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Topic: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have? (Read 903 times) previous topic - next topic
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Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Hi all...

I'm fairly certain I'll be full-timing in the next 6 months or so, but I'm wrestling with which used LD to buy or if I should buy a bus!  I'm planning to travel, do a lot of rock hunting, writing, etc. with my dog and may possibly rescue another dog to join us.

For those of you who are full-timing, can you tell me which LD you have and the pros and cons of full-timing in it?  My neighbor has a 2001 MB 26.5'. It felt HUGE to drive :-), but a little small for daily living. I think I can get used to the space, but the floor plans are difficult for me to picture as a full-time vehicle.  I'd like to have a full-time bed, so the rear IB seems like a good fit, but I like what Andy did with his rear lounge area too.

Just can't make up my mind.  Any feedback would be extraordinarily welcome :-)

Mimi
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #1 –
Quote from: Opuntia  - 
Hi all...

I'm fairly certain I'll be full-timing in the next 6 months or so, but I'm wrestling with which used LD to buy or if I should buy a bus!  I'm planning to travel, do a lot of rock hunting, writing, etc. with my dog and may possibly rescue another dog to join us.

For those of you who are full-timing, can you tell me which LD you have and the pros and cons of full-timing in it?  My neighbor has a 2001 MB 26.5'. It felt HUGE to drive :-), but a little small for daily living. I think I can get used to the space, but the floor plans are difficult for me to picture as a full-time vehicle.  I'd like to have a full-time bed, so the rear IB seems like a good fit, but I like what Andy did with his rear lounge area too.

Just can't make up my mind.  Any feedback would be extraordinarily welcome :-)

Mimi
Mimi, I suggest you go to Community, click on it and then click on Search. Type in "fulltiming" and select "any words". You will find a plethora of posts regarding this topic, some of which will have to do with layouts. 
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #2 –
Oh gee, thank you.  Sorry for my redundant question. I remembered posts on the subject in the previous forum format, but didn't know how to find them here.

Thank you for your help!
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #3 –
Due to some serious awesome software magic, our moderators have managed to make the old Yahoo threads eminently searchable. I appreciate them every time I use this forum.

If you are rock-hounding, you may need a bigger bus to manage the cargo load!
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #4 –
Wow, all those posts! All that wonderful information!  I'll be busy for quite a while :-)

Yep, thinking I'll fill up my Element before too long. lol  Hmm... might need a bigger toad...
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Opuntia  - 
Yep, thinking I'll fill up my Element before too long. lol  Hmm... might need a bigger toad...

Common mistake of loading up the toad. It's still weight the RV has to pull. The weight is not on the RV chassis, but it counts toward the max weight that the engine and transmission have to handle.

My rule, if it will not fit in 26 foot, you don't need it.
I would not consider a 31, it's close to max weight to start with. And yes I know some FT in them. Just not me.
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #7 –
Hilola, thank you for that clip.  BTDT.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: HiLola  - 
Or you could just get a really long trailer . . .  :)

The Long, Long, Trailer


Hmm...that would have to be really, really, really long.  I guess I could always put the Element up on it as well.  If anyone saw me coming down the road like that, better get off the highway :-)

Love that clip. I remember it well :-)
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Don Malpas  - 
Common mistake of loading up the toad. It's still weight the RV has to pull. The weight is not on the RV chassis, but it counts toward the max weight that the engine and transmission have to handle.

My rule, if it will not fit in 26 foot, you don't need it.
I would not consider a 31, it's close to max weight to start with. And yes I know some FT in them. Just not me.

I'd like a 31 foot just to have more room, but it's just too low. I will likely sell some of the specimens I find, if I find any, so I won't be towing rocks. I'm in the process of getting rid of just about everything, so I don't intend to take much with me. In the end, most of the things I find important, don't take up much room.
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Opuntia  - 
I'd like a 31 foot just to have more room, but it's just too low. I will likely sell some of the specimens I find, if I find any, so I won't be towing rocks. I'm in the process of getting rid of just about everything, so I don't intend to take much with me. In the end, most of the things I find important, don't take up much room.
"I'd like a 31 foot just to have more room, but it's just too low"

Mimi, what do you mean by "it's just too low". All the LDs are the same size except for length. IOW, all floor plans are the same height from the ground up.
Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #11 –
You may have already seen this interview with a lady who full times in a MB with her dog and some cool pastimes.
Paul
'92 Mid Bath
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: paul banbury  - 
You may have already seen this interview with a lady who full times in a MB with her dog and some cool pastimes.

Great interview, Paul!  Thanks so much for sharing that. I'm also trying to determine which model I would like to purchase in the future so it was very helpful!
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Chris Horst  - 
"I'd like a 31 foot just to have more room, but it's just too low"

Mimi, what do you mean by "it's just too low". All the LDs are the same size except for length. IOW, all floor plans are the same height from the ground up.
Chris

Gee sorry, I missed your question!  I saw a video of a 31' foot Lazy Daze getting a tow.  It was pretty scary looking.  It looked like the rear was almost touching the ground.  I guess it's not that it's too low, but it's long for a tow.  Is that right?
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #14 –
Quote from: paul banbury  - 
You may have already seen this interview with a lady who full times in a MB with her dog and some cool pastimes.

I only saw it about 3 days ago.  It's a wonderful interview!  I've watched it several times now.  I love how peaceful and organized her life is now and her LD is awesome!  That interview sold me on the  mid-bath, rear twin sofas.  She made the rear like a family room.  Just love it.

Mimi
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #15 –
Mimi,

Why not sleep in the cabover bed?  When I've traveled with a friend or two without my husband I always sleep up there with two dogs. Plenty of room and as long as you're not driving you can just flop the mattress bedding and all over for the space. For one person in a midbath you really have a bedroom (the cabover), kitchen, bathroom, and living room in the back.

Lisa
2004 MB
 
Re: Full time in a LD Which one? Pros and cons Which one do you have?
Reply #16 –
Lisa, yes, that's perfect!  I thnk the family room in the back is a great place to have folks over, sort the precious gems I find, crochet, knit, read, play with my little Lucy. all while keeping the bedroom separate. I also like the idea that, if I break my neck hunting for rocks, I can recover in the family room!;-)  Andy's modification of the lounge is a tremendous idea too. I may follow his lead. 

I'm thrilled that I've finally settled on a floorplan thanks to everyone in this wonderful forum!
Save a life.
Adopting a pet is the closest a human
will ever come to choosing a relative.
hsus.org  aspca.org
1992 Lazy Daze T/K  23.5' Ford 460 c.i.d./7.6 liter V8 engine, electronic fuel injection, E4OD 4-speed auto transmission
Full time 6/2017