Hi All!
After extensive research I have decided to purchase the 30' Lazy Daze (used). I have two large dogs so the 30'er should accomodate all 3 of us. Im selling my house and going into the world of full time rv-er. My goal is to sell my house and be on the road by Jan 2020. I would appreciate any recommendations from you experienced owners as I move into purchasing my motorhome. I have to say I have researched many other make/models ( the 32' Country Coach being a serious contender). In the end Lazy Daze has won my heart.
I hope to see some of you on the road in the year 2020!
Thank you,
April
If you are going for the 31 Island Bed, as your dogs age they may have trouble joining you on the bed.
There is room on the other side of the bed for a stair or ramp to assist them. It works for my smaller dogs nicely.
See you down the road.
joel
April, if you do hit your mark of LD ownership by January, you might want to plan to come to the March LDO gathering at Morro Bay State Park; the official dates are March 6-8, although most people arrive earlier and stay later. There are many LDs at this gathering, and people are always happy to answer questions and share information and tips.
If this might work for you, be sure to reserve a site soon.
Hi All!
After extensive research I have decided to purchase the 30' Lazy Daze (used). I have two large dogs so the 30'er should accomodate all 3 of us. Im selling my house and going into the world of full time rv-er. My goal is to sell my house and be on the road by Jan 2020. I would appreciate any recommendations from you experienced owners as I move into purchasing my motorhome. I have to say I have researched many other make/models ( the 32' Country Coach being a serious contender). In the end Lazy Daze has won my heart.
I hope to see some of you on the road in the year 2020!
Thank you,
April
April, you didn't mention your level of RVing experience. Here is a link that might help: Getting Started - A Primer For The New RV'er (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=33437.0)
Welcome to our Lazy Daze Owners' Group. Please don't hesitate to ask questions as you hit the road. What year is your 30'?
Chris
April,
As a full timer, you should be prepared to carefully monitor your weights and weight distribution. The 30" LDs have the most room, but also the lowest OCCC (Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity). If you don't already know about terms like GVWR and GAWR, I'd recommend doing some research to learn about RV weight limits. When we went full time in 2015, we decided we wanted a lot more room, capacity to carry everything (nothing in storage) and the capacity to tow whatever vehicle we wanted. So we ended up with a class A diesel pusher. But lots of people full time in LDs of all sizes. It really comes down to how much space and stuff you need.
Art
As a full timer, you should be prepared to carefully monitor your weights and weight distribution. The 30" LDs have the most room, but also the lowest OCCC (Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity). If you don't already know about terms like GVWR and GAWR, I'd recommend doing some research to learn about RV weight limits.
Very wise words. Just because there is room for stuff, doesn't mean there is weight capacity for stuff. The 30 footer is a great coach, but not necessarily the best option for a full timer.
I appreciate all of your helpful words!
The thoughts about GVW are very helpful. It looks like the weight available on the 30IB after all tanks are full is 1800 ibs. Me and my dogs weigh about 350 total. The biggist weight I would be adding is solar panels ...about 200lbs including batteries?
Totaling 550 lbs. leaving 1250 lbs. I think that is doable for me, especially if I am weight conscious.
A little bit about my rv experience. In the 90's I had a 30' class A Pace Arrow. From 2012- 2016 I had an awesome little 25' fifth wheel. after that I had a little 18' fun finder with a slide. I traveled all up and down California and into Arizona and New Mexico. Im a Colorado River Adventure member which has nice little camping resorts throughout California (from Pollock Pines down to the border of Mexico. It is my desire to expand my travels and move into some boondocking and exploring.
At one time I had a little tent trailer and did some camping in Morro Bay. That is an awesome campground there! I would love to make it to the gathering in March!
"It looks like the weight available on the 30IB after all tanks are full is 1800 lbs."
Engaging in speculation will give you a ball park conclusion but the only way to make sure of the actual situation is to have the rig weighed! Until you know for sure what the front and rear axels weigh and how your load is carried side to side all else is a guessing game. There are many threads on this forum having to do with the benefits of and procedures for a weight check. ;)
Good to know you have some RV experience! What vintage LD are you considering? Be aware that before about 2008 the chassis GVWR rating was only 14,050 lbs as compared to 14,500 for a newer chassis. I'd strongly suggest that you find a place that can do 4 corner weights. It is not that hard to be under GVWR but have one wheel position overloaded. From the factory, LDs are pretty well balanced, but it is a good idea to really know where your weight is and where you might have some reserve.
Art
I appreciate all of your helpful words!
The thoughts about GVW are very helpful. It looks like the weight available on the 30IB after all tanks are full is 1800 ibs. Me and my dogs weigh about 350 total. The biggist weight I would be adding is solar panels ...about 200lbs including batteries?
Totaling 550 lbs. leaving 1250 lbs. I think that is doable for me, especially if I am weight conscious.
A little bit about my rv experience. In the 90's I had a 30' class A Pace Arrow. From 2012- 2016 I had an awesome little 25' fifth wheel. after that I had a little 18' fun finder with a slide. I traveled all up and down California and into Arizona and New Mexico. Im a Colorado River Adventure member which has nice little camping resorts throughout California (from Pollock Pines down to the border of Mexico. It is my desire to expand my travels and move into some boondocking and exploring.
At one time I had a little tent trailer and did some camping in Morro Bay. That is an awesome campground there! I would love to make it to the gathering in March!
April, what year is your 30'? I'd like to add it to your forum profile.
Chris
April, what year is your 30'? I'd like to add it to your forum profile.
Chris
Perhaps I misread your first message, thinking you had already bought a 30'. I guess you are still looking.
Chris
Bear in mind that, as a fulltimer, you will be carrying more than a weekender. I carry tools, supplies, equipment, books, electronics, and so forth. My '08 MB has more cargo carrying capacity than your IB, but I am within a few hundred pounds of my CCC. It is amazing to me how quickly the weight goes up.
Ideally, when you think you are loaded the way you will be traveling, fill all tanks, get to a scale and weigh your rig, getting separate weights for the front and rear axles, to make sure each is within its allowable range.
Ken F in NM
Again thank you all so much! Chris I have not bought a motorhome yet. I am so glad I've come here to this forum. Over all, Im getting the feeling that Lazy Daze is not recommended for full time living. I would really appreciate opinions on this. Art thanks for the heads up on the GVWR for LD's before 2008.
Ken, I love my tools. Ill be letting go of alot. Part of the reason I am doing this is to travel (through life) more lightly. However, having the right tools on hand make life so much easier! So yes, I need to consider tool weight.
Obviously, it's critical that a buyer understand weights and weight terms and their variations, including GCVWR if one plans to tow; there are several websites which explain these acronyms.
In a perfect world, accurate 'dry'/unladen rig weights (and what is included in that base weight calculation, e.g., LPG, fuel, water....) and all other weight calculations and figures and maximums would be clearly stated on the rig's spec sheet. Lazy Daze does a pretty good job of this for a new LD, but if one buys a used LD, these numbers can vary quite a bit. Again, in a perfect world, one should weigh the potential buy before making a deal; JMHO, but I would not buy a used rig, LD or other, without getting at least the weights of the front and rear axles with a full fuel tank, full LPG, and about a half tank or so of water.
Weighing the 'sitting' rig at each corner, i.e., a 'four corner' weight (to determine if one or more 'corners' is over or substantially different from others), is definitely preferable to any other weighing protocol, but this may be difficult to accomplish. Four corner weighing services are few and far between; a few RV repair shops, e.g., Henderson's, may offer the service, and some events sponsored by Escapees, FMCA, RVSEF usually offer four-corner weighings, and there may be a private weighing service (if one can get the rig to the 'weigher'!) that can be done. (Oregon has quite a few roadside weigh pads with 'always on' scales; even if one can't wiggle the rig around to get a weight on each corner, at least one can usually get front and rear axle weights; a lot better than guessing.)
However, this is not a perfect world; I don't know of any dealers which offer a four corner weighing, and, and on the basis of simple practicality, I see few (or no) private sellers being able (or willing) to offer a prospective buyer four corner weighing, even if that service may be conveniently located - which it likely is not. So, a buyer of any model and year of used LD, but particularly the 27' and the 30'/31', is limited to what the spec sheet indicates for that model and year, maybe weight figures done by the seller, and/or maybe the opportunity - if the seller is agreeable and there is a weigh scale location of some sort close by - the get front and rear axles weights. Otherwise, buying a used rig with the assumption that the rig will not be over the GVWR when loaded with passengers, supplies, equipment, add-ons, animals, and whatnot is an after sale 'load it up, cross your fingers and hope for the best' deal. What does one do after one buys a rig, loads it for fulltiming, and discovers post-purchase that the rig is very close to, at, or over the GVWR? Not a scenario that I'd want to experience, but, as always, YMMV.
"I'm getting the feeling that Lazy Daze is not recommended for full time living."
----
I think that what's 'recommended' is what works for each person; people fulltime in many different kinds of rigs; vans, tiny trailers, truck campers to 45' Prevost beasts and everything in between. There are several fulltimers and 'longtimers' on this board in LDs of different ages, models, and all three sizes!
I have a TK; it has worked very well for the the way I travel, i.e., solo, and with one medium-sized dog. If I were fulltiming, I'd keep the dog and still travel solo, but would have a mid-bath. ;)
If you haven't actually seen and explored a few Lazy Daze rigs of different years and models, it can be difficult to make a decision on what might work best for one's anticipated life and travel style; gathering information for model choice from a one-dimensional floor plan, or a description, or even photos, can provide a less-than-complete picture of the actual living set-up. It's not uncommon for people who were set on one model to change their minds about which model might work best after seeing and 'pretend-living' in their first choice. The opportunity to see several different models and years is a big plus of any of the regional gatherings; if a factory visit is not feasible (I think there are 2 models on the floor now, a TK and a mid-bath; a recent visitor to the factory [or a phone call to the factory] could verify this.), someone interested in getting a Lazy Daze might want to make an effort to get to one of these outings.
(I think there are 2 models on the floor now, a TK and a mid-bath; a recent visitor to the factory [or a phone call to the factory] could verify this.)
That's what they had on the floor when we visited at the beginning of August.
Aprilssong-WELCOME
It sounds like you have lots of experience, way more than me. I would like to toss out my most thankful reason for finding my Daze...the way it handles on the road. It sounds like you will be on the move and I don't believe that there is a safer or more trustworthy rig. You will be able to hold your own on freeways, navigate twisty roads and perhaps the most important travel up and down steep grades.
Also there are those famous windows:) very nice to have when the outside is frightful.
Another plus is the quality of build, but you are already aware of that issue. Whatever you decide you will be welcome here.
"...before about 2008 the chassis GVWR rating was only 14,050 lbs as compared to 14,500 for a newer chassis."
As Art so artfully pointed out, the GVWR ratings do vary over time.
In my case, with the 2004 30'IB, my GVWR is 14,050lbs. Shortly after delivery in October of that year I took the rig to Henderson's Line-Up in Grants Pass, OR for a weight check and alignment. Those numbers have since been disposed of but most recently (2016) I had Henderson's redo the weight.
Here are the results:
Total Front = 4500, with left side at 2400 and right side at 2100.
Total Rear = 9500, with left side at 4700 and right side at 4800.
Left Side = 7100 and Right Side = 6900 for a total weight of 14,000lbs.
As you can see I am close to GVWR but still have a fifty pound cushion. No substantial changes have been made in the cargo I carry and so I have not had the rig weighed again since then. The above measurements were made with full fuel and LP tanks, ½ fresh water and empty black and grey tanks.
I've been a full timer since my 2003 Rear Bath rolled off the factory floor. I am also a solo traveler so that 27' is *all mine*!! If I had to do it all over, the only change I'd make is to order a Rear Bath with two couches so my son wouldn't have to sleep on the floor! (Since I live in my LD year-round, instead of an upper bunk, I ordered the model with an "Entertainment Center" because of the mega storage available in the nose cone.)
Although never quite running beyond its capabilities (14500 pounds), I imagine a full-timing couple might use more than a solo traveler...but maybe that couple doesn't collect rocks!
Lorna - 174K+ miles later
Although never quite running beyond its capabilities (14500 pounds)....
----
Your 2003 has a GVWR of 14050 pounds, not 14500; dump the rocks, girl! ;)
However, this is not a perfect world; I don't know of any dealers which offer a four corner weighing
NIRVC, at least their Lewisville, TX location, offers four corner weighing. I'm guessing their other locations do as well.
Although never quite running beyond its capabilities (14500 pounds), I imagine a full-timing couple might use more than a solo traveler.
The second traveler will be adding a good 100-250 lbs to the rig unless driving the towd ;)
I have been living in my LD full-time since January 2021 and it's been great. When reality provides some experiences I'll get back to you.
Actually, I'm looking forward to it. I can really see me full time living/travelling in my LD.
Bob
I have been living in my LD full-time since January 2021 and it's been great.
I wish our LD had the time travel option.
It opens up a lot of money making opportunities .
Larry
Although never quite running beyond its capabilities (14500 pounds)....
----
Your 2003 has a GVWR of 14050 pounds, not 14500; dump the rocks, girl! ;)
That was a typo Joan! You are indeed correct: 2003 RB GVWR is indeed 14050. And, even with rocks, mine usually weights between 13200 and 13,800.
Hmmmm....I think one way to solve the weight issue is to go with the 27' king/twin. Time will tell. Need to look at a few. Really though...there are no other class c's out there that appeal to me. Country Coach's 32' is the only other RV I would consider...
Hmmmm....I think one way to solve the weight issue is to go with the 27' king/twin. Time will tell. Need to look at a few. Really though...there are no other class c's out there that appeal to me. Country Coach's 32' is the only other RV I would consider...
Have you considered towing a small trailer behind your LD (whichever size)?
I fulltime in a 27 ft MB and tow a Jeep (some have called it my trailer) which also carries some of the larger items I can't or don't want to fit in the LD.
"Country Coach's 32' is the only other RV I would consider..."
---
I know that Winnebago bought the 'Country Coach' brand (and originally planned to produce whatever RV they attached the CC name to in Junction City, OR), but I didn't see any RV in any class, gas or diesel, labeled 'Country Coach' on the Winnebago website; did I miss a CC-badged model currently in production?
"I think one way to solve the weight issue is to go with the 27' king/twin."
You may be thinking of the 27' midbath model. There's a 23' twin/king, but no 27' king/twin. "Models and floorplans" in the Lazy Daze Pocket Guide (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/pocketguide/) is a handy reference.
Got it Andy...I met the midbath/kingtwin...not midbath/rear kitchen.
Joan Country Coach went under sometime after 2006. Their class A motorhomes were some of the best ever built. The only ones on the market are used. They made a 32' with no slide...but are hard to find.
Joan Country Coach went under sometime after 2006. Their class A motorhomes were some of the best ever built.
Country Coach brand post 2004-ish was owned by National and those coaches aren't in the same league as the ones built when Bob Lee was associated with the company.
Re: Country Coach ...
Country Coach (https://oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/country_coach/)
Really good points on four corner weighing. I never thought of that. Most scales at closed weigh stations are still running and a person might be able to maneuver around enough at one of them to weigh their corners if no facility is readily available to do that.
On overall weight though I personally wouldn't get real excited about being right to the pound under weight limits. As in most things I have to believe there is a wide margin of error built in and your rig isn't going to fold like a house of cards if you are a bit overweight. Being seriously overweight though and getting into an accident as a result could have legal ramifications so that should definitely be avoided.
"As in most things I have to believe there is a wide margin of error built in and your rig isn't going to fold like a house of cards if you are a bit overweight."
---
I don't think that many RVers are privy to the weight and stress calculations of Ford's frame and chassis engineers, and while I don't believe that a 'heavy' rig is necessarily going to squat in the middle of the road and refuse to move like an overloaded burro, (IMO) assuming that it's OK to load over the GVWR because there is a built-in 'pad' in the permissible weight limits is a poor decision.
GVWR is specced and set for plenty of reasons past a manufacturer's 'CYA disclaimer'. Overweight conditions cause a great deal of stress on every component and system in and on the RV; the frame, axles, driveline, engine, brakes, transmission, tires, everything. Stressed components wear prematurely and require more frequent (expensive) repair or replacement. An overloaded rig handles poorly, and it is definitely more difficult to maneuver, control, and stop in an emergency situation. (And, for those who calculate mileage down to a gnat's eyelash, a 'fat' rig sucks more fuel.)
JMO, understanding weights, knowing what one's rig weighs, and adhering to the engineered limits will reduce maintenance, repair, and component replacement costs and offer improved handling and control.
As always, YMMV.
"while I don't believe that a 'heavy' rig is necessarily going to squat in the middle of the road and refuse to move like an overloaded burro..."
Been there, done that. At one point early in my full-timing career, over time poor Gertie had become so overloaded with my stuff that she was unable to climb a hill at Villanueva State Park--one that I had driven her up previously. I stepped on the gas and the engine revved, but nothing happened--Gertie just sat there. Realizing that I was liable to "cook" my torque converter, I quickly gave up. I had to back down very slowly and carefully. Good thing there wasn't anybody behind me!
I've driven an overweight rig. I don't recommend it.
Weight management in an RV is really a very interesting subject that needs to be approached from all angles. In GVWR I think people have to operate inside their personal comfort zone to some extent. IMO being one pound under that or one hundred pounds over is inconsequential and at that point you are just running heavy and your rig will handle that way. MPG will be effected, hill climbing will suffer and you will put additional stress on all components and wear tires out faster. Safety would not be an issue and people that would be uncomfortable slightly heavy probably also set their cruise control exactly at the posted speed limit and not one mph over so it's a personality issue as much as anything.
Then there's four corner weighing. I don't know the figures here and maybe somebody who does could chime in on this. I would assume you'd want two thirds of the weight on the dually rear end with only one third on the single steer tires and I also would assume the design of the vehicle is going to achieve that balance on its own. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Next up would be equalizing weight on the rear end and this does indeed require some planning in what you load where.
Last but definitely not least is loading the heavy stuff as low as possible and even in the kitchen I try to get my wife to load canned goods in the bottom cabinets and dry goods in the upper ones. Great care is given to loading semi trucks in this regard and it's relevant in just about everything. An extreme example would be all the ships we lost to bad weather in WW2 due to old ships being updated with hardened decks, new radar technology and heavier guns. Our fleet was battle ready but not sea worthy and most of them lost their built in ability to recover from a 70 degree roll which is the maratime standard.
A related side issue would be when traveling with a full fresh water tank and at least half full waste tanks would be beneficial. Mpg and power suffer but if you are heading into a stretch of interstate with a forecast of high side winds you are better off running heavy and will withstand the wind better and greatly reduce being blown sideways. In times like that you will see trucks with light loads waiting it out in truck stops while trucks loaded to the max barrel on through. In a broad sided RV the same rule would apply.
Fun subject to kick around.
An awesome discussion! And very, very helpful.
Chiming in on the weight issue...
As Andy pointed out, going overweight is rough on a vehicle, but there are also safety and legal considerations that you should be aware of.
1) The brakes on a vehicle are designed for effective braking up to that vehicle's maximum weight. Go significantly beyond that limit, and the brakes will not be able to stop you in as short a distance as if you are within design limits.
2) Hitting a bump at speed can cause loss of control in any vehicle, but with an overweight vehicle it will be harder to regain control.
3) With damage to the suspension system (shocks, springs, stabilizers) from being overweight, normal control is reduced, impairing the safe operation of the vehicle.
Now - the legal stuff...
1) If you are stopped for a random safety check and are found to be overweight, you are subject to fines, and may be kept from proceeding until you are in compliance with your vehicle's weight limits.
2) If you are in a serious accident and are found to be driving an overweight vehicle, arrest, fines and even jail time are possible.
3) If you are in a serious accident and your vehicle is found to be overweight, your insurance company may decide not to cover you for any damages, injuries or liability.
What are my qualifications for the above claims? I was a Licensed Professional Civil Engineer specializing in highway design and safety. I achieved the highest level, Fellow, in the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and I held an international certification as a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer. I spent the last 25 years of my practice doing impact analyses, accident analysis, accident reconstruction, and providing expert testimony. Bottom line, if you find yourself a few pounds over while you are carrying or towing something unusual, a short trip is unlikely to damage your vehicle, but try to limit that to minimum miles and lower speeds. Driving an overweight vehicle on a regular basis is a very risky thing to do.
Ken F in NM
April,
If you haven't already, I suggest going to a nearby gathering of LDs to check out different models. Being in them can be very different than looking at the floorplans even if you are one of those people that see spaces well from just drawings/ideas. You can pay attention to storage (inside & out) and maybe meet up with some full timers that will say how they manage.
There is Morro Bay in March that you mentioned and also Quartzsite in Jan - both have a large number of LDs. Also often there are people nearby willing to have you come look, but it can be easier to compare them side by side.
If you like lots of stuff with you, you will have difficulty in a LD (and most other RVs).
I have run into people in large class A RVs (solo travelers) who want different wardrobes for different seasons, several extra blankets, something for every discomfort they might feel including boredom. They want to HAVE everything they had in their sticks and bricks home and don't want to be "camping" (said disdainfully). That type of traveler would have trouble with any of the LDs and need a very large rig.
Fulltiming works great if you are not attached to things or are tired of owning things - it forces you to make choices of what you really want to keep vs what you can let go. I love my tools, but most are overkill for an RV so most have disappeared and different tools more useful for an RV have been bought. It forces you to think of items that can be used for more than one thing.
There are couples who fulltime in a 23' LD as well as people full timing in every other size.
Many people say there is often more room than weight available (before exceeding max) but it does depend on what you are carrying.
Finding special items you want can be more difficult (e.g. special pet foods or items you use regularly), but places that will mail things to you can help with that.
While downsizing is a huge chore (though much welcomed for us), we are finding we really don't want much stuff and many things are done differently (e.g. books on computers/devices, more time to cook so don't need as many gadgets, etc.). I used to travel for work a lot, always last minute notice and no idea how long the trip would take (few days up to a month) - it quickly became second nature to pack clothes for 4-5 days and maybe one warm coat and I could last forever. A little different with hotel cleaning clothes and being in civilization to grab anything I ran out of, but the general idea is the same - pack things you can rotate over time and that work together and have multiple uses.
Jane
Let me add one more topic that full time generally get push on the back burner -- health care.
Health care as in both cost and application.
When I was young I was under no illusion that I would be replacing a mortgage payment with a health insurance payment. We all are moving to more expensive health care cost just because we are getting old. Sadly its the nature of us humans -- we wear out.
Getting sick on the road is at best an inconvenience at worst a disaster.
We all have some sort of bad health habit. Key is to work to get back to a healthy life style and enjoy life to the max.
glen