Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Instead of asking us to remotely evaluate a highly used LD, you need to find someone local who knows RVs and drivetrains.

Bitty, it is fine to ask questions, but an assessment of a rig based on a few photos is impossible. For instance, your concern was rust, but the pic of the split exhaust pipe indicates another issue - this was not the result of rust. The pipe was split to make it larger so it could be crammed over the existing pipe. This is not the way it is done, and almost certainly would cause exhaust leaks. This is the sort of red flag that an on-site expert inspector would note as well as other things that do not show in a few random pictures. As Larry said, the first gut reaction you had was the one you need to trust. If the rig passes that, then you need to have a local knowledgeable expert to give a thorough inspection. There a many such here on the forum, but without the rig physically in front of them, that won't help.

Steve

I was asking about rust issues in general, not trying to obtain a comprehensive assessment of this particular rig. I put up the photos as examples so you'd know how much rust I was referring to, so I could learn about rust issues overall regarding ruling out this and future rigs from my search. Instead, I feel somewhat chastised by the misunderstanding that I was expecting you all to make a determination of the entire mechanical stability of this specific rig from a few photos.

My understanding from research was that two major issues--rust and leaks--are ones where walking away from an older RV is strongly advised without wasting any further time or money on pursuing the possibility. My question was simply: "How much rust? This much? How fixable is rust?"

I didn't presume that anyone on the forum would spend the time to help me assess anything specific to this rig aside from the rust, and I'm really surprised some of you did, thanks. I guess I'm accustomed to forums that operate more on-topic for specific issues. This will take some getting used to!

Bitty, this thread is two weeks old, so you may have gotten put off. I hope not. Better advice is not available online than right here, believe me!

On the question you asked, I would say the exhaust pipe is the least worry if I were looking at this rig. The rust on the brake cylinder would have me seriously concerned, and expecting replacement of that, and most of the rest of the brake system. The tank photo is not clear, but if that is more than surface rust, another replacement. There is another photo of the frame I can't make out.

You mentioned a budget, so these potential repair costs may put this one out of range? '87 is an old vehicle. I own a 92, and it is pristine, so I don't mind old, but I do hate dealing with rust.

"I need some sort of RV, and anything less seems likely to require far more in repairs."

Bitty, can your present vehicle tow a small trailer such as a Casita, Scamp, Boler or T@B? If so, and assuming your present vehicle is in good shape mechanically, you might want to shop for a small trailer. A decent trailer will cost you a lot less than a  decent motorhome, and you won't have all the engine/drivetrain/brakes issues to worry about and repair. Just a thought.

Bitty - Do you have any experience with RV'ing to speak of? 

As a lifestyle I routinely make possible what really shouldn't be, because I don't have a viable alternative. I've learned there are a few essential factors to making that work, and one of them is hope that things will get better. If I were to obtain a rig next week that runs, that I can cook in, stand up in, have heat in, shower in, ...There are few things worse than a Seattle winter in a vehicle without heat; condensation soaks everything. This upcoming winter is my deadline.