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Topic: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5 (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Yahoo Message Number: 97013
I've been looking at used RV's for a bit.  This will be my first.   I race vintage cars and needed something to tow my trailer and stay at the track.  We also wanted something to go on trips in with the kids.  After spending some time with the Mr. Gore's interweb I tripped over Lazy Daze and became interested in finding a used one.  The reputation is impressive.  I happened across a 92 in northern cal (I live near Seattle) and have a deposit on it.
 It's going to get inspected early next week.  I'll read through the archives and look for specific things to ask the tech to look at.  I'm nervous buying this long distance but it seems like a very well kept unit, under 70,000 miles but used pretty regularly so not sitting too much.  It's owned by the daughter of the original owner.
 Any tips on suspension items I could address while it's in the shop would be helpful, specifically to help with towing.  I'm going to have them look at the shocks and change them out to Bilsteins if they have not been done.  Should I consider air bags as well?

Looking forward to getting the rig and driving it home.

Jerry
1992 MB
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97014
That is exciting, Jerry!  I hope it works out well.  John Coxon and I both have '92 MB's, which we love.  What color is it?  (If it's silver, we'll be triplets!) :)

Please keep us posted.

Tessa in TX '92 Ciao Baby!
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97015
Quote

"...It's going to get inspected early next week.  I'll read through
the archives and look for specific things to ask the tech to look at..."

Quote
Jerry
I've mentioned this before, but one of the best ways to check out a used LD is to take the operating manual and go through the index line by line, checking each item in the index to make sure it is in operating order.  If you are having a mechanic checking out this used LD, perhaps he could use the manual as his/her checklist.  Also, by Googling Used RV Checklist or something similiar, you will find plenty of checklists.

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97016
Depending on how much weight you're planning on towing, I would check out the hitch, I don't think they are rated all that high.  And it's fairly inexpensive to get a decent one added on.  And you might want to consider air bags on the rear at the same time.  Also, if your trailer doesn't have brakes, you might want to think about adding them, depending on weight.  I'd say anything over 3000#'s it's definitely a lot safer to have trailer brakes on it.
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97017
"it seems like a very well kept unit, under 70,000 miles but used pretty regularly so not sitting too much."
 That's good. Rigs that sit unused for long periods can deteriorate. If it's been used regularly, it's probably been cared for regularly.
That's probably more important than the mileage--and 70,000 is not high. My first Lazy Daze was an '85 with 118,000 miles. I put on another 20,000 miles or so over the ensuing five years, then sold it to a friend who is still using it, two years later.

If you go to the Files area of this group's website (using the text link at the left on each page) and open the Frequently Asked Questions folder, you'll find a document called "How do I shop for a used LD?" that has a lot of useful tips, including an inspection checklist.
Chris's suggestion to use the owner's manual as a checklist is also a very good one.
 I second Dan's advice: you may want to beef up the hitch. (I believe that in 1992 they were rated for 4,000 pounds, but you should double-check that in the owner's manual.) And I strongly recommend trailer brakes when towing anything over 1,000 pounds. In most states they're required by law, and in any case, common sense says you need 'em.

Good luck and happy trails! :-)

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: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97018
Also, if your trailer doesn't have
 
Quote
brakes, you might want to think about adding them, depending on weight.
I'd say anything over 3000#'s it's definitely a lot safer to have trailer brakes on it.

 IMO, trailers should have brakes regardless of weight.  It's going to take a longer distance to stop with a trailer attached than without...those extra feet could mean the difference in hitting something or not, particularly in the case of a panic stop.

In fact, some states require brakes on trailers at a lot less than 3,000#...Florida, for example, requires brakes on anything weighing 300# or more.  In NY, the limit is 1,000#, and many states require brakes if the trailer weighs 1,500# or more.  See pages 24 & 25 of the 2008 Trailer Life Directory, "Rules of the Road & Towing Laws" for the weight requirements for trailer brakes for all 50 states and the Canadian Provinces and Territories.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97020
Thanks for the advice.  From what I understand, it's a 91 E 350 with a 92 Lazy Daze home if that makes sense.  Newer tires, brakes done
1992 MB
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97021
"Chris Horst"  wrote: but one of the best ways to check out a used LD is to take the operating manual and go through the index line by line, checking each item in the index to make sure it is in operating order.  If you are having a mechanic checking out this used LD, perhaps he could use the manual as his/her checklist.  Also, by Googling Used RV Checklist or something similiar, you will find plenty of checklists.
--- Here's another 'step-by-step' check the rig primer; it's an article by Bob Gummersall, former technical advisor to RVers Online.  Don't be misled by the 'Factory Pickup' title; the specific 'checks' in the article really apply to inspecting any RV, new or used, from any source:
 http://rversonline.org/ArtFactoryPickup.html 
Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97022
"The [exterior] colors look Mauve and white."

LD hasn't produced rigs in that color, so I'm guessing that it's probably light tan (Cardinal #6609-75625) and dark brown (Cardinal 6609-75504), but that the photos are a little off. The interior might also be in shades of tan and brown, or it might really be mauve--LD did offer that as an interior color choice. You'll find out when you get there, I guess. :-)

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"
"Mauve on... "
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97026
"The [exterior] colors look Mauve and white."
 Has anyone ever figured out why mauve became such a popular decorating and interior design color?

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: "Mauve on... "
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97027
Just a guess (as a fan of mauve)...it's a restful color and it's flattering to many skin tones (as long as there isn't too much black and white...i.e. gray...). It also goes great with another couple of '80's colors, some shades of blue and turquoise!
 As for its enduring nature...some might find "paid for" to be the most pleasing aesthetic!
 Of course, my opinion must be tempered by the fact that I once saw "my" living room on an HGTV show as an example of what was out of date and the kids thought needed to be updated! In a testament to self-delusion, I thought the room looked just great!

But, I did redecorate.

Tina P 2006 MB "Wild Thing"
2006 MB
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97030
http://autos.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/lifewithalazydazerv/photos/brow

Quote
se/e576
 This is a link to the photos I uploaded, hopefully it works.  It sure doesn't look brown to me :-)  Maybe repainted at some point?

It's not brown...it's red.
 While the pictures do make it look a little on the purple/mauve side, I can assure you it's not.

I doubt very much that it's been repainted.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: "Mauve on... "
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97035
Quote
Just a guess (as a fan of mauve)...it's a restful color and it's
flattering to many skin tones (as long as there isn't too much black and white...i.e. gray...). It also goes great with another couple of '80's colors, some shades of blue and turquoise!

Quote
As for its enduring nature...some might find "paid for" to be the
most pleasing aesthetic!

Quote
Of course, my opinion must be tempered by the fact that I once
saw "my" living room on an HGTV show as an example of what was out of date and the kids thought needed to be updated! In a testament to self-delusion, I thought the room looked just great!

Quote
But, I did redecorate.

Tina P 2006 MB "Wild Thing"

On 11/1/08, Chris Horst  wrote:

"Has anyone ever figured out why mauve became such a popular
decorating and interior design color?"
 You are a good sport, Tina, to put up with my thinly veiled comment.

Chris

Quote

Visit Your Group

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97036
"This is a link to the photos I uploaded, hopefully it works. It sure doesn't look brown to me."

You're right. :-) Mauve is "a pale purple color," according to my dictionary. That rig does indeed have a more or less mauve interior (I think of it as "dusty rose"), but the exterior is colonial white (Cardinal #6609-75516), light red (Cardinal #6609-75507), and maroon (Cardinal #6609-75630).
 From the photos, the rig looks well cared for. As for the interior, as Chris says, it's a warm color and very flattering to skin tones... but if your fiancee hates it, she won't have much trouble covering it up. :-)

Personally, the only thing I don't care for in that interior is the wallpaper--I think of it as "bug splats," because it looks as if somebody swatted a very large horsefly every few inches along the wall. I'd paint over that first thing, if it were my rig. But that's just me. ;-)

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: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97043
Quote
Any tips on suspension items I could address while it's in the shop
would be helpful,
 
Quote
specifically to help with towing.  I'm going to have them look at
the shocks and change them
 
Quote
out to Bilsteins if they have not been done.  Should I consider air
bags as well?
 OK so we own a 92 MB on a 92 F350 chassis, however, I would recommend that you check thoroughly the brake slave cylenders (SP) particularily the rear, the transmission cooler and filter, also the cvu joint in the middle of the drive shaft.

As to the rear suspension, while Bilsteins would be nice, air bags would be a nice add.  Also IMHO follow advice and have the rear hitch and frame extensions beefed up.

Good luck,

Chris

PS When we bought ours in Michigan we did have all of the above and more done before flying out with the whole family and driving it back to the west coast via Toronto. What a cool trip, at the beginning of April literally cool.
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97045
Linda Do you have a pointer to the FL. law. I know they are selling camping trailers new there that weigh a lot more than 300 pounds with no brakes. In fact my daughter and her husband bought one that I thought should have trailer brakes and the dealer told them I was crazy, more or less.
Garry
Re: Purchasing a used 92 MB 26.5
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97047
wrote: Do you have a pointer to the FL. law. I know they are selling camping trailers new there that weigh a lot more than 300 pounds with no brakes.

Linda & Earl Hylton wrote: In fact, some states require brakes on trailers at a lot less than 3,000#...Florida, for example, requires brakes on anything weighing 300# or more.
--- I think that the weight confusion here might be because there's a 'printing glitch' in the 'Rules of the Road and Towing Laws' section in the 2007 Trailer Life Directory that I have. Apparently, TL didn't catch the error, as it appears to be the same in the 2008 version that Linda has.

The specific column heading of the section is, 'Weight of Trailer Requiring Brakes (Unladen); the information for Florida shows the weight number as 300, *but* if one looks just to the right of the '300' *in the same column*, there's another zero followed with a 'footnoted' number 17; the key identifies this 'qualifying number' as meaning, 'Gross weight requiring brakes'.

So, it looks like Florida's requirement for trailer brakes is 3000 pounds; the last zero is just 'out of alignment'!  IMO, TL just screwed up and didn't proofread very well!  ;-)

Joan
2003 TK has a new home