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Re: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
First I've heard of OCCC, possibly because I'm looking pre-2009. Re Phoenix. Pricier, as are pretty much all B+. Not sure I'd want to full-time in one. Lazy Daze looks good for CCC on the E450. For fulltiming solo the rear lounge would make a great bed/sitting room. Gotta love those windows. A little tight in the bath? They're easy to find in the US. Up here in Canada, I've yet to see one.844Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
I've spent the last few days really zeroing in on Lazy Daze & Safari Trek. I've gleaned lots of new info from Trek Tracks, nothing yet from Live...Daze (but some from other sources). I think my misgivings re CCC were partly ill-founded. Without doubt, a Lazy Daze would have to be on the E450 ('97 forward). With the Treks, it's certain later years that have poor CCC, as little as ~800#. The Trek & LD were originally at the top of my shortlist, and are now back there, with more year/model precision. I've had a gut feeling for some time that the Isuzu/NPR Trek ('91-'94) would suit me, and now have enough info to know they have enough CCC. Under-powered, certainly; people behind me are going to be calling me bad names at times. But 13-15 mpg, and by all accounts bullet-proof with proper maintenance. The Isuzu/NPR commercial stop & go vehicles sometimes go 300K before major repairs (and stop & go is not the best way to drive a diesel). I understand the correct way to drive this Trek is to put pedal to metal and leave it there except when descending. Then let the exhaust brake do its job. Narrow at 90"; but where I'm heading, that will be a plus. I'm keeping Lazy Daze at Number 2. A lot will depend on timing/availability. Both rigs have excellent owner groups, which to my mind is more important than manufacturer or dealer support. I think I'd be happy with either one. As to the Triton spark plug issue, it does seem to have been somewhat over-blown. That said, we ought to be able to take for granted that our spark plugs are going to stay where we've put them. I & many others have replaced spark plugs, w/o incident, using the "that feels about right" torque specification. With the Triton, it may be better to use a torque wrench, anti-seize compound, and slightly over-spec torque. (Follow this advice at your own risk. I'll be hiding in Panama.) Thanks to those who posted.834Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
Snowman9000 wrote: In a small C, stability while parked is not much of an issue. Much different from say a trailer. For years I drove a '93 +23' Ford E350 cube van as a work vehicle, very similar to a small Class C. From the way it behaved I'd say you're right.839Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
PghBob wrote: It looks like the OP has done a lot of research so far. But, just a gentle reminder that slide-outs will take away from CCC, as will leveling systems. Best wishes for success in your search. Thanks. Any idea re weight of leveling systems? CCC is a top priority, one of several reasons for leaving slide-outs off the must-have list.835Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
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.299Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
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.)209Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
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.208Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
"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.210Views0likes0CommentsRe: Lazy Daze '96-2000 26.5MB, 26.5RB
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.209Views0likes0Comments
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