Picking up a 2000 Lazy Daze 26.5 mid-bath

[jtrux]

My girlfriend and I will be picking up a 2000 Lazy Daze this afternoon.

In our initial searches, we found ourselves going back and forth between some used, lesser quality units, since our main goal was to get our feet wet with something pretty basic and, well...cheap.

She laid her eyes on this "thing" and had to have it. I will admit that the styling of the Lazy Daze really threw me off BUT I had recalled reading somewhere that they were built well, so I gave it a chance.

This one has had a so-so life. Everything seems pretty solid but there are some exterior cosmetic issues that I will address as time goes on. It needs a real good wax and some doors don't close well and things like that. The interior is very nice. There is one very small water spot at the corner of one window. I can except that. No mildew or mold or smells at all. I climbed on the roof and at some point someone had taped the seams and it appeared to have maintained well. I found an article online that outlined the procedure for removing windows and resealing them so that will be the first order of business.

There were actually a few things that sold me besides the quality of the interior. Since I plan on towing my Jeep, I was pretty adamant about having an E-450 chassis and a V-10. Well, I pretty got everything I wanted, so the rest was kinda up to her.

Oh, and btw, I held her opinion in very high regard when making this purchase for a few reasons. The main one is that, since she wasn't quite as into it as me, I figured it would make my life easier if she got what she wanted, seeing as how I'd be happy in just about anything just so long as we were out and about.

The more I delved into it, the more I liked it. Here's a few things that really sold me:

1. Solar panels

2. Automatic leveling jack

3. Trailer brake already installed

4. Very plush, leather front seats

5. 4k Onan generator

6. 15,000btu AC

7. Big refrigerator

8. 4.56 gearing

There's other things; these are just the ones that really stand out.

Now, there were some issues. The "service engine" light was on. I brought along my diagnostic scanner and hooked it up. It threw a cylinder misfire code and a torque converter solenoid code.

I reset them and drove it on the highway for a bit. The only code that came back was the misfire code. Keep in mind that it ran very well and had plenty of power BUT with 10 cylinders in action, it would be very, very hard to determine if one was not firing, whether it be consistent or intermittent.

I did some quick research on my phone and called my buddy who is a Ford mechanic and he quickly deduced that it was very likely a coil, plug, wire, or combination of the three. Unbeknownst to me, that is a pretty normal maintenance item on the Ford Modular series, so I was good with that. The engine does have 100k so it is likely in need of a thorough tune up.

The torque converter code was likely a BS code, OR it could be a a loose connector. If that code was in fact accurate, the converter would lock up and the engine would stall at idle, in gear.

I'm a very do-it-yourself kind of guy, so whatever it needs will be done by me.

I'll update with pics once I receive it and will likely have a thread detailing all of the things I go through.

[jtrux]

I'll hook my vacuum gauge up to it when I have the engine exposed in a few days. Good suggestion.

[2_many_2]

Tom_M wrote:

jtrux wrote:
The only issue that popped it's head up on the way home was that the dash AC would come in and out. It would be blowing ice cold for a few minutes and then everything just stopped. Few seconds later, it would do it again.

Any ideas?

The controls for the AC and heater are vacuum operated. You may have a vacuum leak. If that's the case, that also may be causing the engine misfire.

X2, With a vacuum leak the climate controls will revert to default mode (defrost). This has the cold A/C air blowing on the hot windshield.

[Tom_M1]

jtrux wrote:
The only issue that popped it's head up on the way home was that the dash AC would come in and out. It would be blowing ice cold for a few minutes and then everything just stopped. Few seconds later, it would do it again.

Any ideas?

The controls for the AC and heater are vacuum operated. You may have a vacuum leak. If that's the case, that also may be causing the engine misfire.

[IAMICHABOD]

Travelin2 wrote:

You will probably notice that the dash AC stops when the engine starts pulling hard. Like climbing up over an overpass in cruise control or up a hill or while accelerating. It is supposed to do that to give all the HP to accomplishing what you are asking of the power train. As soon as you back off on the throttle the AC comes back on-line.

Really? It must be a Ford thing. My Chevy Based Class C never misses a beat no matter what I am climbing or what I am doing,doesn't slow down at all. Maybe it has to do with the high revs that a V10 has to have to keep power.

[Travelin2]

jtrux wrote:
The only issue that popped it's head up on the way home was that the dash AC would come in and out. It would be blowing ice cold for a few minutes and then everything just stopped. Few seconds later, it would do it again.

Any ideas?

You will probably notice that the dash AC stops when the engine starts pulling hard. Like climbing up over an overpass in cruise control or up a hill or while accelerating. It is supposed to do that to give all the HP to accomplishing what you are asking of the power train. As soon as you back off on the throttle the AC comes back on-line.

[Bordercollie]

Reduce cooling setting to normal, may help. Dash AC may need servicing.

[jtrux]

The only issue that popped it's head up on the way home was that the dash AC would come in and out. It would be blowing ice cold for a few minutes and then everything just stopped. Few seconds later, it would do it again.

Any ideas?

[Bordercollie]

Check the date codes on the tires. Tires that are older than 5-6 years old may be unsafe especially if they have been sitting parked for long periods and have any cracking of sidewalls. Check the entire brake system including operation of calipers, replace front flex lines and flush fluid if not done in last two years. Check engine cooling system including clutch fan and all belts and hoses.
Fridges, roof AC units, converter charger and house batteries and fresh water pump may need replacement in near future, ours died at around 10 years old.
Run the RV generator for an hour about once per month to keep it in good running condition. Let generator warm up for 10 minutes then turn on roof AC unit for load and to keep AC in good condition. Drive your rig at least once per month for an hour or so to and use the dash AC unit to keep working properly. Learn how to check and maintain the house batteries and monitor charging system.

[jtrux]

Here's a pic my girlfriend took of me pulling it into the neighborhood.

[Snowman9000]

We would love to own a 27 foot LD. The layout is very good, and I love all the windows.

[fireflock]

Congratulations!

Be sure to check out both www.lazydazearticles.blogspot.com and www.lazydazeowners.com

One nice thing about the Ford V-10 is that there are plenty in both RV's and trucks. I've had good luck finding advice on the web and mechanics who are familiar with them.

Pay very close attention to the water spot. Water is the enemy of all RV's and leak problems can turn into big problems very quickly. Rear end caps and the area around the above cab windows are both areas to keep an eye on.

Enjoy the new coach!

[tpi]

Enjoy it...

[PghBob]

Congratulations and welcome to the cult er ... club. Please make sure to check the date codes on your tires and replace them if they are 6 years of age or older, no matter how good the tread looks.

Over at the LD Owner's board, one guy who is quite knowledgeable on all things LD, posted some very useful info. regarding maintenance items for older LDs. You might find it useful.

Best wishes on your rig.

[mikim]

Our very first RV was a Brand new 1989 Lazy Daze. The only issue we had was sealing the roof. You have do to that religously. Only reason we do not have one is my wife loves the slide outs especially in inclement weather. They are built 15 miles from our home.