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Topic: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months. (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Yahoo Message Number: 118931
I am new to the Lazy Daze group and have found the comments on various subjects detailed and informative and would appreciate some "feed back" from the experienced LD owners in the group. We are currently looking for a used LD. A little history-I owned a 26' Bornfree for several years(1984 model) and thought it was a good RV.  My wife and I went on some camping trips with friends that had a 22' LD(1984)and we were impressed with the large windows, comfortable beds and ease of handling and decided we will only buy a LD. Which "one" is the question. To keep things simple we thought the smaller sizes, 22' to 24' size, would be the easiest to handle on the road, in windy conditions as well as city driving and camp site availability. Thinking this over I question whether or not a 26' would be any more difficult to drive under these conditions and if so, if there are ways to compensate for the longer unit. Since we plan to do one longer 4-6 week trip each year and more 4-5 day trips closer to home we feel a used LD would meet our needs. Do we get an older model, put the money into it to make it dependable or go with a newer unit(2000 and newer?)that has a larger engine, more conveniences and improved materials ie;aluminum siding vs fiberglass and one piece aluminum roof. I would also like to know when LD started using aluminum for the siding and went to the one piece aluminum roof. I've heard many good comments on the durability and appearance of that siding and figure it would hold up longer and hopefully need less maintenance. Any comments, suggestions on what you think is important for me to consider, please respond to this web site or you can respond off site to my email address() Hope to see the group on the road this in 2011. Ron
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118934
"I question whether or not a 26' would be any more difficult to drive under these conditions and if so, if there are ways to compensate for the longer unit."
 I think most of us who've owned both sizes (in my case 22' and 26.5') will agree that there isn't a whole lot of difference between them, unless you're driving in an old town with really narrow streets. If you feel that a 26/27' floorplan would suit you better, my advice would be to go for it. You're already familiar with driving the 26' BF, and it's a safe bet that a 26/27' Lazy Daze will handle better than that did!
 "Do we get an older model, put the money into it to make it dependable or go with a newer unit (2000 and newer?) that has a larger engine, more conveniences..."
 All things being equal, I'd go for a newer rig. When I was shopping a few years ago, I set my cutoff date at 2003, because that was the first model year to have both the much quieter MicroQuiet 4000 generator and the Thermopane-style insulated windows. If you look at my Lazy Daze Pocket Guide, you'll find a detailed list of year-by-year changes that can be very helpful in assessing a used rig:
 http://www.andybaird.com/travels/LD-guide-web/

"...improved materials, i.e., aluminum siding vs fiberglass and one piece aluminum roof."
 All Lazy Dazes since the sixties (at least) have had aluminum skins. All Lazy Dazes since late 1985 have had one-piece aluminum roofs. The only really other significant materials change (aside from the Thermopane windows) was the move from fiberglass insulation to rigid foam in the spring of 2008.
 You'll find a handy guide to shopping for used LDs and inspecting them in this website's Files > Buying & Selling section. Good hunting! :-)

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: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118935
Ron

Get the floor plan that works best for you.
You will get used to driving whatever size LD you buy.
That said, the shorter models can be parked
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118937
Larry....thanks so much for posting your comments regarding buying a used LD. I have a 1991 very nice Toyota RV and I had considered buying a Lazy Daze but they cost a few bucks so I may have to hold off for a while. Do not want to make long story, but I am probably gonna be a solo RV'er cause wife not into it, and nay have to JUST keep Toyota. Will see as time goes by. So, I saw an ad
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118942
"I'm guessing its gonna be a Chevy 350. I also have a 1996 nice Geo Tracker and used to have a 1989 Jamboree RV and it hauled the Geo like a "very lite" washing machine so apparently the 350 engine is OK to haul on the LD"
 I gave towing a try with our 1983 LD and quickly gave it up. The 350 V-8 is underpowered without a tow vehicle.
I would be very concerned about overheating, the leading cause of death of 350 V-8s.
 IMO, I would steer clear of the 350 V-8 if planning on towing, you will not be happy and neither will the engine.
If you still want to tow, find a Chevy with the 454 V-8 engine or a later model Ford with a 460 V-8 or the newer V-10.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118944
I second that opinion.  We've never towed with our '83 22' RL.  The previous owner sold it to us because it would not tow his boat reliably.  On trips up the mountains to 7000' it is all the 350 can do to get us up there.  Several trips up we've actually had to pull over to the side and let the engine cool down before continuing on.  This is without towing a thing.  On moderately steep grades on the freeways our speed reduces to 35-45 MPH with the accelerator floored.  This is when I move over to the truck lane.

David Poole Burbank, CA
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118957
Thanks for the "feed back" Andy- The pocket guide answered many of my questions-what a great resource! Ron Ringen
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118958
Thanks Larry-I appreciate your words of wisdom-now I need to find a group od LDs close together to get a better feel for the different layouts. Does the group have gatherings for outdoor events where a person could see the different models and the modifcations that people have made. I plan to get Andys CD on tips for the LD owner. Thanks again, Ron
Re: Planning to buy a LD in next 6 months.
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 118960
Ronald Ringen  wrote: I need to find a group od LDs close together to get a better feel for the different layouts. Does the group have gatherings for outdoor events where a person could see the different models and the modifcations that people have made.
--- In addition to the Caravan Club (www.lazydazecaravanclub.org), there are several regional LD groups. You don't mention where you live, but you might find a group get-together near enough to you to see a few different models and years. During the winer months, you'll have fewer choices, of course! Look under "Files" (the link is on the home page of the message board), then "Links", then "Groups"; some of the groups have websites and/or put out newsletters of their scheduled get-togethers.

Joan
2003 TK has a new home