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Topic: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable  (Read 371 times) previous topic - next topic
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Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
We have been RV'ers for over 45yrs have gone from Tent Camping (ouch) to C-Class to A-Class to Fifth Wheels and back to Diesel Pushers to a Bumper Pull 2017.5 Lance Travel Trailer. We LOVE Rv'n but we are not getting any younger. (early 70's) wife has developed a bad back and can not sit or stand for very long. With our Travel Trailer I would have to stop every 30 minutes or less so she could get out and move around.
Which has brought me to this conclusion. We need to sell the trailer and find a Motor Home that is less then 11ft tall (because of storage). We have friend (Budster) who has a Lazy Daze 30ft Island Bed and while talking to him he told me that LD would fit the bill.
It is just the 2 of us so we do not need any slides but we do need something that she can stand up and move and around and most RV's have that huge step up from the cabin to the living area. I have been searching the internet and stumbled across this site..... So here I am..... I hope to sell the Trailer and really start looking...
If you have any advice please feel free.... I do know want anything new because me budget is limited to what I sell the Trailer for..... Thanks for your time..... LeeB70  8) 
Wanna-a-Be
LeeD70
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #1 –
Lee, with your background, you have broad experience, certainly more than I have.  I DO know a lot about my Lazy Daze Midbath.  I am 6' 1" and heavy.  To move from the cab seats to the back, if the area over the cab is folded, I can stand up.  If the area over the cab is flat, I have to crouch for one or two steps before I can straighten up.  There is a slight grade difference from the cab to the back, but it is more a slight ramp of about half an inch than it is a step.

My concern with what you are saying is the chance of a fall if your wife intends to get up and move around while you are driving.  I, too, am in my early 70's, and for us, falls are something to be avoided.  My recommendation is that you stop when she needs to get up.  That may simplify some of your decisions. 

General LazyDaze information -
They are just a bit under 11 feet high.
They do not have slideouts.
They are well made.
If taken care of, they are very durable.
Mine handles nicely.
They have lots of windows, making for a pleasant inside experience.  You don't feel like you are in a cave.
The construction is an aluminum skin over wood body with a fiberglass front cap.
The degree and type of insulation and glass varies with the year.

There are a number of different floor plans.  You can see all the Lazy Daze floor plans on the Lazy Daze web site (which I can't get for you from here because I have a terrible internet connection), but you can search for Lazy Daze RV's and find it. 

I think you will find that most of the folks here love their Lazy Daze RV's.  So, ask away if you have any specific questions.

Ken F in WY
'08 MB
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #2 –
"We have a friend (Budster) who has a Lazy Daze 30ft Island Bed and while talking to him he told me that LD would fit the bill."

Are you absolutely sure you want to listen to that guy "Budster"? He's a shady character!  KIDDING, just kidding, I know that old reprobate myself. He won't steer you wrong. I'm surprised that he didn't clue you into this Forum, he practically lives here.

So, welcome to the group and rest assured that no one here will lead you astray.  ;)

And here's a tip... I'm not sure of the rest of the models and floorplans but the 30/31' models have a very high step into the shower. My wife always complained about that feature!  ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #3 –
Quote from: LeeB70  - 
With our Travel Trailer I would have to stop every 30 minutes or less so she could get out and move around.
Which has brought me to this conclusion.
I believe you will find that almost any tow vehicle will likely have more comfortable seats than a class-C motorhome. And none of the seating locations of a Lazy Daze outside the cab are safe in the event of an accident - even those with belts. I am afraid that almost any choice you make will still need those 30-minute breaks...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #4 –
Lee,

If you can access the Internet, here is a link to the Lazy Daze website. You can access all the current floor plans with interior and exterior photos. Year to year there are minor changes from like floor plans. Motorhome Dealer | Low Profile Motorhome | RV Manufacturer | Quality Motorhome

Just a ‘Heads Up’ when leaving the cab area, especially the passenger seat, be cautious of the rear view monitor (if your rig has one). It can take one to their knees quickly if you forget to duck.

My DW hit her head quite hard once on the monitor. Soon afterward, I wrapped its edges with a faux-wool steering wheel cover. Definitely takes the sting out of any close encounter.

Best wishes on your LD hunt.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #5 –
Thank you all so much and thanks for making me welcome.

To answer some of your concerns, we are well aware about moving around the coach while moving and over the years er have pretty much perfected it. She only gets up on a straight smooth road and if something comes up unforeseen I will tell her to sit AND SHE DOES. Course this was all pre-bad back. We stop for bathroom breaks. That got yucky years ado and WILL NEVER happen again.... Ha ha ha...
We have been friends/acquaintances with "Budster"  before his LD years. He had a Chevy Pick-up with a Lance camper. Thanks for the tip about the shower.
I have been all over the "Lazy Daze" several time and having been in "Budsters" we woiuld like to get something in the $30,000 range 2004 or older (but not to much).... Also thanks for the "Heads Up" lol
Wanna-a-Be
LeeD70
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #6 –
Lee,
About 3 years ago I started looking for a motorhome, trailer, 5th wheel, whatever, as my wife wanted to do some traveling in our impending retirement years.  I am 71 and about to sell my business, my wife is 72.  In any case, I ruled out a trailer and a 5th wheel, even though I already have a gmc truck, because of the moving around and bathroom issue.  Just didnt want to have to pull over every umpteeump minutes to use the bath or stretch or whatever for my wife.  I had an uncle who lives in Topanga and he swore by LD and owned a 24ft unit that we had stayed in many times when visiting.  We could have bought his, but my wife absolutely hated the bathroom and I disliked the driving position.  So we looked at 27 and 31 ft models.  At the time there were a fair number available used.  Not like now, the market has really tightened up due to the covid problems.   In any case we bought a used 31ft IB model and  have found it very liveable.  Someone can sleep or use the bathroom or fix lunch or whatever while moving down the road.  And in particular I like the overhead media center as the driving position is very spacious feeling.  I have spent a lot of time and money to remodel this rig and probably should have bought a newer rig and not done that.  But I didnt want to spend the kind of money it takes for a new or newer rig as I didnt know if we would use it enough to justify.  I also bought an LD because it is a very well made unit and there is a cult of owners that are very informative (aka LarryW and RonB and others).  Finally these units are generally easy to sell used because of limited supply and rabid owners.   Ok thats enough for tonight.  Email or call me if you want.
 
Re: Old Retired RV'ers Looking For Something Easy and Comfortable
Reply #7 –
It sounds like you have put some thought into traveling in the LazyDaze.

You should also know that maintaining one can be either (a) fairly physical or (b) fairly expensive.  You probably experienced this with some of your previous RVs.

Everything is bigger - tires, battery, brakes, and so on.  Changing a tire, for example, requires some significant physical ability.  Fixing common problems like a dead fuel pump or a stuck brake caliper is just tougher than doing the same job on a car. 

If you plan to hire those jobs out (many do!), make sure you have room in the budget.  New tires and a full set of fluid changes (oil / coolant / trans / brake / etc...) can easily set you back $2500.  With a coach from the early 2000's, you always run the possibility of paying up for a new rooftop A/C or fridge or transmission.

I find that the RV is substantially more expensive than keeping up with a similar sized trailer because you also have the equivalent of an extra truck in the deal.

Rich
'03 MB in NC
2003 MB