What's the best plan for replacing the escape hatch on the 1999 Lazy Daze? Should we buy direct from Lazy Daze or is there a different option?
What's the best plan for replacing the escape hatch on the 1999 Lazy Daze? Should we buy direct from Lazy Daze or is there a different option?
If LD stocks it, get it from the Mothership. You will have a better chance of getting one that fits correctly.
Larry
I replaced the escape hatch last spring on our 07 mid bath. I live in Virginia so shipping from Montclair was a big part of the cost. The new hatch is thicker and better made as compared to the original hatch on our LD. I am very happy I did this. Push the EZ button and call LD.
If LD stocks it, get it from the Mothership. You will have a better chance of getting one that fits correctly.
Larry
What Larry says.
I went to the mothership for my 1995 hatch recently and it fit perfectly.
I think I would add framing to shrink the opening to fit a Fantastic Fan. The Mothership tossed the hatch and put in a fan in recent years. It sure would be nice for ventilation when cooking in an MB. I should add that to my list of projects. There is 12V close by that feeds the lights in the cabover.
What's the best plan for replacing the escape hatch on the 1999 Lazy Daze? Should we buy direct from Lazy Daze or is there a different option?
Do you need the entire hatch or just the lid or the top lid and frame? You can get parts from LD, but if the money is not an issue, I would replace the entire unit. Escape hatches are important safety equipment, I would not replace ours with anything except another escape hatch.
If the condition of the plastic lid is the only issue with your escape hatch an alternative is to have an aluminum fabrication shop make one using the old lid as a pattern. I did this on our previous 2010 RB and no more problems. (See photos)
I think I would add framing to shrink the opening to fit a Fantastic Fan. The Mothership tossed the hatch and put in a fan in recent years. It sure would be nice for ventilation when cooking in an MB. I should add that to my list of projects. There is 12V close by that feeds the lights in the cabover.
An interesting variation has been done by Liam.
Adding Fan to Escape Hatch (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=33684.msg206040#msg206040)
Larry
An interesting variation has been done by Liam.
Adding Fan to Escape Hatch (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=33684.msg206040#msg206040)
Larry
I fail to understand why the use of any part of an escape hatch was needed in this mod. Pictures no longer show.
I would frame the opening to match the dimension of the fan.
as for the hatch being a safety item,
well, for one we never slept up there and could not now as the bed was removed and storage cabinets installed.
second, you would need to be agile and slim enough to fit through the opening.
I fail to understand why the use of any part of an escape hatch was needed in this mod. Pictures no longer show.
I would frame the opening to match the dimension of the fan.
as for the hatch being a safety item,
well, for one we never slept up there and could not now as the bed was removed and storage cabinets installed.
second, you would need to be agile and slim enough to fit through the opening.
I can see the pics, is this a problem for anyone else?
Adding a fan to the center of an existing escape hatch isn't a huge project, ripping the old escape hatch frame and reframing the hole so that it is smaller, to fit the fan, and making sure its watertight, is a big project, the hatch's frame is well installed and is a pain to remove. I did one once.....that was enough.
The new, smaller hole will need sheet metal added to make up for the roof section that would be exposed. Not a project I would want to try, too many possible sources of leaks.
Adding a fan in the cover allows the hatch to be returned to its stock configuration just by replacing the lid.
We sleep in the bunk and both of us can fit through the escape hatch, we used it at the Balloon Festival, we sat on the roof with our legs inside the escape hatch, enjoying the furnace's heat rising up, it was cold outside.
You too could have a fan near the escape hatch, we cut a new opening in Andy's Skylark for a Fantastic Fan, It required a bit of steel fabrication to reinforce the cut ceiling joist. Not a recommended project due to the complexity, the one time was enough for me.
Larry
This what I see, Larry.
This what I see, Larry.
I see them fine. I guess you've been decommissioned, Greg. 😉
Chris
No active links to the photos for me, either.
No active links to the photos for me, either.
Another moderator privilege perhaps?
This came straight from the archives.
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4202
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4203
Larry
I get the same message - no pics...
Steve
as for the hatch being a safety item,
well, for one we never slept up there and could not now as the bed was removed and storage cabinets installed.
second, you would need to be agile and slim enough to fit through the opening.
You may feel differently if you rolled your rig onto the side with the door. The escape hatch would now be almost at ground level, not needing much agility. Or, if your floor is on fire, it may be the only way out. It’s like taking the airbag out of your car dash so you can add another glove compartment. ??? There is a reason why these are included in all RVs. Remove safety features at your own risk!
All RVs produced now are required to have emergency exits. These can be windows or vents. But if my RV were on its side, I would have great difficulty getting out of a window that is now on the ceiling. I’m glad I have both the vent and window exits. Of course, that means that you have to have windows that slide open easily, which is why I need to do some maintenance on my windows.
If the condition of the plastic lid is the only issue with your escape hatch an alternative is to have an aluminum fabrication shop make one using the old lid as a pattern. I did this on our previous 2010 RB and no more problems. (See photos)
I wanted to replace our plastic lid with the metal but could not find anyone to make the lid.
You may feel differently if you rolled your rig onto the side with the door. The escape hatch would now be at ground level, not needing much agility. Or, if your floor is on fire, it may be the only way out. There is a reason why these are included in all RVs. Remove safety features at your own risk!
FYI, to my disappointment, LD discontinued installing the escape hatch several years ago.
We love to leave the hatch open at night and to occasionally stick our heads out to view the stars.
The escape hatch is also a way to access the roof without having to use the ladder.
Larry
Gee, Larry I have been thinking of ways to do it all day and you talk me out of it. Thanks!
Jealous that you can fit through the hatch. Our middles have increased in size since you saw us.
Liam tried to send me the photos last year and I didn't have permission then and still don't. I can view all of his other folders. I have thought about an escape hatch fan for the best of both worlds, but have not come up with a solution yet.
Liam tried to send me the photos last year and I didn't have permission then and still don't. I can view all of his other folders. I have thought about an escape hatch fan for the best of both worlds, but have not come up with a solution yet.
Is the thread visible?
Adding Fan to Escape Hatch (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=33684.msg206040#msg206040)
Larry
No. Text, no pics.
Steve
No. Text, no pics.
Steve
Strange, have no propblem seeing this.
How about this?
Adding Fan to Escape Hatch (https://www.lazydazeowners.com/index.php?topic=33684.0)
Larry
I see the text, but pics have an replacement image that says "Sorry, you are not allowed to view this file. Make sure you are connected to the server"
First image is linked to
https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4202
Second is '4203'
I see the text, but pics have an replacement image that says "Sorry, you are not allowed to view this file. Make sure you are connected to the server"
First image is linked to https://www.lazydazeowners.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=4202
Second is '4203'
Looks like a programing issue that will need the attention of the site’s owners, the webmaster.
Larry
It should be fixed now, please give it another try.
Yes, fixed! Thank you.
It should be fixed now, please give it another try.
Thanks Steve!
Larry