Any thoughts on the quality of a Lazy Daze Motorhome built today vs 20 years ago? Has the quality control stayed the same?
Any thoughts on the quality of a Lazy Daze Motorhome built today vs 20 years ago? Has the quality control stayed the same?
This forum has been up for about 20 years and some of us have followed it since inception. Answering your question in terms of frequency of quality complaints over those 20 years, I'd say yes, no change. If you look at the bones of a Lazy Daze, they are virtually the same as they were 20 years ago. Fit and finish has always been a hallmark of Lazy Daze, and although the components have changed or been upgraded, the end product still seems first class. Perhaps a multiple LD owner over the years can give us his/her opinion.
Chris
This forum has been up for about 20 years and some of us have followed it since inception. Answering your question in terms of frequency of quality complaints over those 20 years, I'd say yes, no change. If you look at the bones of a Lazy Daze, they are virtually the same as they were 20 years ago. Fit and finish has always been a hallmark of Lazy Daze, and although the components have changed or been upgraded, the end product still seems first class. Perhaps a multiple LD owner over the years can give us his/her opinion.
Chris
Thank you for your response. This group has given me the confidence needed to purchase a new build. My wife and I are on the waiting list.
I have worked on LDs for 25 years, both on our 1983 and 2003 LDs and many dozens of others before retiring from working on other rigs.
In almost all respects, the newer models are built better than the older ones, due to LD's attention to problems and the constant tweaking of construction methods and features, I would have no problem buying new today., other than parting with a large wad of cash.
While it has taken a lot of tinkering, and cash, to keep it our 2003 LD in good shape, at 18 years old, with 130,000 miles, I would feel comfortable leaving next week for the East Coast, if the need or an opportunity arose..
The number one rule for owning an LD for a long time is "keep the seals in good shape". And do the required maintenance.
the E450 mechanical components are high-quality and parts are widely available and will be for a long time.
Larry
LD reminds me of the Volvo 200 series cars from the 70’s-90’s. Start with a good, solid design and then make incremental improvements each year vs major re-designs. I have owned half a dozen of these cars (all purchased used) over the years so I had hands on experiences. The differences between my ‘77 and ‘92 were less than some other car mfgr’s offerings year-to-year. Only one LD so far but couldn’t be happier with the build quality.
I'll be the negative Nelly... I've had a 1990 MP (my daughter has it now) and a 2005 RB. I believe that Lazy Daze used to do everything build wise in house with the 1990. I feel that the cabinet finish AND the upholstery in the 1990 are far superior to the 2005. Granted, they have both aged well and held up well. Just my personal thoughts. The 1990 still looks good. I may need to refinish the cabinet/drawer faces in the 2005.
Everything else on the coach is awesome. They are solid, handle well and where else can you call the Mothership (or Larry) and yell HELP and get that help???
I'll be the negative Nelly... I've had a 1990 MP (my daughter has it now) and a 2005 RB. I believe that Lazy Daze used to do everything build wise in house with the 1990. I feel that the cabinet finish AND the upholstery in the 1990 are far superior to the 2005. Granted, they have both aged well and held up well. Just my personal thoughts. The 1990 still looks good. I may need to refinish the cabinet/drawer faces in the 2005.
Everything else on the coach is awesome. They are solid, handle well and where else can you call the Mothership (or Larry) and yell HELP and get that help???
Thank you for your input! Discussing all negatives and all positives are equally important.
I would like to revisiting this topic to see if anyone has any new thoughts.
Nothing really new, but just another input from a multi-LD owner. My first was a 1999 TK, which my cousin is still using, and my second (current) LD is a 2008 RB. I agree with this from Larry:
"In almost all respects, the newer models are built better than the older ones, due to LD's attention to problems and the constant tweaking of construction methods and features, I would have no problem buying new today."
They've been iterating on the same basic floor plans for decades. I think the build quality remained high in the 1999-2008 period. The most common compliment I've heard is regarding the paint quality (at least for the blue color). The '99 has held up nearly as well as the '08.
The most common compliment I've heard is regarding the paint quality (at least for the blue color).
The blue paint is well known for being the most durable, with brown being the second.
Red and gray fade faster than the other colors.
Keeping any of the colors out of the sun will prolong the paint's life.
Our 2003 Blue has been outdoors its entire life and still looks decent.
The build quality of the 2003s through 2008 was very good. After the recession, things changed and there were a few years with rigs having various problems, most were fixed by the Mothership.
Larry
"The blue paint is well known for being the most durable."
You didn't mention the Teal (Green), Larry. Ours has held up very well over it's 17 years of life. The only fading, barely discernible, is on the unprotected side. :o