Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Hello all you lazydazers

I am looking at a 1983 20'.... However, I'm a bit worried about the wheelbase being a bit short.
RVconsumers group says don't go less than 54, and I do believe the 20 footer has a wheelbase ratio of 52 (wheelbase of 126).

Hello all you lazydazers

I am looking at a 1983 20'.... However, I'm a bit worried about the wheelbase being a bit short.
RVconsumers group says don't go less than 54, and I do believe the 20 footer has a wheelbase ratio of 52 (wheelbase of 126).

I just measured my 1984 on the Chevy G30 chassis which is nearly identical to the '83 as best as I can tell.  (They are actually 22' not 20' unless there is a model I don't know about).

The overall length bumper to bumper is 22'.
The distance from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheels is 12' (144' wheelbase).

This gives a ratio of 12/22 = .545, which is just a touch above the RV Consumer Group recommendation.

Hope that helps.
Chuck.

I just measured my 1984 on the Chevy G30 chassis.
The overall length bumper to bumper is 22'.
The distance from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheels is 12' (144'' wheelbase).
This gives a ratio of 12/22 = .545, which is just a touch above the RV Consumer Group recommendation......

Chuck

Thanks for taking the time to respond Chuck.  I have measured the length of the 83 and it is 20'(240"} and the wheelbase is 126... and is .525.  just short . Again thanks for your thoughts

mike

Mike, my pleasure.  I'd love to see a picture of that 20 footer. I didn't know there was such a thing.  Learn something everyday.

I've seen a lot of debate about the RV Consumer Group ratio.  In general it is a good guideline, but as with any guideline there seems to be a lot of caveats. The 20 footer ratio you mention is at .525 that is sooooo  close to being in the good range (.54-.57), couple this with the fact that since it is an LD it is probably very well balanced, I would say it is probably a lot safer than other RV's with the same ratio.

Then throw in stuff like how far do your bumpers stick out?  On mine the rear bumper sticks out about 8 inches, the front bumper a little more than 3 inches. Is it fair that an RV that has integrated bumpers saves nearly a foot?  If you don't count the bumpers your length is about 19' (228") and your ratio would be 126"/228" = .55.  Do you really think that the RV's performance would be better if you removed the bumpers and had a "good" ratio of .55?

The ratio is guideline, if you had a ratio of .40, run for the

but when it's that close other factors like the overall balance of the RV are just as important,(IMHO).

I would do what you did, drive it and see if it's bad.  I will tell you that my 22' moves around a bit in a good wind and when big trucks go by too, so from what you said I don't know if the 20' is that much worse to drive than the 22'.

I wonder if LD stopped making the 20' because of the ratio or for some other reason like not being able to get the chassis, or not selling enough of them.

I bet I'd buy that 20' in a heartbeat.

Let us know what you decide.

Chuck.

I am looking at a 1983 20' lazy daze w rear lounge, chevyvan30 chassis, 60,000 miles, 350, well maintained. However, I'm a bit worried about the wheelbase being a bit short. RVconsumers group says don't go less than 54, and I do believe the 20 footer has a wheelbase ratio of 52 (wheelbase of 126).

I checked the specs on the 20' model, and it uses the same 146" wheelbase chassis as the 22' models. It is called the 'Rear

They also made what they called an 18' model, using the 125" wheelbase chassis (8900 GVWR). It is called the 'Side Dinette' and has a rear bath enclosing the fridge and wardrobe.

The information I have is from at earliest '85, as all models had the twin 6V coach batteries - in '83 they did not. Possibly the earlier 20' model was on the shorter chassis, but it seems unlikely. Is the model you saw the "18'" one? This model has a significantly lower payload capacity than the longer wheelbase - and that would apply to any model on the 125" chassis.

Steve