Driver seating October 19, 2021, 03:09:46 pm I just looked at a 1997 27’ mid bath. To my surprise, I could not move the seat far enough back to drive it. I’m 6’4” and my knees were almost in the dash! The refrigerator is immediately behind the seat so there is no way to move the seat further back. Is this the case with all 27’ MB?
Re: Driver seating Reply #1 – October 19, 2021, 06:21:10 pm Floor plan for 27’ MB Lazy Daze - Floor Plans
Re: Driver seating Reply #2 – October 19, 2021, 07:15:17 pm I know the floor plan is the same. What I want to know is there more leg room with the newer chassis.
Re: Driver seating Reply #3 – October 19, 2021, 07:38:51 pm I do love my 1997 MB, but then I'm 5'4" and it suits me fine. I'm afraid this floor plan won't make you happy if you are 6'4" and have looong legs. For sure that refrigerator doesn't move to accomodate the driver. It's good to look at more models and try them out in person.Kristin
Re: Driver seating Reply #4 – October 19, 2021, 08:02:57 pm 2000 and newer MB’s driver seats slide reward an additional 2” or so, the interior was redesigned to allow this. The spare was moved into a rear storage compartment.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #5 – October 19, 2021, 09:28:42 pm As Larry says, the newer ones have slightly more space. It's still pretty tight. Once you're in the 6'3" - 6"7" range, your personal fit will depend on your preferences and where your height is. If you have long legs (esp. femurs), you'll find it tight. If you have a long torso, you might find it more manageable. I would love it if LD would build a coach with a truck front instead of a van front. I'd gladly trade the extra length for the cab space and ease of engine service.Rich 1 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #6 – October 19, 2021, 09:59:40 pm fv38wheels; There are 3 of these in existence. My Little LD History Wish Dave N. had one so I could see it once in a while. Also two Ford E550 older models. RonB Thanks to Kent for documenting these Kodiac treasures. 2 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #7 – October 20, 2021, 10:38:36 am Does anyone know if there is a LD in Las Vegas with a newer cab I could go see if I fit?
Re: Driver seating Reply #8 – October 20, 2021, 10:51:47 am It's not a perfect comparison, but any Ford e450 cab will be the same size (for a particaular model year). You'll have to either find one with something immediately behind the drivers seat, or simulate that by limiting the recline angle.In any case, a trip to any RV dealer should give you enough information to decide if finding an actual LD to sit in is worth the effort. A dealer of decent size should have e450's of various vintage on the lot. Rich 1 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #9 – October 20, 2021, 03:05:42 pm Quote from: fv38wheels - October 19, 2021, 07:15:17 pmI know the floor plan is the same. What I want to know is there more leg room with the newer chassis. My 2021 MB has much more driver room than my 1995 TK did. I'm almost 6'4".
Re: Driver seating Reply #10 – October 20, 2021, 07:01:20 pm At 6’2” I was a little apprehensive shopping for a TK thinking I was going to have to sit straight up while driving. Then to my relief I found out you can lean into the cut out in the bathroom wall. I suppose that’s hard to do with the fridge!
Re: Driver seating Reply #11 – October 20, 2021, 10:39:50 pm We have a 2019 MidBath. I’m 6’3” with long legs. It is snug but the seats are comfortable and so long as we stop for a stretch or sandwich, etc… every couple of hours I do not mind the limited leg room. I can’t imagine driving the same model prior to the addition of 2” leg room. Hope this helps. Warren 1 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #12 – October 20, 2021, 11:10:17 pm Hi Warren. The 2" loss of legroom was hypothetical. Ford changed the 'snout' of the E450 chassis, or made room for better headers enlarging the engine protrusion into the cabin, which would have reduced the legroom. (I don't know which that was). LD moved the whole driver side cabinetry back 2" to not reduce legroom for the driver. That eliminated the 2" ledge across the back window (where my built in cup holders are) and shuffled the spare tire into the passenger side storage compartment. This left the spare tire 'bustle' shallower and empty on some floorplans. At least that is my understanding of what transpired. The TK with the bathroom behind the driver got the spring-loaded panel that the driver seat could push open. Glad I didn't get that. While I have always driven with the seat track all the way back, It is good for me. A not so thickly padded back on the seat might have worked a little. The thickness of the bathroom wall up against the seat back is only about 3/8" thick. Not the 1-1/4" normally found above the top of the seat. So LD did try to maximize the room. Subtle changes here and there. RonB
Re: Driver seating Reply #13 – October 21, 2021, 11:30:09 am Thanks everyone for the input. I did think about going to a Ford dealer to just sit in a 450. However the thought of dealing with pesky salesmen/women changed my mind. “So, what’s it going to take to put you in one today?” 😖As has been pointed out, different years/designs may have different seating. For example, the 31’ has the swivel chair behind the driver. Perhaps, if necessary, that could be removed and the seat mounted further back. Although I really would like a 27’ MB.
Re: Driver seating Reply #14 – October 21, 2021, 02:35:44 pm "For example, the 31’ has the swivel chair behind the driver."FV38WheelsAu Contraire! There are no 'swivel chairs' on 30-31' LDs if the optional expandable dinette is requested. My '04 30'IB does not have swivels. However, there is a substantial space (10-12") between the back of the driver's seat and the back of the dinette seat. At 5'11" I have never had issues with insufficient leg room while driving. I disremember if the seat is all he way back or not.
Re: Driver seating Reply #15 – October 23, 2021, 10:41:35 pm Ron, I got to drool on a Kodiac last week. It is owned by the Ferguson's in Florida. IT is definitely the Taj Mahal of LD's. They told me of the 3 only 2 remain. One in Texas and one in Florida.....oh my how I would love to have my hands on one of these Lazy Daze if they were still in production...BRILLIANT design.
Re: Driver seating Reply #16 – October 24, 2021, 04:14:23 am Hi Spartan? ; Yes Chevy really hammered Lazy Daze when they discontinued the Kodiac chassis. Steve had tooled up for production. I wonder what happened to Number 3? I wouldn't think it would have been junked. I can only think it must have had an accident of major proportion. RonB
Re: Driver seating Reply #17 – October 24, 2021, 08:53:30 am We toured one of the Kodiak builds at the LD factory many years ago. It looked like it would have made a decent full time coach. I believe it really soured Steve Newton on any new chassis. He had just before scaled up a design to build on the E-550, which was canceled after they had built about two rigs. We saw one of those a couple of times at the Blythe Bluegrass Festival. It must have been a hard knock when the Kodiak was cancelled at about the same place in that design. I think with the ongoing demand for for the traditional lineup and limited production capability, Steve probably closed the door on any new chassis designs.Art 1 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #18 – October 24, 2021, 11:52:10 am A couple of years ago at the Morro Bay GT, I was honored to be invited inside a Kodiak LD. Quite a climb up to enter this beautiful Lazy Daze. Once inside, I was astounded by the wide open feel of the rig. Lazy Daze had a true winner on their hands. I would rather command the Kodiak down the highway than any Class A. Alas, the fickle finger of fate was a bit harsher on the Kodiak than it needed to be.Suppose we will have to satisfy ourselves with our Rear Bath-another Lazy Daze winner in my humble opinion.Kent 2 Likes
Re: Driver seating/Kodiak Reply #19 – October 24, 2021, 05:23:20 pm The Kodiak is a special Lazy Daze. We bought ours from the owner in Texas two years ago and love it. Ours is the only one Steve built as an Island bed. We had seen it at the factory during the build and considered buying then but did not act fast enough. I believe ours is the one Kent saw at Morro Bay two years ago. The only changes we've made are the replacement of the flooded house batteries (4) with AGMs, Big Foot levelers and the replacement of the kitchen and bath faucets. We are currently in Ohio visiting family before returning home to Prescott AZ. The Kodiak is a dream to drive.Ron & Ginnie Swartz 6 Likes
Re: Driver seating Reply #20 – October 24, 2021, 05:57:46 pm If the same rig, Steve (aq433) and I spent some inspecting it at MB, the previous owner has electrical problems that we were trying to solve.It’s a nice rig and is different from regular LDs in many ways.Larry
Re: Driver seating Reply #21 – October 24, 2021, 06:14:34 pm Yes Larry you solved the problem and found the "mystery" 12vdc breaker. All Has been well since.Thanks againRon
Re: Driver seating Reply #22 – December 24, 2021, 01:50:41 am That would be the dream lazy daze to own. Would love to see one in person. Especially iF it were in So cal or az. 1 Likes
Topic: Driver seating (Read 664 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Driver seating (Read 664 times)
previous topic - next topic