Age and Longevity July 17, 2016, 06:30:07 pm Hello fellow Lazy Dazers!I have a 1994 24' rear-bath Lazy Daze. My question is more general, though. I'm wondering what to expect as my landyacht gets up there in years. About how long is a LD designed to last? How long have you had yours, and what sort of big issues seem to become prevalent with age?Thank you for all your help.
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #1 – July 17, 2016, 08:59:40 pm Well, an LD can last at least 22 years, right? It's really difficult to say how long an LD will last; there's no inherent date of demise programmed into the build! Given that LD initial build quality is high, its longevity depends on many factors, the most important (IMO) being consistent and diligent maintenance from the beginning. I believe that some owners don't grasp the critical importance of not deferring routine maintenance and allow an minor issue to become a critical repair need; a state of awareness usually ensues after one sees the repair bill .Following the recommended service intervals for the engine and type of driving one is doing is a good start, but there are other service "points" that are not necessarily included on the maintenance schedule that need to be done periodically throughout the life of the vehicle. These are some of the items not necessarily included on the maintenance list that Larry has suggested are critical to the life of the rig; thanks, Larry!Brake fluid changes - 3 yearsPower steering flush - 5-6 yearsLube brake slides - 2-3 yearsCheck U-joints and center bearing - 1-2 yearsParking brake fluid reservoir check - Yearly; inspect for leakage every oil changeCondition of coolant - Yearly; use test stripsShocks and sway bar bushings - Check condition, check shock's top bushing nuts for proper torque. Replace sway bars' bushings with polyurethane bushings when worn.Inspect tires for damage - Every oil change (3-5000 miles)Ball joints - Install grease fittings, lightly lube every oil changeCheck and tighten frame bolts, gas tank hardware, holding tank hardware, propane tank, entry step frame nuts, hitch plate and bumper bolts - YearlyInspect sealants- Roof, windows, end caps, spare tire tub - Yearly Tighten exterior screws - YearlyClean and lube battery terminals - Check both chassis and coach battery terminals yearlyTighten all terminals in Power Center - Yearly Make sure to shut ALL power off , including the generator, shore power, coach battery, and solar system, before performing.(Note: Ford's maintenance schedule lists begin with the 1996 model year; since yours is a 1994, the earliest lists may not cover every maintenance detail, but they'd be very close, I think!)In addition to the engine and systems maintenance, tires need to be replaced every 5 years or so (depending on care, if the rig is overweight, etc.) and the roof needs to be re-sealed to protect against leaks. The refrigerator, water heater, water pump, and batteries (coach and engine) may/will need repair or replacement, and the interior and exterior will need to be maintained. The more "systems" one has in and on the rig, the higher the odds that something (or somethings) will need attention.As the rig accrues miles and years, more and more items may start to sag, drip, loosen, leak, crack, fade, and fall off, and all this stuff will need to be noticed, and repaired or replaced if one wants to keep going down the road in a safe vehicle! ("Systems breakdown" doesn't happen only to our rigs as they age, of course!)My rig is 13 years old and has "only" 96k miles, but it has been regularly maintained from its delivery, it's well under the GVWR, and the chassis has not been stressed by towing. Many LD owners have rigs that are considerably older and with much higher mileage than mine, and still going. As ever, YMMV. 1 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #2 – July 18, 2016, 10:17:24 am One sees a lot of older rigs on the road, so these things (all manufacturers) can run for decades. A lot will depend on how you use, maintain, and store the RV. Buying used gets you in the game with a much lower up front investment, just be sure to budget for maintenance.
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #3 – July 18, 2016, 11:56:32 am Quote from: wcoggeshall - July 17, 2016, 06:30:07 pmI have a 1994 24' rear-bath Lazy Daze. My question is more general, though. I'm wondering what to expect as my landyacht gets up there in years. About how long is a LD designed to last? How long have you had yours, and what sort of big issues seem to become prevalent with age?It would be great to know more info on which model you have - chassis and floorplan can make some difference. Although you say you have a rear-bath, there were two shorter models with that configuration in that vintage - Front Lounge (FL) and Multiplan (MP). The former has the bath all across the back, the latter in the streetside rear corner. More significant is whether a Ford or Chevy chassis. Each has its own virtues and liabilities.The so-labelled Rear Bath model in that vintage was 27.5' long, and only on the Ford chassis.Steve
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #4 – July 18, 2016, 12:51:29 pm "I have a 1994 24' rear-bath Lazy Daze."----I just figured that this rig was a 23.5' front dinette or front lounge (not a "rear bath", but it does have a bath in the rear! ) on the Ford E-350 chassis; the rig built on the Chevy G30 chassis for that year was a 22', right? Please correct this information if it's inaccurate!
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #5 – July 18, 2016, 05:00:48 pm I can say with certainty that they can last 24 years. Mine is a '92. We expect it to go another 10. The flip side of the question, of course, what do you expect to invest in it? We all have different tolerance levels for spending, and "Unanticipated Travel Interruptions". Ours is quite high. There are a few reasons:Our MB layout is just right for us, for now. The new ones have pluses and minuses to us, on balance no compelling reason to trade up. Newer coach systems are convenient but complex. I don't find the benefit to outweigh the cost, complexity. I like my old pushrod big block V8. Just emotional. If the E4OD fails I have already sourced the bullet- proof rebuild. We feel free to change, update, upgrade an old coach. If I scratch it I can be philosophical about it. The LD coach part is elegantly simple. I can understand it and fix it. We think of the cost of maintaining an old rig In operation as operating costs, and recognize some years are more costly than others, but not as costly as new. When we do the math we can spend a lot on maintaining, repairing, upgrading an old coach before we meet the cost/depreciation curve of a new one. Another important aspect of our thinking is how we travel. A 15,000 mile year is above average for us, so we believe, based on vast fleet data, that our drive train will be reliable for another 7-10 years. We don't drive hundreds of miles on dirt tracks, and we go slow when the roads are rough, we drive under 65 and rarely more than 6 hours a day. When we tow it is well below the capacity. That means we don't stress the drive train, and don't shake the rig apart. I like to perform maintenance on the road, and to have everything looked over by trusted technicians as a reality check. I am proud to be operating a vintage RV, so I treat it as a vintage car- inside storage when not on the road, regular polish and wax, and enjoyment of its intrinsic quality. I like to show it off and have people enjoy it, and that keeps me engaged. Andy writes about Saving the Earth at 8 MPG, and similarly, keeping a vintage RV in use may reduce resource consumption, so it's kinda cool from that perspective. Airstream claims 66% of the units it has produced are still in use. I think I can help the LD average with mine. 3 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #6 – July 24, 2016, 05:48:23 pm This is a good post on GS that specifically mentions LD. (construction methods)http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28970690.cfm 1 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #7 – July 24, 2016, 06:58:32 pm Quote from: tjfhrb_16034 - July 24, 2016, 05:48:23 pmThis is a good post on GS that specifically mentions LD. (construction methods)http://forums.goodsamclub.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/28970690.cfmExcellent post, Todd. Thanks for sharing it.Chris
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #8 – July 25, 2016, 02:57:04 am How bizarre ! I read that post last night on RV.net. But didn't think to post it here. Good one Todd!
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #9 – July 25, 2016, 10:52:10 am Hi, new member here who is a previous LD owner (1985 22 TK) thinking of getting another used LD in the future. The Good Sam post mentions a crowned roof as being an important feature for precipitation runoff. Does LD still manufacture their rigs with a flat roof? Thanks!
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #10 – July 25, 2016, 01:03:45 pm Quote from: HiLola - July 25, 2016, 10:52:10 am. Does LD still manufacture their rigs with a flat roof? Thanks!Yes, always have and I see no changes comingAll long as the roof and A/C seals are good, there should be no leakage.The trick is finding an old LD that has been taken care of.Happy huntingLarry
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #11 – July 25, 2016, 01:22:10 pm Beware: Lake NewtonWhen first starting up your Lazy Daze after having been in any precipitation, be sure to roll up/close all the windows. If you have leveled your rig when last parking, taking out/putting up the levelers will cause the roof to become slanted. If there has been a water accumulation there . . . it will obey the laws of gravity.Please don't enquire how I know this!Virtual hugs,Judie************************************* 1 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #12 – July 25, 2016, 01:31:48 pm Quote from: Judie Ashford - July 25, 2016, 01:22:10 pmBeware: Lake NewtonWhen first starting up your Lazy Daze after having been in any precipitation, be sure to roll up/close all the windows. If you have leveled your rig when last parking, taking out/putting up the levelers will cause the roof to become slanted. If there has been a water accumulation there . . . it will obey the laws of gravity.Please don't enquire how I know this!So, in your memoirs, you can claimed to have visited Newton Falls, up close and personal. It is amazing how much water can come off the roof. I get fooled in the summer, occasionally forgetting about the rooftop A/C's water output.It would probably feel good today.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #13 – July 25, 2016, 01:41:33 pm Not exactly personal, but I was at hand when the screeching went on from the driver's seat! Twice . . . so far . . . in 25 years of Lazy Daze ownership.Virtual hugs,Judie*************************************
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #14 – July 25, 2016, 02:24:00 pm Newton Falls, I love it.The best great part about "Newton Falls"is during moisture accumulation most of the grime tends to collect at the top of the Falls.I've only once used a hose to clean the roof. Now I take a bucket of soapy water and some microfibre towels and scrub from the Falls backward. Saves from having to sop up the suds on the sides of the rig.Great view from the top top.Kent 1 Likes
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #15 – July 25, 2016, 03:50:40 pm Quote from: Judie Ashford - July 25, 2016, 01:22:10 pmBeware: Lake NewtonWhen first starting up your Lazy Daze after having been in any precipitation, be sure to roll up/close all the windows. If you have leveled your rig when last parking, taking out/putting up the levelers will cause the roof to become slanted. If there has been a water accumulation there . . . it will obey the laws of gravity.Please don't enquire how I know this!Virtual hugs,Judie*************************************Thanks for the update, and the warning! Took me awhile to figure out the reference to Newton Falls but I think you are referring to the LD founders?
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #16 – July 25, 2016, 07:11:08 pm Quote from: Kent Heckethorn - July 25, 2016, 02:24:00 pmThe best great part about "Newton Falls"is during moisture accumulation most of the grime tends to collect at the top of the Falls.I've only once used a hose to clean the roof. Now I take a bucket of soapy water and some microfibre towels and scrub from the Falls backward. Saves from having to sop up the suds on the sides of the rig.Scrubbing the roof, a couple times a year, will help prevent the black streaks that form on the sides, where the water drains off.Lots of stuff drops out of the sky and when mixed up and fermented on the roof, produces a substance that stains the paint and can be tough to remove. Keeping the rig waxed helps reduce the problem.Start with parking the rig so the front end is a little lower than the rear, to aid draining of the soapy water.Blow or sweep as much debris off as possible, a leaf blower works great.Then, start the scubbing at the front of the roof and work rearward, hosing the soap off as you go. Use a hose with a pistol nozzle.Stay safe and never step into a soapy area. Resist the urge to wax the roof, it is a dangerous practice. The roof is supposed to have a rough surface, for traction..Washing the roof can be done either standing, if you are comfortable, or kneeling.I use a brush with a long handle.Larry
Re: Age and Longevity Reply #17 – July 27, 2016, 12:08:46 am JCT, You have a 23.5FL (front lounge) if it has a sofa on one side and 2 chairs in the front. If you have a dinette instead of the chairs, it's a 23.5 dinette. Hope that helps.Lori Y 2011 24FL
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