Re: One step closer Reply #25 – October 06, 2019, 03:52:07 pm "...grill all of it!"MortyI've forgotten how many grills I've owned over the years but the majority of them had issues. Either the regulators were problematic or they were wind sensitive and hard to keep lit. It was always something... ::) But I am now past that phase and love my Napoleon grill. No wind issues, double burners, coated cast iron grates. Easy to clean and maintain. I've finally found the one I should have had years ago. ;D I now have a dedicated LP line, 'T'd off the supply tank, with the hose run under the chassis to the passenger/patio side of the LD where it is handy to BBQ. ;) Amazon.com: 29.5" TravelQ Pro 285 Propane Grill: Garden & Outdoor 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: One step closer Reply #26 – October 06, 2019, 04:35:04 pm "I anticipate my budget being in the $20-25k range..."----Your stated budget very likely means that you might want to focus your search on rigs (you indicated that your choice would be a MB) between about 2000-2004, the latter date at the outside. Depending on how diligently a rig of that age has been serviced and maintained, its overall condition, and its mileage, it would be prudent to plan to spend a few thousand more for repairs, replacement of parts, e.g., tires, and updates to make whatever you buy suitable for fulltime living. The purchase price is just the beginning, and many new buyers are not sufficiently aware of the potential costs of ownership before buying. Not that one has to do everything immediately - repairs and replacements for safety, "soundness", and functionality are priorities - but parts and labor are not inexpensive, and downtime for repairs is very inconvenient, particularly if the rig is one's home. Any rig that you feel might be a potential buy should be thoroughly inspected, ideally by a mechanic for the engine and systems, and a professional or other skilled, knowledgeable person to evaluate the condition of the body, appliances, plumbing, electrical, and everything else! This RV inspection checklist link will provide information on what needs to be examined before considering a purchase.RV Inspection ChecklistGood luck in your search. 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #27 – October 06, 2019, 06:08:17 pm Steve,Great idea for the dedicated LP line and will keep that in mind for an early mod. After much deliberation I had recently purchased a small Blackstone griddle which I used at the Cooperstown caravan. Since it'll just be me (divorce) I thought it might save me a few pots and pans. And I find it easy enough. I was even able to use my stovetop coffee percolator on it as well as a tea pot for boiling water. Joan, My goodness you are a plethora of knowledge! Might you have a youtube channel one could watch and learn from? You are absolutey right about having a rig inspected. While I have a heavy mechanical background I recognize that I don't yet have the requisite skills to know everything to look/test for. I'm already budgeting for that along with an emergency fund, etc. I think you are also correct about the model years which I can afford. I had hoped 2003-2005, but older may well be the reality. Who knows, by the time everything is said and done I may have a bit more purchasing power. 3 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #28 – October 06, 2019, 06:19:34 pm HA! No Tube, no Facebook, no Instagram, not much "presence" besides yakking on this forum! You are well ahead of many looking for a rig if you have mechanical background; I hope you find a solid rig. 4 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #29 – October 06, 2019, 06:31:12 pm MortyJoan is not only a wellspring of LD knowledge but she is quite modest as well. You would be well served if you take her advice as gospel. She not only was but still is an educator! Hope you have an opportunity to hear her expound on things LD at a Morro Bay GTG. 3 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #30 – October 07, 2019, 12:50:58 am Quote from: Morty - October 06, 2019, 06:08:17 pmI had hoped 2003-2005, but older may well be the reality. Try for a 2004 or newer, earlier V-10s had the trouble prone, four-thread spark plug head, known for blowing out and destroying the threads. BTDTThe heads were not updated to the revised seven thread heads until the very end of the 2003 E450 model run. Joan has the only 2003 LD, with seven thread heads, I have run across. Her LD was one of the last of the 2003 LDs built..Larry 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #31 – October 07, 2019, 03:10:58 am Quote from: Lazy Bones - October 06, 2019, 02:51:48 pm"I'm curious, how many plates, bowls, mugs, etc do you all carry in your rigs? Settings for two, four?" After discovering a unique tool at an 'all you can eat' seafood buffet I decided to add a set to my collection. It's sort of a 'can-opener' device designed to remove the shell from shrimp or crab. Mine are made of stainless steel. Steve, Ok, since in limited space situations (RV) we want multi-use tools, I am trying to envision what you are using that device on. Sure shrimp or crab, but do you also open up potatoes, lettuce heads, cans of food or maybe just frozen foods since the bag is easier than a metal can..... Or maybe crab and shrimp are in your regular diet so it gets a lot of use on those, or you liked it so much it is your "splurge" item that is not multi use.Jane 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #32 – October 07, 2019, 09:14:36 am "Her LD was one of the last of the 2003 LDs built.."---I had the spark plugs replaced at Blown Out Spark Plug in Santa Ynez, CA, at 87,000 miles; the Ford maintenance schedule lists 100k as the change point. Due to the possibility that the plug wells were four and not seven-thread (and inadequately torqued), I opted for an early "intervention". One of the plugs was slightly loose, but there was no "carboning", no debris in the wells or on the plugs, and all seven of the threads were there. The date stamped on the engine is May 27, 2003; spark plug guy said that he had replaced lots of plugs in E-450s, as had his brother in the SoCal shop, and that this was the earliest manufacture date that he had seen with 7/8 threads. Ford has since increased the plug torque specs to 28 pounds, if I remember correctly; Larry, please correct this if the number is off. 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #33 – October 07, 2019, 09:38:54 am I'm a believer in being very very honest with your skill level and skill set. DW and I are NOT mechanical. Yes we can do small upkeep and very simple tasks but beyond oil and light bulb change we have just run out of our comfort zone. There was no question that we 'needed' to buy new or very close to it. We both understand the trade off of spending money vs doing the work yourself. there are many things in life I dream about doing or liking to do but I know the reality of my skill set. All of us 'old' timers have seen folks with dreams in the eyes buy a older LD cheaply then put tons and I mean tons of hours and money into it only to collapse into a puddle of despair. It's been my off the wall guess that a good running RV would cost between 75,000 to 100,000 either in hard bucks or sweat equity. Bottom line this life style is not cheap. glen 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #34 – October 07, 2019, 10:46:03 am As Glen states, "skill set" level awareness is indeed critical; some on this board are super-skilled, professional-grade mechanics and techs with many years of experience in engineering, electrical work, electronics, plumbing, woodworking, metalworking, and with every other RV/mechanical/vehicle-related component and procedure. Some have "specialized area" knowledge and skills, some have limited experience but try hard to do the homework and learn, and a few don't fit in "any of the above". The "joke" sign in the shop that lists repair prices with the highest being "X$ if you worked on it first" is often not a joke. Knowing one's personal limitations, in knowledge, skills and interests, and acting accordingly prevents a lot of lash-ups. There are plenty of jobs and fixes on the coach, engine, and systems that I (and many others) won't consider doing, whether for lack of knowledge, skills, tools, physical ability or whatever. This doesn't mean (to me, anyway) that an RV owner should abdicate his/her responsibility of learning about a particular component or procedure to the point of being able to understand how to clearly explain the problem to a mechanic or tech, be able to ask relevant questions, and discern whether one is the recipient of "smoke-blowing" when the repair sheet and bill are presented. One of the (many) points we try to get across at Ladeze tech talks is that while you might not do the work yourself, you sure need to understand what is being done, how it's being done, and the components and processes used to do it. I realize that not everyone is interested in learning about the "guts" of RVs, with but unless one travels with a mechanic/tech and a shop full of tools and parts, (IMO) an RV owner needs to have at least a rudimentary grasp of coach, appliance, engine, and systems components and functions, even if a final diagnosis and a "fix" is beyond their skill set. YMMV, as always! 3 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #35 – October 07, 2019, 12:00:17 pm Dreams indeed...As a very young man the government trained me to maintain advanced fighter jets, which I did around the world for 10 years. Afterwards, upon returning to the states, I attended a year long tech school learning how to maintain and service motorcycles, generators, etc. I did that as well in my own shop for about 10 years (while flipping houses too) until I realized it was no longer a challenge. So I got myself back in school in my late 30’s and had a career in mechanical/design engineering. One of the first things I plan to do when I get my rig (new home) is to attend an RV service school in Texas. Maintaining my own, and perhaps making a dollar or two on the side doing a little for others, will need to happen. I’m fortunate in that I’ve no illusions of this new life being a never ending summer vacation. I’ve much work ahead of me with plenty of challenges (and rewards). But for the first time in my life I’ll be able to decide when, where and how I’ll spend each day. I’m a frugal wanderer by nature, and a survivor too. Like a rubics cube I’ve spun this thing around a thousand times working through every combination I can come up with. I believe I’ve built in several emergency back doors. And it’s not like I’ve never reinvented myself and started over before. That said, thank you though for being gracious enough to temper my enthusiasm with reality. Sharing your experiences shows a genuine care for others. And that’s a beautiful thing. 3 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #36 – October 08, 2019, 02:59:40 pm Morty, Your experience and ability to learn will serve you well. There will be a transition when learning coach issues. I split things into chassis engine (which can include the generator and even the water pump) and coach items (electrical/plumbing/structural and "household" appliances). There is some overlapping of skills but there is a bunch of new knowledge if you have never worked on both halves of the RV before (both engine skills and construction skills). But your ability to learn will serve you well. And the good news, LD is built like a house with studs in the walls, etc. So knowledge translates over fairly well from typical house construction - you just have to think airplane skin on outside of house structure. Jane
Re: One step closer Reply #37 – October 08, 2019, 05:02:06 pm Quote from: Morty - October 07, 2019, 12:00:17 pm That said, thank you though for being gracious enough to temper my enthusiasm with reality. Sharing your experiences shows a genuine care for others. And that’s a beautiful thing.Through the years on the forum we have seen many who are looking at older rigs for a life on the road.They come here looking for advice on the purchase and the lifestyle. Some listen to our advice to look at as many LDs as possible and to have the rig inspected top to bottom with experienced eyes, enabling them to go into the purchase with a good idea of the condition and needed replacements and repairs.Those who listen usually have a good experience and find a sound rig, normally after a long search.Others fall in love with first rig they see and buy it without any knowledge of its condition other than "it looks beautiful".We say the person has been blinded by "stars in their eyes". This can result in buying a rig that needs more in repairs than what the rig is worth. All used rigs will require some work but finding one in decent shape, and having a slush fund for the unexpected repairs is all part of the purchase process.Having seen too many buyers crash and burn, so we try hard to prevent future catastrophes. Our LD community is shrinking and we want to keep it active for as long as possible. It emotionally pains us to see a buyer find out they own a rotted to the bone LD with a long list of mechanical problems. We have lost a lot of potential long-term members because of this.Good luck with your search Larry 8 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #38 – October 09, 2019, 11:50:38 am Morty, you may have kept my Marines Jet in the air? If you have kept Americas badly aging fighter planes(Marine anyway)in the air I don't think you will have much trouble with a LD. Plus all your other experiences would allow you to understand when someone gives advice. Having a rig inspected by someone who knows just what to look for is indeed an excellent idea. I did not. I am in that category of "Oh, This is the One!" I have been lucky with only one plug needing plumbers goop/thread, and I didn't even do that myself. As reported above, I would have had such a mess I would have been charged double to fix this simple repair. Nice to have good friends you can trade chores with. Keep it FUN. It's all part of the adventure:) 1 Likes
Re: One step closer Reply #39 – October 09, 2019, 01:25:13 pm For the edification of all of you curious folks, re: my "Shell fish can opener", take a look at the link below.There is a Casino on I-5 (Rolling Hills) which I have been known to frequent for their Friday night 'all you can eat' seafood buffet. It was there that I first encountered the device in question. Seeing what a great tool it was I decided to acquire a set for my own use. After the plastic ones that were absconded from the Casino wore out due to over use I decided my replacement set would be more durable, hence the SS. Amazon.com: Royer Pro Seafood Cracker, Sheller, Opener for Crab Legs,... 2 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: One step closer Reply #40 – October 09, 2019, 08:46:39 pm It’s all good, I listen to everyone’s advice. I take it as “wise council”. I can’t afford to do this wrong, so everything, everything, I’m listening to and absorbing. You all are trying to help me and I take it as that, with great gratitude. Half mile, while I didn’t maintain your Marines jet I was born at Beaufort when my career Marine father was stationed at Parris Island. Most of my childhood was at Le Jeune until dad came back from Nam, then it was Quantico. I was AF. First on A-10’s in Tucson, then F-15’s in Europe followed by F-16’s in the Far East. I had deployed to 25 countries by the time I was 27 years old. Such is the life. Lazy Bones I have to admit I’ve never seen such a tool. And I’m curious how it works when your fingers are slick with melted butter, ha! Larry, Jane, Joan, Glenn, all of you who’ve posted in reply to my questions, thank you. I mean that warmly and in all sincerity. With Kindness,Morty 2 Likes
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