ponderings and questions November 12, 2008, 10:55:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 97197Hi, I've been lurking here for a bit, reading archives and info in the files section. Next year I'll be in the market to buy a (used) MH in which to live fulltime with my 3 (2 small/1 med). After months of online research/RV shows/visits to dealerships etc. I've come to the conclusion the rest of you already have....the LDs are the way to go! Now that I feel good about my decision on what kind, the next question is how big? At first I was drawn to the 27 MB and still am. However I do not want a toad for numerous reasons and have always maintained I wanted something small enough to go anywhere easily and cheaply with confidence. However I question getting a 24 footer when I'll be living in the thing! I know it depends on a variety of things and will ultimately be up to me to decide. But I'd like to hear from those who do live fulltime in the 22 or 24' models. It will just be me and dogs. However I doubt very much I'll be using the overcab bed which leaves the couch/bed in the FL or either the dinette or the couch in the FD. Something to think about for sure.Which leads me to this. I've never even set one toe in an LD. And since there is a gathering in Jacksonville in March (right?) and I'll be in Florida in March I was wondering if I'd be welcome to come and check out some of your LDs? Questions: How easy is it to remove/replace one of the chairs in a FL? I assume there is storage under the dinette in a FD? Do the side windows open when the bathroom is in the back? The change from the Ford E350 chassis to the E450 in 2002--what does that mean exactly? I know what a chassis is...but is bigger better?I'm sure there will be more questions as time goes on!Thanks, Meg
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #1 – November 12, 2008, 11:29:07 am Yahoo Message Number: 97198Lazy Daze actually started using the E450 chassis in 1997 when the new, V-10 Ford engine was introduced. They stayed with the E350 in the 23-1/2' models until 2003, when all models started using the E450. The V-10 produces 310 HP, whereas the older 460ci V-8 produced 265 HP. Not only do you get a stronger chassis, but a superior engine as well. Note that the 23-1/2' also got the V-10 engine in 1997, but it came on the E350 chassis until 2003. For 2008, the now 24' model went back to a V-8 with the V-10 optional.Dick
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #2 – November 12, 2008, 02:36:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97200"At first I was drawn to the 27 MB... However I do not want a toad for numerous reasons and have always maintained I wanted something small enough to go anywhere easily and cheaply with confidence. However I question getting a 24 footer when I'll be living in the thing! I'd like to hear from those who do live fulltime in the 22' or 24' models." I lived full-time in a 22' Twin/King for about a year and a half (see http://www.andybaird.com/travels/>), then upgraded to a 26.5' Midbath (see http://www.andybaird.com/travels/skylarking/>), and have lived in that full-time for two years. In both cases I traveled with a cat and without a toad. Fulltiming in a 22' or 24' LD is certainly possible; others are doing it right now. Obviously in such a small rig, making full use of available space is crucial. I've always slept in the overcab bed, leaving the rest of the coach free for daytime activities. But the overcab bed isn't for everyone. You may have a touch of claustrophobia; you may not be comfortable climbing up and down in the middle of the night for bathroom visits; your dogs may want to sleep with you, but can't jump that high. There are plenty of good reasons. But if you choose not to sleep in the overcab bed, a small Lazy Daze will feel even smaller. That could be a factor pushing you toward a 27' rig such as a Midbath. My primary reason for wanting the larger floorplan was so that I could have separate office and eating spaces, instead of using the dinette table for eating, computing, sewing and everything else. Your needs, of course, may be different.What about "go-anywhere" capability? How much difference is there between the small and medium-sized Lazy Dazes? Perhaps not as much as you'd expect. If you've never driven an RV or a medium-sized truck, both will seem huge to you, but once you get behind the wheel, you'll find that both are surprisingly easy to drive. Yes, the smaller coach is a little more maneuverable, but in my experience, there haven't been many places I couldn't go with either rig (and I've been to many places in both, so I've had the chance to compare).Lacking a toad, I normally do all my errands between campgrounds: after a two- or three-week stay in a scenic state park, I'll fill my water tank, dump my black and gray tanks, and head for the next park, stopping along the way to do laundry, buy groceries, get gasoline and top off my propane tank. Once I reach my destination, I can settle in for another couple of weeks. I find that the midbath's generously sized holding tanks will last me three weeks, but I start to run low on fresh water after a little over two weeks. (With a 22/24' coach, tank capacities vary; the Rear Lounge and Twin/King models have significantly less capacity than a 27' rig, while the Front Dinette and Front Lounge models carry very nearly as much as a 27' rig.)By doing all my errands while in transit from one campground to another, I get by without a toad and avoid the need to break camp and go into town every few days. The pantry cupboards I added to both my rigs help a lot by letting me stock up on no-perishable foods (see http://www.andybaird.com/travels/gertie/pantry.htm>). However, I pay a price: I don't see nearly as much of the local area as my friends who have toads. I don't get out and explore much, because it costs too much to drive around in a motorhome; it can be hard to find parking places; and breaking camp is a nuisance. In short, my life is less rich than if I had a small car to use as a runabout.There are many reasons not to own a toad, and I resisted for years. But having seen what a difference one makes, I've slowly become convinced that I want one, and if I had the money, I'd buy one now. This is not to say that you should do likewise; you'll probably want to try "going without" for awhile, as I did. Maybe you'll find that your lifestyle doesn't require one. But I recommend keeping an open mind on the subject, because your preference may change, as mine has. :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #3 – November 12, 2008, 02:52:16 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97201Quote from: W6CCD"They stayed with the E350 in the 23-1/2' models until 2003, when all models started using the E450.So I guess my question would be....is it in my best interest to get an '03 as opposed to an '02 considering the above info? Or is the E350 adequate in your opinion? Thanks, Meg
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #4 – November 12, 2008, 03:04:55 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97202QuoteI lived full-time in a 22' Twin/King for about a year and a half (see ), then upgraded to a 26.5' Midbath Hi Andy, I've read about some of your experiences and paid attention to the fact you went from a 22 to a 26...guess I'd like to learn from others and do it right the first time! If you say there's not much difference between the two other than living space I'll take your word for it considering you've lived in both. Thanks, Meg (remaining open minded to it all!)
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #5 – November 12, 2008, 03:26:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97203Meg,(wannabee here, with some-other-brand) - I live fulltime
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #6 – November 12, 2008, 05:00:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97206For me, the huge advantage of the 2003 over any older model, is the dual-pane windows. I live
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #7 – November 12, 2008, 05:05:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97207So what is the best way (is there a best way) to keep the windows from sweating so badly? I made heavier curtains from quilted fabric, which are in addition to the pull-down shades it has.Cheers, Helen (wet, soggy, cool WA)
Re: 7 dog crates - Question to Helen D. Reply #8 – November 12, 2008, 05:55:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97208"I live fulltime in my 29' with my dogs (little dogs...7 dog crates are stacked in the dinette, plus one cat)..."? Well, Helen, I'm sure I'm not the only one who did the math and assume you have 7 dogs plus the cat. May I be curious and ask if you show them? And maybe they are papillons (flyingpaps)? I bet you have some great traveling-with-dogs stories to tell.Chris
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #9 – November 12, 2008, 10:55:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97211"is it in my best interest to get an '03 as opposed to an '02?" As Dick pointed out, the 2003 and later models have Thermopane-style insulated windows, which is an important consideration for a fulltimer who will be living in the rig in all seasons. In addition, 2003 and later LDs have the Microquiet generator, instead of the older and much noisier Emerald model. These are both good reasons to give preference to a 2003 or later model.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: No sweat Reply #10 – November 12, 2008, 11:12:23 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97213"So what is the best way (is there a best way) to keep the windows from sweating so badly?"It's pretty much common sense, so I'm sure nothing I say here will come as a surprise. But for the record:1) Generate less moisture. One time I made a pot of pasta on a cold winter's night. Later, when I was ready to retire, I discovered a puddle in the middle of my overcab bed! Moisture had condensed on the frame of the escape hatch and dripped onto the bed--LOTS of moisture. Cooking generates moisture, and of course, so does showering. So does any unvented propane-burning appliance. That means the range, the oven, and any catalytic heaters you may have. (The fridge and furnace are vented, so they don't contribute moisture.) Try to minimize the amount of moisture you put into the air.2) Ventilate to get rid of the moisture you can't help generating. Use your vent fans and your stove hood fan (I know it's noisy!) to exhaust especially humid air from the bathroom and kitchen areas.3) Insulate windows *and frames*. The frames, because they're made of aluminum, actually conduct away more heat than the glass, so they are even more prone to condensation. Get snap-on insulated covers for your vents from the LD factory or from an RV store, and make insulated covers or curtains for your windows. Reflectix held in place with Velcro works very well. Just be sure to make the cover large enough to cover the frame as well as the window.4) Move to a drier climate. Hey, that rig has wheels for a reason! :-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #11 – November 12, 2008, 11:26:40 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97214In addition to what has already been added about the stronger chassis, doesn't the E450 increase the GVWR and CCC to 14,500 from 11,000? Meaning you can carry more stuff prior to being overloaded.JohnF 1987 MP Wenatchee, WAQuoteThe change from the Ford E350 chassis to the E450 in 2002--what does that mean exactly? I know what a chassis is...but is bigger better? Thanks, Meg
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #12 – November 13, 2008, 07:49:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 97219wrote: doesn't the E450 increase the GVWR and CCC to 14,500 from 11,000? --- The gvwr of the E350 cab chassis was/is 11500 pounds. The gvwr of the E450 chassis was 14050 pounds until the 2008; Ford increased the gvwr of the E450 to 14500 pounds at that time.Joan
Re: 7 dog crates - Question to Helen D. Reply #13 – November 13, 2008, 12:19:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97229Hi Chris,Yes, they are Papillons. :-) I show
Re: No sweat Reply #14 – November 13, 2008, 12:25:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97230Ah...cover the window frames ... I will do that reflectix on a couple windows! (the one at the head of the bed, and the overhead windows come to mind!!!) One of the things in my some-other-brand that needs to be done is the range hood fixed to vent outside - it vents in. I phoned the mfgr to see if it was an 'error', but no, they do all their rigs that way for a 'cleaner look' outside. Makes no sense to me to even have a vent if it doesn't go out! Wheels - yes, they have wheels... but I'm still gainfully employed, so wheeling away from this dreary winter area won't happen for a few more years!Thank you, Andy, for all the tips!Helen 7 paps + 1 cat, and oh - I forgot to count the puppies (5)
Re: ponderings and questions Reply #15 – November 14, 2008, 08:23:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 97244Hi, Meg,We have a '02 FL on the E-350 chassis, and we (2 + cat) spend 5-8 months at a time
Re: No sweat Reply #16 – November 14, 2008, 12:38:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97245Andy, I've one more question about velcro-ing the reflectix to the window frame: Is it necessary to velcro the entire frame, or can it be placed at intervals?Thank you, Helen
Re: No sweat Reply #17 – November 14, 2008, 01:52:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97248"Is it necessary to velcro the entire frame, or can it be placed at intervals?" Putting a small piece of Velcro every 8-12 inches works just fine, at least in my experience. The important thing is to have the Reflectix overlap onto the frame, rather than just covering the glass.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: No sweat Reply #18 – November 14, 2008, 03:46:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97251Great, Thanks!Helen (another evening project...)
Re: No sweat Reply #19 – November 14, 2008, 04:58:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97255I haven't had to use any velcro at all so far on mine by just making a snug fit however if they start falling out I'll put velcro.Michelle http://safoocat.blogspot.com/ http://flickr.com/photos/safoocat/
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