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Topic: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?  (Read 313 times) previous topic - next topic
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Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
After mulling the idea of a motorhome for a couple of years I'm finally ready to pull the trigger, and settled on LD because of their stellar reputation. I'm going to be hauling a lot of boxes while on trips for work and plan to use the entire rear bed area for storage while sleeping up front.

Does anyone have the rough measurements of the rear area on their rig? I'm stuck between a 26/27 or a 30/31, I'd prefer the smaller but the extra space may come in handy for me if the rear gets the full extra 3ft of length.

Thanks!!

P.S. If anyone has removed their rear bed(s), how much of a pain is it to do?
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Clabby93  - 
Does anyone have the rough measurements of the rear area on their rig? I'm stuck between a 26/27 or a 30/31, I'd prefer the smaller but the extra space may come in handy for me if the rear gets the full extra 3ft of length.

P.S. If anyone has removed their rear bed(s), how much of a pain is it to do?

Do you want to just remove the cushions or totally remove the couches both sides?
If the structure is removed, be aware, much of it will not come out whole, instead in small pieces, good for kindling. LD uses all the interior pieces as part of the overall structure, everything is glued, screwed and stapled together, designed never to come apart in one piece.

Be aware, in the 27' MB and the 31' TB,  the fresh water tank is located under the passenger side couch, something that cannot be removed, if you wish to have fresh water onboard.  The 31' IB has the water tank and water pump located under the queen bed.

In both the 27' MB and 31' models, the spare tire is not carried on the rear exterior wall, instead it is stored inside one of the exterior storage compartments, under one of the couches you plan on removing.
There is not an alternative location for the spare tire except, perhaps, carrying it on the front bumper, a solution that looks terrible, IMO.
I suggest taking a hard look at a 27' MB and 31' models first before buying to see what I'm refering to, this may not be a practical solution to your storage needs.
Have you thought about pulling a small cargo trailer instead? If a toad is planned, get one with a lot of interior space and use it for storage, an old Honda Element would be a good choice.

Removing the couches will exposed the rear exterior cargo hatch doors on both sides of the MB, IB and TB.
In a 31' TB, with the bed and closets removed, the rear access hatch will also be exposed.
The hatches will leak cold and hot air into the interior unless they are sealed.

I hope you plan on doing this to an older LD, as it will destroy the resale value.
Without a lot of refinishing in the rear, it isn't going to look like much.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #2 –
If the boxes are heavy, the 31' models have a much lower cargo weight capacity. The MB model would probable fir your bill the best. Don't plan on removing anything except cushions without major de-construction.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #3 –
"The 31' IB has the water tank and water pump located under the queen bed."

I own one and so I know the veracity of the above statement. However, in addition to the fresh water tank and pump, you will find that the spare tire also occupies some of that under bed space. You may benefit from the removal of the mattress but that would be the only saving.  :(
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #4 –
Thank you all for the replies! I was hoping they'd just be bolted to some tracks but it looks like just removing the mattresses to avoid them getting crushed would be the best bet. I do plan to pull a cargo trailer for some of my bulkier trips but hoped to avoid that as much as I can. Living in NYC storing the rig will be tough enough let alone buying a trailer along with it, and renting from Uhaul gets to be a real pain sometimes.

I'm hoping there's at least the same storage back there as one of the 5x8x5 uhaul cargo trailers I've rented in the past. It's tough to tell just by looking at photos and I've yet to see one up for sale anywhere remotely close to NY to see in person.
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: Larry W  - 
...Be aware, in the 27' MB and the 31' TB,  the fresh water tank is located under the passenger side couch,
Larry

Does it depend on the rig's year as to where the fresh water is located?
Thinking I've also seen pics of the fresh water tank located under the stove in the mid-bath
2018 Mid-Bath Beatrix (bringer of joy)
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #6 –
The 31' Island Bed "queen" bed's dimensions are 57" x 78". Therefore, if you remove the mattress you can stack cargo on the bed platform to the ceiling. Not wise, of course, because you would most likely overload the 31'er. You could also use the floor to ceiling walk-around space surrounding the bed.

Chris

Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #7 –
You could work out the cubic feet you have in the back of an MB with the  cushions removed.   And determine the cubic feet you need to move.  Possibly max pressure in the rear tires - 80lbs.  And work out how much of a tax deduction this can be!
I like this idea.....

Frank
plan B - 2023 Travato
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #8 –
When my daughter moved from Newport News, Va to Charlottesville VA we moved all her stuff in the our MidBath.  I removed the cushions from the bed to the overhead area and left the bottoms in the couch position rather than pulled out. I packed the isle a few boxes going forward then packed the each couch starting forward and moving back trying to keep the load weight even side to side. I started with the beaver boxes forward against walls.  I packed so there was never a box against glass. Once the beds were full I worked the isle. I forged how but I was able to lock the last box in place so it would not slide forward.  There was an amazing amount of stuff in the space.  In the OP’s case he could place the cushions on top of the boxes.  If planning to live in the LD while doing this you would have to be real careful with total  weight as well as weight placement.  
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #9 –
The FW tank in my 07 MB is below the stove and kitchen counter. 
Currently: 2008 36' Tiffin Open Road
Previously: 2007 Mid Bath
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Kit  - 
Does it depend on the rig's year as to where the fresh water is located?
Thinking I've also seen pics of the fresh water tank located under the stove in the mid-bath

Must have been a short circuit in the brain, the MB's water tank is under the stove.

If the OP just needs a moderate amount of room, removing just the cushions might provide the room needed as long as the rig isn't overloaded.
The MB's rear lounge is a large area.
As mentioned, the rear of a 31' model already has limited cargo capacity, it might be best to stick with a 27' MB with its greater CCC.

A bigger challenge may be finding a decent rig in the New York area.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #11 –
Thanks for all of the good points made, I definitely didn't expect the GVWR to be so close to the wet weight so I'm glad you guys brought it up. I would probably be OK with the 30' but it'd be riding real close to the limit, so it looks like a 26.5/27' MB is the way to go.

Am I safe to assume the brand new GVWR/wet weights listed on LD's site are fairly similar to the old ones? I've been searching for these specs but can't seem to find them anywhere online, I'm sure they're out there somewhere though.

I've gathered that the coach is 8'3" wide on the exterior, so figuring a little under 8" interior width. The height should be 6'5" before accounting for the overhead storage & bed bases. The length is still a bit of a mystery because it's not listed anywhere, but hopefully it's almost as long as it is wide. Should be enough for me and U-Haul cargo trailer will have to do otherwise.
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Clabby93  - 
Thanks for all of the good points made, I definitely didn't expect the GVWR to be so close to the wet weight so I'm glad you guys brought it up. I would probably be OK with the 30' but it'd be riding real close to the limit, so it looks like a 26.5/27' MB is the way to go.

Am I safe to assume the brand new GVWR/wet weights listed on LD's site are fairly similar to the old ones? I've been searching for these specs but can't seem to find them anywhere online, I'm sure they're out there somewhere though.

I've gathered that the coach is 8'3" wide on the exterior, so figuring a little under 8" interior width. The height should be 6'5" before accounting for the overhead storage & bed bases. The length is still a bit of a mystery because it's not listed anywhere, but hopefully it's almost as long as it is wide. Should be enough for me and U-Haul cargo trailer will have to do otherwise.
Between this: http://www.lazydaze.com/FEATURES.PDF and this: Changes by year you should be able to find all the measurements, weights, etc. you are looking for.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: Clabby93  - 
Am I safe to assume the brand new GVWR/wet weights listed on LD's site are fairly similar to the old ones? I've been searching for these specs but can't seem to find them anywhere online, I'm sure they're out there somewhere though.

All pre-2008 E450s have a GVW of 14,050-lbs, 2008 and up have a 14,500-lbw GVW and bigger brakes.
If using a future LD as a cargo truck, go with a 2008 or newer.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #15 –
How much do your 'lot of boxes' weigh?   I have a 2013 31 Island bed.  Window-window width is 96".  Aisles on either side of the bed are 18" wide,  (R) 56" long, (L) 64" long.  GVWR 14,500 split between rear (9600) & Front (5000).  I run with 10 gal fresh water at most due to weight and the weight on the rear is always near 9600.  Front weight usually runs around 4500.  For a sorta-freighter,   I'd look for something shorter than 31'.  That's from my experience with my rig.
But as Joan and others often say YMMV.
welcome aboard
Joel

Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #16 –
Clabby,
you will want to avoid the older ones on a E350 Chassis. the GVW is 11,000 pounds and the CCC is about 440 pounds. 
that is me, the wife, the 85# dog.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #17 –
Quote from: rodneyhelfrich  - 
Clabby,
you will want to avoid the older ones on a E350 Chassis. the GVW is 11,000 pounds and the CCC is about 440 pounds. 
that is me, the wife, the 85# dog.

Unless the OP buys a pre-1997 MB, they are E450s, with either the 14,050-lbs or 14,500-lbs GVW.\, depending on the year .
All the information on such things are in the LD Pocket Guide.
Lazy Daze Pocket Guide

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #18 –
The boxes I'd be carrying probably total up to 2000lb if absolute packed to the max, but probably closer to 1500lb most of the time. The 26.5/27 is definitely the way to go.

For the new models I see 14,500GVW minus 12,000 wet weight(all tanks full but no passengers/cargo) = ~2800lb occupant & cargo capacity which will be OK for my purposes with ~500lb to spare. I understand that pre-08 models have a 14,050GWV, but is the wet weight of a pre-08 coach still right around 12k lbs or were they a bit lighter back then? Can't find this sort of information for anything besides the brand new LD's. I prefer an older model because I'll be putting on ~50k miles a year and do my own maintenance and repairs for dirt cheap anyway, it just makes more sense to get one already depreciated. If I absolutely need an 08+ I'll have to drop some bigger cash, though.

If anyone knows of a very nice 26.5/27 MB or IB for sale, let me know! Would love to buy one from a forum member that I know has taken great care of it. I'll fly anywhere in the US for one.
 
Re: Anyone have measurements of the rear bed area?
Reply #19 –
Clabby93.  There are a couple of North East Lazy Daze club members living in NJ.  Consider making a request on the North East LD forum for a tour of a Mid-Bath.  NYC is almost NJ (LOL).

Bob


Northeast Lazy Daze Caravan Club

2011 MB