Lazy Daze experience...
Raveler
40). I was lucky to find a used 22' rear dinette model (1985-sleeps my
family of four) that had only 32,000 miles on it for $13,000. Brought
from an 85 year old couple, who decided to retire from RVing. I have had
it for 3 years now. It was in great condition inside and out. After a
few minor maintenance details(tires, shocks, paint needed rubbing out),
it looks and runs as good as new. A new 22' runs about $45,000+.
The owners at Lazy Daze are old, gruff, stuck in their ways, and not
very friendly when it comes to customer service...especially when you
bought a used one! When I started looking for a motorhome (sold a travel
trailer), they looked "down" at me for buying a used rig ("...you'll
have problems with leaks, you need the newer features, etc..."). I was
sort of a "second class citizen" to them.
...long story short...After buying parts from them (usually no more than
a few bucks at a time, and asking a million questions), they started to
get to know me. Then, I needed to replace the awning after it filled up
with rain unexpectadley and bent the whole frame. When Paul (the owner
who deals with most customer issues) saw my 13 year old rig, he said,
"...hmmmm, this is a pretty clean unit..." and started to really help
me. He noticed some electrolysis(aluminum's version of rust) happening
in the nose of the cabover which signified a leak. He was right. The
cabover window had leaked for awhile (the previous owners probably
didn't notice), and the bed platform area was pretty soaked and rotted.
They no longer use windows in the nose of the cabover because they had
repeated problems with leaking after a few years. They replaced the
awning, and he said if I prepped the nose area(remove all wet wood,
window, and nose piece), it would save me alot of money and they could
rebuild the bed platform, nose, re-seal the window, and paint. They went
beyond what he said they would do with their craftmanship in the nose
interior. My rig is now in top shape, thanks to Paul's honest approach.
It was pretty easy to disassemble the nose piece, it saved me about
$1,000, and was sort of a fun project.
Even though I spent about $2,000(awning, nose repair), I have still
saved a bundle over a new one. It drives, handles, and tows my 20-ft
boat very nicely without any rattles or creeks what-so-ever. Although
the power and gas mileage(over 10mpg) of the new Ford V-10 is very
inviting, the Chevy 350 does the job for now at 7-8 mpg and a steady 60
mph while towing or not.
However, I want to give the folks at Lazy Daze their due...they are
right. Even though they can be, what appears to us customers,
rude...they are mearly cutting to the point of the issue. They are
constantly listening to their customers (who hold on to their rigs for a
long time...try to find a slightly used one that is only a few years
old...they are rare), and changing the design and features to make their
rigs last longer at the suggestion of customers(ie: no more cabover
window to eliminate these leaks, two 6 volt golf cart "house" batteries
instead of one 12 volt...these last ten years and give a much deeper
cycle--we have primitive camped for two weeks at Lake Powell without a
generator, just the house batteries, no recharging!). They make the
highest quality product they can, and they know it. The couple I bought
mine from had two Lazy Daze rigs before this one. I plan to buy a 26-1/2
mid bath model when the time comes...the kids are getting bigger (about
$60,000-unless I am lucky enough to find a used one!).
The price of these is not much more than any other class C motorhome
that goes through a dealer network. The middleman is cut out of the
picture. If these went through a dealer...add $10,000+. The insulation,
deep tinted windows, low center of gravity, top chassis and engine
available(now the Ford V-10...best power and gas mileage, yet...the
Chevy 350 was their personal favorite until now), durable upholstery,
ease to work on, and overall attention to detail is admirable in today's
"cookie-cutter" world. Sorry for the cliche, but each coach is really
built one at a time. Unlike the production line of other "dealer-type"
motorhomes that are stapled together.
The Lazy Daze factory is local to me(Montclair/Pomona, Southern CA) and
is run like an old fashion factory. It is small and outdated, the people
who own and run it are old and cranky, with their younger employees
following in the same manner. They don't have computers running their
day. The owners oversee EVERYTHING. See their "no B.S." attitude as just
that...NO B.S. Each coach is made to order with very few options(A/C,
generator, stereo stuff) because everything else is already
included...there is no lot full of rigs waiting to be sold. You will
wait 6 to 8 months to get yours. They even try to talk you out of the
generator and a/c, depending on your planned use of the rig ("...just
another thing to maitain, the evaporative cooler works fine off of the
house batteries unless it is too humid..."). He's right, too. I don't
have a generator or A/C and I don't miss them, except for a few extreme
situations.
I will admit, that most of their designs are aimed at an older market
with two traveling people in mind. The "family" floor plans are few and
don't cater to more than 4 or 5 people for sleeping. And they are not
made to tow big boats or heavy trailers of toys. They tow a small car or
boat(I tow a 20-foot, 4,000lb boat). But if these plans fit your
needs...these are a much better buy than a Fleetwood product or other
mass produced Class C motorhome. If you can find a used one with low
mileage and under 5 years old, it is a rare find. Mine had low mileage,
but was 10 years old when I bought it. I still look in th RV Trader for
the bigger model I would like at this point.
Just my 2 cents...sorry for the long story.
Rob
charles copeland
Raveler <robh...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>I will admit, that most of their designs are aimed at an older market
>with two traveling people in mind. The "family" floor plans are few and
>don't cater to more than 4 or 5 people for sleeping. And they are not
>made to tow big boats or heavy trailers of toys. They tow a small car or
>boat(I tow a 20-foot, 4,000lb boat). But if these plans fit your
>needs...these are a much better buy than a Fleetwood product or other
>mass produced Class C motorhome. If you can find a used one with low
>mileage and under 5 years old, it is a rare find. Mine had low mileage,
>but was 10 years old when I bought it. I still look in th RV Trader for
>the bigger model I would like at this point.
>
>Just my 2 cents...sorry for the long story.
>
>Rob
Great info. Good to here some first hand info on the famed
Lazy Daze. I've never seen one close up, but always heard they
were on the top of the list for quality. Look forward to hearing
your future experiences with this RV.
Mo
Just want to say that I owned a 1981 Lazy Daze for a few years up until abut
3 years ago, and what you say is very true. I stopped by the factory and
found the people to be just as you say - and the product is as good as you
say.
Mo
Raveler wrote:
--
For information on:
- Car rentals in North America
- General info for visitors to Canada
- General info about B.C. (British Columbia)
- Accommodation, Tours & more in B.C.
- A bit about Oregon & the U.S. Southwest
- Net sites relating to the above & more!
Go to:
http://www.cow-net.com/modrew/index.htm
Gustave A. Weber, Jr.
I took delivery of a mid-bath model in September and wish I had found it 25
years and 5 coaches ago! I chuckle when I read on this BB that "The rig had
the normal number of new motorhome problems." - I have seen precious few. A
month ago, at the Los Angeles RV show, I found beautiful two-tone wood
cabinets in a $439,000 coach, but NONE of the cabinet doors were hung
evenly. This told me three things - the craftsman(?) didn't care, no one
inspected his work, and I was the one who would have to make sure such a rig
is safe to drive. On my Lazy Daze, the BACK of every cabinet door and every
drawer is finished with a wood cover trim, and everything is hung
perfectly. The only staples I have found to date are those holding the
carpeting down in the exterior storage. And when you tour the factory, you
will see quality control actions all over the place.
As for employee arrogance, I encountered that too. I wanted a storage pod
on the roof and what I got was "What? I spend 25 years trying to make an
aerodynamic and balanced coach and you want what?" They finally agreed that
if I used it a while and still needed it, they would install it for the same
price as if done on a new rig. And guess what? They were right! We have
loaded for long trips and still have stowage unused! And when I had the rig
weighed loaded for our first long trip, I still had 1,400 lb. of available
storage! They also insisted on a test drive and made me undergo emergency
avoidance and stopping maneuvers to show that the coach kept perfect
control. It leaned, but it kept its footing.
My coach did not take 6 months to make; it was 3 months almost to the day.
They encouraged me to come to the factory frequently and watch the progress!
It's been a pure delight ever since. People, LOOK CAREFULLY at your
motorhomes before you buy. Join the RV Consumer's group and learn how to
inspect them. And run from poor quality.
Happy Trails and a safe RV to you.
Gus
Raveler
> Great info. Good to here some first hand info on the famed
> Lazy Daze. I've never seen one close up, but always heard they
> were on the top of the list for quality. Look forward to hearing
> your future experiences with this RV.
...I knew I had to have one the first time I really started noticing
motorhomes. "Class A or Class C?", I kept asking myself and friends when
we started think about getting a motorhome because we also wanted to get
a boat down the line. We were camping in a travel trailer at Jalama
Beach (near Lompoc, CA) when I saw two Lazy Daze rigs pull in. No other
Class C has caught my eye since. I wish I could justify the cost a new
26-1/2 midbath model!
Rob
Steve Moline
What is remarkable in its consistancy is not so much the praise for the
quality of the coach, but rather the common criticizms of the employees and
"owners" at Lazy Daze.
My first choice for a spanking brand new Class C rig was Lazy Daze. I
researched and investigated and learned, and then finally called the
factory, anticipating a trip out there to visit and place an order. I spoke
with Paul, who couldn't give me a single answer to any question without
speaking down to me in a caustic, condescending tone. He was the most
UNhelpful person I have ever tried to give $60k to!
I guess I'm just shallow, but when I'm spending that kind of money for
ANYthing, I think the least I should expect is some curteosy and common
decency when I'm asking my questions and making inquiries. There is NO
reason to treat customers like trash, regardless of the quality of your
product.
Raveler <robh...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:366433...@earthlink.net...
Raveler
"turn off" people so they can manage their business easily for the
people who "really want" their product, or what. But just think of how
many more coaches they could sell if they knew anything about treating
people with respect! I had to earn THEIR respect...when it should be the
other way around.
Rob
AJone26
still looking - you are absolutely right about their product! I'd wish you
luck - but we're probably looking for the exact same rig!! LOL
aj
Raveler
...my budget has me "by the wallet", anyway, for the next few
years...our old 22-ft is in great shape and will have to do. The kids
will be "tentin' it" if they start to get too big for the cabover!
Happy Hunting!
Rob
Jerry FitzGerald
If you know someone who wants a perfect 30 foot Lazy Daze please tell them
about mine. It's a 1994 and is in www.traderonline.com and in
www.rv-online.com look among the 30 foot length category for a Lazy Daze.
Best regards,
Jerry FitzGerald
ben.ry...@gmail.com
I've got you beat, I inherited my LD at 29. :) Good info on the awning. I'll check in with the folks at the factory to see if they can find me one.
Ben
Technobarbarian
<ben.ry...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b2aa0e2c-9a85-4757...@googlegroups.com...
>> I am one of the younger people to own a Lazy Daze (bought it at 37, now
>> 40). I was lucky to find a used 22' rear dinette model (1985-sleeps my
>> family of four) that had only 32,000 miles on it for $13,000. Brought
>> from an 85 year old couple, who decided to retire from RVing. I have had
>> it for 3 years now. It was in great condition inside and out. After a
>> few minor maintenance details(tires, shocks, paint needed rubbing out),
>> it looks and runs as good as new. A new 22' runs about $45,000+.
> I've got you beat, I inherited my LD at 29. :) Good info on the awning.
> I'll check in with the folks at the factory to see if they can find me
> one.
finding these old Usenet posts in simple searches. And sometimes responding.
Considering some of the stuff that has been posted here it could be humorous
if some of it was brought back to life. This late '98 post is the oldest
post I've seen yet, but not the funniest. I'm not sure if Ben has Raveler
beat or not?
TB
Ralph E Lindberg
--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv
bill horne
--
bill
Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.