shandamac

Hi Gayla! Welcome to the forum! Heads up: You may find yourself obsessed once the toy pulls up in your driveway. Happens to the best of us. As far as tips for the drive home inspection, I can only speak from experience. Sadie sat for so long that rust and gunk had clogged the carb. Might not hurt to have the mechanic check the fuel system. If you've read past posts, you may have noted that driving these little homes take some getting used to...especially where there are strong wind gusts and big passing trucks. My theory: the shape of the mh, and the speed at which they travel. Not hugely aerodynamic and those big trucks coming up from behind at 80mph+ can feel like they're just pushing you out of the way then sucking you back in. After a few miles you get the hang of it, but it's not like driving a private passenger car, van, or truck. You might want to clue in your partner prior to her trip back home. I just try relax and pretend that the motorhome is a big beautiful bird riding the thermals. You guys are going to have a blast decorating and fixing up the little Dolphin and learning all the little tips and tricks to make everything work. Best Wishes. shanda

That is soooo cooool!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures and hear more about your drive home!!!! Congrats Colleen!!!!! Shanda

A quote from the movie, Death Becomes Her, "Screw the natural law! Don't you want to live forever?!?!" Apparently Sadie's coach battery didn't. Onset of "The Battery Project": This evening I learned that Sadie's coach battery is a "starting" battery (installed by one of her previous owners). I also know that it needs to be buried. Parusing past posts and Googling around in research , (like I do on quiet, rainy evenings), I stumbled on this battery tutorial. Thought I'd pass it along on the slim chance that it hadn't been linked previously. I enjoyed it. http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_F...s%20a%20Battery? shanda ps. Greg, If I get too way out there, you have my permission to reel me back in.

I like it Robert. Maybe kinda like this?

Oh no! Ear plugs are for wimps!!!! Best campfire sing along song writers: Good ol' Jimmy Buffet and Robert Earl Keen.....(Perfect Pitch Optional)

Kathy, Keep hope in your heart, I've seen several of these little homes for sale lately. In the meantime, keep planning and dreaming. I bet there's an even "better deal" just around the corner. Consider this "the research phase". Shanda

I was thinking of working up a campfire song book and seeing if I could get any takers on a Toyota Motorhome Singers group.

Mr. E Yeah. I really love the "park anywhere" aspect of my little motorhome, which is why, I'll occasionally drive her to Wal-mart or the grocery store ...(You know....for kicks and giggles.) The pictures of your kids remind me of mine when they were that age. How beautiful that they're able to travel with you and Mrs E. Mine almost don't have time for me anymore....sigh. I wish I'd had the motorhome when they were younger. I appreciate your advice on the steep hills and middle lanes. So far, my travels have taken me on relatively sedate motorways. Interesting that you called me Shasta. It was my nickname growing up and is also my yahoo email name.....as in Shastamac. Lovely to see you and the family enjoying your new toy!!!! shanda or shasta....both work for me

Linda Kay, So looking forward to seeing pictures. When you're ready to post them, feel free to start a New Topic so we can keep track of your project specifically? Can't wait to see what you've done. shanda

This is wonderful!!!! I believe all utilitarian arts should be studied and mastered by both sexes. It's a shame that somewhere back there, someone decided to divide it all out. "Hon, I'll plow the field if you mend my boxers." or was it, "Babe, I'll darn yer socks if you split the wood."? However it happened, I think it's a beautiful thing that you and Mrs Everste would "doddle" up a few casings together. Warm fuzzy hugs to both of you. shanda

Futar, I so enjoyed reading about the Bachmans. Thanks for that. s

Hi Kathy. Sadie is my motorhome. (My husband has his Harley.) My primary reason for purchasing the little motorhome was "independence". I play Irish music and sometimes travel out of state to gigs and works shops. Hotels are okay, but to be able to travel with your own bed.....very cool. (I write a little about my trip to Midlothian,Texas last Fall in one of my past posts.) I've only had her about a year, but I've been able to redo the inside and make several mechanical repairs just by doing some research, asking a few questions, and jumping in with both feet. Get the Haynes guide for your year of Toyota truck, and a copy of Bob Livingston's RV Maintainence and Repair Guide, and keep reading past posts from this forum. (Don't be afraid to ask questions.) Start by taking short trips and take notes.....keep a journal.....or just post your travel stories here. I've actually got several Sadie stories, if you want to read them. (Click on the arrow by my name up in the left corner, there's a dropdown field. Click on View Member's Topics, and start from the bottom of the list.) Owning your own motorhome home is amazing!!!! You won't be sorry!! Best wishes, shanda

I was thinking if you don't find a "new" set, you might be able to visit a salvage yard or two. There might be something similar on a salvaged bus or truck.

Hopefully, I've got the motorhome parked in a nice shady spot close to an Autozone when that happens. Next project: Coach battery. Have a nice week WME. s

Yeah, you would think. I thought it was pretty wierd set up too. Looks to me like the water is directly hooked up to the toilet line behind the tank. I've tried to feel for a faucet valve. Whoever installed it ran a copper tube from behind the toilet, loose up the back wall and out through the sky-lite. They also ran separate electric inside over the headliner. I've only used shore power, (coach battery projects even further down the list), but I did see the original power line tucked up under the headliner when I pulled the cooler's face plate to clean it. I'm not sure if they did that to bypass the battery or what, maybe a separate designation in the fuse box, or maybe had an a/c at one point since the water situation is so wonky. Anyway, I'll get a mirror to get a good look at the connection behind the toilet. I'd really like to change out the copper pipe for flex with a valve, so I can remove the hose completely from the cooler and cap it in the Fall. Isn't that how it usually works. One project leads to another, and another, and another. . Thanks W, Have a great day. S

We thank you kindly, Michael. Shanda and Sadie

Thanks Futar, Well, I finished one of my projects early (ran out of paint) so I decided to work on Sadie's water cooler lastnight. Found out first of all that I can't spell. It's called a RECAIR not Regenair (I really should wear my glasses all the time). Second, after taking off the hood, I found years and years of dirt, leaves and debri down inside. I pulled off the fan, and saw the conicle sprayer with exactly the same set up as the Turbocool you described. I pulled out the foam tube and washed it really good, vacuumed out all the loose debri, and wiped out the inside with a damp rag and diluted bleach. Moved the float a little to loosen it up then turned on the water pump. Sure enough, water started filling the reservior. I slipped back in the foam tube, centered the fan, and flipped the switch to high. Yeehaw! Nice cool air. I let it run for an hour or so. One thing I didn't do was let the reservior fill completely. (I won't be taking her out for a while, and didn't want water to just sit.) Also, I'll need to see if I can find a shut off for water to the unit for cooler weather, but at least I know for now it works. Thanks again for your help. Safe and happy travels, Shanda

Thanks W, Very interesting and potentially more involved than I was imagining, but fun! Thank you very much. shanda

Michael Welcome to the family!!!!! Someone will be along soon to help you with your mirror question, but I wanted to say "hi". You're also welcome to post questions of any type in the "General Discussion" topic. (Most of our members really hit that topic the most.) Congratulations on your new toy motorhome purchase. Sounds like you found a real gem!!!!!! Make sure to post pictures of your toy, and where you take it, and what updates you make to it. Glad you're here. wishing you a wonderful summer, shanda

Hi Birdy, We all must have a little of the "gambler" in us to invest in these little toys. I think it's interesting that she won't let you run it buy a mechanic's inspection, and $2800 does seem steep for an "as is" purchase, but I'm in Oklahoma. However, you could call it "a road trip", take a buddy with you with some "know-how" and a set of tools, a couple gallons of water/coolant, plenty of snacks, and plan on taking your time. I bought my 18 ft Sunrader, for $1200 a year ago. Had no clue what I was doing. No mechanic's inspection. Ended up needing a fuel system overhall..$200 or so. I have since invested $1800 in a new rearend, and another $1000+ in fabric, carpet, paint, odds and ends, and more things to fix. I would do it again in a heartbeat! If you do make "the leap", then we're here to support you as best as we can. The mechanical toy gurus on this forum can answer all your mechanically technical questions. The rest of us will attempt to support you in a brother/sister eccentric family sort of way. Go with your gut. If that gnawing hunger, total consuming, "I gotta have it!" feeling is not there....just walk away....simple as that. wishing you the best. shanda

Hi Toy family, Just getting around to thinking about looking at Sadie's water cooler/swamp cooler/evaporative air unit thingy. Since, I can't get to it for a few days, (sadly too many other projects ahead of her on the list), I thought I would ask for advice to mull over, until I'm able to tackle the cooler issue. What I know: It's a Regenair. Fan works on both high and low Water pressures all the way to unit. What I don't know. Does it have it's own cooler pump to spray water, or does a valve open when it's turned on to allow the water pump to force water through a sprayer? (I can't imagine it has an excelsior pad that wicks water from a reservoir......or does it?) Can something be fixed or cleaned or tweaked?) Any ideas are really appreciated. Stay cool! shanda

Every little project brings us closer to Toy Nirvana. I currently meditate on Sadie's Swamp Cooler Sprayer situation. Think I'll post a new topic to ask the gurus. Butyl in peace Yoyoman. shanda

Not to be too goofy, but as a dabler in etymology, this is a term for measurement I've not heard before. I like the way it sounds. Can you break it down? shanda update: This was sort of explained to me by a co worker. Which gives me another MPG + idea. Could I get better MPG by not filling up the tank all the way and stopping more fequently.....(weight being the factor here)? (okay, now she's just being silly.)