1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

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1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

June 20, 2016, 03:54:04 pm

Hi! I'm new.

I currently live in a 1979 Silver Streak travel trailer, and I love it to pieces, but it's a bit hard to get around since it's 32ft long (53ft total with my truck attached). I manage, but it's difficult to tow on my own, which means I have to bring someone along when I go on trips. Not that I mind, but it would be nice to travel solo at times. Currently, I'm parked on my aunt's land, so I don't have to pay rent (yay!), but the spot I'm in is tight, and I can't get out on my own (boo!).

Anyway, I've been drooling over Lazy Daze motorhomes for years, but I prefer the 1980s aesthetic to the newer ones. Also, they're in my price range, which is about 10-15k, at the moment. I've seen plenty that are well under that, but it seems they might have more problems than I can handle. I did rehab my trailer for 2 years before I moved in, so I know what I'm getting into with a vintage RV, but the whole motor thing is something I don't know much about. I do have family that can work on stuff like that for cheap, if needed though.

Note: I'm not planning on selling my trailer. I just want the motorhome for shorter trips (up to a month or so) while the trailer will be my home base and used for long trips.

Besides the typical leaks and RV inspection stuff , is there any other reason a 1980s Lazy Daze is a bad idea? I don't mind driving slowly or not having a lot of power on hills. I just want something small and easy to travel in. And something I can get in and go without worrying about how long I am. I'd like to park in normal places, please. I'm interested in the 22ft ones with the rear dinette or the couch in the back next to the bath - I don't know what they're called.

Anyone have or had an 1980s unit that can share some helpful info?

Thanks!

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #1 – June 20, 2016, 07:59:29 pm

Our '83 had many mechanical issues on the road, over the years - even trying to keep it in top shape between trips. Had I not been able myself to handle those mechanical mishaps, there is no way we would have kept that rig anything close to the 19 years we did.

Steve

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #2 – June 21, 2016, 10:18:25 am

I should add - it was 10 years old when we bought it, in pretty good shape, and at that time it had many issues to be resolved before we took it on the road, as they all will....

Steve

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #3 – June 21, 2016, 12:02:37 pm

Pre-1990 LDs has a host of issues that were 'cured' or improved in the later models.
Examples are leaking front and rear caps, leaky front windows, leaks around any of the side windows. Leaking roof (pre-90s had a three piece roof, later models have a one piece roof).
Other problem- they have undependable carburetors, no over-drive, a weak suspension and a lack of power, with the 350 V8, not to mention poor gas mileage. Most 350 need replacement or major work before 100,000 miles.

Owned a 1983 LD for eight years.
Larry

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #4 – June 21, 2016, 02:17:47 pm

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Too bad the 80s ones had so many problems.

So a 1990s one is a better idea, I take it. The early 90s ones are still in my budget, as long as something isn't totally wrong with it (which I'd hopefully find out before I bought it!). I can live with the 90s interior.

Did they instantly improve in 1990 or is there a later date I should look for?

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #5 – June 21, 2016, 02:47:30 pm

Andy put together a very nice set of pages that list Lazy Daze changes and floor plans over the years. Here is a link: Lazy Daze Pocket Guide

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #6 – June 21, 2016, 05:53:52 pm

Quote from: hollan - June 21, 2016, 02:17:47 pm

Too bad the 80s ones had so many problems.
So a 1990s one is a better idea, I take it.
Did they instantly improve in 1990 or is there a later date I should look for?

From a mechanical point of view, 1990 and later for Fords and 1991 for the Chevys.
GM's 4L80E 4-speed automatic was a big improvement.
The Ford V10 is desirable and may be worth saving for. Early V10 s had a lower HP output.
The one piece front cap, without the window was a huge improvement. Still leaks do occurred, so check the corners and under the windows carefully. Rot can be difficult to find, take an ice pick and someone with super sensitive nose.

Larry

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #7 – June 22, 2016, 01:52:22 pm

Thanks for the info! Very helpful!

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #8 – June 23, 2016, 07:17:41 am

I owned a 1979 with the Dodge 440 engine. I loved it. Was it perfect? No. But for short local trips it was perfect for me at the time. My father and I put a lot of work into restoring it, creating memories which I now treasure. Obviously buying an older LD is not for everyone, but I would hate to discourage someone from buying an older LD and missing out on all the great experiences they could have with it, especially if they know what they're getting into, are ready and willing to do the work, and know upfront that it's a totally different experience than owning a newer LD.

I now own a 2003 MB, and I love it, too. I love how quietly it runs and that it's more reliable mechanically. But I still miss the character and personality of the older LD and some of its features: the front cabover window to look out at the night sky, the windows that slid open along the back (not just the sides), the pullout cutting board in the kitchen that gave extra working space, etc.

I definitely wouldn't go back to the older LD now. But I'm glad I didn't allow all the downsides of owning an older LD to prevent me from buying it when it was the right choice for me at the time. YOU have to know what's right for you -- what your resources are financially and otherwise, your tolerance level for dealing with something older, and how much you enjoy "vintage" vehicles. There's no general "right" answer, just what's right for you and your needs/wants/personality.

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #9 – June 23, 2016, 03:06:50 pm

Thanks, Fern!

I love older RVs, which is why I live in one. I'm not worried about the RV side of things (I can deal with leaks and the like just fine). I'm looking at everything for sale right now. If I find an older one I like that is in good condition, I'll go for it. My Silver Streak isn't perfect either, but I love it. I think I'll feel the same way about a Lazy Daze. The newer ones don't have the same kind of retro charm, in my opinion.

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #10 – June 25, 2016, 04:17:40 pm

Hey, Fern...

"the pullout cutting board in the kitchen that gave extra working space"

I suspect that you have the fold-down fiberglass counter extension in your rig?

??

Get rid of that fiberglass monstrosity and replace it with an appropriately larger wooden cutting board using the same hardware that held the previous one. You will wonder why you didn't think of it before. ;-)

Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #11 – June 25, 2016, 05:16:57 pm

I second the motion! That tiny counter extension in the midbath is all but useless. I replaced mine with a 15" wide by 17" deep cutting board, which is a huge improvement--in fact, I do almost all my food preparation on that surface, from making bread to making sandwiches to mixing gingerbread.

Initially I used the Lazy Daze support bracket for the new cutting board, but over the long run that didn't proved to be durable enough for the larger work surface. A sudden collapse that dumps all your food on the floor is not a pleasant experience! So I switched to using a pair of heavier brackets, and they have worked just fine.

(Sorry about the Amazon "a" logo in front of that link--I don't know what caused it or how to get rid of it, but I find it distracting.)

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: 1980s Lazy Daze Good idea or Bad Idea?

Reply #12 – June 26, 2016, 07:53:09 am

Thanks, Steve and Andy. That has been on my list of improvements to do for awhile, since Andy has talked so much about how much he likes his. I tend to gravitate to the space between the sink and the stove because it's so convenient when I'm using the stove. And in my 1979 LD, when I just needed one extra little space for something, I could pull out that extension right there. But perhaps if I have a more satisfactory workspace to the left of the sink I'll gravitate there, instead. I'll admit I've been pleased with the other "Andy improvements" I've incorporated into my rigs, so I imagine I will be with this one, too. ;-)

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