This is the Companion over in Lazy Daze land:
The Lazy Daze Companion (http://lazydazearticles.blogspot.com/)
best, paul
Nice post Paul. Splains a lot of little questions. Schematics blow up nicely. You probably didn't pick all this up last week. :))
Pierce
I hope my post did not mislead anyone to believe I developed Companion.
I certainly did not. I saw it for the first time today. We have owned two Lazy Daze (and two Foretravel's)
We may have to downsize from our 1999 40ft U320 to an LD in future, but I hope that day is far in the future.
best, paul
Paul...what are the pros and cons of the downsize? Obviously the chief pro would have to be cost of ownership but could you elaborate?
The main reason I think downsize might be in my future is if I'm too old to drive a 40 footer safely.
Having driven two 27 ft Lazy Daze they are more like driving a car than a bus.
best, paul
This is a hoot, Between the MCI bus and the Foretravel, I had a Winny View, Thought it might work just fine, but soon found the small size had a major short coming. Loved the small size for getting around, fuel mileage with the MB diesel etc, however one big drawback, you have no where to just sit back and relax, either setting at table, on couch or laying on couch does not work for long. After a 3000 mile trip / vacation to visit Battle Ships, 8th Air Force museum and a customer in Fl, it took me about 4 days to recover. Had been so spoiled with the MCI and comfy easy chair, just like the FT to sit back relax and snooze. The 36' FT works for me.
These mini RV units are great for a weekend outing, like go to beach, go to ball game, go shopping, but to actually spend time in, best calculate a few motel stops. Yup, no thanks.
Well, Paul this is an interesting post. I am fortunate enough to have both a 42 foot FT and a 24 foot Born Free. I will second what Dave said. It is a great short distance weekender though you can stay longer in one the comfort factor is not anywhere the same and that goes for driving or sitting. I will say that it is easier to drive in a way only in that you have more places you can get into but not actually running down the road especially in a high wind. My Born Free is very similar to the LD and is built like our FT with wood and screws and three roll bars going the whole length. I guess one day I will not be able to drive a FT but I wonder if you would really be able to drive a smaller rig. I have so many miles now in bigger units it is second nature when I drive one now and I drive it as easily as my pickup. In fact I find myself reaching for a retarder every so often in the pickup.
I will say that running a smaller unit like a Born Free is considerably cheaper than the FT over time by a huge amount.
We have a 21-foot Streamline trailer (1972 vintage) that is barely noticed by the Dodge diesel 3/4-ton pickup. It's not at all perfect for long stays (a week is the most we've done) but it's perfect for quickie fishing trips or kayaking. No parking problems as it will fit into almost any niche. Kitchen has double sink and 4-burner propane with overn, bathroom has a stand-up shower and two closets. We have to set the beds up each night and turn them back into a settee and dinette in the morning but that's not a big issue.
And it can be towed by the FT! :P
Refueled next to a late-model very high-end looking Prevost that was towing a travel-trailer, so I asked the driver about it. He said "I'm not the owner; I'm the 'man's-man' and that trailer is my quarters."
@Chad I love that story. I may have to steal it. ;D
see ya
ken
Chad,
If a ocean yacht can have a captain, cook and steward with their quarters below, why not a land yacht too.
Just taking this back to the original question, I'd say Barry's site is a pretty good start!
My thoughts exactly! I'm looking at travel-trailers as we speak...
If one is looking for another trailer to tow, you might enjoy a Work & Play, toy hauler. We had a 18LT, and towed it with the coach home when we first bought the coach. It would have made a very nice guest room, had a king sized bed, of course all the other things a travel trailer had, but also carried our motorcycles.
In hindsight, we should have kept it for those dual propose uses.