Log In | Register
Skip to main content
Topic: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv? (Read 573 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
If you could buy your very first used RV today, and found two very well taken care of 23ft LD's; would you buy a 1987 w/63kmi for $9k and start traveling tomorrow ... or a 1994 $16k w/48kmi and have to park it til summer to save travel funds, if that's all you can afford? Both are orig under the hood.

sorry if this is not the right section to ask, hoping you experts may have helpful tips :)
Re: Newbie/1st timer: are LD1987 or LD1994 23 better to start with?
Reply #1 –
Welcome aboard.
Interesting question.  Bigger question is what condition are the 1987 & 1994 rigs in.  If you search the board for posts on how to evaluate a rig you can find information on what to look for and what to ask.  I don't want to sound negative, but older rigs may well have maintenance and repair issues. How handy are you at doing repairs and maintenance?   Tires age out at about 6 years and the last new set I bought ran about $1,600.
I think you have come to the right place to ask questions.
see you down the road, in whatever you get.
joel
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Newbie/1st timer: are LD1987 or LD1994 23 better to start with?
Reply #2 –
The Pocket Guide shows the first E350 LDs were introduced in 1988. Are you sure the 1987 LD is a Ford?
Lazy Daze Pocket Guide
If it is a Chevy, definitely steer away from it, it has a carburetor and does not have an overdrive transmission.
A 1987 E350 also lacks an overdrive transmission. Both makes have the leak-prone, multi-piece front caps...they all leak.

The 1994 E350 has fuel injection and a four-speed overdrive transmission, it is a superior chassis and would be the best choice assuming it doesn't need a long list of work, very common with 30-year-old RVs, no matter the mileage.
With rigs this age, unless the roof, windows, and end cap seals have been religiously maintained over their lifespans, expect to find rot. It's rare to find rigs this age in good condition.

I never recommend buying an LD of this age to anyone who isn't a talented mechanic and craftsperson who can do their work and have a place and the tools to work on it. 
I call them "Hobby rigs". Any work that needs to be done by professionals will run in the $150-200 an hour. It can take much longer to perform repairs and installations than what you would assume.
The bottom line is, RVing is NOT a cheap lifestyle. Old RVs are minefields, be careful.

Larry

Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #3 –
Thx for replies. I'm happy to have found this site and will check out as much info here as I can, to help guide me. New to all this, and eager to acquire a safe way to take family to new places.

Yes- I have an unreasonably tight budget to buy in to the RV life, but believe that the right unit will be found. Unfortunately I am not mechanically inclined, but willing to learn a few new things. I have a place to park it on my driveway (must be under 24'), and a nearby repair shop if needed. I truly appreciate the fair warning about seeking one with overdrive, and as new as I can manage.

Are there any other years to avoid all together?
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #4 –
Hi 'Btraveling;  The fuel injection will save some money, and the one piece nosecone with the faux front windows, will save some leaks. I have a '99 Ford 23.5 T/K.  Not too much different from the '94 Ford you mentioned.  The 460 CID engine was pretty good.
      You didn't say which floorplans that your two choices are. Are they both rear dinettes, or both the front dinette models?  Either could be a 'lounge' model with two barrel chairs. Welcome to the club!  Our archives have lot's of information.  Many comments are older, but still apply to the older rigs.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #5 –
Quote from: WannaBTraveling  - 
Thx for replies. I'm happy to have found this site and will check out as much info here as I can, to help guide me. New to all .

Are there any other years to avoid all together?

Avoid any pre-1990 LD. They had the leak-prone multi-piece front caps. Every early LD I have associated with had front cap leaks and developed rot.  Older rigs did not have fuel injection and overdrive transmission, both good things to have.
Cabover leaks and rot | Flickr

You are not the first to want an antique LD, we have many horror stories in the Forum's archives to back this up. Motorhomes were not built to last decades without continuous maintenance. Unknown problems can cost many thousands of dollars to fix. Unknown rot can make the rig worthless, even pros have problems finding hidden rot.
My best advice is to sit still, save your money, and buy a much newer LD.  You do not want the problems of dealing with a geriatric rig especially not having the skill sets to fix complicated problems yourself.

My opinions are based on thirty years of LD ownership and ten years of running an LD repair service.
Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #6 –
Having owned an 85, fuel injection, serpentine belt and overdrive transmissions are a must and I'm really mechanically inclined and still had challenges making it all work.  Carburetor vehicle also has challenges for smog in CA.  After a professional Carburetor rebuild, every 2 years after that for the 10 years we owned it were challenging as the emissions eventually got worse.  No one wants to or knows how to tune these carbs anymore.
2000 Mid-Bath
2012 Lance 830 Truck Camper/2006 Cummins Dodge Ram Megacab
1985 Multi Plan - Donated to the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #7 –
In Addition;  If you end up liking motor home RV'ing, it will be money better invested in a newer model. If you decide to get out and go a different route, it will still be worth more for resale.   The insurance will be more, but your gasoline costs may be better.
     Gasoline is a major part of expenses; to save a bit, you can do local excursions and get a feel for what this lifestyle can do for you with just weekends out. Staying somewhere just for the night is more fun than you might think, and you can 'get your feet wet' not too far from home.  There will be surprises beyond what you expected.
     In my area, there are beaches overlooking the Pacific, that are hard to access in summer, but sometimes not too populated during winter. Sometimes just being in the rain with a good warm place inside, and the large view windows to the coastline are great. I can sit all day thinking of the times way back, when I was in a tent, and colder than I wanted to be. Inside bath and shower, food preparation etc., all much easier inside the 'cocoon'.  Hookups not needed.  RonB 
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #8 –
Quote from: mrfixit454  - 
Having owned an 85, fuel injection, serpentine belt and overdrive transmissions are a must and I'm really mechanically inclined and still had challenges making it all work.  Carburetor vehicle also has challenges for smog in CA.  After a professional Carburetor rebuild, every 2 years after that for the 10 years we owned it were challenging as the emissions eventually got worse.  No one wants to or knows how to tune these carbs anymore.

Our 1983 Front Lounge LD had a carburetor which was a hassle to keep running smoothly...and I'm a decent mechanic.
After a few years, the Quadrajet carb was replaced with a tunable Edelbrock aftermarket carb. Getting the new carb to run right took a lot of work. No matter what carb was on it, our LD refused to go over 10,000' passes, we barely made it over Tioga Pass and couldn't make it to the Bristlecone Forest at 11,000'.

Due to the lack of an overdrive gear, the engine ran at high RPMs, cruising at 60 MPH. The rod bearings were worn out at 85,000 miles, requiring a long weekend in the driveway to pull the oil pan and replace the rod bearings and timing chain. So much fun! 
The combination of a carb and the lack of an overdrive gear caused the mileage to be terrible, usually in the 6-8 MPG range. It was a nice surprise to find our 2003 E450 got better mileage, had twice the power, and was capable of pulling a heavy Jeep, something our 1983 LD could only dream of.
Newer is better.

Larry




Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Is 1987 or 1994 23' better as 1st rv?
Reply #9 –
I drive my 1986 23 ft LD  WITH BEAUTIFUL 350 CHEV ENGINE ON AUTOGAS  and Petrol (gasoline) all over Australia  and love it. Much better built than my recently sold 2000 23ft LD with the V10 engine, but the V10 was more powerful and never failed me. I loved the 2000 Ford  too but my 1986 chev LD is built better.  Get the  Chev IF you can put it on AUTOGAS  as that carby is thirsty on gasoline..
My 86 has 186k on it. Naturally, Alternator, starter etc rebuilt, new shockers, exhaust etc. But the 350 is Bulletproof.
 Love my 1986  red& white  LD!
 GOOD LUCK.. hank_87us at yahoo
PS  I also bought  a brand new 1996 26 LD from ED  for around $51k with the last year with the Ford 460,  took 3 months to get it ..loved it, sold it and bought a BLUE BIRD WANDERLOGE. (had 3 of them  77, 80 & 89) but came back to LAZY DAZE, THE BEST CLASS C EVER BUILT  with a great OWNERS GROUP. ....Whoops...at 83,  I talk too much.(wife don't  let me talk at home!)
Back to Australia Sunday.
Cheers,Hank Hannigan
Hank
1986 22' Chevy G30 Multi-Plan
2000 Ford v10 23.5 Front Lounge