My dream came true: Lazy Daze Ownership! Ladeze Club, here I come!

Topic: My dream came true: Lazy Daze Ownership! Ladeze Club, here I come! (Read 881 times) previous topic - next topic

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July 26, 2021, 01:14:36 am

***MY LAZY DAZE DREAM HAS COME TRUE --- SOMEONE PINCH ME PLEASE**

Here's the the short story:

I purchased a 2003 26' Mid-Bath, Blue with only 36,000 miles on her from the nicest couple you'd ever want to meet - right from this very forum.   They were honorable, kind, friendly and it was a pleasure to purchase from them. I'd hazard a guess to say that if I'd met them some other way, we'd end up friends.   All in all I feel very, very lucky indeed. I will be the 3rd owner of this particular rig, but this is my first RV.   I like to think I'm doing it right the first time.   She is in phenomenal shape, just needs some basic minor maintenance (as they all do).   My long held dream for a mid-bath has come true right down to the color I had in mind. Let's face facts, I would have purchased her at any color, but blue is my dream color!!   I mean, it's even BLUE - This was meant to be. I am over over the moon.

Like Katie who also posted on the forum about purchasing her LD a few days ago, I may or may not have stopped around the corner after having paid the deposit, hopped out of my car and did a WOO HOO! happy dance right there in the middle of the (residential) street! Ahem.

Here's the longer story if ya got time or feel interested but the above has the pertinent facts:

A bit about me and my LD journey -

I'm located in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'm a single mom, and an older parent.. in fact I'm more of a grand parent age, but that's ok.    I'm over 50 and I have a 7 year old daughter. I'm financially set to retire in two years at age 54.5 (I'm one of those very lucky people with a kick-ass pension that I will have been paying into for 30 years).   I've been dreaming about going full nomad when I retire and that's been my plan/dream for 20+ years.   I've had my heart set on a Lazy Daze for the past 7 years.   Before I had my daughter I was planning on doing something like a Road Trek, Sprinter Van, that sort of thing, but once she made her magnificent and life-changing appearance, my dream had to pivot a little.   Hey, some people can raise 3 kids in a van but that ain't me for sure.   My daughter will be road schooled when we go and the education she'll get from traveling the USA including Alaska as well as Canada will be priceless!

My love affair with Lazy Daze started back in early 2014 when my friends invited me on a trip in their Class A.   We spent 2 nights in an RV park on the way to our destination and we happened to assigned a space right next to a LD. Well, I got to talking to the owners because honestly, I just love people and I'd strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere, anytime. I was intrigued by the Retro look of the outside and had never been in one, so after talking to them for a bit, I got real bold and asked for a tour. I'd been to dozens and dozens of RV shows at that point but I'd never been inside a LD there.   That day I learned that was because LD is doesn't have dealerships and are factory direct.   No middle men to jack up the price.

That couple should have been paid ambassadors for the brand. They not only gladly gave me a very through tour of their mid-bath (inside and out) but they talked about how much they loved their LD, about the quality and the camaraderie with other LD owners.   (Hello to Dave & Edna if you are on here!)   I have to say, it was LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. That wrap around window in the back? ::swoon:   I immediately saw what a wonderful set up it would be for me and my daughter.

Since that day I have read everything I can get my hands on and hearing about so many happy owners and the quality -- well, that just clinched it for me. I must have watched a hundreds of videos in or about LD of all kinds.   Heck, I've even read the Owner's Manual even though I didn't own one yet (thank you eBay).

I honestly didn't expect to buy a Lazy Daze right now.   They get snapped up so fast!! Doubly so since the pandemic, plus the prizes are... wow. Yeah. So I assumed it would be much more difficult to find the right rig than it turned out to be.   As it turns out, I simply got very, very lucky and I'm thrilled.

Ahem.   Have I ever driven a 26' foot vehicle before, you may ask? Why, no.. no I haven't. So my good friend came with me and we found an empty parking lot to practice first. It was much easier than I anticipated, though still nerve wracking. I'm short and I don't like not being able to see directly behind me.   I also have to figure out if the driver's seat can raise on an LD and if not, I'm going to get myself a little booster seat. Oh and as I'm only 5'3" and I didn't see a way to lower the steering wheel at all so I feel like I'm looking over granny's steering wheel. Yeah, a little booster is in my future, mostly likely. It was TRIAL BY FIRE but I drove her across a long, windy bridge and 75 miles to her new home while my friend gave me tips and pointers. Bless him for being so calm. Mostly I have to learn to give WAY more space between me and whatever in front of me than I do in my zippy Honda Accord.    Anyway, I'm patting myself on the back - I did it!

I have a long list of projects I want to do to make her a full time home on wheels ready but now I have two years to make that happen while I downsize my possessions, take her on some mini-adventures, etc.   (Kick-ass solar set up and internet for starters but there's a long list). FOR SURE my very first purchase/install will be a backup camera.   My daughter is too young to direct and as a single person I cannot imagine trying to back that thing up blindly all the time or getting in/out of the driver's seat 20 times to check.

I will be joining both the Ladeze Club and the Caravan Club and I cannot wait to meet folks in person.   I'm sad I'll miss the Ladeze gathering this year, but it's already fully books and besides, I'm not ready to take her on such a long journey. We have prep to do. The first owners were Caravan members and it already has a number!   Today I was day dreaming about paying someone to caravan with me and my daughter for a short and sweet weekend or 3-4 day trip originating in the SF Bay Area to be an in person Lazy Daze 101 crash course while we camped. Crazy thought?

Mark my words I will be on here asking 100's of questions and getting advice. No matter how much I've read or watched, I'm still 100% an RV newbie.

She's in RV Storage about an hour away and I'll only be able to go check on her about every 2-3 weeks or so for the time being. I won't be able to take here anywhere for a few months due to our current schedule which is already packed.   But after that, we'll be taking her out weekends and whenever my daughter has a school break.

My FIRST questions:

In general, what are best practices for outdoor storage where you can only get there once every 2-3 weeks?
If I just have enough time to stop by and make sure everything is good, is running the engine for 15 minutes every two or three weeks good enough or necessary? Or could I get away with doing that the same day as I go to exercise the generator once a month?
Should I disconnect the engine battery?
Anything else I'm not thinking of? Anything to watch out for? Any and all tips, tricks, pointers, advice and even jokes are welcome.

Here's stuff that may be pertinent.

She does have one small solar panel on top.
I don't have a Tarp or RV Cover and I'm not sure I'd even get one because I am not at all confident that I could get it on by myself. I'm 5'3" and not very strong but willing to be convinced it's not that hard (if it's not that hard).
There is a windshield cover that came with it and I put on. Two of the tires are are also covered. I'll be getting another set.
Fridge and freezer doors were left open and all the blinds are shut.

Let me get out of here before I write a novel. Thank you, everyone, I've been lurking here for awhile now and it's such a welcoming and friendly place. Thank you to the fantastic folks who sold her to me! My and my daughter are looking forward to many adventures and to getting out to meet fellow lucky LD owners!