Hi all! I've been a lurker for awhile here and I may be taking the plunge on an RV. We've rode motorcycles & tented your years. I think we are now ready to haul the bikes & sleep in comfort.I've found a clean 26.5 rear bath 1994 Lazy Daze locally. There aren't many around here, so I was impressed when we looked at it. 52K miles on an E350 chassis with a 460. Real clean with new Michelin tires.I have a couple of questions I need help with.1. How do I determine it's value? He's asking 10K, which seemed reasonable compared to some of the others I've looked at. NADA say's it's worth 6K. Most of the 6K campers I've seen are pretty sad. Is the NADA price wrong?2. The unit was ordered with no generator. Is this a "deal breaker"? Would a portable generator plugged into the shore power be an acceptable alternative? Would there be any problems doing it this way?It has 1 small solar panel on it. Would it be possible to augment the factory set-up or should I really start over with newer tech stuff?3. Do you think this rig would have any trouble towing a 3K enclosed trailer? The current owner say's the pulls a car trailer with four 4X4's and firewood down to the Oklahoma dunes no problem. I worry how it would do once I got out of the flatlands with it, tho.Any thoughts would be helpful and I am sorry for the longwinded post!Thanks,Murf

Hi. See an LD owners' group web page for some answers. http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lifewithalazydazerv/conversations/messagesOnce a member of the group, you can view the files section that includes prices for used LDs. With respect to the generator, how much do you expect to use it? I don't use mine very often. With respect to upgrading your solar, I would wait for a bit. You are considering an older RV with older equipment. You might need to repair/replace something more important in the coming months. Good Luck, Bob

My opinion is a 94 Class "C" without a built in generator is a $4,000 - $5,000 motorhome. A Ford 460 will tow a 3,000 lb. trailer without much problem but you will need a brake controller and verify the tow hitch is rated for that much weight. If you are riding motorcycles you will probably be boondocking which makes the generator practically a necessity. You can buy a single Honda 2,000 but that probably won't run the A/C in an Oklahoma summer. Probably need two so figure a minimim of another $3000. The small solar panel is probably sufficient to keep the batteries charged when not in use but not much else. Better to look for a $5,000 to $7,000 Class C wth a "working" built-in generator. If you don't need the A/C it sounds like a decent vehicle but $10,000 seems steep to me.

And hauling the gas for the gen would be a pain you would think.So nice just to hit the start button on the inside when gen power is needed.

The big question is what are planning on using it for?In my case the generator is handy a few times a year, but in a smaller Class C, the genny is usually so loud inside the coach it's nearly useless. If most of what you'll be doing is staying in campgrounds with full services, the generator might just be an expensive PITA. Good luck regardless.(Another Murf, LOL).

Really Its only worth what your willing to pay for it. If you think it will meet your needs and expectations then make an offer and use the lack of a gen set as a bargaining chip. you can hit up Craig's list or surplus for a good Onan or toss a portable in with the bikes.Big thing is don't get something your not going to be happy with there's tons of used campers out there to be had.

Can you help a newb out? Please | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

Murf2
Explorer
Nov 09, 2014
Thanks again, guy's! Great links.

Murf
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 08, 2014
Here is a concise history of model/feature changes for LD's over the years:
http://www.andybaird.com/travels/LD-guide-web/

His Travels website has a lot of blog posts about his two LD's.
Butch50
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
Made it a clicky
Hank85713
Explorer
Nov 07, 2014
Here is what I was talking about when I said check CL.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/4742049758.html
snowdance
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
Murf2 wrote:
snowdance, Thanks for the reply! You wouldn't happen to remember what year the one's you looked at were? I think the one I looked at had the roof rolled down over the sidewalls but I'm not sure. I should have paid more attention. How were you able to spot the frame rot? The ceilings & walls looked good but I didn't poke around real hard try to find soft spots.

Thanks for your help,
Murf

We pull things out away from the walls and open doors and draws to look back inside then I use some thing like an ice pick in places no one can see. I also pull the overhead bunk mattress back and check on a seam where there should be a good wood backing not soft and mushy. If you get one, get the rolled over the side walls. However use the ice pick on most any thing you look at. There is never a hole large enough to see but for the money you are about to lay down you need to feel good about it. Also looking back in the back of things will tell you a lot.
Hank85713
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014
If you want a rv genset look at craigs list. they are usually there all the time. But as with anything used it will need a REAl good checkout, not just a start and run. I have seen them for around $200-400 dollars but like I said I dont know their overall condition.

Also look real close around the AC unit on the inside, there is an article in the recent MH/trailer life about how the seals go bad and leak there so you would need to pull the cover off on the inside to check. A friend had a 5th wheel and it was flooded by the rains comng in around the skylights and vents so check all opening. Pull the panels off the sides and check under the refrig, the water tank etc or atleast have a knowledgeable person do it with/for you.

A lot of good buys can be found on CL, but you need to expand your search area at the same time. Before we got the one we have I was looking at texas and calif sales and there were some reasonable one, but the newer ones you would think were on a dealers lot. SOme were a lot were not, but there are deals to be found IF ya look. Thats where I found ours, about 250 miles away only a year old with 4000 miles. Same one we almost bought at a dealer for a lot less.
Travelcrafter
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
Murf2, You can usually tell a lot about the roof by the ceilings. If you have looked hard at the ceilings and did not see things like stains or mildew on or around it and or windows its probably not an issue. you can also crawl around the roof and look for cracks in the sealing material around the seams and vent areas. If you see big globs of sealant in a particular place, go back and search for weak spots and hidden signs of seal failures in the corresponding places on the ceiling. It's a real task to find that perfect Motor home and your doing it right, ask questions seek advice and have fun with it.
Murf2
Explorer
Nov 05, 2014
snowdance, Thanks for the reply! You wouldn't happen to remember what year the one's you looked at were? I think the one I looked at had the roof rolled down over the sidewalls but I'm not sure. I should have paid more attention. How were you able to spot the frame rot? The ceilings & walls looked good but I didn't poke around real hard try to find soft spots.

Thanks for your help,
Murf
snowdance
Explorer
Nov 02, 2014
We looked at a couple LD's while looking for a rig. Both had the roof seam covered with trim piece on the roof. And both had rot in the wood frame. Over head bunks were real bad. However if the roof material is bent down over the side of the rig and sealed like they are now the problem is gone. So check where and how the roof is sealed..

I to would just have a 4kw gen installed if I got the rig.

Good Luck with what you choose. We too rode for years and wanted more comfort.
Bordercollie
Explorer
Oct 30, 2014
Regardless of RV brand, the awning, fridge, fresh water pump, and dash and roof AC units may be ready to die. Our roof AC and fridge, house batteries and converter/charger etc needed replacement at around 10 years old. Tires if over 5 years old may be unsafe and need replacement per date code, disregard appearance. If you boondock, a built in 4000 watt generator is needed occasionally to power the roof AC and microwave, charge batteries, etc. The condition of the engine cooling system, brakes, transmission, suspension etc., plus "housebox" needs should also be taken into account when deciding to buy any used rig.

Forum Discussion

Can you help a newb out? Please

25 Replies

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

General newb questions - Advice?

Newb

Newb questions

newb questions

boondocking newbe