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Topic: New Members with a question re: E350 vs E450 (Read 328 times) previous topic - next topic
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New Members with a question re: E350 vs E450
Hi all, This is John and Gloria in Florida. We have been RVing with a Bigfoot travel trailer and have decided to change over to traveling with a motorhome. We have always been impressed with the Lazy Daze and the fact that they don't feel the need to change their design every year. When traveling we always point out the Lazy Daze motorhomes we see to each other. We are beginning our search and one showed up for sale nearby. We have a few questions right off that I hope you all can help us with. First, the rig is a 1998 26.5MB mounted on an E350 chassis. Is this carrier heavy enough for this rig? I ask this because I see in later years they moved up to the E450. Second, the Ford chassis will be either a 1998 or 1997. Will these year models have drum brakes in the rear? Third, the motorhome was built without a generator. When Lazy Daze built one like that did they put a wire harness there to make it "generator ready"? Thanks in advance and I hope we become proud owners of a LD and get to commiserate with all you folks about "LD stuff".
Re: New Members with a question re: E350 vs E450
Reply #1 –
You will need to check the LD's door plate to find the actual GVW. 1997 was a change over year when the E350, in the 26.5' models, was replaced by the E450 but it isn't uncommon to find LDs built on a year or two older chassis.
Some E350s are tagged as "Super Duty", these are early E450s.
Another clue is all wide-body coaches (99" wide) are E450s
If it is a 26.5' E350, with a 11,500-lb GVW, walk away, it will not have enough available cargo capacity and will have smaller, vacuum boosted  brakes, as opposed the bigger, hydraulically boosted brake brakes on the E450s, and a higher, 4.11 gear ratio.
Find a true E450, it will have a GVW of 14.050-LBS, after 2008 increased to 14,500-lbs. The exception are the E350 23.5' models which, if carefully loaded, work fine and get great mileage when compared to the larger models

I believe all LDs of this vintage have disc brakes in the rear.
Some LDs, without Factory generators are prewired, but not all are. Anyway, it is an very expensive add on, besides the cost of the generator a mount will to be fabricated and a gas line added, sometimes requiring the dropping the fuel tank, It is best and least expensive to find one with a Factory generator.

Rigs this old can hide a multitude pf problems, have an experience RV tech go through whatever LD you are thinking about buying. Pay close attention to the four corners, looking for loose end caps, wetness or rot in the bunk corners or the rear corners.
Having a mechanic go through the chassis is good idea too. There are a lot of thing that can wear or deteriorate in 20+ years.

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: New Members with a question re: E350 vs E450
Reply #2 –
Larry, Thanks so much for all that info. It makes me much more informed when I look at one now. The one I was referring to happened to show up at a local dealer right here in Venice, Florida so it gave us a chance to at least get an idea of the layout of the mid-bath without traveling at all. I think we will continue our search for one a bit newer and take your advice about making sure it has a factory installed generator. Thanks again.

John