Community Forums

goldbehen · 03-12-2019, 07:23 AM

There’s a Lazy Daze 2001 for sale that has 11,000 original miles. Supposedly was under a carport most of its life. All service records.the first owner left it to his brother in-law who has had it a couple years. Predictably he had early issues requiring new fuel pump,belts,hoses,batteries and tires. Ongoing problems with the generator which has 40 hrs. And the automatic step doesn’t function. Photos look good. Some paint blisters in about five small quarter sized spots halfway up the rear ladder. I know I need to make sure there’s no water infiltration. What do you think. High risk of ongoing problems or chance of getting a nearly new coach with thousands of miles of road ahead?

Taffeys · 03-12-2019, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldbehen

There’s a Lazy Daze 2001 for sale that has 11,000 original miles. Supposedly was under a carport most of its life. All service records.the first owner left it to his brother in-law who has had it a couple years. Predictably he had early issues requiring new fuel pump,belts,hoses,batteries and tires. Ongoing problems with the generator which has 40 hrs. And the automatic step doesn’t function. Photos look good. Some paint blisters in about five small quarter sized spots halfway up the rear ladder. I know I need to make sure there’s no water infiltration. What do you think. High risk of ongoing problems or chance of getting a nearly new coach with thousands of miles of road ahead?

You are asking the wrong group.[Mod Edit] Good Luck.

Jean n Steve · 03-12-2019, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffeys

You are asking the wrong group.[Mod Edit] Good Luck.

Disagree. Time wears down all things, regardless of brand.

To the OP I would say this: Everything that could rot or dry out probably has. Your challenge is to determine whether all those things have been replaced on someone else's dime or not. If they haven't...

Steve

Taffeys · 03-12-2019, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean n Steve

Disagree. Time wears down all things, regardless of brand.

Steve

Of course. The main issue in buying an older coach is determining if water has damaged the structure and interior of the coach. However, if proper maintenance has been performed on the exterior of the coach and the exterior physical integrity has been maintained then water intrusion should have been eliminated or at least minimized. Next on the list is assessing the condition of the chassis. Last is determining the condition of all the appliances, water heater, furnace, etc. which, by comparison, are much more easily repaired or replaced and at much less cost than any of the first two classes.

winniman · 03-12-2019, 08:53 AM

If you can get it really cheap, it might be a bargain. Low low miles are not a good thing on motorhomes. Most would never wear out a motorhome. Sitting with no miles on them is worse than it being used at least somewhat regularly, and having say 70,000 miles. I would anticipate many ongoing issues with something that has sat basically for seventeen years.

spuds · 03-12-2019, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffeys

You are asking the wrong group.[Mod Edit] Good Luck.

^ Agree ^

A couple of things are a little "different" on a LD (construction in particular - wood framing, aluminum skin) and that group is a fabulous resource for what may or may not be a show-stopper.

Waiter21 · 03-12-2019, 09:48 AM

If you are a DIYer, this may be an opportunity. If you have to pay someone to turn the wrench for everything that is wrong, either you will go broke or things will not get repaired. It would probably be better off looking elsewhere.

NOTE - IMHO - Low mileage on a vehicle this old isn't a positive point, and in fact, raises questions.

goldbehen · 03-12-2019, 11:03 AM

I posted on the lazy daze group site and got similar responses. I think I’ll pass on this one. I’m looking to enjoy using my next RV , not working on it. Thanks

avfordguy · 03-12-2019, 10:28 PM

Ok here is my e experience buying an older class c. 2 years ago I purchased based a 2007 Fleetwood class c 31m 2 slides from a dealer that bought it at auction, supposedly was an inside stored unit, price was ok, but I was sceptical, drove to fort worth from south Texas, and inspected the rig, geezer roof,perfect never resealed,interior. Smelled new perfect, 4k onan 100 hrs, runs with no surge, dealer contacted previous owner and they provided maint. records, engine oil was changed every 12 months, generator carb was replaced once, outside, decals like new, no delamination, front seats had no signs of wear at all, front carpet, no wear , yah I got it at a good price from a great dealer with only 6,200 miles on it. Right now it has almost 10,000 miles on it and all I have to replace is the awning fabric, RV is solid as a rock, everything works, so far never an issue, ok I had the dealer install 2 coach batteries and new tires, so far I have replaced chassis battery and that's it....inspect and inspect again, unit was a west Texas unit, no rust at all on the chassis, all I can say is kennadale campers in fort worth were great people, they bent over backwards to keep me happy.
They dont build units like the used to, after owning 12 RV's in my lifetime would I ever buy new NO NEVER, good deals are out there just keep looking

keymastr · 03-13-2019, 01:26 PM

Sounds like they ran it with the old fuel rather than cleaning the complete fuel system first. Who knows how many components that may have damaged.

Sitting for years without running will cause valve springs or other components to take a set and have less spring pressure as well as rings and bearings that may have Frozen in place or corroded from lack of movement/lubrication. Most all rubber components from bushings to hoses to seals will need replacing.

All or none of these may happen. Feeling lucky?

5spd97 · 03-13-2019, 05:01 PM

I looked at a small Class A a few years ago that had low mileage and a great price. The interior was well kept but showed a lot of wear and the genset looked to be on its last leg. The story was that they took it to the beach every summer which was less than 100 miles each way and it then was camped in all summer. Basically it traveled less than 200 miles a year but was lived in 4 or 5 months of the year for the last 15 years. The mileage doesnt always tell the whole story. The sellers were honest about everything but I got caught up thinking I had found a barn find.

Ron Dittmer · 03-13-2019, 10:50 PM

Assuming you are not getting on an airplane to see it, I would surely look at it because it just might be in great condition.

You did not say where "under a car port" it is located for all those years. High heat and high humidity can mess up an interior, hot desert under a shaded car port would be hard where the sun hits, near the Canadian border with extremely low temps might have other issues, it can make a difference.

Like someone mentioned, 11,000 miles does not mean it was not lived in much.

goldbehen · 03-14-2019, 03:05 PM

It’s in the southeast so heat and humidity could be a factor. Sounds like the original owner may have exercised it but still only takes a couple years of sitting to inherit a lot of problems.
Is there anyway to tell if seals are dried out ? How much use is enough to keep things well lubricated? If there was a diagnostic test that could have done it’d be a different story.We can afford to keep looking for a less risky deal. Still might be a good deal for someone.