Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Handling (Read 892 times) previous topic - next topic

Handling

We may finally be doing something. We are looking at 36' models late 90s to early 00s.

We have been full timing in our 30' 2006 Lazy Daze for just over 6 years now. My wife, Gayle, is most concerned about driving it around although I am not.

Anyone here have any experience as to how the two might compare? I know there are previous Lazy Daze owners out there.

Lie if you have to so I can convince her. She is pretty much on board. We looked at a 2006 36' Tiffin Phaeton and she is interested in the extra space a Class A can offer. They have offered to let us test drive the Phaeton but I'm not sure how it would compare to a FT.

Jim

Re: Handling

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Jim –
Anyone here have any experience as to how the two might compare? I know there are previous Lazy Daze owners out there.


Jim,

Steve and I moved from a 1999 30' Lazy Daze to our 2003 40' Foretravel (with tag axle) in 2004.  The LD was our first RV and it was a requirement that I be comfortable driving it before we agreed to buy it.  I test drove it around Las Vegas and found it not too different than Steve's F150.

When we bought our FT, I was the one David Robertson at MOT tossed the keys to for the test drive.  I drove the coach up and down Stallings drive, noticed better visibility than the Lazy Daze, especially having the higher seating position and rear camera.  Being 40', I had to be more aware of turns.  As with any class A, the driver position and sightline down the road ahead are different than a class C.  You have to think a little closer to the center stripe and check your position on the curbside relative to the shoulder.  There is a slight period of adjustment on each drive initially, compared to the LD, which as I said seemed no different than Steve's truck.  Once you get in the groove, you don't actively think about it.

For our first trip (other than bringing the coach home, 5 hours from Nac), Steve had just had oral surgery and was on some pretty hefty painkillers, so I did the driving from Georgetown to Fredericksburg, TX.

(I do admit to being a really lousy passenger  :-X  It's something I'm trying hard to overcome.  The perspective from the passenger seat in the coach is very different than from the driver's and even after 11 years of ownership I'm still not used to it...)

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Handling

Reply #2 –
Thanks Michelle, I knew you guys had an LD. Gayle wants to know what you mean by the different perspective in the passenger seat?

One more question. Over the past two plus years we have spent lots more time boondocking and will continue to do so. The LD is fairly low and you have to worry about the dump valve when driving down a rutted dirt road sometimes. I would think that the FT would not be any worse and, in fact better because the valve doesn't hang down and is exposed like it is on the LD. Also, I understand that you can raise the air bags to improve clearance. Would I be correct in my assumptions or am I missing something?

Re: Handling

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jim –
Thanks Michelle, I knew you guys had an LD. Gayle wants to know what you mean by the different perspective in the passenger seat?

The shoulder appears a lot closer, especially since you're seated right there at the far right of the vehicle, where in a class C you're more "inboard" and can't see the edge quite so readily.  The passenger also sits a little further back than the driver, which seems to mess with my perception of how close a vehicle in front actually is (this is where my being a really bad passenger comes into play  :(  )

Quote
I understand that you can raise the air bags to improve clearance. Would I be correct in my assumptions or am I missing something?

Not really readily for driving other than at a crawl.  I *think* you can force it higher while driving if you hold the Raise button the whole time, but that's not practical (or comfortable) for any distance.  The main clearances on a FT to watch (that I can think of) are going to be your generator and your Aquahot (if so equipped) exhaust.  I believe the overall body ground clearance is greater in a FT but you can measure to be sure.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Handling

Reply #4 –
We're going from a 26.5' LD to a 36' FT. When we bought the LD (our umpteenth motorhome) she took it on the first trip, with our adult daughter, & grand daughter, to visit our grandson. Livingston to Abilene towing the car... They had a ball. I bought the FT in Maine, about 1900 miles from Livingston, she wouldn't try it on the way home. When we got here, to Escapees, she made arrangements for driving instruction. She was to late to get into the ladies course at FOT, but she received 2, 1/2 days instruction in our coach. The only negative comment she received was lane control, get over more towards the center line. I rode along, and even though I'm not a good passenger, it really wasn't toooo bad.
We boondocked and Forrest camped a LOT in the LD, and will in this one also. My three main concerns will be dirt roads, height, and clearance for break over in the center of the coach. But I never knocked off the drain on the LD so the FT SHOULD be ok.
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss

Re: Handling

Reply #5 –
I always taught the new guys to get used to keeping the driver's side rear dual a foot from the stripe when looking in the mirror. This will get you through narrow construction zones or rush hour traffic downtown in big cities without worrying about traffic on the right. With a DP, make sure to wait the extra second before making that right hand turn to avoid road rash or worse.

New RV owners usually drive further to the right because of the higher driving position. More so in the tall U280 or U300.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Handling

Reply #6 –
Hi Jim,

We've owned 2 LazyDaze (2003 26ft MB & 1997 26ft RB) and 2 Foretravels, 1997 36ft U295 & 1999 40ft U320.

You can see our travels full-timing in our 12th year now, here: Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

On the highway, especially on curves, the FTs easily bests an LD. On a curve in a FT you feel like you're on rails. Before I had a FT I felt an LD handled well on curves. After driving a FT I felt an LD on curves was unsettling.

In town, the main difference LD vs FT is the FT needs more care/room on right turns. You get used to that quickly.

On the overall comfort going down the road a FT easily bests an LD.

And, of course, once you drive a FT with a retarder you won't ever want to go back to an LD. Its surprising so few other DPs offer a retarder.

Going down hill in the mountains in a FT, once you learn what "you go down hill in the same gears you went up" means, and get the right mix of engine RPM, Tranny gear and service brakes, you'll feel much more confidant going down hill in a FT than in an LD.

And a U320's M11 easily bests an LD going up hill.

best, paul

Quote
We have been full timing in our 30' 2006 Lazy Daze for just over 6 years now. My wife, Gayle, is most concerned about driving it around although I am not.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Handling

Reply #7 –
Factory cost must be $5k for the retarder.  You get prettier fabrics instead
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Handling

Reply #8 –
Regarding raising the coach, I will only speak for our particular coach.

Some coaches, as noted in prior response require holding the raise button down.  Our 2001 u320 does not require doing that....push it, let raise, let go of button.  I can drive very slowly raised.  I would guess about 5 mph it automatically returns to ride height.

I need this function to enter and exit our drive so use it often.

Hope that gives a partial answer....I hear some raise do not function exactly like this.

Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Handling

Reply #9 –
Our 2003 also will stay raised without holding the button down as long as I don't go over about 5 mph.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Handling

Reply #10 –
Pierce said it and I agree.
I drove a city bus one summer years ago.  When being taught, they advised watching the white stripe in the rear view mirror and keep it near the back of the bus.  This is excellent advice on how to keep in your lane.  One particular street was only 9 foot wide and the bus was 8.  Most all streets are better configured thankfully.  I still follow that advice when driving the FT.  Best of travels.
Best of Travels

Re: Handling

Reply #11 –
Quote from: rbark –
Our 2003 also will stay raised without holding the button down as long as I don't go over about 5 mph.

I wish mine did that. The newer versions must have a speed sensor input. I think older ones just have an input for parking brake--but I haven't looked into it closely.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Handling

Reply #12 –
Quote from: rbark –
Our 2003 also will stay raised without holding the button down as long as I don't go over about 5 mph.
10 mph
IMPORTANT: If the ignition is ON and the park brake is OFF, the "DUMP" and "RAISE" features will latch in and remain on. If the vehicle exceeds 10 MPH, the "DUMP" or "RAISE" functions will automatically turn off and the system will return to the TRAVEL MODE. If the park brake is set, the "TRAVEL MODE" button must be pushed before the vehicle can return to ride height.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Handling

Reply #13 –
Thanks to all. This is the kind of thing I wanted to know. Hope to get a chance to inspect what seems like a good candidate in the next few days.

Jim
 

Re: Handling

Reply #14 –
My dear wife does 99.7% of the driving.  The FT gives her confidence and she is usually at ease with it.  She like me to handle tight parking situations.  I navigate.  It works for us. 
Bob Thomas
Sacramento, CA
Present:  1997 U320 '40
Previous: 1997 U295 '36
Bluegrass fan, and festival emcee