why LD never went with the F series truck? What does the E series offer that the F series lacks?Shorter overall length.There are F-series based RVs and they have not sold well.Larry
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #13 – July 11, 2016, 03:07:20 am We may well end up buying a new LD if the company is around when we buy. Who knows, maybe there will be a new chassis in use at that time as discussed above. Yes, we're starting the "hunt" early, that's half the fun. The only thing I know for sure is that we need 2 living areas in our next RV. In The RB, when I get up from my BOC in the middle of the night to play on my iPad and have a cup of tea, it is totally disruptive to the rest of the family. Steve wakes up and tells me to keep the noise down, and the dogs both give me dirty looks.
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #14 – July 11, 2016, 02:49:49 pm "The only thing I know for sure is that we need 2 living areas in our next RV. In The RB, when I get up from my BOC in the middle of the night to play on my iPad and have a cup of tea, it is totally disruptive to the rest of the family."This is where the midbath shines. Partition the coach with the bathroom door, or the accordion door aft of the bathroom, and one person can be active in the kitchen/dinette area while the other sleeps in the rear lounge area--or vice versa. 2 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #15 – July 11, 2016, 03:14:28 pm Amen Andy. Works great when one is suffering from a cold or insomnia. We did remove the accordion door, but the bathroom door isolates one end from the other just fine. 1 Likes
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #16 – July 11, 2016, 10:56:22 pm Same with the RK. Whoops, no more RK!!!
Re: Hershey RV show 2016 Reply #17 – July 12, 2016, 03:16:28 am With the RB, we enjoy the sofas behind the cab. Dogs are right there (they enjoy jumping between the sofas ) while we are on the road. The coach has an open and spacious feel. The RK appealed to us because the sofas are in the identical position and also the BOC is more open than it is with the MB.
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