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Topic: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze? (Read 686 times) previous topic - next topic
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Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Hello. My wife and I want to buy a used RV and spend several months a year traveling around the US. Our favorite rig would be a 26.5 or 27 ft. long mid-bath Lazy Daze. The floorplan of these is just wonderful! We would like to buy soon, but we are not in a hurry.

However, I’m wondering whether it is a good idea to spend 30k, 40k, or 50k (or even more) on an RV whose manufacturer has shut down its business for good.

I would appreciate it if you guys here could give me your opinions about this question.

I also don’t know what the main differences between the older E-450 (with the “round” front) and the newer E-450 (with the more rectangular and more aggressive-looking front) are. It would be great to hear your opinions about this as well. Are some model years better avoided?

Thanks a lot!
Tom
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #1 –
Interesting question.  When we decided to switch from travel trailers to a motorhome,  my late wife with great research and analytical skills soon focused on the LazyDaze brand.  Owner satisfaction for build quality was high, and in some cases bordered on fanatical.
We purchased and had a 31 ft Island Bed (31 IB) model built between November 2013 and April 2014. We selected that model because of a walk-around bed.  If they still made a 26IB we would have taken it.  That the factory is now closed has no effect on the quality of mine, or any other one on the road.  The brand has a loyal following; a number of LD owners are on there second or third one.  Their previous ones are still on the road.

Is it a good idea to spend 30, 40, or 50K for any motorhome?  That depends on the quality of the build and quality of the maintenance. Ongoing maintenance is a significant factor in longevity.  Some of the C-47 aircraft that dropped troops over Normandy on D-Day are still airworthy because of maintenance (and a bit of luck).

If you are serious about getting a class C motorhome to use several months of the year,  you should consider a used Lazydaze.  Look over the posts on the board to get an idea of the problems and solutions these rigs have experienced and the information passed among owners.

I can't speak to the differences between the older and newer E450s, but many others can.

Welcome aboard to the group
See you down the road

Joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #2 –
Hi Tom, welcome to the LDOG   Since you can't buy new anymore, used it is.  No warrantees of course, but the major depreciation 'hit' has already happened.  You should look at past ads if there are still some for sale in the 'Classifieds' section.   Other sources like RVTrader will usually have some listed. It helps to be in southern California, so you can go look at some actual examples. You may have some for sale show up where ever you are.
     The MidBath floor plan is the most popular, followed closely by the RearBath floorplan.  At 26.5' long, both are 27 foot models after about 2007.  Ford adjusted the E450 chassis and the longer 'snout' and position of the engine in 2008 which added 6", but the Lazy Daze boxes are essentially unchanged.   The factory did adjust the front end cap, and the paint patterns about then also.
    As far as models to avoid.... a much more complicated consideration.  As the Ford years roll on, the chassis added weight capacity, number of transmission gears and other more minor features. A lot depends on your plans for distances to travel.  Condition and mileage, as with any car is, usually the most important.  Almost anything that might malfunction such as appliances, batteries, lighting, ovens, refrigerators etc. can still be purchased new at various vendors. The older the rig, the more likely you might not be able to find exact replacement parts.    RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #3 –
I would look at it in two parts, and the answer is different for everyone.

First, how old of a 'truck' do you want to be driving around in?   The good news is that Ford chassis parts are still commonly available.   The bad news is that it's increasingly difficult to find mechanics who are willing to work on larger vehicle in some parts of the country.   If your daily driving car is less than 10 years old, you might not be happy in a 20 year old LD.

Second, how willing are you to forgo traditional RV service and figure things out on your own?   Not only is the LazyDaze factory closed, they also built quite a few things differently than the rest of the industry.   In many parts of the country, you bring a LazyDaze to a RV service center and it will be the first one that technician has ever worked on.   Many parts are the same, but many are not.

We still like our 2003 LD, but it does feel 'old' compared to driving a modern vehicle.   Some of that can be updated (carplay, cameras), but much of it can't (driver assist, engine technology, transmission design).  At the same time, I can't find anything comparable in the market today that I want to own when it comes to build quality (ie. won't fall apart in a roll over), and floorplan.

Every RV is a tradeoff.  There is no single right answer.

Rich




2003 MB
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #4 –
Sure. Why not. As others have pointed out most of what makes up a Lazy Daze are common automotive and RV components which are easy to find. As far as different building schemes, if you get into a remodel there is plenty of help right here. Regarding factory service for other brands, you won't find much of that available anyhow. The build on a Lazy Daze is good so you won't be disappointed in how it rolls down the road. Buy it when you find it. And don't wait too long to pull the trigger. Tic, toc...
jor
09 27' MB
10  Suby Forester
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #5 –
It depends on how it was maintained. We sold our 2003 Mid Bath in 2020 after traveling over 139,000 miles, camping in all the lower 48 states and spending 716 nights on the road. Properly maintained an LD can last....?

The Ford V-10 is an amazing power plant. I changed oil every 3,000 miles +/- and never had to add a drop of oil between changes. Oil is cheaper than engine repairs.

Just check out the coach carefully. We live in Virginia where it rains much more than in California, New Mexico and Arizona where so many were sold before the internet introduced this fantastic motorhome to the general public. Look closely for water damage. Until I had an expensive repair I did not have the seams properly re-sealed. Pay close attention to this and it will last indefinitely.

Good luck with your search. LDs are fantastic.
2003 MB
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #6 –
It is still a good time to buy an LD. Prices are down and nice used ones show up now and then.
The trick is to find one in good condition and then keep it that way. LDs require maintenance, like any other machine, primarily keeping the roof, end caps, and windows sealed.
The information available on the site explains how to seal things and almost any other problem or maintenance item you can think of, the forum has been around since 2000, and few websites have this type of first-hand information available.

Our 2003 24 Front Lounge has 145,000 miles and we could leave tomorrow for a cross-country run if that is desired, the result of buying new and keeping up on repairs. It drives like a much younger machine, after a steering rebuild this summer. I'm still able to find any repair part needed for the chassis and most coach items that need replacement can still be found or repaired.

Advice on buying a used Mid-Bath. The break years are 2004, at this point, the V10 had its head redesigned not to blow out spark plugs, reaching its most dependable stage. All LDs before 2008 had the "round front end".
In 2008, the front end was replaced with a massive grill that added nothing except making the rig 6" longer. The best benefit was bigger brakes and a thicker roof aluminum...

What years to avoid? Anything before 1991.
The V10 had spark plug issues from 1997, through 2003, this can be fixed by having spark plug inserts installed, something many have done.
The 2009, 2010, and 2011 model years were built after the Mothership downsized and laid off much of their staff. It took a couple of years to cross-train the workers and more problems popped up during that period.

Mid-Bath inspection. The rear wall and window are subject to rot if the end caps and/or the rear window's seals are not renewed regularly. rot is often found at the bottom of the wall or the 3-piece rear window rubber seals dry out, letting water pass. This too can be fixed with a little work.
When the end caps leak, rot can occur in the corners and can be detected by probing around the bottom of the rear wall with an ice pick.
If professional RV inspection is available in your locale, spend the bucks to have an unbiased eye check it out.

Good luck in your hunt.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #7 –
"The break years are 2004, ..."

To amplify Larry's comments, 2005 was the year that introduced the 'Tow/Haul' type of transmission. I was offered that feature but was unwilling to wait for my 2004!   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"The break years are 2004, ..."

To amplify Larry's comments, 2005 was the year that introduced the 'Tow/Haul' type of transmission. I was offered that feature but was unwilling to wait for my 2004!   ::)


In 2016, the six-speed transmission was introduced and the GCWV was increased from 20,000  to 22,000 lbs.
This link has details of yearly changes.
Changes by year

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #9 –
Tim
Everything you are doing is custom work and it takes much more time and effort than what you would have estimated.
I usually guess the time needed to complete a project and multiply it by three....and many times it still takes longer.
The good news is, once done right, it will be good for many years.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Is it still a good idea to buy a used Lazy Daze?
Reply #10 –
Bought a low mileage 2017 TK back in early 2022, as hedge against not getting a new one, was on the list for two years without a call from the Mothership.   Turned out to be the right call as Lazy Daze closed down less than four months later.   Even without the pandemic shutdowns accelerating the demise, days were still numbered with no one emerging to takeover the company.

The point to the above is I didn’t expect the manufacturer to out live my Lazy Daze ownership, whether I obtained a brand new 2023 or a lightly used 2017.     Nor did that worry me, because all the house components aren’t made by Lazy Daze and could easily be upgraded.  Likewise for the Ford E450 chassis, as it’s a very common platform for class C’s.   It helped that I’ve been here on the forum for a dozen years prior to my purchase, learning and patiently waiting for my retirement.

The only concern will be replacement of end caps, very unique to a Lazy Daze, and rather brittle when compared to the rest of the RV.   Getting a replacement made will not be cheap or easy, though perhaps 3D printing will provide a solution in the coming years.

Yes having the Mothership still around would be a huge plus, but I’m fine having an orphaned Lazy Daze, because they are built incredibly well when compared with the other manufacturers out there.   Not to mention a great group of owners with a wealth of knowledge.
Dave

2017 TK