Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! June 12, 2017, 11:56:21 pm Wow! It's been ten and a half months since we ordered last July and the day finally arrived. Our first RV ever and it is an LD. We are so excited. We flew in from Florida on Saturday and spent Sunday shopping all day for accessories and personal items. Todd gave us the walk through this morning starting at 8:30am and although it was a blur, I'm thinking we are doing pretty well. We are staying in Pomona for the next three nights to make sure we have things under control and will head for Phoenix to visit Marie's brother and his wife on Thursday. Temps expected between 110 to 116, so that should be interesting to say the least. We're taking it one day at a time and figure that by the time we make it back to Florida in two and a half weeks, we'll know a little bit more than we know today. I'm so grateful to be able to read all the wisdom that everyone shares on this site and it has been and I know will continue to be, a source of inspiration and aid during those times when I'm asking "what have I gotten myself into?" 9 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #2 – June 13, 2017, 12:21:17 am Congrats on the new machine. I'd be interested in hearing about the licensing and logistics of staying in CA for awhile. Chip 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #3 – June 13, 2017, 08:52:04 am Enjoy enjoy enjoy. We too jumped in with both feet. Our Baxter was the first Rv we ever owned. If you have have the fun and enjoyment we have had you'll be overwhelmed with joy. Really looking forward to hearing all the stories and adventures you are going to have. 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #4 – June 13, 2017, 09:02:36 am Congrats Dave & Marie! There is a bit of a learning curve with a new RV but before you know it, you'll be old hands. Stay cool in Phoenix! 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #5 – June 13, 2017, 10:11:11 am Chip, Todd got us a One-Trip pass from the State of California for the trip. It is attached now the passenger side of the windshield. Florida allows us 30 days from the purchase to have it registered in Florida with all the documents we received from the mothership. When I organized this trip, I planned on 3 nights here in Pomona to get our LD-legs on us, a couple of days in Phoenix (that might now turn into one night and then to Flagstaff for cooler climes), three in Albuquerque to visit a friend or Marie, on to Grand Prairie, TX for a couple of nights where I've booked our 1,500 mile oil change and then a few more nights to get us back to Sebring on the 28th of the month. After a few weeks at home we're headed out for a three month trip to Minnesota, Michigan, Cape Cod and Carolinas, finishing up with some nice beach sites on the Atlantic in Florida. Our first night here has been great and we're still in the early stages of determining where to put things, but we think it is awesome. 2 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #6 – June 13, 2017, 10:29:39 am Quote from: Chip Chester - June 13, 2017, 12:21:17 amI'd be interested in hearing about the licensing and logistics of staying in CA for awhile. Since the OP didn't say anything about having a driver take them to either NV or AZ to take possession, I'm thinking that they must have paid CA sales tax. I wouldn't have thought that FL's sales tax would be equal to or greater than CA's, but who knows? Maybe the difference was small enough to make doing the out-of-state possession not worth the time and effort. 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #7 – June 13, 2017, 10:52:23 am One-trip pass sounds like a good approach, and it looks like it works well with Florida too. If Florida registration is a paperwork-only event (no inspections, etc.) then you almost wouldn't have to go back there if you had someone back home with POA to "stand in line" for you.Happy trails!Chip 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #8 – June 13, 2017, 02:20:03 pm Since we are total newbies to RVing, we decided to stay near the mothership for a few days to make sure we didn't need anything or if we needed help, it was close at hand. We're actually headed back this afternoon to pick up stud extenders and will be driving to Ridgecrest tomorrow to get the Valve Stem Kit from Chuck Carvitto (Tire-Man) who introduced us to Bruce at T&T Alignment who will be installing them tomorrow at 1pm.The tax is more in California than Florida but it was worth it to us to have the piece of mind that easing into it is giving us. We need to be back in Florida on the 28th for appointments and we're seeing friends along the way. It's all good.
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #9 – June 13, 2017, 09:10:13 pm May you have lots of great adventures in your new LD 🚐 Congrats! 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #10 – June 14, 2017, 01:46:32 pm Quote from: Linda Hylton - June 13, 2017, 10:29:39 am"Since the OP didn't say anything about having a driver... Maybe the difference was small enough to make doing the out-of-state possession not worth the time and effort."Dejavo, this. Realising that nothing (anymore anyway it seems) is free, paying the additional taxes may balance well against the cost of the transport and hassle of taking possession of the LD out of California.By the way, a hearty congratulations on your new LD. Always a good choice.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #11 – June 14, 2017, 06:08:16 pm Congrats David and Marie! Enjoy your new Lazy Daze and the drive back to Florida and adventures beyond! 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #12 – June 14, 2017, 06:58:56 pm Congratulations on the new rig! One item I don't see mentioned is purely practical. When in hot weather, be sure to follow the manual's recommendation of isolating the cab and over cab bed. Pull the privacy curtains across the over-cab bunk and hang a blanket or something similar from the bunk to the floor. This effectively blocks the heat gain from the windshield and makes the a/c much more efficient. (In the winter months, do the same to maximize heat.) Wishing you many happy years of travel,Juli 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #13 – June 15, 2017, 01:28:40 am Thanks to everyone for the warm congrats, and suggestions. This will be our 3rd night and slowly but surely we're getting the hang of things. I'm still a bit paranoid about getting the rig absolutely level so the fridge doesn't zone out on us. Today I had an amazing experience. I actually met Chuck Carvito, the Tire-Man. Todd mentioned getting the valve stem kit on Monday, so yesterday morning I called Chuck and we had a nice conversation. He said he was retired and although he sold them on the internet, he didn't install them anymore. I asked him how I would know if the tire place I chose to have them installed knew what they were doing and he said, "If you show them to the mechanics and they look at you funny, go somewhere else." I then told him I was at the near the Lazy Daze factory and wondered if he knew anyone who could do the job. He said if I wanted to come up to Ridgecrest, call T&T Alignment and ask for Bruce; they've installed lots of them. If he had time to put them in, Chuck said to call him back. So that's what I did. I set up an appointment for 1pm and when I called Chuck he said, "when you get into town, stop at the Walmart and give me a call. I'll meet you and take you over to T&T." And that's what he did. We had a short conversation and he talked about how he developed the valve stems. I very nice man and I was honored to shake his hand. Jason and T&T did a great job installing them and we had an awesome trip into the high desert. A great day all around. On to Phoenix. 2 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #14 – June 18, 2017, 09:10:04 pm Quote from: DPhilbrick - June 15, 2017, 01:28:40 amI'm still a bit paranoid about getting the rig absolutely level so the fridge doesn't zone out on us. If I may quote the LD Manuel Refrigerator page 19"The motorhome must be reasonable level anytime it is parked and the refrigerator is on. The motorhome is considered reasonably level, when it can be lived in comfortably, i.e. the sinks and shower drain normally, etc. This means no obvious slanting of the coach." 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #15 – June 18, 2017, 09:36:10 pm We have a 2015 MB and have found that if I level to within no more than a ½ bubble off things are OK, otherwise I am chasing the coffee pot as it slides across the stove, not a good thing first thing in the morning! And the refrigerator laughs! 2 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #16 – June 18, 2017, 09:53:58 pm Or, you can indulge your OCD like James on The Fit RV as his definition of "reasonable level" is a bit more rigorous than mine, and mine is more rigorous than my wife's.In Search of Level: Comparing 3 RV Leveling ProductsIn any case, the refrigerator can tolerate a less level situation than I. I dislike when the bathroom door swings open or shut on its own.
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #17 – June 18, 2017, 11:05:15 pm "The motorhome must be reasonable level anytime it is parked and the refrigerator is on. The motorhome is considered reasonably level, when it can be lived in comfortably, i.e. the sinks and shower drain normally, etc. This means no obvious slanting of the coach."Once upon a time I used a 3' spirit level, placed on the floor in front of the fridge to determine 'level'!Once I got smart I found out that the toilet door was more accurate still. If it does not swing either way from center I'm good to go. A little toilet humor there! 2 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #18 – June 19, 2017, 09:50:14 am I use a bullseye level. If I get half or better bubble in the ring, I am good to go.
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #19 – June 19, 2017, 11:21:48 am Agree with the half a bubble crowd. Additionally, since the main purpose of getting the RV level is for the benefit of refrigerator operation, after getting the RV somewhat level I verify levelness by placing a small level inside the freezer compartment. I learned awhile back that the fridge may not necessarily be square with the rest of the RV so I found this to be the most accurate method.Somehow this thread evolved into another fridge thread so maybe it needs to be split off? 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #20 – June 19, 2017, 01:18:11 pm Thanks for all the responses. It's now been our first week and no major issues. I've kept everything level, focusing on the area near the refrigerator. We also bought a blanket to separate the cab from the rest of the LD and that has helped to keep the interior cool despite the 110+ weather we had in Phoenix. It also helped to have the solid shade shut on the sun side of the LD; managed to keep things 25 to 30 degrees cooler than the outside temps by keeping it cool early. The AC is plenty loud, so we open the door of the bathroom (MB) to block off the coach from the bedroom and it mutes some of the AC sound. Having a great time so far. 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #21 – June 19, 2017, 01:35:48 pm David,If you purchased the inside fantastic fan covers from the Mothership, another method of keeping the cool in and the heat out is to insulate the inside opening of the vents when needed and button on the covers.I made three such insulation blocks from polyurethane foam from Lowes and inclosed them in some reflective steering wheel covers I picked up at a dollar store. An invaluable asset in hot or cold weather.Last July my DW and I were in Zion in 100+ heat and the little foam pads really helped a lot. Some on LDO add reflective windshield covers to block out the heat in some of the coach windows as well as the cab windshield. In the heat, every little bit helps to make LD life more comfortable.Just sayin'Kent 3 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #22 – June 22, 2017, 09:03:17 am Thanks for the tips, Kent. I'm needing to stretch the vent covers to clip on to the fans; a bit tight at this point. Like the idea of the wrapped insulating foam. We are using the reflective windshield cover and that along with the blanket have made a big difference; cracking the window in the cab a bit to let out some of the excessive heat. We are now at Lloyd Park in Grand Prairie, TX and it is going to be a cool 92 today.
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #23 – June 22, 2017, 11:22:26 am David,The vent covers will loosen up in time. Another useful tip if you'll allow me. We have a '15 RB and the blinds behind the stove can get pick up a bit of grime if your cooking habits includes oily or fried foods. Smaller reflective windshield covers fold open nicely behind the stove top cover and shield the blinds from spatter. A simple trick to avoid cleaning the blinds in a few months which is a real PITA... The cover is easy to clean and folds away nicely.Have fun in your new LD and stay cool.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Picked up our 2017 27'MB today! Reply #24 – June 22, 2017, 01:04:31 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - June 22, 2017, 11:22:26 amDavid,The vent covers will loosen up in time. Another useful tip if you'll allow me. We have a '15 RB and the blinds behind the stove can get pick up a bit of grime if your cooking habits includes oily or fried foods. Smaller reflective windshield covers fold open nicely behind the stove top cover and shield the blinds from spatter. A simple trick to avoid cleaning the blinds in a few months which is a real PITA... The cover is easy to clean and folds away nicely.Have fun in your new LD and stay cool.KentI bought these at a member's suggestion. They work well. Amazon.com: Norpro Nonstick 3 Sided Splatter Guard: Splatter Screens:...Chris 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.