Lazy Daze Owners' Group

'85 LD 22' - Intro and Questions

May 12, 2014, 02:01:36 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146254

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Hi, all!  My DH and I just became very adventurous and bought a used 1985 22' Lazy Daze Multiplan model.  It has a dinette in the front area and sofa lounge and bath in rear.  The people we bought it from (third owners) didn't know much about it, really, and had only used it a couple of times in 4 years.  It was stored under cover, though, which helps.  It drove home fine, from where we purchased it, about 35 miles. It's had some engine work and transmission replaced, along with a few other things.  Fridge was new in '94.  All systems seem to be working so far, except the generator.  It's going to take time to go through it and figure out what is stock and what has been done... and what needs to be done.

The primary purpose for buying this is for me to have a work area for making art jewelry.  We have our son and family living with us for "awhile" and I had to give up my studio area in our house for them.  I don't need much room to do my work, just a place where my projects can remain undisturbed, while in progress.  The LD will work great for that.  All my materials will be kept in portable containers, that can get moved out easily for trips.

We don't have huge travel plans for the LD, given its age.  We do hope it will work well for short trips around Western WA (where we live) and possibly the Oregon Coast, if it proves reliable.  I think we got a fairly good deal on it and the interior seems pretty well maintained, given its age.  It has the windows in the cabover and there is a lot of sealant that has been applied, so it may have had some leaking at some point, but there is no strong mildew/rot smell.  Still, we have to take the mattress out and inspect up there closely.  It was uncovered in two days of pouring rain last week and so far haven't found any wet areas.

I have a couple of questions (actually lots of them, but won't ask all at once), that I'm hoping some of you can help me with, please.
1.  What is the best way to find a copy of the original manual for it?  I've done a lot of internet searching, with no results.  Would it have come with a book about the RV itself, or just the manuals for the fridge, A/C, etc?  We have a few of those.  I couldn't find anything on eBay, or on the LD website.  I've been reading a lot of different RV forums and saw a discussion about the fact the LD staff aren't terribly helpful with support for older units.  Is this really the case, or was that just one discussion?  So any help at all, pointing me where I should keep looking for a book would be very helpful.

2.  Fresh water tank drain.  We found the tank.  My husband is very mechanically inclined and we used to live on a boat.  He has been looking hard and cannot find a drain for the fresh water tank, even after rolling around underneath the rig for an hour yesterday, studying everything.  Is there supposed to be a drain from the bottom of the tank itself, or when flushing and sanitizing the tank, does it all just come out through the gray water tank?  I had the impression that many people in the group have a plug to pull on the tank itself, but is that with newer models?  Our tank is located under the wardrobe, adjacent to the bath.

3.  We need to replace a couple of the top vent covers and inspect the roof.  Is it okay to walk around (or crawl around) on the roof to do this?  We do have the ladder going up the back.  Does anyone have the weight limits for the 85 LD roof?

Thanks so much, all, and am so grateful this group is here.  It has been tremendously educational so far, during our shopping phase and now, the "getting to know it" phase.
Patti

Re: '85 LD 22' - Intro and Questions

Reply #2 – May 12, 2014, 02:29:19 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146260

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The generators are pretty simple, like big lawn mower engines.
 The fuel lines can get clogged up or the carburetor can get gummed up.  That will need checking and cleaning.
 The heads get carbon build up and need to be taken off and cleaned out after many years.  Head gaskets are easy to get and don't cost a lot.

They need new spark plugs and wires from time to time.
 Another weird thing about Onans is they have a points box on top of the motor, not a distributor.  The points are activiated by a bump rod.  So what can happen is oil gets up into that points box and coats the points and they quit working.  You might have to get in there and clean it out and put new points in it.  Gaskets and seals for this are also available.
 Of course, this is all just to get the motor running,  The generator output is another story. 
 The real term for these is "motor-generator set" which leads to their common nickname, GenSet.

Re: '85 LD 22' - Intro and Questions

Reply #4 – May 12, 2014, 06:55:34 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146268

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We have a '93 MP. Of course, everyone has their preferences, but having been inside the other floor plans, I still like our MP layout the best. (To be honest, it's one of the things that's led to us planning on keeping our rig. If LD ever came out with another short 20-22' model with the MP floor plan, then I'd begin to really think about buying something new.)
 Our water valve located inside the LPG compartment. It's a standard red-wheel valve that connects to a PVC pipe that drains the tank directly to the ground. We always dump our water when underway (I'm a freak about maintaining high power-to-weight in terms of drivability & handling), so I'm always in that compartment.
 By the way, if you ever have to replace the water pump, there's only 5-6 wood screws holding the bottom of the wardrobe secure. Just remove those and you have full access to the tank, pump and city-water connection. Piece o' cake.
 Regarding the roof, if there's any rot in the cab over area, it could degrade the ability to hold the weight of a person standing in the middle. Might want to check it out first while leaning from the ladder.

Re: '85 LD 22' - Intro and Questions

Reply #6 – May 20, 2014, 08:30:22 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 146436

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Mark, yes!  I would love a manual!  Email on its way to you.
 Also, a little follow-up.  We found the FW drain valve, thanks to the guidance of Cynthia T. and Tessa sending me the 1992 manual.   It was right next to all the LP "stuff" and we thought it was part of all that.  It is a regular valve handle, painted white.
 I have been through the interior very thoroughly and there is definitely a small leak-affected area in the very front of the cab over, over the driver's side.  It encompasses about 1.5" square of the floor of the bed, about an inch back from the corner.  There's also a small area under the dinette seat that backs with the driver's seat.  Not a lot of wood rot visible, nor actual water, either actually.  Considering it had been out in heavy rain for a few days, I was relieved to not see puddles.  Still, it's obviously a seepage.
 We have our work cut out for us.   One of the previous owners slathered something  all over the top that looks like Snow Coat and did a sloppy job.  It's a white, almost rubbery thick painted stuff, but all dried out now and deteriorating, crazing and cracking.  Sure would be nice to know what it is, to know the best approach to re-sealing it.  Can something like Eternabond be used over something like that, if we cleaned it really well?  There is no real possibility of removing it all, I don't think?  I can post pictures of it, if anyone wants a look.  Should I upload any photos to the group's photo album area or is it better to put them elsewhere (I have my own web site) and post the link to them here?
 So, if anyone has any thoughts on how they would approach re-sealing an '85 LD roof that someone let their 7 year old plaster something like Snow Roof on, and you want to share those thoughts, I will be grateful.  I know some of you will be saying dynamite might be good.  We are not trying to make this new again, just plug the leaks.

Thanks everyone!

Re: '85 LD 22' - Intro and Questions

Reply #8 – May 25, 2014, 12:49:47 am

Yahoo Message Number: 146510

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John, yes, of course  I'll send you a copy. Send me your mailing address to   .
Thanks, Mark