Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB

[19gc45]

Hi
Looking for input on the above.
CCC is of particular interest, as well as general opinion. I know Lazy Daze is highly-regarded. Some people don't like the dated styling; I couldn't care less.
I like both these models, but find the rear lounge especially appealing. Also, I'd like to carry a small motorcycle on the rear; having both kitchen and bath ahead of the rear axle seems a better layout for that purpose.
I'd like to install a substantial solar system & carry plenty of tools, which I'm accustomed to having handy, so require good CCC. I gather that 1997 and later years are on the E450 platform, and may have as high as 2500# CCC (22'-23'model?) Much lower than that would present obstacles. The '96 was on the E350 Super Duty chassis. Don't know how that translates.
Lazy Daze (Dazes?) command pretty high used prices, and my ex is spending my money, so I'm thinking no later than 2000.
It would be easier to find high CCC in a small Class A, but with less overall quality. Also, I'll be traveling through Mexico & Central America. The smaller, nimbler Lazy Daze will perform better on those roads.
Other than the very spendy Bigfoot 29G, with the little toybox under the bedroom, Lazy Daze is the only Class C I'd consider.

[19gc45]

pnichols wrote:
Many Class C motorhomes are of the "widebody" design (101-102 inches wide). Even the Lazy Daze is not narrow at 99 inches wide. We take our slideless 24 foot Itasca Class C offroad all the time even though it's 101 inches wide, but .... many times I wish it was narrower at, say, 92 inches or less when out and about. The Lazy Daze looks small and compact because of it's low height - but it would probably still feel quite wide at times for some backroad and small town/village travel.

With a Lazy Daze, or any Class C, on non-paved roads I'd certainly also raise it's overall ground clearance via taller than stock profile tires - such as 235/85/16R or 245/85/16R tires - if rear dual inter-sidewall spacings can be maintained when doing so. The E450 chassis has an excellent 4:56 ratio in it's rear differential, so larger diameter tires still leaves plenty of pulling power with a short Class C's weight.

We have a 24 foot Itasca Class C on the E450 chassis, which gives us around 2100 lbs. of CCC. We have thought about carrying an offroad motorcycle along, too - but on the front - not the back. This provides better weight distribution on a Class C for good handling even when when fully loaded with all gear and fluids.

So far just the two of us have done very well, comfort-wise, for up to 10 continuous weeks in our slideless but widebody 24 footer. But as I mentioned, on some remote roads we could use less width. Our 11'3" height has not been a problem offroad or in high cross-winds because even at this height lateral stability is excellent with duals and the E450's 4.5 inch wider rear track over that of the E350.

I've thought about the smaller LD, but it's just too small for fulltiming, even for one person, at least if I'm that person. As to slides, I'd love to have one or more, but they're rare in older & smaller rigs. I'm sure I'll be content without one. The 26.5MB LD has the great aft lounge, big windows on three sides. The rear bath model has a less cramped bathroom, but I hope to spend more time in the lounge than the bathroom.

[19gc45]

Dusty R wrote:
What years did the V-10 have problems with spiting spark plugs? You might want to think about that.

'97-'02, naturally the years I'm looking at ($$$). The heads were manufactured with only 4 threads. Most complaints are about the 5.4 V8, maybe because it's the most common. There's a kit available ($360) to install a properly threaded insert. Assuming I find a rig that fits me otherwise, the insert might be wise preventive maintenance. Otherwise, I'd have to eliminate any RV on the Ford platform. (Yeah, I can hear the Chevy guys.)

[19gc45]

DaCrema wrote:
I have a mid bath LD and really like it. Given the age range you are looking at you will want to pay close attention to how the roof was cared for. As with any RV that old there are concerns but on the east coast I have been to meets where there are older LDs that are in very nice condition. The factory never mass produced so there are just not that many out there. I flew from Virginia to California to get the used one I was interested in two years ago. As for your question about changes through the years you might fine this link useful: http://www.andybaird.com/travels/LD-guide-web/
I second the suggestion about joining the LD yahoo forum. A lot of good info there. (like the guide I linked to)
John

Thanks.
I posted on the Lazy Daze Yahoo site (joined it a while back). No response yet. I checked Andy Baird's guide, which shows GVWR for the Ford Super Duty that showed up in some LDs in '96. 14050#, same as at least some years for the E450. I knew LD had switched to the E450 in '97. I'm trying to find a post somewhere stating the later ('99-forward) E450 was revised. Wide track, etc. (perhaps also higher GVWR). It would be useful to know if that took place in '99 as stated, or earlier.
Maybe I can contact Andy Baird direct for answers. He seems to be the go-to guy.

[19gc45]

"Try this link for Lazy Daze RV every once in a while. "
Thanks. Hadn't seen that one before. There are a few others I use, like oodle.
I haven't decided on Lazy Daze yet, but it seems that a '97 or later on the 450 chassis might work. Maybe someone on the Yahoo LD group will provide hard numbers.

[Gene_in_NE]

19gc45 wrote:
Hi
Looking for input on the above.
CCC is of particular interest, as well as general opinion. I know Lazy Daze is highly-regarded. Some people don't like the dated styling; I couldn't care less.
I like both these models, but find the rear lounge especially appealing. Also, I'd like to carry a small motorcycle on the rear; having both kitchen and bath ahead of the rear axle seems a better layout for that purpose.
I'd like to install a substantial solar system & carry plenty of tools, which I'm accustomed to having handy, so require good CCC. I gather that 1997 and later years are on the E450 platform, and may have as high as 2500# CCC (22'-23'model?) Much lower than that would present obstacles. The '96 was on the E350 Super Duty chassis. Don't know how that translates.
Lazy Daze (Dazes?) command pretty high used prices, and my ex is spending my money, so I'm thinking no later than 2000.
It would be easier to find high CCC in a small Class A, but with less overall quality. Also, I'll be traveling through Mexico & Central America. The smaller, nimbler Lazy Daze will perform better on those roads.
Other than the very spendy Bigfoot 29G, with the little toybox under the bedroom, Lazy Daze is the only Class C I'd consider.

They are not that hard to find if you know how to do the search. Try this link for Lazy Daze RV every once in a while.

[pnichols]

Many Class C motorhomes are of the "widebody" design (101-102 inches wide). Even the Lazy Daze is not narrow at 99 inches wide. We take our slideless 24 foot Itasca Class C offroad all the time even though it's 101 inches wide, but .... many times I wish it was narrower at, say, 92 inches or less when out and about. The Lazy Daze looks small and compact because of it's low height - but it would probably still feel quite wide at times for some backroad and small town/village travel.

With a Lazy Daze, or any Class C, on non-paved roads I'd certainly also raise it's overall ground clearance via taller than stock profile tires - such as 235/85/16R or 245/85/16R tires - if rear dual inter-sidewall spacings can be maintained when doing so. The E450 chassis has an excellent 4:56 ratio in it's rear differential, so larger diameter tires still leaves plenty of pulling power with a short Class C's weight.

We have a 24 foot Itasca Class C on the E450 chassis, which gives us around 2100 lbs. of CCC. We have thought about carrying an offroad motorcycle along, too - but on the front - not the back. This provides better weight distribution on a Class C for good handling even when when fully loaded with all gear and fluids.

So far just the two of us have done very well, comfort-wise, for up to 10 continuous weeks in our slideless but widebody 24 footer. But as I mentioned, on some remote roads we could use less width. Our 11'3" height has not been a problem offroad or in high cross-winds because even at this height lateral stability is excellent with duals and the E450's 4.5 inch wider rear track over that of the E350.

[19gc45]

No chance of me going with a Tiger or Sportsmobile. Too confined. As far as roads are concerned, I'm not planning anything far off the beaten track. The motorcycle (Yamaha TW200) I referred to in my post is intended for that purpose. This is going to be an open-ended trip, at least 2 years, with long stops along the way, so the motorhome has to provide comfort. At 68, that's important. I've been advised by a guy who leads the TrekAmerica Mexico to Argentina tour that anything larger than a 30' Class A will be a white-knuckle PITA. A woman who blogged about driving through Mexico in a 36' Newmar was less than thrilled with certain moments of the experience. Highways frequently are hilly, narrow & precipitous, and pass through small towns with very confined roads. If I can avoid a widebody Class A in favor of a Class C with enough CCC, I'd prefer that. I have a fairly stringent set of criteria, and have scrapped more than one seeming possibility which failed to meet one of them. Thought I had settled on a Safari Trek '91-'94 on the Isuzu/NPR platform, which is slow as molasses but bulletproof, and has an exhaust brake. Inadequate CCC. My main interest is learning the CCC of Lazy Daze on the E450.
I have considered MANY possible alternatives. Still doing so.

[mlts22]

I'd almost look into either a 4x4 Sportsmobile, Tiger as mentioned above, or a 4x4 pickup with a truck camper. I don't know what roads the OP is going on, but I'm guessing one may need a higher clearance than the average 2WD motorhome might have without tearing anything off underneath.

Were I heading to Baja or Central America, I'd probably consider going with a Sportsmobile Ford van with a 4x4 upfit and a pop top. It isn't as roomy as the Lazy Daze, but it would be fairly self contained, wouldn't have the clearance issues of a "C", and you could easily get a heavy duty wench for it for help when stuck.

[pnichols]

Here's a few things to keep in mind:

- Lazy Daze uses wood for interior framing. I prefer steel, or ideally aluminum, so that there is no framing in the walls to rot, ever.

- The Ford V10 transmission is much better from 2005 onwards.

- The Lazy Daze aluminum roof can be dented from freak hail storms with large hail stones.

- For travel in parts of Mexico and in all of Central America I'd recommend looking into a Tiger Class C product, instead. Search these forums concerning Tiger motorhomes, as a starting point.

[DaCrema]

I have a mid bath LD and really like it. Given the age range you are looking at you will want to pay close attention to how the roof was cared for. As with any RV that old there are concerns but on the east coast I have been to meets where there are older LDs that are in very nice condition. The factory never mass produced so there are just not that many out there. I flew from Virginia to California to get the used one I was interested in two years ago. As for your question about changes through the years you might fine this link useful: http://www.andybaird.com/travels/LD-guide-web/
I second the suggestion about joining the LD yahoo forum. A lot of good info there. (like the guide I linked to)
John

[Snowman9000]

duplicate

[Snowman9000]

Be sure to join this group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lifewithalazydazerv/conversations/messages

They will have specific answers to any question you have on LD MHs.

edit: I see you already joined.

[Dusty_R]

What years did the V-10 have problems with spiting spark plugs? You might want to think about that.

[snowdance]

We looked at several Lazy Daze. What I did learn is look at how the roof is done. The early ones had the roof stop at a trim on the top edge. All of the ones we looked at leaked and had wood rot. The newer ones where the roof wraps over the sides and the metal is bent and no edge trim are the ones you want to look at. Or do a lot of rebuild work. We did not find one we liked so passed on them.

[19gc45]

Yep, good quality; as are others I've considered and dismissed for subjective reasons. I still keep an eye out for them as they are made up here in Canada. As such they can be had at a reasonable price and sometimes nearby. On the other hand, Lazy Daze are scarce as hen's teeth. Not built for the Canadian climate. I've never seen one for sale. Again, I prefer Lazy Daze for partially subjective reasons and intend to use it primarily outside Canada.