The birth of #7884 (long) June 29, 2003, 12:35:17 am Yahoo Message Number: 23944OK, we just got back to Oregon yesterday, and Mary and I are just so pleased with our 26.5 Silver/Gray RB that I have to share our delivery & trip home experience! Some of this is a little redundant - Steve's recent experience (nukamper2000) was pretty similar to ours... Don't let our P.O. # throw you -- we were initially due in late March, but voluntarily moved delivery to June.We flew to Ontario from Portland 6/17 AM. Todd picked us up and we met w/Kevin at the factory around 12:30. He walked us to our coach and immediately launched into his orientation "script". We just had to tell him to hold off a minute while we walked around in/out to take it all in -- it was even more beautiful than we anticipated! Then, we let Kevin do his thing. We spent nearly 3 1/2 hours w/Kevin, and he tried to be very thorough. But, if I would have any criticism, it's that Kevin has never driven one of the coaches (we asked) and has never traveled in an RV. So, his orientation is strictly script- driven, and he really doesn't have an in-depth knowledge of the coach or its systems. However, Tim was often nearby and filled in nicely when Kevin was stumped. Vince also stopped by every so often to see how it was going. Both of them at one time used to do the orientations. It's so obvious the pride those employees take in their motorhomes -- what an encouragement to us as new owners! There were a few very minor corrections to be made, and those were done in short order.While all this was going on, they filled our shopping list from the factory store. They also asked about some essential items that weren't on our list, but we'd already sent those down ahead of us. However, we certainly appreciated their thoroughness.All the paperwork was ready for us, the systems manuals & registrations, legal paperwork, etc., was all packaged nicely - model #'s/serial numbers already filled in - very complete and nicely done!! And, for you retro fans, they still use carbon paper to create copies of the legal stuff!The next morning, our driver and owner of Moore Transport Service, Colin Moore, met us and we headed for Las Vegas -- with a brief stop so Colin could put enough gas in to get us there (as part of the transport service.) The trip was uneventful, and Colin was full of info about the V-10's power and capabilities, driving tips for the larger rigs, road "courtesy's", use of the CB, etc. A very enjoyable four hours.The notary met us at our destination, the Destiny Oasis RV Park (I believe it's no longer part of the Destiny chain, but not sure.) It's a beautiful park, two pools, and close to shopping (Von's, Wal*Mart, TA Travel Center, etc.) One warning: after signing papers, we went to TA to fuel up and get propane. The LPG was $2.00 a gallon -- didn't think anything of it, so paid the price. When we got back to the Oasis, noticed a sign saying, "Propane: $1.75/gal" -- and that was right at the park. Live and learn... At some later stops, we saw LPG for as low as $1.50. That evening, went to Wal*Mart to stock up. Unfortunately, didn't use Mike S's checklist. When we got there, shore power hatch was open and the step was deployed!! I could just hear any RV'er driving by us thinking, "ROOKIE!!"Two nites in LV, then one nite in Tonopah (Ramada RV park -- very minimal.) On to Reno for two nites (Shamrock RV Park - nice,) then Paisley, OR two nites (Summer Lake Hot Springs: different, funky, but cool,) and finally one nite in Sisters, OR (City of Sisters RV Park - very nice) -- then home. Here's what we found about the coach: drives like a dream, and I got used to it very quickly -- I still marvel about how smooth it is. Has power to spare, transmission shifts very quietly and smoothly. Haven't totalled all the gas slips yet, so don't know the mileage. The driving position is super comfortable -- I'd been concerned about a lack of foot room, but wasn't a problem. Nor was it on the passenger side. The stereo sound was very good -- not so sure about the AM/FM reception, but need to experiment further. Loved the rearview camera -- whether you can justify the cost is still up in the air, but it's sure neat!! I'm probably leaving stuff out, but don't want folks dozing on their keyboards... Bottom line? We absolutely love it!!! Was the wait worth it? You Bet!!!!Lee & Mary 26.5 RB Silver/Gray "The Lazy Gray" (Mary thinks the name is silly, but I think it's got a nice ring to it!)
Re: The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #1 – June 29, 2003, 12:59:16 am Yahoo Message Number: 23946Correction: Mary just looked at my message and reminded me that the Oasis LPG price was $1.50, not $1.75. The cheapest we saw on the trip was $1.35 (I think in Lakeview, OR.)One warning: after signing papers, we went to QuoteTA to fuel up and get propane. The LPG was $2.00 a gallon -- didn't think anything of it, so paid the price. When we got back to the Oasis, noticed a sign saying, "Propane: $1.75/gal" -- and that was right at the park. Live and learn... At some later stops, we saw LPG
Re: The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #2 – July 01, 2003, 10:55:08 am Yahoo Message Number: 24053Lee and Mary,Congratulations on getting your new LD! I am glad that the pickup experience was a good one. Our P.O. numbers are next to each other, so I feel like a family member!Two weeks ago, I drove my LD up to Black Butte Ranch, about 5 miles from Sisters, Ore. What a beautiful area to camp and Sisters is a really neat town with great shops and a fantastic book store named named Paulina Springs. Check it out if you get through there again. Regarding the checklists, it is easy to forget to use them. I put a big yellow label on my Dash that says "Checklists Complete?" to remind me.All the best in your travels,Mike S. 2003 26.5 MB P.O. # 7885
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #3 – July 29, 2003, 01:12:59 am Yahoo Message Number: 25069From: Lee exic@...> Reply-To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Date: Sun, 29 Jun 2003 04:35:10 +0000 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com Subject: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long)You said "Here's what we found about the coach: drives like a dream, and I got used to it very quickly -- I still marvel about how smooth it is." Sounds like you ordered quite the RV. Did the riding quality have anything to do with purchasing the optional Bilstein shocks or did you not order this option? ">lifewithalazydazerv-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com> .[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #4 – July 29, 2003, 01:31:07 pm Yahoo Message Number: 25086Jack -- we did get the Bilstein's. Can't comment on whether this made a difference because I'd never driven a motorhome before -- with or without them, although I used to drive 2 1/2-ton wildfire engines (LD's handle better!:-). So, maybe it's all in what you're used to.I've seen comments here that Bilstein's can make the ride pretty "stiff", particularly if you're traveling light, which we were. With those shocks, I certainly still had the "feel" of the road, however, as I said, the ride was smooth and the handling easy.LeeQuoteYou said "Here's what we found about the coach: drives like a dream, and IQuotegot used to it very quickly -- I still marvel about how smooth it is."Sounds like you ordered quite the RV. Did the riding quality have anything to do with purchasing the optional Bilstein shocks or did you not order this
the birth of #7884 Reply #5 – June 29, 2003, 02:33:56 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23958Congratulations to Lee and Mary! Reading your delivery report was like experiencing ours all over again. Like Yogi Berra once said, "It was like deja vu all over again!". I noticed the same thing regarding Kevin,(his lack of experience), but since we had been RVing for a few years, we were more interested in catching any defects and getting on the road. I would think the Newtons would have Kevin or whoever is doing the delivery presentations, actually go out and use one for a week or so to get more familiar with the product. It would lend a little more credibility to the process. Sounds like you folks are as happy as we are! And regarding the name thing, as much as we want to call ours something other than "Daisy", I have a feeling they all end up with that nickname! Good luck! Not Crazzy (Sarah) Steve K (waiting for the checks to come pouring into Ohio! I hope the holiday this week doesn't delay them)
The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #6 – June 29, 2003, 10:59:29 pm Yahoo Message Number: 23980Lee and Mary Congrats on your new delivery!! Must have been agony waiting those extra months! I love hearing about the walk thrus and the driving home experiences. Too bad Colin Moore can't write up some of those wonderful things he tells you guys for us poor slobs that live in Calif, (Does he read this?). and don't benefit from his travel talk. I kind of dread my drive home from Montclair. I have nightmares about pulling out from the driveway into all that traffic. Especially since it sounds like the road work is done now and cars are probably flying by at 70 MPH. Anyway, enjoy your wonderful Lazy Gray, (I might add an "s".) and hope to see you on the road someday.Pat (Mac) Can't wait till November No Calif. Only 90 today. 100 yesterday. er
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #7 – June 30, 2003, 04:05:48 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24007Quote For those who live in California: Are you affected by the new triple rate increase for vehicle registrationThis isn't so much an increase as the elimination of a rebate or partial waiver of vehicle license fees that has been in effect the last few years, something instituted in the boom times that are now long gone, when California was awash in capital gains tax income from the dot com boom. It does not affect the sales or use tax you pay on a motorhome or any other vehicle purchase, just the license fee portion of the total registration fee. So sales tax will remain unchanged and the registration fee will go back to more or less where it was before the rebate program went into effect.Don't know about the RV drivers license, but as a motorcyclist I'm all in favor of the extra training and licensing requirements for California motorcycle riders (and I wish they would go to graduated licensing for new riders, especially new young riders, to limit the trouble they can get in at first). Motorcycles are different and more challenging to operate than autos and the extra requirements have reduced motorcycle fatality rates.Motorhomes are more challenging to drive too, so why not be sure people are qualified? Much of the motorcycle training focuses on maneuvering at low speed in tight quarters, often the hardest part of riding, and on emergency maneuvers and emergency braking, as well as street riding strategy. I think motorhomes present similar challenges. How many have really been properly trained in backing, parking, tight U-turns etc., much less emergency swerving maneuvers and panic stops? Training and licensing requirements can force people to deal with these challenges, which otherwise may be put off until they're needed. Have you ever checked to see what happens when you make maximum application of your LD brakes in wet conditions or in a turn, or both? We expect the Greyhound diver to be properly trained. Why not the person driving a 40' Class A and towing a Tahoe, much less the MDT driver with the 40' fifth wheel?The RV industry could do worse than to follow the motorcycle industry's example by organizing to create RV drivers classes taught by certified instructors and making them readily available at low cost to new RV owners.TerryPalo Alto, CA
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #8 – June 30, 2003, 04:52:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24008Terry,Points well made. Part of my life was spent driving mass transit buses in heavily congested areas. Could not believe there is no training course REQUIREMENT for RV owners. But then there is no course for the people who rent U-Hauls, many times with additional trailers. As much as such training would help reduce the 50,000 motor vehicle deaths per year in the U.S., not sure corporate America would let it pass, much less yet get states to act in a concerted manner.Ronald Chicago 2001 Red RK
Re: Driver training Reply #9 – June 30, 2003, 07:25:51 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24016"We expect the Greyhound diver to be properly trained. Why not the person driving a 40' Class A and towing a Tahoe, much less the MDT driver with the 40' fifth wheel? Personally, I'd like to see several classes of RV licenses. When an average car owner is allowed to take the wheel of a 40' motorhome, or a 60' truck-plus-fiver combination, without any training or certification whatsoever, that's asking for trouble. "The RV industry could do worse than to follow the motorcycle industry's example by organizing to create RV drivers classes taught by certified instructors and making them readily available at low cost to new RV owners." I couldn't agree more! But to give the industry credit, the RV Safety and Education Foundation (RVSEF) does offer safe RV driving courses and training materials sponsored by a coalition of companies such as RV Alliance America, the Family Motor Coach Association, Atwood, and RV Advantage, as well as hefty donations from Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone/Firestone. I just wish more RVers--especially those driving monster class-A rigs or pulling big trailers!--could take these courses. But even if you can't get to a rally where RVSEF is presenting, their "RV Safety Training" course--a videotape and nine booklets--is now available for a very reasonable $35 or so. I recommend it to everyone...just wish they'd put it on DVD.Andy Baird :-)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #10 – June 30, 2003, 08:15:14 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24023Quote from: reciprocityfactor (snip).."For those who live in California: how about the new driving license for rv people only ? I read this somewhere and it seems rather extreme..." Bill: This is the first I've heard about this and the CA DMV website has no mention of it. Where did you read about it?Anne
Re: Driver training Reply #11 – June 30, 2003, 08:15:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24024Quote. . . to give the industry credit, the RV Safety and Education Foundation (RVSEF) does offer safe RV driving courses and training materials . . . their "RV Safety Training" course--a videotape and nine booklets--is now available for a very reasonable $35 or so.Andy,Do you have any contact info for them? I'd like to order this.TerryPalo Alto, CA
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #12 – June 30, 2003, 09:37:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24033There is a special requirement for motorhomes over 40' long. Lazy Dazers need not worry.Keith
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #13 – July 01, 2003, 12:09:03 am Yahoo Message Number: 24041Wow! Hadn't heard about the special driving license for RV's. Probably not a bad idea tho. Registration for my cars comes due in October. Not too happy about that, but don't know how much it will be. The car is an '88 and the van is a '95. (for sale too). Hopefully I can dump it before the license is due. I dread what the LD will be. Should be another way to bail Calif. out.Pat (Mac) No Calif (November?)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) - CA Drive Reply #14 – July 01, 2003, 10:55:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 24054QuoteGood question, sometimes I get pre-senior moments. Believe it was in one of the RV magazines: Trailer Life or Motorhome. Was a recent issue. I'll dig around. I also remember reading this in Motorhome magazine (I think), but as I remember, the training requirement was for rigs over 40 ft.Mike S. 2003 26.5 MB
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #15 – July 01, 2003, 12:07:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24061Quote"snip).."For those who live in California: how about the new driving license for rv people only ? I read this somewhere and it seems rather extreme..."Bill: This is the first I've heard about this and the CA DMV website has no mention of it. Where did you read about it?Anne"Good question, sometimes I get pre-senior moments. Believe it was in one of the RV magazines: Trailer Life or Motorhome. Was a recent issue. I'll dig around.
Re: RVSEF safety course Reply #16 – July 01, 2003, 12:31:38 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24062"Do you have any contact info for them? I'd like to order this." Go to http://www.rvsafety.org>; it's conspicuously displayed on their main page. I was a bit off on the price; it's $45.90 postpaid in the US. Still a good value, though. The videotape is especially good. Wait till you see the section on blowouts--what an eye-opener! They deliberately caused tire blowouts (using explosive squibs) on a variety of coaches while underway at speed, and filmed the results from inside, outside and alongside the vehicles. Turns out that what most people instinctively do in a blowout situation--step on the brakes--is the surest way to lose control and crash. Instead, what you must do is *step on the gas*. Sounds counterintuitive, but they proved it beyond doubt in their tests. That section alone is worth the price of the course. They also cover:PROPANE WEIGHT TIRES TOWING ELECTRICAL DRIVING PERSONAL SAFETY FIRE MOTOR FUELSExcellent!Andy Baird :-)
Re: RVSEF safety course $29.95 + $5.95 S+H Reply #17 – July 01, 2003, 03:15:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24067"Andy Baird" wrote:QuoteGo to http://www.rvsafety.org>; it's conspicuously displayed on their main page. QuoteI was a bit off on the price; it's $45.90 postpaid in the US. Still a good value, though.The RV safety course is also available thru the escapee's website http://www.escapees.com/website/The price there is $29.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling. Possibly you need to be an escapee's member to get this price.Ken, Patty & little Stephanie in San Diego
Re: RVSEF safety course $29.95 + $5.95 S+H for all Reply #18 – July 01, 2003, 03:34:45 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24068QuoteThe RV safety course is also available thru the escapee's website http://www.escapees.com/website/The price there is $29.95 + $5.95 shipping and handling. You can also order from them by telephone, 888 757-2582. I just called them and confirmed that you do not need to be an escapees member to order.Just order a set for us via the website.
Re: RVSEF safety course Reply #19 – July 01, 2003, 09:00:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 24085QuoteGo to ; it's conspicuously displayed on their main page. I was a bit off on the price; it's $45.90 postpaid in the US. Still a good value, though. Andy,Thanks so much. I'm going to order this course.TerryPalo Alto, CA
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] The birth of #7884 (long) Reply #20 – July 02, 2003, 01:51:10 am Yahoo Message Number: 24090Terry, please contact me off line, I want to share in your feelings about motorcycle training. as this is entirely off subject, if you can email me @ . Btw, I ride an Aprila Falco, so my current version of RV'ing consists of a Bike and a Motel. But that will change soon.Thanks, and sorry about the off subject post.ken
Topic: The birth of #7884 (long) (Read 4 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: The birth of #7884 (long) (Read 4 times)
previous topic - next topic