rv show

[BklynPete]

my buddy frank and i went to a rv show in rockland comm college in ny yesterday, a good thing to do on a cold day. my friend frank is looking to retire from his chiropractic practice pretty soon. he is just starting to look at rv's. his plan is to sell his home and buy an rv and live in it for two years or so exclusively. my plan was to save on paying capital gains tax when my house sells and i move to new mexico. so, i can buy a rv and a new home and have less of a tax bite. i am also thinking of getting it and using it as a moving van to get me and my belongings to my new home. now the question that i am putting out to this astute group. should i go for a 5th wheel toy hauler (5th wheel trailer with a garage in the back) or go for a class c and buy a bike trailer (gasp, i never thought i would ever type those words)

these are my thoughts:
5th wheel toy hauler, is really a neat idea. i will get a duelie gas pick up (either a ford v10 or dodge hemi). i would get a diesel, but there really isn't any advantage. they will both get 10 mpg and diesel is a good $.20 more then regular gas. if i was full timing then the diesel would make sense, since they will go alot more miles then their gas counterparts. the trailer is amazing, it has a queen size bedroom, with full shower and bathroom. i will get two slide outs, one for the bedroom and another for the living area that will afford me more room then the in law apt i now live in. the good thing is if the weather is exceptionally bad, i can unhook the p/u and use it to see sights or visit friends when i might not want to use a bike ( i know, even i have my limits as far as how wet or cold i want to get). the downside of this option is the combo is huge. the other issue is i would have to get out of the truck to get into the trailer for rest stops.

the class c that i looked at, is a 32' tioga fleetwood with a slide out in the bedroom and living area. it's on a ford e450 chassis with a v10 engine. i was really impressed with the layout on this rv. it had a leather couch that was sooo soft and comfortable. the bathroom shower area was huge for a rv and the queen size bed and bedroom was nicely laid out. i would get a motorcycle trailer to tow behind this rig (see, i'm already into the trucking lingo) i like this because when i stop for a rest break, i can stay in the rv and i don't have to start up the a/c or heater to get comfortable as i would in a trailer. also, someone can while driving, start making a meal, take a nap or even use the potty. the downside is if the weather is bad, i will still have to use the bike to get around or drive at least 32' of vehicle around.

so, you see my problem. i also like the idea of being able to use the class c for a complete offset for my capital gains tax, as opposed to only being able to use the trailer price and not the p/u (the p/u will be over half the price of the trailer combo). the difference in pricing is not a big issue. the 5th wheel and p/u would run around $70k or so ( i figure $40k for the p'u and $30k for the trailer). the class c with a trailer would run around $65k ($62k for the rv and $3k for the trailer) so, guys and girls, i would love to hear your thoughts and experiences with either types of vehicles. :type

[Motorman]

Pete,

We REALLY need to talk!! Full time RV'er here. Unfortunately it would be way more space than the forum and my poor typing skills can allow.

First point. Let me introduce you to a fantastic RV club forum. You do not have to be a member to read and post on the forum. You will have to register but it's an open forum. There is TONS if information about RV'ing, full timing and carrying a bike. FWIW I don't know of anyone who full times in a "toy box" rig. the forum is at this site. www.escapees.com , go to the forums and look at all the categories. I post there under a similar "handle". I use the rig pictured in my avatar here.

I would definitely reconsider the diesel vs gs situation. The mileage figures you have are very far off. Example, the Dodge 1 ton dually gets 20+ MPG solo and usually over 13 towing a heavy 5th wheel. My old 97 F350 dually got 16 to 17 solo and 10 to 12 towing a 14k lb 5th wheel. The savings in mileage plus the durability and towing capacity of the powerplant out weigh the gas situation in my experiance. Trailer Life Magaizine prints a tow guide once a year covering all the likely tow vehicles for RVers including 5th wheel and "bumper pullers". I have a copy and can help with some figures later on if you like. You can overload these 1 ton trucks pretty quickly depending on what trailer you get.

For a motorhome it's a wash as the diesel ones are far more expensive than the gassers and you'd have to own it a while to break even on fuel. The diesels are better pullers and tow vehicles if you drag a trailer behind it.

I can send you my phone number in a PM if youd like and we can chat about you and your buddies plans. There are things to look out for that you generally don't learn except by experiance. Some more grizzled RV'ers helped us and we return the favor to other "newbies".

[RustyJC]

Pulling the same 5th wheel RV (our previous one), our Dodge 3500 dually with V-10, 47RE automatic and 3.54 rear axle managed 6.5 MPG. Our current Dodge 3500 dually with Cummins HO diesel, NV5600 6-speed manual and 4.10 rear axle would get 10.5 MPG when it was stock over the same route and would maintain a higher average speed.

Yes, the diesel option is more expensive, but in addition to better fuel consumption and longer life (unless you buy the Ford 6.0L - my best advice is don't), you'll recoup most if not all the cost of the diesel option in resale value.

If you come over to the forums on iRV2.com (no cost to join), you'll find an active group of toyhaulers as well as motorhome owners who will be glad to share their experiences and recommendations.

Rusty

[cjack]

my buddy frank and i went to a rv show in rockland comm college in ny yesterday, a good thing to do on a cold day. my friend frank is looking to retire from his chiropractic practice pretty soon. he is just starting to look at rv's. his plan is to sell his home and buy an rv and live in it for two years or so exclusively. my plan was to save on paying capital gains tax when my house sells and i move to new mexico. so, i can buy a rv and a new home and have less of a tax bite. i am also thinking of getting it and using it as a moving van to get me and my belongings to my new home. now the question that i am putting out to this astute group. should i go for a 5th wheel toy hauler (5th wheel trailer with a garage in the back) or go for a class c and buy a bike trailer (gasp, i never thought i would ever type those words) snip
:type

I don't know your situation, but there is a relief for that tax...I guess you know all this but...
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provided a new exclusion for gain from the sale of a principal residence. The exclusion is $250,000, or $500,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. This exclusion can be used only once every two years. The principal residence must have been lived in as such for two of the five immediately preceding years. Gain in excess of the exclusion is taxable, usually as long-term capital gain.

For other reasons, I have thought about the motor homes with the garage in the back and lift gate...

[BklynPete]

Pete,

We REALLY need to talk!! Full time RV'er here. Unfortunately it would be way more space than the forum and my poor typing skills can allow.

First point. Let me introduce you to a fantastic RV club forum. You do not have to be a member to read and post on the forum. You will have to register but it's an open forum. There is TONS if information about RV'ing, full timing and carrying a bike. FWIW I don't know of anyone who full times in a "toy box" rig. the forum is at this site. www.escapees.com , go to the forums and look at all the categories. I post there under a similar "handle". I use the rig pictured in my avatar here.

I would definitely reconsider the diesel vs gs situation. The mileage figures you have are very far off. Example, the Dodge 1 ton dually gets 20+ MPG solo and usually over 13 towing a heavy 5th wheel. My old 97 F350 dually got 16 to 17 solo and 10 to 12 towing a 14k lb 5th wheel. The savings in mileage plus the durability and towing capacity of the powerplant out weigh the gas situation in my experiance. Trailer Life Magaizine prints a tow guide once a year covering all the likely tow vehicles for RVers including 5th wheel and "bumper pullers". I have a copy and can help with some figures later on if you like. You can overload these 1 ton trucks pretty quickly depending on what trailer you get.

For a motorhome it's a wash as the diesel ones are far more expensive than the gassers and you'd have to own it a while to break even on fuel. The diesels are better pullers and tow vehicles if you drag a trailer behind it.

I can send you my phone number in a PM if youd like and we can chat about you and your buddies plans. There are things to look out for that you generally don't learn except by experiance. Some more grizzled RV'ers helped us and we return the favor to other "newbies".

thanks for the link, i will look at it. i got a link for the good sam club that gave me some insight, but speaking to someone is always better. please send me your phone number and i will call you. it looks like you think i am going to be a full timer, but that isn't so. my friend frank wants to, not me. i will go on weekend and maybe a week trip a few times a year. i thought i read that the towing mileage would be around 10 mpg whether i use a gas or diesel, i guess that info is wrong. i was also told by the rv salesman and i'm guessing he has no axe to grind since he wouldn't be selling me a p/u truck. i do like the dodge with the cummins engine and allison tranny. i also like the looks of the ford duellie and i understand their diesel is a good one too. i can at this time buy whichever one that would make sense. by "toy box" you mean the class c. if and when i do go full time, i will probably look at a class a, but now i kind of like the class c. we can talk about that later.

[BklynPete]

Pulling the same 5th wheel RV (our previous one), our Dodge 3500 dually with V-10, 47RE automatic and 3.54 rear axle managed 6.5 MPG. Our current Dodge 3500 dually with Cummins HO diesel, NV5600 6-speed manual and 4.10 rear axle would get 10.5 MPG when it was stock over the same route and would maintain a higher average speed.

Yes, the diesel option is more expensive, but in addition to better fuel consumption and longer life (unless you buy the Ford 6.0L - my best advice is don't), you'll recoup most if not all the cost of the diesel option in resale value.

If you come over to the forums on iRV2.com (no cost to join), you'll find an active group of toyhaulers as well as motorhome owners who will be glad to share their experiences and recommendations.

Rusty

well, sounds like two votes for the 5th wheel trailer with a diesel duellie p/u truck. i take it you like the standard shift over the automatic tranny on the dodge truck. i thought the new trannies made the difference between standard shift and autos less of a difference in gas mileage. well, i'll save some money on getting a stick instead of an auto, so i guess that will be a good thing. i just figured it would make life easier with the auto, especially pulling a large trailer behind me. i also heard good things about the allison auto trans that dodge is using.

[BklynPete]

I don't know your situation, but there is a relief for that tax...I guess you know all this but...
The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 provided a new exclusion for gain from the sale of a principal residence. The exclusion is $250,000, or $500,000 for married taxpayers filing a joint return. This exclusion can be used only once every two years. The principal residence must have been lived in as such for two of the five immediately preceding years. Gain in excess of the exclusion is taxable, usually as long-term capital gain.

For other reasons, I have thought about the motor homes with the garage in the back and lift gate...

yes, jack, but even with the credit, i would be subject to capital gains tax because of the value of my old home versus the cost of the new place i am looking to buy in new mexico. housing here in new canaan is pretty pricey compared to most parts of the country, but the good news is where i am moving to, i can just write a check for the new place and that's a good thing. i just want to limit the amount to uncle sam.

[dancogan]

Just to add my motorhome experience to the mix. Our first motorhome was a gas Class A with the Ford Triton V10. It was a very reliable engine, that produced power up around 3-4,000 rpm. A bit noisy, but worked well, even pulling our Ford Explorer behind it. We got about 7.5 mpg if we weren't towing anything, and about 6-6.5 mpg with the car behind.

Our current motorhome is another Class A, but it's a diesel pusher with a Cat 330 hp turbo in it. It will go anywhere, and never slow down. We tend to average around 9-10 mpg, towing a Honda Accord. It's 37.5' long, and coupled with a 6 speed Allison transmission it's been great. The ride of a diesel is wonderful, due to the computer controlled air suspension.

Now we're considering trading down in size to a Class C. The diesel is expensive to maintain. Insurance is high, due to its value. State licensing is outrageous, because it, too, is based upon MSRP. And then there are tires at around $400 each, oil changes once a year at around $350-380 (including the generator), and having to go through truck stops rather than regular gas stations. Diesel fuel on your hands or shoes smells! All in all, I think I'll just feel better knowing I don't have quite so much tied up in the motorhome.

[CoreyF]

Give a thought too on future depreciation, insurance costs, and whether you can maybe replace another vehicle you currently drive with the truck. My aunt and her husband bought a new class A (39 foot I think) in 1999 in order to full-time it (I realize you will be PT for now). They didn't want a 5th wheel for some of the reasons you mentioned : sleep/cook/restroom while driving, etc... They now say they wish they had gotten the 5th wheel. Some things to consider:

1) They still needed a car to get around for shopping/bad weather/etc... and had to tow one behind them. The towed vehicle still wears out/ages.
2) Once the motorhome (or trailer for that matter) is parked / leveled / hooked up to utilities you really won't want to have to move it.
3) A low mileage, heavy-duty truck will hold it's value very well because it is desired by not just RVers, but also contractors, race car and boat hobbyists, etc....
4) The motorhome may not appeal to others due to floorplan, color scheme, mileage/maintenance/age concerns and it has no uses other than camping. My aunt has been trying to sell theirs for over a year (beautiful, low mileage unit advertised at well below 'book' value) without success. The market is full of used RVs (and heavy competition from discounted new ones), baby boomers and others with the money to buy one would rather spend 80K on a new one than spend 45K on a 6 yr old one, dealers will want to give you low wholesale so they can afford to have it sit on their lot for a while, etc...
5) Think of how the plumbing, electrical, heating systems, etc...react to vibrating down the highway for hours. If you have any problems with these (as well as drivetrain problems )--and you will--- in your motorhome that you cannot fix yourself, you are forced to sleep in the parking lot of the an RV dealer or heavy-truck dealership while parts are ordered and they fit you into their schedule. At least with a separate truck / 5th wheel you can just drop off the half of the combo that needs the work done on it.
6) A truck can always be used to haul a bike in a pinch--eliminating the need to have a dedicated cycle trailer with you all the time (or moving your main toy hauler).

Hope this gives you and your buddy some food for thought.

[BklynPete]

Give a thought too on future depreciation, insurance costs, and whether you can maybe replace another vehicle you currently drive with the truck. My aunt and her husband bought a new class A (39 foot I think) in 1999 in order to full-time it (I realize you will be PT for now). They didn't want a 5th wheel for some of the reasons you mentioned : sleep/cook/restroom while driving, etc... They now say they wish they had gotten the 5th wheel. Some things to consider:

1) They still needed a car to get around for shopping/bad weather/etc... and had to tow one behind them. The towed vehicle still wears out/ages.
2) Once the motorhome (or trailer for that matter) is parked / leveled / hooked up to utilities you really won't want to have to move it.
3) A low mileage, heavy-duty truck will hold it's value very well because it is desired by not just RVers, but also contractors, race car and boat hobbyists, etc....
4) The motorhome may not appeal to others due to floorplan, color scheme, mileage/maintenance/age concerns and it has no uses other than camping. My aunt has been trying to sell theirs for over a year (beautiful, low mileage unit advertised at well below 'book' value) without success. The market is full of used RVs (and heavy competition from discounted new ones), baby boomers and others with the money to buy one would rather spend 80K on a new one than spend 45K on a 6 yr old one, dealers will want to give you low wholesale so they can afford to have it sit on their lot for a while, etc...
5) Think of how the plumbing, electrical, heating systems, etc...react to vibrating down the highway for hours. If you have any problems with these (as well as drivetrain problems )--and you will--- in your motorhome that you cannot fix yourself, you are forced to sleep in the parking lot of the an RV dealer or heavy-truck dealership while parts are ordered and they fit you into their schedule. At least with a separate truck / 5th wheel you can just drop off the half of the combo that needs the work done on it.
6) A truck can always be used to haul a bike in a pinch--eliminating the need to have a dedicated cycle trailer with you all the time (or moving your main toy hauler).

Hope this gives you and your buddy some food for thought.

great points cory, this is the reason why i wanted to post my wants desires and cencerns. it looks like the 5th wheel setup is gaining the lead.

[BklynPete]

Just to add my motorhome experience to the mix. Our first motorhome was a gas Class A with the Ford Triton V10. It was a very reliable engine, that produced power up around 3-4,000 rpm. A bit noisy, but worked well, even pulling our Ford Explorer behind it. We got about 7.5 mpg if we weren't towing anything, and about 6-6.5 mpg with the car behind.

Our current motorhome is another Class A, but it's a diesel pusher with a Cat 330 hp turbo in it. It will go anywhere, and never slow down. We tend to average around 9-10 mpg, towing a Honda Accord. It's 37.5' long, and coupled with a 6 speed Allison transmission it's been great. The ride of a diesel is wonderful, due to the computer controlled air suspension.

Now we're considering trading down in size to a Class C. The diesel is expensive to maintain. Insurance is high, due to its value. State licensing is outrageous, because it, too, is based upon MSRP. And then there are tires at around $400 each, oil changes once a year at around $350-380 (including the generator), and having to go through truck stops rather than regular gas stations. Diesel fuel on your hands or shoes smells! All in all, I think I'll just feel better knowing I don't have quite so much tied up in the motorhome.

a vote for a class c. i know i wasn't even thinking about a class a, i kind of wondered about the mailtenance costs of a class a unit. someone else pointed out the comvienence of just dropping off the trailer for maint or repairs. i guess since i will have the bike that may not be an issue, but still food for thought. have you thought about a 5th wheel trailer? the non toy haulers really have a large amount of living space in them.

[BklynPete]

well, i want to thank motorman and all of you that sent posts to my rv issues. i had a great talk with motorman last night and because the dodge diesel duellie that i was looking at did not have the towing capacity of the trailer that i was looking to buy; i decided to get the class c and use a m/c trailer for my bike(s). i really did not want to look at or buy anything larger then the truck i was looking at. it's still a toss up between a motorhome and a trailer and we all have to make decisions that make sense to our wants and needs. again, thanks to all of you that helped me make my decision. :clap

[CoreyF]

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you made a good, informed choice based on your current needs. Too many people let their hearts overload their common sense (like falling in love with a truck and then finding out too late that the tow capacity won't do what they want it to). Drop a post later after you've lived with it for a while and let us know how it's going (I've thought about doing something similar when I'm nearer retirement). Now get out there and have a ball !!!
:wave

[dancogan]

Peter, congratulations on your decision! What type of motorhome did you end up with? We tow our motorcycle behind a Kendon trailer. Although it's an open trailer, it has a fairly tall stone guard attached. The best part of it is that the Kendon trailer folds, and then can be stored in my garden shed standing up. However, it would be nice to have an enclosed trailer to better protect the bike and provide some additional storage room.

[BklynPete]

Congratulations!!! Sounds like you made a good, informed choice based on your current needs. Too many people let their hearts overload their common sense (like falling in love with a truck and then finding out too late that the tow capacity won't do what they want it to). Drop a post later after you've lived with it for a while and let us know how it's going (I've thought about doing something similar when I'm nearer retirement). Now get out there and have a ball !!!
:wave

thanks cory, it really is hard not to use your heart (ego) to make a decision when it involves anything with wheels. we happen to be in a very egocentric culture, but fortunately because of the bikes that we ride (this is a bmw forum), we also use the right side of our brain every once in awhile too. :type

[BklynPete]

Peter, congratulations on your decision! What type of motorhome did you end up with? We tow our motorcycle behind a Kendon trailer. Although it's an open trailer, it has a fairly tall stone guard attached. The best part of it is that the Kendon trailer folds, and then can be stored in my garden shed standing up. However, it would be nice to have an enclosed trailer to better protect the bike and provide some additional storage room.

thanks dan,
this is only part one of my quest, now the fun begins to see which manufacturer gets my scheckles. it will be easier to get a class c compared to a 5th wheel toy hauler, (every rv lot has class c's, but not every one has the toy hauler) so the fun is only begginning. i also have to wait til the dust settles on the sale of my home and my divorce, but once all that is done; i will be heading west. :dance

[Visian]

thanks dan,
this is only part one of my quest, now the fun begins to see which manufacturer gets my scheckles.

Pete - If you're going Class C, I strongly recommend Lazy Daze. (http://www.lazydaze.com)

Their web site doesn't look like much, and the company tends to take a very conservative approach to the bells and whistles (i.e. slide outs) but after extensive research into this, we chose this supplier because they have the highest commitment to build quality of anyone we saw, other than Chinook, (http://www.chinookrv.com/about_us.html) which are very cool, but cost a lot more.

Lazy Daze hand-builds each unit, and puts in high-quality components. You can only buy them direct from the factory... and since there is no middleman, they take that margin and spend it on upgrades materials. For instance, the siding is aluminum that is painted with Imron-class paint. And the bed in the back is bigger than a king-size, which is unique in the industry (most are very small queens) and folds back into two couches during the day, so you get dual use from that part of the coach. And check the rear windows in the pic below... you won't find that kind of view in any other coach.

In addition to build quality, another reason I chose the Lazy Daze is that it has the best road manners of all that I tried. One key reason why is that there is no "cellar"... meaning that the coach can sit lower and not be so tippy. It was important for the thing to be easy for my wife to drive, as she is not, um... an overly skilled driver. Our coach drives like a car and we can easily take it anywhere we wish.

One thing to note is that there is a lot of very poorly built crap out there, and speaking of crap... the one reason I am not totally satisfied with our Lazy Daze is that is it build on a Ford platform featuring their totally POS V-10.

As we drove our coach home from the factory in California, the motor blew up with <800 miles on it. The replacement motor started making what sounded like pre-ignition noise just before the thing went out of warranty... and no matter what I do, I cannot get Ford to fix the problem.

Our coach now has 50K on the clock, I am not sure whether the noise we're hearing is pre-ignition or something else terminal (or not...), but it sure is a big disappointment to be driving down the road is what is a very well-built product worrying whether the engine is going to go T.U. in the middle of nowhere.

http://www.visian.nu/images/stillwell_texas.jpg

A trailer is a good option for the bikes. We also have an enclosed trailer from Hi-Point, which is an excellent trailer, but difficult to find these days.

Good luck with your search.

Ian

[BklynPete]

Pete - If you're going Class C, I strongly recommend Lazy Daze. (http://www.lazydaze.com)

Their web site doesn't look like much, and the company tends to take a very conservative approach to the bells and whistles (i.e. slide outs) but after extensive research into this, we chose this supplier because they have the highest commitment to build quality of anyone we saw, other than Chinook, (http://www.chinookrv.com/about_us.html) which are very cool, but cost a lot more.

Lazy Daze hand-builds each unit, and puts in high-quality components. You can only buy them direct from the factory... and since there is no middleman, they take that margin and spend it on upgrades materials. For instance, the siding is aluminum that is painted with Imron-class paint. And the bed in the back is bigger than a king-size, which is unique in the industry (most are very small queens) and folds back into two couches during the day, so you get dual use from that part of the coach. And check the rear windows in the pic below... you won't find that kind of view in any other coach.

In addition to build quality, another reason I chose the Lazy Daze is that it has the best road manners of all that I tried. One key reason why is that there is no "cellar"... meaning that the coach can sit lower and not be so tippy. It was important for the thing to be easy for my wife to drive, as she is not, um... an overly skilled driver. Our coach drives like a car and we can easily take it anywhere we wish.

One thing to note is that there is a lot of very poorly built crap out there, and speaking of crap... the one reason I am not totally satisfied with our Lazy Daze is that is it build on a Ford platform featuring their totally POS V-10.

As we drove our coach home from the factory in California, the motor blew up with <800 miles on it. The replacement motor started making what sounded like pre-ignition noise just before the thing went out of warranty... and no matter what I do, I cannot get Ford to fix the problem.

Our coach now has 50K on the clock, I am not sure whether the noise we're hearing is pre-ignition or something else terminal (or not...), but it sure is a big disappointment to be driving down the road is what is a very well-built product worrying whether the engine is going to go T.U. in the middle of nowhere.

http://www.visian.nu/images/stillwell_texas.jpg

A trailer is a good option for the bikes. We also have an enclosed trailer from Hi-Point, which is an excellent trailer, but difficult to find these days.

Good luck with your search.

Ian

thanks visian,
i like your setup and the sight was very interesting. i take it you have to go to the west coast to buy and p/u your rv. i was wondering if the prices were what you pay, or do they discount. the assumption is what you see is what you pay. i know from reading posts at different rv forums, it seems 25% off of list is the goal, with this is mind, i am using $65k as a base figure for what i am looking for. i would want a unit with a stand alone bedroom, i really don't want to be setting up a bed every evening. after seeing what can be done with slideouts, i tend to look for units with them because of the extra room they give you. i saw a tioga fleetwood whose interior blew me away, so i am using that rv as my baseline for what i will be looking to buy. your problems with the ford v10 is very interesting and troublesome, it seems just about every class c that i've seen has that chassis and engine combo. i know there are a few with other combo's, but again the majority is the ford v10. i know i've seen some with large chevy engines, maybe that would be a good thing to look for. i haven't seen any posts on different rv sites that point out the problems that you have, not saying that your problem doesn't exist, but maybe it's just bad luck. although, one time maybe bad luck, but having two issues with different engines sounds more like a trend. my finger's are crossed that your present engine doesn't decide to commit suicide on you. :dunno

[Visian]

thanks visian,
i like your setup and the sight was very interesting. i take it you have to go to the west coast to buy and p/u your rv. i was wondering if the prices were what you pay, or do they discount. the assumption is what you see is what you pay. i know from reading posts at different rv forums, it seems 25% off of list is the goal, with this is mind, i am using $65k as a base figure for what i am looking for.

Pete - Lazy Daze is a very unique little company that does business their own way... you either like them or you don't! You pay a down payment and then they build your coach to your specs, and you pick it up at their factory. No discounts... don't even ask. :)

When I bought ours, gas was $1 a gallon or less... and demand for RVs was at an all-time high. The business is different now, but knowing those folks, I doubt they've changed at all. A mom and pop business that probably builds <200 year and is very concerned about quality and durability. Ask around on the forums about them... you'll find that the owners are pretty much like beemer owners... picky about quality.


i would want a unit with a stand alone bedroom, i really don't want to be setting up a bed every evening. after seeing what can be done with slideouts, i tend to look for units with them because of the extra room they give you. i saw a tioga fleetwood whose interior blew me away, so i am using that rv as my baseline for what i will be looking to buy.

The floorplan is a very personal issue. We wanted a big bed, and lots of flexibility in configuration.

http://www.lazydaze.com/Floorplans/265mb.gif

That living room in the back is extremely useful during the day, and when you pull out the couches you get by far-and-away the biggest bed in the industry. Our dogs love it! ;) Yet, you can have two beds if you want. And the view from those wrap-around windows is also unique in the industry.

We bought ours primarily to take our son to motocross races around the country... and then to keep for vacation travel. So we needed a gear/change room during the day and a place to sleep at night.

your problems with the ford v10 is very interesting and troublesome, it seems just about every class c that i've seen has that chassis and engine combo. i know there are a few with other combo's, but again the majority is the ford v10. i know i've seen some with large chevy engines, maybe that would be a good thing to look for. i haven't seen any posts on different rv sites that point out the problems that you have, not saying that your problem doesn't exist, but maybe it's just bad luck. although, one time maybe bad luck, but having two issues with different engines sounds more like a trend. my finger's are crossed that your present engine doesn't decide to commit suicide on you. :dunno

thanks. I think we have just plain bad luck because as i cruised around the forums, I found little else than praise for the V-10. It has great power for a coach of this size... we get 10mpg while hauling our covered trailer full of bikes... and 11-12 without.

The big disappointment has been the support from Ford. That damn thing blew up on I-10 about 50 miles east of El Paso, and if you've ever been there you will know how desolate that is. I had meetings scheduled in two days, so we had to fly ourselves home from Atlanta at our own expense... nearly $3K worth of airplane tickets that Ford would not compensate us for.

It was either that, or sit in a hotel for two weeks at our own expense.

When it was repaired, I asked for direct proof that a new engine was installed and was refused. I am suspicious that the engine was repaired and not replaced. The noise it makes now is very similar to pre-ignition except it is getting louder as time goes on.

When I began having problems again, I kept getting "no problem found" from the dealer... the *only* place in my area that would agree to work on RVs. After several direct requests to speak with a Ford area representative were turned down, I gave up.

It really isn't much fun riding down the road in a camper that you really, really like but wonder whether the motor is going to leave you stranded in east nowhere with a $7500 repair bill.

Between my experience with a Ford F150 truck and this vehicle, I will never, repeat NEVER buy another Ford vehicle.

I sure hope your experience is different, and would suggest that you at least consider the GM product.

Ian

[dancogan]

Between my experience with a Ford F150 truck and this vehicle, I will never, repeat NEVER buy another Ford vehicle.

Ian

My feelings, too, after owning two Ford Explorers. However, we just signed a deal for a Class C with the Ford F450 chassis, using the Triton V10 engine. It's the same engine we had in a Class A motorhome. Never gave us a lick of trouble. There really aren't that many choices out there, unless you go with a Class A or a diesel Class C. Most of the gas Chevy Class C's are smaller and have less pulling capacity than the Ford.

Another really nice Class C is the Born Free. Don't ask about discounts, but it is a beauty!

[STRESS]

I tow a pretty good load with our set-up. I believe firmly that for heavy loads and long term reliability a diesel is worth the extra money.We take our Ford 250 with a four season slide in truck camper and pull an Ironhorse trailer with two bikes anywhere. You learn to appreciate the low end torque and amount of torque from a diesel quickly in the mountains with a load. As well you learn how important a good transmission will downshift to pull you up step grades without a second of hesitation.
If you are still trailer shopping take a look at the Iron Horse trailers. They make three models and each is a very nice product. The owners are un-believeable business folks. My wife can push the trailer around our garage loaded with two R1200c's inside it by herself. Empty it can be lifted by the toungue with one hand. The weight , balance and design will reduce fuel consumption by 20-30 per cent compared to a typical enclosed trailer.
Keep us informed on your decisions, I would love to go the direction you are headed. What property taxes?

[BklynPete]

I tow a pretty good load with our set-up. I believe firmly that for heavy loads and long term reliability a diesel is worth the extra money.We take our Ford 250 with a four season slide in truck camper and pull an Ironhorse trailer with two bikes anywhere. You learn to appreciate the low end torque and amount of torque from a diesel quickly in the mountains with a load. As well you learn how important a good transmission will downshift to pull you up step grades without a second of hesitation.
If you are still trailer shopping take a look at the Iron Horse trailers. They make three models and each is a very nice product. The owners are un-believeable business folks. My wife can push the trailer around our garage loaded with two R1200c's inside it by herself. Empty it can be lifted by the toungue with one hand. The weight , balance and design will reduce fuel consumption by 20-30 per cent compared to a typical enclosed trailer.
Keep us informed on your decisions, I would love to go the direction you are headed. What property taxes?

thanks for the info on the iron horse m/c trailer. i guess that will be my next project after figuring out which rv i want to get. here in ct, they charge property taxes on cars, rv's m/c and boats. so even if i buy and register any vehicles here and move out to nm, i am subject to these taxes. that's why i am trying to establish an address to register the new rv. plus the sales tax on vehicles in nm are half that of ct. :banghead

[BklynPete]

Pete - Lazy Daze is a very unique little company that does business their own way... you either like them or you don't! You pay a down payment and then they build your coach to your specs, and you pick it up at their factory. No discounts... don't even ask. :)

When I bought ours, gas was $1 a gallon or less... and demand for RVs was at an all-time high. The business is different now, but knowing those folks, I doubt they've changed at all. A mom and pop business that probably builds <200 year and is very concerned about quality and durability. Ask around on the forums about them... you'll find that the owners are pretty much like beemer owners... picky about quality.



The floorplan is a very personal issue. We wanted a big bed, and lots of flexibility in configuration.

http://www.lazydaze.com/Floorplans/265mb.gif

That living room in the back is extremely useful during the day, and when you pull out the couches you get by far-and-away the biggest bed in the industry. Our dogs love it! ;) Yet, you can have two beds if you want. And the view from those wrap-around windows is also unique in the industry.

We bought ours primarily to take our son to motocross races around the country... and then to keep for vacation travel. So we needed a gear/change room during the day and a place to sleep at night.



thanks. I think we have just plain bad luck because as i cruised around the forums, I found little else than praise for the V-10. It has great power for a coach of this size... we get 10mpg while hauling our covered trailer full of bikes... and 11-12 without.

The big disappointment has been the support from Ford. That damn thing blew up on I-10 about 50 miles east of El Paso, and if you've ever been there you will know how desolate that is. I had meetings scheduled in two days, so we had to fly ourselves home from Atlanta at our own expense... nearly $3K worth of airplane tickets that Ford would not compensate us for.

It was either that, or sit in a hotel for two weeks at our own expense.

When it was repaired, I asked for direct proof that a new engine was installed and was refused. I am suspicious that the engine was repaired and not replaced. The noise it makes now is very similar to pre-ignition except it is getting louder as time goes on.

When I began having problems again, I kept getting "no problem found" from the dealer... the *only* place in my area that would agree to work on RVs. After several direct requests to speak with a Ford area representative were turned down, I gave up.

It really isn't much fun riding down the road in a camper that you really, really like but wonder whether the motor is going to leave you stranded in east nowhere with a $7500 repair bill.

Between my experience with a Ford F150 truck and this vehicle, I will never, repeat NEVER buy another Ford vehicle.

I sure hope your experience is different, and would suggest that you at least consider the GM product.

Ian

i hear you about quality, but the difference in buying a rv for $75k and what lazee daze wants is much greater then the difference in price of a honda st1300 and my 1200rt. the difference is really more then i want to spend on something that i will be using part time. if i was full timing, that would be a different issue. i really do appreciate your imput though, thanks again. i too have a feeling that they only rebuilt/repaired your engine, because having two engines with the same issue is too much of a coincidence. did lazy daze try and help you out with the engine situation since they used ford for the rv they sold you. if not, why not? i think they had an obligation to push ford to repair the engine a second time for you. just my $.02

[Visian]

did lazy daze try and help you out with the engine situation since they used ford for the rv they sold you. if not, why not? i think they had an obligation to push ford to repair the engine a second time for you. just my $.02

No, because I didn't ask them.... mainly because I didn't think there was anything they could do about it, especially given Ford's non-response to the entire issue.

The Lazy Daze people, however, bent over backwards in every after-sale service request I made, however the quality was so high, I really haven't had any serious problems.

You may be about to have an eye-opening experience in the RV industry. Let me tell you about a friend's experience with his million-dollar+ Monaco coach....

It's a different world than our beemers.

Ian

[dancogan]

You may be about to have an eye-opening experience in the RV industry. Let me tell you about a friend's experience with his million-dollar+ Monaco coach....

It's a different world than our beemers.
Ian

That's the truth. The selling dealer will usually only help out with the components, such as A/C, refrigerator, and other types of appliances, as well as the coach body itself. However, for the chassis, which includes the drivetrain and engine, the coach builder and selling dealer will generally be of no help whatsoever. That's when you may have to deal with the individual components. Our current motorhome has a chassis by Freightliner, and engine by Cat, and an Allison transmission. Fortunately, there's a fairly decent Freightliner dealer nearby than can work on the Cat and Allison if need be.

And that's without even mentioning quality control. But it's hardly worth mentioning because it's a term that in many respects doesn't exist in the RV industry.

However, we're about to get our 5th RV. Love the fun!

[BklynPete]

No, because I didn't ask them.... mainly because I didn't think there was anything they could do about it, especially given Ford's non-response to the entire issue.

The Lazy Daze people, however, bent over backwards in every after-sale service request I made, however the quality was so high, I really haven't had any serious problems.

You may be about to have an eye-opening experience in the RV industry. Let me tell you about a friend's experience with his million-dollar+ Monaco coach....

It's a different world than our beemers.

Ian

i guess i just figured since they buy all their chassis and engines from ford, they might have some pull with them. i would have made a call, nothing to lose. i've spent quite a bit of time on different rv forums and i've read alot of posts about the rv industry. i hear you Ian. i am looking at the minnie winnie, one of my riding buddies has one and he is pleased with it. this is his third rv over the last 25 years or so. i'm hitting a rv show this weekend, so it should be fun. i also was contacted by a salesman for a local rv center and the price isn't bad. he quoted me a unit with every option and it's well below what i had planned on spending. i liked the idea that they have a good name, they are a complete manufactorer, and not just an assembler. we will see.

[BklynPete]

That's the truth. The selling dealer will usually only help out with the components, such as A/C, refrigerator, and other types of appliances, as well as the coach body itself. However, for the chassis, which includes the drivetrain and engine, the coach builder and selling dealer will generally be of no help whatsoever. That's when you may have to deal with the individual components. Our current motorhome has a chassis by Freightliner, and engine by Cat, and an Allison transmission. Fortunately, there's a fairly decent Freightliner dealer nearby than can work on the Cat and Allison if need be.

And that's without even mentioning quality control. But it's hardly worth mentioning because it's a term that in many respects doesn't exist in the RV industry.

However, we're about to get our 5th RV. Love the fun!

those class a's are neat. i was amazed at what they are doing with them nowadays. as i am typing, i am watching the travel channel and they are making a 2 million dollar rv. that's scary, but oh so beautiful. do you pull a motorcycle trailer with yours? shoot with your setup, you could get a trailer that houses both a car and bike :brow

[dancogan]

those class a's are neat. i was amazed at what they are doing with them nowadays. as i am typing, i am watching the travel channel and they are making a 2 million dollar rv. that's scary, but oh so beautiful. do you pull a motorcycle trailer with yours? shoot with your setup, you could get a trailer that houses both a car and bike :brow

Actually, we have friends that own a similar sized Holiday Rambler Class A, and they have a trailer that holds their Plymouth van and a motorcycle! We pull our bike behind the motorhome on an open trailer by Kendon. Trailer and bike together don't weigh 1,000 pounds, so you don't even know it's there! We plan to use it on our Class C, too, which we will have in a week or two. Of course, this being Michigan, we'll have to wait at least 6-8 weeks to get past freeze threats and actually use the thing.

It is incredible what they do with motorhomes. Our current one, soon to be gone, has 3 slides that expand the living, dining and bedroom, and I swear the living room is as big as the one at home. 2 TV's, 2 A/C units, 2 furnaces, it just goes on and on. It is a HOME, that happens to have wheels and a motor under it. The luxury is nice, but it's worn off. We'd rather have something that can navigate an occasional dirt road on the way to an unimproved campsite!

[Visian]

We'd rather have something that can navigate an occasional dirt road on the way to an unimproved campsite!

I lust for one of these:

http://www.chinookrv.com/gfx/prodgfx/baja_q_lg.jpg

Adventure touring RVs.

Actually.... this is the ultimate berries:

http://www.unicatamericas.com/img/Galerie-LER-UV1.1-gr.jpg

http://www.unicatamericas.com/img/Galerie-Filmproduktionsfahrzeug-gr.jpg

Wish I could find the pic of one of these things with a BMW GS mounted on the back. :clap

Ian

[BklynPete]

I lust for one of these:

http://www.chinookrv.com/gfx/prodgfx/baja_q_lg.jpg

Adventure touring RVs.

Actually.... this is the ultimate berries:

http://www.unicatamericas.com/img/Galerie-LER-UV1.1-gr.jpg

http://www.unicatamericas.com/img/Galerie-Filmproduktionsfahrzeug-gr.jpg

Wish I could find the pic of one of these things with a BMW GS mounted on the back. :clap

Ian

lol, the first one looks kinda neat, the second pic looks like something that picks up my garbage and the last one; if i ever decide to take over a campground under force, that's the baby i'm doing it with. :thumb

[dancogan]

lol, the first one looks kinda neat, the second pic looks like something that picks up my garbage and the last one; if i ever decide to take over a campground under force, that's the baby i'm doing it with. :thumb

Yeah...are those windows or gunports? :laugh ;) :laugh