Maintenance to prevent leaks

Sarzz.  Quick question regarding lazy daze. I have yet to see one that doesn’t look like it’s right out of the 70’s. Have you seen a newer model? I’m wondering if they have stepped up to the times

Sarzz.  Quick question regarding lazy daze. I have yet to see one that doesn’t look like it’s right out of the 70’s. Have you seen a newer model? I’m wondering if they have stepped up to the times

They still look the same, but looking at their features it seems the exterior panels and roof are aluminum, not fiberglass and thus are all full body paint.

Sarzz.  Quick question regarding lazy daze. I have yet to see one that doesn’t look like it’s right out of the 70’s. Have you seen a newer model? I’m wondering if they have stepped up to the times

No changes to exterior except paint scheme.  Still same look.  They are building them with new Ford engine.  No slides.  Hold resale value very well. About two year wait on new order.  Owners are just like PC owners; fun, compassionate, and willing to help others.

Ron D

We had a 1989 26' Lazy Daze ages ago. It was a great coach and company, and as Sarz points out has a loyal, devoted family of owners. It was solid and quiet on the road, great fit and finish, well balanced. No worries about walking on the roof.
Whenever we see one we like to talk to the owner. They all have the same great regard that we had.
Back then they were coated with aircraft paint, Imron I think. An older one taken care of can still look new.
I'd say they compare well to our PC.
Dougn

I guess I don't understand.  How would you find these tiny leaks unless they've already done enough damage to prompt you to tear off the paneling to look for them?

I wonder how such a tiny leak could do so much damage in three years unless the vehicle was stored outside or used constantly.  My 2008 has had lots of resealing jobs over the years (I just paid $1000 to have the entire roof redone), but it doesn't seem to have any damage -- at least nothing that would prompt me to start removing paneling. 

Mine has been stored indoors most of its life and only used for vacations.  Maybe that's the difference, but it sure seems dumb that a vehicle meant to be lived in has to be stored indoors in order for the house to last as long as the chassis.  Personally, I find it a little outrageous that I have to reseal the roof every five years on a vehicle that lives in a garage 11 months of the year!

  My 2008 has had lots of resealing jobs over the years (I just paid $1000 to have the entire roof redone),
Mine has been stored indoors most of its life and only used for vacations.
  Personally, I find it a little outrageous that I have to reseal the roof every five years on a vehicle that lives in a garage 11 months of the year!

ME too!  Mine is a 2006, stored outside all its life IMO,  and the original roof is uncoated.  Where yours is two years newer, and has " lots of resealing jobs".  What prompted the resealing jobs? Leaks, or preventative maintenance?

BlueBlaze's Comment - My 2008 has had lots of resealing jobs over the years (I just paid $1000 to have the entire roof redone).  Mine has been stored indoors most of its life and only used for vacations.  Personally, I find it a little outrageous that I have to reseal the roof every five years on a vehicle that lives in a garage 11 months of the year!
----------------------------------

Wow, that is unfortunate.  I surely understand your feelings.  I wonder why your rig chronically leaks.  Nobody else writes anything that resembled your comments.  You did buy the rig at 8 years of age.  I wonder if a previous owner had an event that started the chronic leaking.

That is not my experience.  Our 2007 2350 is stored indoors for 11 months per year and as far as I know, it remains fully sealed.  Our garage includes heat during the winter, and does not get hot during the summer.  The only time our rig sees freezing temperatures has been just a few times at high altitude camping during the summer.  We avoid hot summers, camping primarily in spring and fall when the parks are less crowded.  Maybe our timely usage is influential.

What prompted the resealing jobs? Leaks, or preventative maintenance?

Both.  All of the seams around the front cap on mine have clear caulk spots that previous owners must have done at different times for leaks.    On my last trip, I developed a leak during a heavy downburst, that had me driving with a towel on my left leg until the rain let up.  When I took it in this year to the RV mechanic to get that stupid generator fixed (again!) , I had them inspect it, and the guy said it was leaking around one of the lights.  He then showed me cracking sealant around all the stuff on the roof and suggested I do a reseal job on it while he had it in the shop.  He said it ought to be done every five years.

On my last trip, I developed a leak during a heavy downburst, that had me driving with a towel on my left leg until the rain let up.

A thought just came to me.  Check this.

Stand outside your PC and try to lift the B+ cap at each front corner to make sure it has not come loose.

I recall many years ago, a few PC's had their B+ caps come loose from broken screws that hold it down, the base of the cap to the van roof.  A rough ride would be influential, hence the smaller models with light weight fronts being more prone.

BlueBlaze's Comment - My 2008 has had lots of resealing jobs over the years (I just paid $1000 to have the entire roof redone).  Mine has been stored indoors most of its life and only used for vacations.  Personally, I find it a little outrageous that I have to reseal the roof every five years on a vehicle that lives in a garage 11 months of the year!
----------------------------------

Wow, that is unfortunate.  I surely understand your feelings.  I wonder why your rig chronically leaks.  Nobody else writes anything that resembled your comments.

That is not my experience.  Our 2007 2350 is stored indoors for 11 months per year and as far as I know, it remains fully sealed.  Our garage includes heat during the winter, and does not get hot during the summer.  The only time our rig sees freezing temperatures has been just a few times at high altitude camping during the summer.  We avoid hot summers, camping primarily in spring and fall when the parks are less crowded.  Maybe our timely usage is influential.

I wouldn't say it "chronically" leaks.  I've only had the one, and it was probably caused by my breaking the lights on the front cap when I forgot to prop the garage door open enough to clear the roof.  But I agreed with the mechanic that the roof sealant needed to be replaced.  He's the one who said it needs to be replaced ever five years.  So you've never needed it on your 2007?

I've always thought that the all-over paint like yours might have protected the aging sealant that caused previous owners to patch the seams on mine.  But not after reading the O.P.'s experience with his 2017.

My gripe is that I don't understand why any RV owner would ever had to worry about leaks -- especially on a $100K vehicle that spends its life in a garage.  People have been building RV's for 50 years.  Seems like someone would have figured out how to make them leakproof by now.

But I agreed with the mechanic that the roof sealant needed to be replaced.  He's the one who said it needs to be replaced ever five years.  So you've never needed it on your 2007?

Hmmm, my sealant looks fine.  Around my main entry door, I see the rough ride cracked the paintwork around the door frame, the caulk lightly stressed but does not appear to be compromised.  I see similar stress on other caulk, again, nothing compromising that I am aware of.

In our early years, I had issues with the door threshold and lower mounting screws breaking.  CLICK HERE to read about it.  I replaced them with larger stronger machine screws which has held the entry door frame reliably since.  I assume that the early failure of those mounting screws caused the condition with paint and caulk.

I recall many years ago, a few PC's had their B+ caps come loose from broken screws that hold it down, the base of the cap to the van roof.  A rough ride would be influential, hence the smaller models with light weight fronts being more prone.

I was aware of that problem.  Mine PC doesn't have it, I've checked.  But I guess its possible that it did once and was fixed.  Either way, it gets back to my point -- why would something like that ever happen in the first place?  I bought a PC because of the reputation for quality -- and it still has stupid problems like the B-cap coming loose.  We have friends who just bought a new Thor class A, and its been back to the dealer for serious repairs more in the last year than second-hand Yugo.  It leaked on their first outing!

It's no wonder a $90,000 2008 2350 is only worth $13,000 in 2020.  That's probably about what my 2008 Ford Ranger is worth today!  Of course, the Ranger's roof has never been in danger of coming off, it doesn't have to be stored indoors to keep the graphics from cracking, and doesn't have to be resealed every five years to prevent leaks!  It's amazing when you think about it.  Somehow, Ford was able to create such an amazing marvel of leakproof reliability for only $28K in 2008!

As you know, when it comes to every motor home manufacture, a few bad apples are made.  I'm not saying you have a bad apple.  Maybe a good one with a worm in it.  Some manufactures make a higher percentage of bad apples than others.  From all my years here on this forum since it's inception in January 2009, I've concluded Phoenix has a much better track record than most other brands.

There is another measuring stick....how a rig is holding up with age.  You and Volkemon are on the lower end of that scale.  In general, having a slide out is a contributing factor, though not in your case.

I hope you are able to address your leaks without repeated treatments.

Blue, it’s industry wide. Ie,  If you recall there’s a bunch of us complaining about the Upholstery  peeling. I thought it was just a few years that had the issue. Now on IRV2 I see a thread regarding Newmar models 2 years old with the issue. One spent 6 grand to reupholster his seats and couch. Yet I have vehicles 15 years old that the seats look like new. How many corners do these companies cut? And I have never known Newmar to be considered anything but top tier.

As you know, when it comes to every motor home manufacture, a few bad apples are made.  I'm not saying you have a bad apple.  Maybe a good one with a worm in it.  Some manufactures make a higher percentage of bad apples than others.  From all my years here on this forum since it's inception in January 2009, I've concluded Phoenix has a much better track record than most other brands.

There is another measuring stick....how a rig is holding up with age.  You and Volkemon are on the lower end of that scale.  In general, having a slide out is a contributing factor, though not in your case.

   OK!  BINGO!   Slides condemned by Ron,   that was the last square I needed for this sheet of Forum Bingo!   

My 'fatal water issue' was caused by a bad windshield replacement. The rear corner damage from a careless operator.  The bath skylight leak damage caused  by ME not knowing mastic tape doesn't seal to RV self leveling sealant.    I hardly hold PC responsible for any faults there. And my slide doesnt leak BTW....   



I think its a miracle that ANYONE can make a house that rolls down the road and stays together, that people can afford. We have been SPOILED by auto/light truck quality, how long ago was it that 100K miles from most cars was an occasion to throw a party?    Now if a Hyundai has problems at 170K people complain.

I know all the repairs and improvements I have made on my rig were done in a manner that would not have been feasible for a manufacturer. They would go broke.   Hopefully I am blessed with the mental and physical ability to do it for some time.

When our barn goes up a roof removal will take place on the camper, and I suppose many things will be learned then. But until then, I am VERY happy we are still in the 2006. 'Apples to Apples' with other Class C's of that era, I feel PC made one of the best available. I hope that continues today.