Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

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Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

January 06, 2017, 03:33:52 pm

Sorry for the new topic.

I was talking to the owner of the LD I was looking at, and before I buy plane tickets wanted to find out if others would consider these items red flags. The owner sounds like an amazing person, who in fact help start the south central LD club that was active until just recently.

1.) they "towed" constantly except one trip to Alaska. I worry that would be added strain on the engine.
2.) the unit has "sat" for the past two years.
This is in addition to my concern that the engine is a E-350. On my "do it right" list I had told myself I would only look at E-450 engines.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I do have to say the owner is a absolute gem. She told me that as an experienced RVer her feelings were any solo traveler not mechanically inclined should buy a newish motorhome. Sadly newer ones seem so expensive for their age, compared to the last time I was lazy Daze shopping 12 or so years ago.
1998 Lazy Daze 26.5, Crosby TX - - RVtrader.com
Thanks Kay

[edited topic title to be more descriptive - Michelle]

Re: Should I worry?

Reply #1 – January 06, 2017, 04:22:39 pm

Hi Kay,

I think you are confusing the chassis (E350) with engine size. And it looks like this rig actually has the E450 chassis based on the GVWR of 14050#. The 23.5 foot LDs on the Ford chassis were on the lighter E350 chassis with an 11,500# GVWR.

Also, the side of the truck cab says "Triton V10". From what I have read, that is a lower horsepower version of the engine currently used; it should have 265 horsepower compared to the newer verison which is 305 horsepower.

Perhaps someone more familiar with that year model could provide more guidance.

Good luck,
Steve K

Re: Should I worry?

Reply #2 – January 06, 2017, 04:39:48 pm

I would ask when the tires were last replaced. Big bucks up front if you need new shoes all around.

If you go for it, i would require the seller to remove the non-LD decals which can be a real job. Unless you want to be 2665 and SC 2.
Ed

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #3 – January 06, 2017, 06:51:51 pm

"Unless you want to be 2665 and SC 2."

The number '2665' is probably the LD Caravan Club member number and I'm guessing that 'SC 2' is the South Central membership # for the 2nd person to be 'numbered' into that organization.

If the current owner is telling the truth I'd scramble to buy it.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #4 – January 06, 2017, 09:58:49 pm

Seems the price is right, to me. Definitely worth inspecting. Good luck!! The ad claims it is indeed an E350, with a V10. 90000 miles of towing is nothing to ignore, but this asking price seems to discount that. Inspection, test drive and maintenance records would go a long way to making me take a shot here.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #5 – January 06, 2017, 10:39:11 pm

The only caution I would give is that this rig has been for sale for awhile now, many months cause i recall seeing it listed during my search. Good mid bath models tend to get grabbed pretty quick so I wonder why this one hasn't sold yet. I would get an inspection before going further and ask the important questions like maintenance, roof and seam sealing, history of leaks etc.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #6 – January 07, 2017, 01:06:27 am

Yes, I mixed up the chassis with the engine size. Sorry for the confusion. I did e-mail asking for clarification on chassis size, and have yet to get a response.

I’m feeling discouraged. I was not able to find someone to inspect the rig next week, though the owner said I could take it to her mechanic. I wanted to fly down and pick-up! The cost of round trip tickets, hotel, and rental car just to look, seems a bit much and could go a long way toward buying new tires on the RV I will one day get. (LOL is it just my bad luck every rig I have looked at, should have had tires replaced?)

To be honest the RV decals would not have bothered me if everything else worked out. Even with having to buy new tires, I felt it was priced fairly compared to pricing I have seen so far. What is scaring me away, is the full time towing and most of all just sitting for 2+ years. LOL I just read the post on repelling mice. Could you imagine the damage that could occur in 2 years?

The owner is a very nice 80 plus year old woman whose husband died in 2014. I could talk to her all day, she is that delightful. I believe her when she said that coach was in great shape two years ago, and as far as she knows everything works. What’s sad is that that the coach was allowed to sit for that length of time. After it did not sell the first time she tried to sell, she said she lowered the pricing to reflect the tire cost and brought the rig to an RV shop and replaced batteries and that sort of thing.

Anyways, I will try not to get excited about any coach again that is not within overnight driving distance. I hate shopping in general, and RV shopping has sooo many pitfalls where I could mess up!

Thank you every one. I know all the help I received, especially on handling purchase payment will serve me well in the future.
Kay

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #7 – January 07, 2017, 01:50:18 am

There is something going on behind the stovetop, not sure if it is burned on stains, water damage, or something else.

Many people buying this style want the two couches in the back and the fact this has 2 barrel chairs might scare off some people (not able to add a second couch because of knowledge or logistics).

Be wary of mixing up a really nice person with a really nice coach, they are not necessarily the same and it is easy when you get along with someone to just go along and not carefully look at what you are buying.

If she has taken the LD in regularly (not just the once), ask to talk to her mechanic - they should be able to give you some idea of the condition and how it has been taken care of over time.
If found asking to talk to their mechanic and having them send records over can weed out a lot of people (who have not really maintained it at all - don't have good records and don't have a good mechanic/RV repair person they are willing to have you talk to).
Anyone serious should have no problem with you talking to their vehicle repair person.

It would also be nice to find someone on the forums (this one or another one you hang out on) that would be willing to go take a good look at it for you.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #8 – January 07, 2017, 02:52:03 am

HI Pat,

My wife and I looked at this LD last weekend. This was the first LD I've ever looked at, so I am no expert.

The first thing we were told was that all the tires needed to be replaced due to their age. When I looked at the roof while standing on the ladder, the sealant going down the seam to the front looked old and cracked. The roof needs work. The first thing I notice walking in the door was a musty odor. I checked the ceilings but did not see any water spots. Maybe it just needs to be aired out?

Everything seemed to work, I was impressed with how solid the construction is on a LD. During a test drive the engine was strong. The only unusual noise i heard from inside was a rattle from the stove top cover. I was impressed for how well an 18 year old motorhome that had been to Alaska and back had aged.

During the road test I discovered the right mirror mount needs to be fixed, it does not stay out all the way. Also the brakes vibrate/shimmy , the rotors probable need to be turned. When we got back we tested the hydraulic levelers, but some warning light came on while they were being retracted.

So, i looked and discovered how well the LD's are put together, but i passed on this one due to concern over the musty smell plus I am not ready to buy yet.

Jim

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #9 – January 07, 2017, 12:14:14 pm

Hi Jim!

Welcome to Lazy Daze and best of luck finding the best RV for your needs.

Thank you so much for posting about the Houston LD for sale. Haha I feel like I dodged a bullet. Musty is not good. That along with the known $2,000.00 for tires along with brakes and other issues, would have made me think twice. An older RV can be a money pit for sure!

I am no expert on dry rot, but I have found it by pressing hard around windows, doors, ceilings and openings. Living in the high desert means to me rot is most likely dry without the smell, so I try to look twice as hard. I have also found a lot of water damage in the bathrooms, under sinks, even the wood where the cabover bed is.

Again, thank you for posting!

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #10 – January 07, 2017, 12:28:24 pm

Kay, We have a 1998 26.5 MB with 72K miles on it when we bought it back in April last year. That year as was pointed out earlier in this thread has the V10 Triton 265hp engine on a Ford Superduty which was later called the E450. Our LD was from California and had just arrived in Washington state a week before. I was told that it had been garaged all of its life and had an RV cover over it while it was in the garage, although we garage it, we don't use the cover that came with it. I think the price they are asking is fair But some people here have pointed out some important concerns and Jim who saw it last week has given you some great information which can help you with you decision about traveling to see it. There will be more LDs out there for you to see, we looked for roughly a year or two and traveled to visit some 6 models for about the last 6 months before ours showed up less then 200 miles away. It will happen for you...

Karen ~ Liam
98 ~ MB

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #11 – January 08, 2017, 12:34:34 am

I did get a response from the Houston mid bath owner concerning the chassis and tires. I am passing this along in case any might be interested in the coach. I have to be careful around possible mold so this isn't the coach for me.

"The Lazy Daze tires are from 2005. The chassis is the ford E350 van. Thanks
Shirley"

KP

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #12 – January 08, 2017, 08:12:02 am

All tires, probably including the spare, need to be replaced if they are 11 years old. This will cost approx. couple thousand dollars. You would need to add this to your budget.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #13 – January 08, 2017, 09:51:36 am

Quote from: rm2011ldmb - January 08, 2017, 08:12:02 am

All tires, probably including the spare, need to be replaced if they are 11 years old. This will cost approx. couple thousand dollars. You would need to add this to your budget.

"...including the spare..."

Last time I bought new tires at Discount Tire, I asked the tech to check my spare while he was installing the new tires. When he found out the spare was more than 10 yrs old, he wouldn't touch it, saying DT's safety policy was not to mess with tires that old. I bought a new spare.

Chris

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #14 – January 08, 2017, 10:24:55 am

Back in the summer we had a tire failure on our old itaska, we put the spare on and drove to Les Schwab. The four rears had been replaced 3 or so years ago and are in good condition. The two fronts, one which had the problem needed changing. As it turns out the guy said that one of the front tires the spare may had been original equipment and thus over 30+ years old, we never checked the date just periodically checked it's pressue. To add to the complication the tire sizes are 16.5 which are not made now except for one tire maker and is difficult to locate. I ended up getting the tires from Amazon since they were the only vendor that I could reliably get the tires to us and Les Schwab put them on. Our Lazy Daze has all new tires this summer and that includes the spare! Don't forget the Spare!

Karen ~ Liam
98~MB

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #15 – January 08, 2017, 12:37:22 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - January 08, 2017, 10:24:55 am

To add to the complication the tire sizes are 16.5 which are not made now except for one tire maker and is difficult to locate. I ended up getting the tires from Amazon since they were the only vendor that I could reliably get the tires to us and Les Schwab put them on.

I didn't realize that Ford was still using 16.5" wheels and tires as late as 1998.
16.5" tires are very difficult to find and eventually, new tires will not be available. If this does happen, a good truck tire shop should be able to find the proper 16" wheels, with the correct backspacing, to replace them. Might not be cheap.
Another good reason to buy a 1999 or newer LD.

Larry

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #16 – January 08, 2017, 02:15:16 pm

Odd, my 92 has 16 inch wheels. Thankfully.

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #17 – January 08, 2017, 04:06:52 pm

Quote from: Karen & Liam - January 08, 2017, 10:24:55 am

"Back in the summer we had a tire failure on our old itaska, we put the spare on and drove to Les Schwab. The four rears had been replaced 3 or so years ago and are in good condition. The two fronts, one which had the problem needed changing. As it turns out the guy said that one of the front tires the spare may had been original equipment and thus over 30+ years old, we never checked the date just periodically checked it's pressue. To add to the complication the tire sizes are 16.5 which are not made now except for one tire maker and is difficult to locate. I ended up getting the tires from Amazon since they were the only vendor that I could reliably get the tires to us and Les Schwab put them on. Our Lazy Daze has all new tires this summer and that includes the spare! Don't forget the Spare! "

Karen -Liam, are you saying that it was a previous rig that had 16.5" wheels/tires? Or your 98 Lazy Daze?

See what happens when you don't use paragraphs or explain which rig you're referring to?

Steve K

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #18 – January 09, 2017, 09:08:07 am

Mmmmmmm, paragraphs! Make reading taste better!

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #19 – January 09, 2017, 02:54:27 pm

I don't think sitting for two years is a big deal. Or towing.

Most motorhomes sit for extended periods at one time or another. At this age and price something is going to be wrong, it's just a matter of what and the feasibility of correcting it. Of more importance is the condition of the chassis and coach. I would call her mechanic and ask what he knows about its history and what it would cost to have the Ford chassis fully serviced, needed repairs made and new tires installed.

As to tires a quick check on Tire Rack shows this LD very likely has widely available 16" tires like the rest of our motorhomes. If cost is an issue Tire Rack could ship a decent set of tires to her mechanic for about $1200, probably less. He could then install those.

If the mechanic is in the RV service business, as opposed to simple auto and truck repair, then ask about his ability to examine and service the coach too. Do all the systems work? What would it take to correct any problems?

As to towing, we have towed a 4000 lb. Jeep Wrangler on almost every one of the 100,000 miles on our coach with no ill effects that I can see. In the mountain west no less. I'd ask what they towed, an economy car or an F-150? And where. In the flatlands of Southern California and Texas or over one mountain pass after another?

As to history, if she is the original owner then ask for records. If not then that Caravan Club number might help you get in touch with the original owner. Of most importance in all that is whether this coach has been resealed, by whom, when and how. Might the LD factory be familiar with this coach when it was in SoCal?

You're not going to get a like new coach for $16,000. I think the best you can hope for is one with limited wear and problems that can be fixed, as opposed to those that really can't. You have to plan your budget to have the resources to make the needed repairs sooner than later.

In 2010 I decided that I wanted an Audi allroad. Sort of a cult car well matched to our lifestyle and somewhat snowy winters. I bought a good one for $18K but fairly quickly spent about $5K on it. It was not "like new" when I got it, it needed work, but it was very close to like new when the needed work was done. Same with a LD. If I was buying one for $16K I'd want to be ready to spend another $5K or more to make it right.

I've also purchased cars over the Internet and traveled to see and buy them. You must be prepared to walk away and fly home or you will get stuck with a bad decision.

Finally, if these people have been part of the LD community (Caravan or South Central clubs) then maybe the seller knows someone who could help you make a better evaluation, a stand-in for her husband if he was the one with all the facts.

Just please remember that at this price you are going to be buying some problems. The key is to find the problems you're able and willing to fix as opposed to ending up with some you can't. In my experience chassis problems are easier to fix than coach problems. Any decent mechanic can fix an E-350 drivetrain. But it is much harder to find someone who can make major repairs to our coaches.

Good luck.

Terry
2003 26.5'RB
Gardnerville, NV

Re: Should I worry? [about this LD before I travel to see it?]

Reply #20 – January 09, 2017, 03:30:27 pm

"I didn't realize that Ford was still using 16.5" wheels and tires as late as 1998."
----
I think that the OP was referring to the wheel size on his previous motorhome, an Itasca of unspecified vintage; AFAIK, 16.5" wheels on Ford (and Chevy and Dodge) vehicles were phased out sometime in the early-mid 80s. (?) A 1998 Ford E350 or E450 should have 16" wheels.

Joan

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