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Topic: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze! (Read 748 times) previous topic - next topic
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Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
My wife and kids really want to go camping, and after reading forums about other quality control problems associated with other RV's, I'm pretty sure that a 2007 or newer 27 or 33 LD would be best for us. We are going to visit the factory in Nov/Dec, because when we called in late October and were told not much is going on right now due to model changes.

We are looking to purchase a well cared for, non-smoked in RV with less than 35-40K miles that  was meticulously maintained.   Please message me or email CallTigerNow, best is to text or call my cell phone 562 714-5777

In case any of you want to know more about me or us, my FB is Clark Tiger Davis, I would love some new LD/RV friends so we can learn as much as we can about meet ups, rallys and such. Im posting this to increase our chances of finding a pre owned LD, if any of you have any other suggestions on how to increase our chances, please post/message me suggestions, thanks
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #1 –
As someone who has owned both a 24’ and 27’ model, I can guarantee you that with four grown people traveling together you absolutely do not want a 24’ model.  You will be constantly tripping over each other and searching for places to store ‘stuff’.  Privacy? Forget it. There is none.

Ed
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #2 –
Ed111, thank you for the advice, since you had both! 👍🐯 I will look at any newer model that comes for sale in my area in case, till we actually see one, it’s hard to decide what is best, like seeing a house the first time, you can tell pretty quick!
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #3 –
I agree with Ed; I have a 24' TK, and the dog and I fit just fine. The 24' works for 1 or 2; for four, particularly since two are teenagers, go for the 27'.  ;) 
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #4 –
If you're traveling with teens/kids, you might want to consider a Mid Bath. A mid bath allows for privacy between sleeping areas by having the bathroom and kitchen in the middle of the rig, therefore, separating the king and queen sleeping areas.
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #5 –
Can always kick teens out in a tent 😜
My friend likes to stay in a tent ⛺️ while I’m cozy in side 🚐
Daughter of the first Lazy Bones
Hitting the road on my own and with a friend 🚐 while reporting back to the Lazy Bones at home 🛋

2 Lazy Bones - Home
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #6 –
I too would avoid a 24' foot with 4 people. 

We have a Mid-Bath and 3 offspring.  When they were little the RV seemed spacious.  Now the oldest is 14 and the RV gets smaller every trip.  It's not just people space, it's clothing, bedding, shoes, books, food, water and electricity, etc... 

Our kids have traveled in the RV since they were little, so they know the drill and are used to it.  We periodically run into families who started with teenagers and have recoiled at the lack of personal space and the fact that every space serves a few different purposes throughout the day.  It really depends on the family dynamic. 

This website is a treasure for many reasons, including the fact that you can watch the kids grow and see how trips change over the years: 19 summers of RV road trip travels across the USA and Canada | Lolo's...

Rich
'03 MB in  NC
2003 MB
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #7 –
More of the same... having traveled with three teens, the 27MB is the way to go and tents are a great suggestion. My daughter still brings a tent when she travels with us and only sleeps inside in incliment weather. 27MB allows some limited separation.
Traveling with teens often makes the largest RV seem like traveling in a VW bug. I try to limit family to my bride and the dog.
HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #8 –
The 31ft LD would be better with two teens. There is the Queen bed in its own bedroom and the Couch makes out to Queens size bed also. Getting a Tent would be ideal to give all of you more room. Definitely walk into a 27 ft MB and a 31ft IB and then make a better decision for your needs. The Bathroom in the 31ft is two separate spaces. So when someone is taking a shower and other has access to the toilet, sink and mirror. 
Sandra
2006 30' IB Anniversary Edition
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #9 –
"Our kids have traveled in the RV since they were little, so they know the drill and are used to it.  We periodically run into families who started with teenagers and have recoiled at the lack of personal space and the fact that every space serves a few different purposes throughout the day.  It really depends on the family dynamic."
----
Agreed. To Tiger, the OP: How old are the 'teenagers'? Are they close in ages? Both boys, both girls, or one of each? The last might create an issue with a tent for 'auxiliary housing'.  Do you, your wife, and the kids have any previous camping experience of any kind, or is the 'want to go camping' a new idea? Have you considered renting a class C for a 'shakedown cruise'? This experience often can either heighten the desire to 'goseedo' in an RV or knock it in the head completely!  ;)

Most kids 'change' pretty quickly during the teenage years, and some of the changes may involve distancing themselves from family 'activities'; a 13-year-old might still be good with traveling with siblings and parents, while a 15 or 16-year-old would rather eat glass!  Only you know your family, but finding a pre-loved LD (and I agree that a MB would provide a little more 'privacy' than another floor plan) and taking advantage of the interest currently shown by your wife and kids would likely be a better bet than hoping the "I want to go camping' bug lasts for the time it would take to get a new LD, i.e., over a year at this point.

Just a few points to consider....
























2003 TK has a new home
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #10 –
[moved from classifieds to discussions since it turned into a discussion topic]
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #11 –
Kristy and I spent a few hours at the LD factory, really love the 27' mid bath, wish they had a 31' to look at....
We feel fortunate to live close to LD for future repairs, parts etc  The visit helped us rule out the smaller LD, nice but too small for 4 people and a dog to camp in comfortably as many of you suggested.  :D At least it got my wife allot more excited about "playing house" on the road. She made the usual wife promises such as "ill cook EVERY meal we have here to save money" if you buy me this grey LD 27' one! LOL. If any of you have any ideas on what to negotiate with her ahead of time, I'm open to suggestions...I got one, hey my doctor said I can't wash dishes in the camper because of my back, will that fly? Ladies?

Anyone add an outside shower, extra interior electric outlets etc after purchasing a new or pro owned one? How hard was that?
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #12 –
Quote from: TigerRE  - 
She made the usual wife promises such as "ill cook EVERY meal we have here to save money" if you buy me this grey LD 27' one! LOL. If any of you have any ideas on what to negotiate with her ahead of time, I'm open to suggestions...I got one, hey my doctor said I can't wash dishes in the camper because of my back, will that fly? Ladies?

Anyone add an outside shower, extra interior electric outlets etc after purchasing a new or pro owned one? How hard was that?
We got the outside shower option from the factory. Ten years, never used. 😁 As for the cooking, you save a ton of money cooking in the rig. Sorry to break the guy code, but I long ago took over all the washing up to keep my wife happily cooking. 😋 -- Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #13 –
Quote from: TigerRE  - 
If any of you have any ideas on what to negotiate with her ahead of time, I'm open to suggestions...

If she lets you buy the mid-bath, promise her you'll make the bed every morning.  ;)
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #14 –
HiLolo “IF SHE LETS ME, buy the 27’’”??? I’ll have you know I am THE BOSS at my 🏡, well...when I’m home alone, and I cannot sign anything, BUT  I am large and In charge of doing the laundry, washing dishes and home maintenance lol
Do me a favor and don’t mention this to Kristy, I don’t want to upset her and all  👍🐯👀

Seriously is it hard to add interior electric outlets? In a LD 27 is the AC cool enough in the desert when it’s near 95-100 degrees?
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #15 –
Tiger,

Recently an LDO member asked a similar question in regard to electrical outlets in my RB. The real question is ...”How many do you need”?

As it is the ‘15 RB has four electrical outlets inside the coach. There is an additional outlet accessible from the back of the refrigerator when outside.

There are two 12 volt outlets in the coach (Sorry Jay forgot the one inside the cabinet for the TV area -power converter for Blu-ray players etc.). And two 12 volt outlets in the dash of the cab.

Adding outlets after production is not an impossibility but from what I understand it can be quite a challenge.

AC wise. This has been discussed quite a bit in past threads. The roof AC is capable of cooling our RB when the outside temp is above 100, but steps must be taken to insulate the coach. Isolating the truck cab with a thick blanket or such helps keep the cold air in the coach. Insulating the roof vents with foam pads and snap on covers can help as well. Things can be done and so yes the roof AC can keep the coach cool.

Digging into the archives will reveal quite a few “chilling facts” about LD AC. It’s a breeze to find them. ☃️

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #16 –
Thanks Kent, as a new forum member,I’m  still learning how to use it, so thanks.

When looking at the rear area of the 27’ today, their seemed to be only one outlet we could find way down the wall, near the floor, on the bathroom side, near the privacy expanding soft door. I was hoping to find an outlet nearer the window bottom somewhere, so folks could plug in devices while sitting or working in rear area, or your cell phone at night etc. I asked at LD about adding a couple outlets, if we go camping with a group, their response was well maybe, not really a straightforward answer.
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #17 –
Tiger,

The RB model has an outlet above the passenger side couch on the bottom of the overhead cabinet. It is within reach of the person seated there.

There is an outlet similarly placed above the dinette. One is also mounted above the galley sink. Then there is one next to the toilet near the floor on the left.

FYI the RB has a very nice Open Concept floor plan and can easily sleep 4 to six people. Things can get a bit crowded if everyone is inside and moving about at the same time. Definitely doable but just be ready to squeeze in a bit. Especially while preparing meals.

Hey! It’s all in the family, right?

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #18 –
I just checked my mid bath (98 model though) and there's only 1 outlet in the back, in our case under the rear window where we have a little flip up table. Our foward couch (ours has no dinette but 3 couches instead) has an outlet over head so no idea why they wouldn't put ones in the overheads in the rear. Most of our devices are usb so we use a multi tap that powers 4 usb outlets from 1 120v so the lack of outlets is less of an issue.
98 MB
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #19 –
Anyone heard of a low mileage 2008 or newer 27’ mid bath is or will soon be for sale at a reasonable price In great condition?  Or if it needs work, new tires, updating etc, I can do that if reflected in price. High mileage to us means more than 5,000 a year average, and not owned by a smoker.
We are willing to fly and buy for a great deal.

After purchasing I may want to convert the fridge to a residential electric only unit after trying out the original 3 way fridge, I’ve started searching the tech forums for a “how to do” this, if anyone can help me find instructions on this, or has experience using an electric only fridge let me know. I’m guessing I may need at least 2 solar panels (how many can be put on. 27’ LD, enough to power a fridge or no?) and a new, bigger inverter, extra batteries, how many I’m not sure, additional inverter not sure for the whole RV or just the fridge part.

Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #20 –
"High mileage to us means more than 5,000 a year average.."
---
 Just a caution not to lock yourself into an arbitrary mileage figure; whatever the age of the rig, it will deteriorate faster when sitting than when used.

Mileage is certainly one factor to consider when evaluating the condition and potential longevity of a particular rig, but how well and how diligently the whole rig has been maintained, the integrity and overall conditions of the coach, engine, systems, and appliances, and where and how it has been driven are more critical factors to assess condition than mileage alone.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #21 –
Thx JCT, I’m just hopeful not to find a newer LD with 80-100k or more mileage, than one with 40-50k as it may need more maintenance than less the next 5 plus years than a lower mileage one. Thank you for your time and advice! I have added to my post in case you have any  advice on the fridge question
Nov 2023, 2012 31’ IB, white/green swoops & swirles, 2009 Mini Cooper, racing green convertible, toad 🐸

We ordered white/gray  2018 27' mid bath 1/3/18 and we are hoping for a July 16th 2019 delivery, sold, and tried a Lithium Travato, wish  I would have kept the Lazy Daze 27’
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #22 –
Tiger,

I’m not sure of all “late” model LD fridges but I do know that our ‘15 has a “two way” installed. It will not run on 12 volt and the amount of solar to accommodate a newer 2-way will exceed the amount of power provided by our two 100 watt panels.

As fridges are a critical element of any RV, you will want to insure the unit runs well and when you need it. Relying on solar alone can be tricky when the sun is low in the horizon or clouds and shade pester your travel plans.

Having the option that a 2-way fridge provides is money in the bank as far as I’m concerned. Replacing a fridge full of food if the power fails is not fun. I believe Andy has made solar work well for him, but the cost, from what I remember, was too steep for my pocketbook.

Solar works. We enjoy ours. Good luck with your plan.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #23 –
From the Dometic  1983 service Bulletin, a RM3600 3 way draws 20.8 amps in the 12 volt DC mode.  The RM3800 draws 22.9 amps in the 12 volt DC mode.  I only use the 12 volt mode on the highway while the chassis is suppling power.  I would need a minimum of 300 watts of solar to run during briaght sun daylight.  Many more solar panels and batteries would be needed to sustain the refergierator on 12 volts aroung the clock.
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Long Beach CA family with 2 teens want to go camping help us find a Lazy Daze!
Reply #24 –
I used to have a 3 way refrigerator in a camper.  The 12 volt setting was nice while driving, but required constant attention because if I stopped the truck and didn't switch the refer to propane, the refrigerator could drain the camper battery in an hour or two. In our 1985 truck, the camper could drain the truck chassis battery and the 3 way refrigerator did this on one occasion while we were out in the boondocks and it also happened to our camping buddies.

I really like the two way refrigerators and wouldn't own a 3 way if it was available. Mostly, propane is the way to go.

HD
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life