Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze? (Read 11 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Yahoo Message Number: 129058
My wife and I are planning to full-time. We would like to buy a used 26.5' Lazy Daze for $20,000-$30,000.  I know they are well-made and last a long time—that's why we want one—but is there any age or mileage past which we can expect to have problems crop up? For example, if we buy one with 100,000 or more miles should we expect to start having problems with the "vehicle" or "house" part?  What about one that's 10, 15, or even 20 years old?
 I don't expect things to be perfect in a used vehicle, and I don't mind doing periodic maintenance, but I don't want to be going down the interstate or boondocking in the desert and have some critical function go out.

Thanks for any advice you might give.

Harry
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129060
I bought a 1991 23.5 rear bath with 91,000 miles on it and I have not had any huge problems with it. I did have to replace a diode *I've no idea if that is the proper spelling* in the converter, but it was a minor thing. I have no complaints at all.

Sandy

Quote
__ From: Harry Steven harry_lazerus@...>
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Friday, March 9, 2012 11:50 PM
 Subject: [LD] Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?

My wife and I are planning to full-time. We would like to buy a used 26.5' Lazy Daze for $20,000-$30,000.  I know they are well-made and last a long time--that's why we want one--but is there any age or mileage past which we can expect to have problems crop up? For example, if we buy one with 100,000 or more miles should we expect to start having problems with the "vehicle" or "house" part?  What about one that's 10, 15, or even 20 years old?
 I don't expect things to be perfect in a used vehicle, and I don't mind doing periodic maintenance, but I don't want to be going down the interstate or boondocking in the desert and have some critical function go out.

Thanks for any advice you might give.

Harry
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129063
I have a 1998 LD and have not had any problems with it.  I have had it for about 6 years.  It is a GREAT little RV.

Sandy
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129064
Quote
My wife and I are planning to full-time. We would like to buy a used 26.5' Lazy Daze for $20,000-$30,000.  I know they are well-made and last a long time—that's why we want one—but is there any age or mileage past which we can expect to have problems crop up? For example, if we buy one with 100,000 or more miles should we expect to start having problems with the "vehicle" or "house" part?  What about one that's 10, 15, or even 20 years old?
 I don't expect things to be perfect in a used vehicle, and I don't mind doing periodic maintenance, but I don't want to be going down the interstate or boondocking in the desert and have some critical function go out.

Thanks for any advice you might give.

Harry
Harry, there is no good answer to your question because how long an LD lasts really depends on how it's maintained over its life span.  I think most would tell you that the very most important thing is to have a thorough mechanical inspection by a reliable RV specialist on any used LD you think you might buy.  You should read "How to shop for a used LD" in the files section.  Also, do a search on this site and the "searchable archive" (Home page) for "buying a used Lazy Daze".  You should find numerous posts about folks' experiences.
 Generally speaking, my opinion would be that if you are buying an LD with 100,000+ miles on it, you should look very, very carefully at its maintenance records.  And, the older the LD, the more likely it is to have water leakage somewhere.  Again, a close inspection is in order.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129065
I bought my 1992 RB in 2010.  I was the 3rd owner.  The previous owner took excellent care of it and only used it once a year.  He kept it shined up and the interior was flawless.  It had a total of 78,000 miles on it as well.
 I planned on using it full-time so I did spend several thousand on it prior to leaving on my adventure.  It needed new tires, new house batteries, roof resealed and several small items that needed attention.
 I have been living in it since July 2010 and loving every minute.  By the way I also had solar panels installed so I can boondock and not have to be hooked up at all.
 The only problem I have had occurred last summer when the fuel pump contained in my gas tank went bad.  I replaced it and have not had a problem since.  I have it serviced on a regular basis and tend to everything that it needs.  Last winter I replaced the front brakes.  It now has 96,000 miles on it.  The engine is still very strong.  I just spent 5 days in the mountains in Baja, CA on a wineries tour.  No problem there at all.
 I would suggest having it checked out by someone who knows RV's and LD's in particular.  I had Tim Pease check mine and the money I spent was well worth it. I understand he is working now in RV sales but may still be available to do an inspection if you ask him.
 I was very lucky finding my LD.  But I also looked at many that were awful looking that were advertised as being in excellent condition.  It may take a while but it was worth it to me.

Good luck in finding one that fits your expectations.

Take Care,

Jim Melvin "The Breeze" 92 Lazy Daze RB http://jimbosjourneys.com
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129066
"I just spent 5 days in the mountains in Baja, CA on a wineries tour."
 Jim, was that your rig in the photo included in the latest Harvest Hosts mailing? :-) Next to last in line, between another class C and a pickup camper.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129067
"I don't expect things to be perfect in a used vehicle, and I don't mind doing periodic maintenance, but I don't want to be going down the interstate or boondocking in the desert and have some critical function go out."

I don't think any of us want a critical function to go out at any time.
When we bought our LD I registered it as an antique since it was 25 years old.
Up to now,(KNOCK ON WOOD!!) it has taken good care of me. (more than 20,000 miles ) ....but! I have spent many hours working on it and many dollars having someone else work on it.
We've been on both coasts and high enough in the mountains to get stuck in the snow in June.
I paused once for a couple of hours to figure out what to get, get the part, and replace it.
....otherwise (KNOCK ON WOOD!!) our travels have not been interrupted by any failures.
After all of that, I would not guarantee to be trouble free on any given day.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129069
"...but is there any age or mileage past which we can expect to have problems crop up? For example, if we buy one with 100,000 or more miles should we expect to start having problems with the "vehicle" or "house" part?  What about one that's 10, 15, or even 20 years old?"

Quote
Harry
Harry
 As with any mechanical device, particularly a motor vehicle, you must provide regular maintenance and service. There is no way to predict that at 100,000 miles this or that is going to fail nor has there been any hard and fast 'failure rate' for Lazy Daze motor homes. Yes, there are certain items, water pumps, fuel pumps, etc. that have taken notice due to failures but that can be expected on any vehicle.
 Instead of concentrating on the expectation of failures after a certain time or mileage I would (personally) look more at the features that you might like. In our forum archives you will find tons of information pertaining to new and improved features that have occurred over the years. Double pane insulated windows, V8 vs V10 engines, weights such as GVWR and CCC, etc. Once you are aware of what features came in with a certain model year you can better judge which of those features would satisfy your desires. Only then can you say "this is the coach for me". Hopefully 'that coach' will fall within the price range you can afford.

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129072
Hi Harry, We have a 1998 LD MB (Midbath) and have been full timing for 5 years.  We love it!  During this entire time we have only had a water pump replacement once for $100.  And we boondock alot.  Been all over the place with it.
We are approaching 100,000 miles now and hope to have it for another 100,000 miles.  I think the 1998 model year was a good year for the LD.
Good luck on your search...but nothing is guaranteed.  Hopefully, you will find the right LD.
David (Eugene, OR)
 
Re: Issues with buying a 10-20 year old Lazy Daze?
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 129111
I bought a 1992 22ft RL last October(third owner-30K miles) and on the way home, on the New Jersey Tunrpike, the alternator went out.  Cost $450 for a tow and another $450 to replace the alternator.  Have also had to have had to replace brakes front and back.  These are however, maintenance type items so I didn't get too excited. The cab AC does not work and according to service records the unit has been serviced several times but still does not work.  Have had no other issues as everything else has been OK on extended trips