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New to me RV!
Hi everyone!! I am so excited to say I have officially joined the LD family. Thanks for having this amazing resource, wealth of knowledge, and experience! Sorry for the long introduction - Just so stoked to get this underway!

This has surely been an adventure so far. I have been looking at RV's for about 3 years. Interested in using  my RV for work as a traveling nurse in addition to fun trips when I am not working. After looking endlessly at RV shows and online I finally decided I wanted a Lazy Daze. Found one locally that cosmetically looked great (to a newbie) upon further review was sadly rusted out on the bottom and had a host of issues.

Scrounging online I finally came across the one I wanted. However, it was across the country and I didn't have anytime to travel. Thankfully my friends who lived nearby the seller were willing to take a look and video chat with me at the walk thru. The seller was an amazing guy who loved this RV!! He was willing to hold it for me and take it for prepurchase inspection. The process was a nightmare - not because of the RV but the service shop was horrible! They had the RV for over two weeks to do a prepurchase inspection, IMO did a completely subpar job, very poor communication, made a list of things that needed to be repaired that seemed to be incredibly inflated in price, and didnt even know there were essential components when I asked about them (solar and levelers).

When the owner went to pick it up - things weren't put back together appropriately (water heater on with hardly any water in it) and had to be fixed by the owner. Very frustrating! Despite all this frustration... I went with my gut instinct and bought it!! Yeah!!

However - it was the week this pandemic really started taking off so no travel to go get it. Since it was sitting in storage now - I had another mechanic look at it - friend of a friend with a good recommendation for honest service - just to be sure. He said everything is in great condition. Appears to be almost brand new!! He said all components are in working order and took it on a test drive. Only thing that needed to be done was recharging the cab A/C. Far cry from the $3000 estimate at the previous shop!

Anyway, I am super excited to join the group and Thanks In Advance for letting me lurk while searching for my RV and all the future questions I will have.

And - shout out to anyone who needs a mechanic in Phoenix / Scottsdale area - this guy is A1 awesome, honest, good communicator!
Brody McHaffey - 623-418-9706
www.azanywhereautorepair.com
Jodi, Kevin, and Lincoln (the crazy doodle dog)
2011 TK - also the "DogHaus"- adopted October 2023
2000 30IB - the "DogHaus" - adopted April 2020 - rehomed October 2023

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #1
Welcome to the cult.   Many many happy trails to you.   

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #2
Hi everyone!! I am so excited to say I have officially joined the LD family. Thanks for having this amazing resource, wealth of knowledge, and experience! Sorry for the long introduction - Just so stoked to get this underway!

This has surely been an adventure so far. I have been looking at RV's for about 3 years. Interested in using  my RV for work as a traveling nurse in addition to fun trips when I am not working. After looking endlessly at RV shows and online I finally decided I wanted a Lazy Daze. Found one locally that cosmetically looked great (to a newbie) upon further review was sadly rusted out on the bottom and had a host of issues.

Scrounging online I finally came across the one I wanted. However, it was across the country and I didn't have anytime to travel. Thankfully my friends who lived nearby the seller were willing to take a look and video chat with me at the walk thru. The seller was an amazing guy who loved this RV!! He was willing to hold it for me and take it for prepurchase inspection. The process was a nightmare - not because of the RV but the service shop was horrible! They had the RV for over two weeks to do a prepurchase inspection, IMO did a completely subpar job, very poor communication, made a list of things that needed to be repaired that seemed to be incredibly inflated in price, and didnt even know there were essential components when I asked about them (solar and levelers).

When the owner went to pick it up - things weren't put back together appropriately (water heater on with hardly any water in it) and had to be fixed by the owner. Very frustrating! Despite all this frustration... I went with my gut instinct and bought it!! Yeah!!

However - it was the week this pandemic really started taking off so no travel to go get it. Since it was sitting in storage now - I had another mechanic look at it - friend of a friend with a good recommendation for honest service - just to be sure. He said everything is in great condition. Appears to be almost brand new!! He said all components are in working order and took it on a test drive. Only thing that needed to be done was recharging the cab A/C. Far cry from the $3000 estimate at the previous shop!

Anyway, I am super excited to join the group and Thanks In Advance for letting me lurk while searching for my RV and all the future questions I will have.

And - shout out to anyone who needs a mechanic in Phoenix / Scottsdale area - this guy is A1 awesome, honest, good communicator!
Brody McHaffey - 623-418-9706
www.azanywhereautorepair.com
Thanks for sharing your experiences with us, Jodi, and welcome to LDOG. We are here to make your RVing adventure as smooth as possible. And brava for doing a pre-purchase inspection. It's so very important when buying used.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #3
"Hi everyone!! I am so excited to say I have officially joined the LD family."

Hello and welcome!

I see from the photo that you have a 30', perhaps an Island Bed? That's the exact model as I have but mine is a bit younger, '04. Someone else that has this model is Chris Horst, one of our Moderators. Any of us will be glad to answer the questions that you certainly will have in the near future. Nowhere will you find more helpful folks.   ;D   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #4
"Thanks for sharing your experiences..."

The entire quote? Come on Chris, lets get with the program!   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #5
Welcome! I am a newbie, as well. I bought my 2005 30' TB Ophelia Elaine Walker  January 25th, 2020. This pandemic is cramping my travel plans, but I have nicknamed her my COVID-19 SELF-CONTAINMENT CASA ON WHEELS and warned my family and friends if they see me pulling down their drive to not shoot! 

Safe travels and thank you for being an essential part of our system of healthcare!

Blessings,
Juanita
Juanita's Thoughts
2005 30' TB

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #6
There will come a time, maybe not too far off, when we will sell KoKo. If the buyer insisted on having it checked, I would walk away. It's an insult to me that I might be hiding something from them. I am fully prepared to give it to The Salvation Army rather than be insulted. Don't need the money or a hassle.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #7
Welcome to the FOLD (Fraternal Order of LazyDaze) JodiH.  As an owner of a 31 Island Bed, I can say that you will need to watch the your weight when loading it.   Fortunately, N95 masks are light so you can pack a bunch as a traveling nurse.
Hopefully you'll be able to pick it up soon.

Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #8
Welcome Jodi,

Congratulations. Even sitting in my driveway, when I get in the LD, my spirits are lifted!  I hope you can pick up yours soon.

Bill
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #9
There will come a time, maybe not too far off, when we will sell KoKo. If the buyer insisted on having it checked, I would walk away. It's an insult to me that I might be hiding something from them. I am fully prepared to give it to The Salvation Army rather than be insulted. Don't need the money or a hassle.

Don't think the SA is taking donations right now...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #10
[quote ]
Don't think the SA is taking donations right now...[/quote]

Your local public radio or TV station will be happy to accept the donation, they pick it up and do all the paperwork.

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: New to me RV!
Reply #11
Don, you seem to think that any buyer would know you and therefore trust you.  You have been around long enough to know that there are unscrupulous sellers out there.  No matter how well you have cared for Koko, you cannot assume that a buyer would know that.  I think any buyer that closed a deal without an inspection is a fool.  For a well-maintained rig, an inspection enhances the value.  There is nothing to lose, for either party, in getting the rig inspected, IMHO.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #12
Sorry, Don. I won’t buy from a seller with that attitude.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #13
I don't know why the SA would not be taking donations. We took some stuff to them last week.

If you don't trust me, I don't trust you. There are buyers who will scam the seller too.
My Dad was an auto dealer. His word meant something. He walked away from deals when he felt the buyer was trying to pull something on him.

Here's the thing, I have never had an RV shop touch KoKo. Don't trust them with good reason.
I had the windows defogged by a reputed good shop in Florida. They screwed me.
So why would I even allow an RV shop to check KoKo knowing that they might screw something up?
No thanks, I don't need a $15 an hour tech even looking inside.

I have the maintenance records, BTW.

So when it comes time, I will find a buyer who takes my word or it will not be sold.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #14
[quote author=Don Malpas link=msg=214120 date=1585779224
"If you don't trust me, I don't trust you." ..."So when it comes time, I will find a buyer who takes my word or it will not be sold."

Don, I respect your right to handle a sale of your stuff as you see fit. However, I also believe in something that I think Ronald Reagan once said; "Trust but verify".  I ain't shoppin' or buyin' or sellin' a LD now. As somebody who has been involved in selling high end products,(meaning I know a little about selling) I've watched stubborn people on this site try to sell their rig and I shake my head wondering what the heck they are thinking. So.....hope you get a write off from that donation.

Peace,
Steve K.
Steve K

2003 Mid-bath

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #15
Welcome Jodi,

Back onto your topic.  We all wish you the best with your new purchase and since you are new to RV'ing, you will have many questions that arise when you finally are able to pick up and drive your new home on wheels.  You are an admitted newbie, but you say you have looked for the past three years so you have graduated to the level of a novice! 

The majority of us on this forum would likely agree that a pre-purchase inspection is always a good idea.  Even then, there are things that are missed, so do plan on "unplanned" expenses that arise.  After all, your new to you baby is 20 years old.  Joel's advice is good advice: being aware of the weight that you add as you load your rig is important for us all.  Weigh your rig when empty and then weigh again after you load up.  It is surprising how much one's stuff truly weighs.  Simplified, the longer the rig, the more it weighs and the less weight you have for your things.  The 24 foot models on a 450 chassis can carry the most weight but don't have a lot of places to store things, whereas the 30 footers like the ones Joel, Chris, and I have, have the opposite problem.  Plenty of room to store things but without the capacity is our concern.  Pick your poison, so to speak.  We all seem to do well with our chosen models and tend to keep them for a long time. 

Feel free to hop on online anytime and ask questions from this very knowledgeable group of owners.  They really are a great group of people.   Come join the GTG and try to make connections with fellow owners in your area.

Safe travels,

Gary
2007 30 TB
2007 30' TB

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #16
Hi, Jodie--

Welcome to the FOLD--& especially to the 30' subgroup...& the even smaller subgroup of solo women in a 30'.   :D   Ditto on what's already been said about weight.

Living halfway across the country I felt blest when a member of the previous iteration of the FOLD (LWALD) who lived nearby (in SoCal terms) offered to put eyeballs on my proposed purchase; once I got to SoCal the previous family graciously took us (me & the rig) to the Mothership for an inspection, even though they were passing on all the records back to her birth from themselves & the original owners.  Vince recommended replacing the shower dome, & even though Eternabond is anathema, he said the roof was good to go.  I certainly felt much more confident heading out across country with all the support from the forum, the Mothership, & the previous owners.  Glad you had the support you needed in your purchase--here's to many years of Happy Trails with your new-to-you baby.

Also, here's a shout out for the Ladeze; Lauralee Scholes is the Wagonmistress.  I believe there's been a posting about a September gathering in New Mexico.  It's a great gaggle of gals, full of wisdom & wit...I certainly had a howling good time during the lunar eclipse in Moab a few years ago, & learned a lot, too.   :D

Please give a holler if you're ever passing this direction.  Perhaps we could meet to put faces with names, & I'll also pass on the open invitation for any member of the FOLD to boondock on my farm.

Again,  Welcome & Happy Trails--

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm

Re: New to me RV!
Reply #17
WoW!!

What an amazing welcome from you all! Wonderful to "meet" you electronically :) Thanks for the open arms.

Especially in these times of social isolation - feels so good!

Peace, Love, Happiness and Health!!

Jodi
Jodi, Kevin, and Lincoln (the crazy doodle dog)
2011 TK - also the "DogHaus"- adopted October 2023
2000 30IB - the "DogHaus" - adopted April 2020 - rehomed October 2023



 
Re: New to me RV!
Reply #20
Thanks @WhiteElk !! Just got my $30 discount at TechnoRV :)
Jodi, Kevin, and Lincoln (the crazy doodle dog)
2011 TK - also the "DogHaus"- adopted October 2023
2000 30IB - the "DogHaus" - adopted April 2020 - rehomed October 2023