BonnerA

Hello All, I know this question will reveal my near-complete ignorance of all things electrical, but, as they say, you've got to start somewhere... What exactly does the switch labelled Converter/Battery (in my 1980 Dolphin, to the right of the sink) do? I don't have a deep-cycle battery hooked up yet, and have just run the lights, fridge, etc. on shore power. If I flip the switch over to "Battery", will all the 12v system, fridge, A/C, etc. run off the deep-cycle battery? Also, there is a toggle switch underneath the dash, to the left of the steering wheel, beneath the switches for the lights and hazards. I have no idea what it does, or if it is even original to this model. Any guesses? Oh, and does anyone have the faintest idea where I might find some literature for the actual R.V. part of this rig? The pickup stuff was easy to find, but, as I'm sure you all know, finding anything else has been tough. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Bonner

Thanks for all the good info, WME. I'm going to go through the brake system sometime in the next couple of weeks, and then it's off for a short jaunt to check all the mechanicals. I think I've decided that things will be okay axle-wise as long as I keep the rear loaded lightly or not at all. Your input has been greatly appreciated. I'll try to post pics of any future projects by way of paying back a little. Yours, Bonner

WME, The front tires are P205/75 R14, with a load capacity of 1532 lbs. each. The rear tires are P225/70 R14 with a max load of 1675 each. The brand is Primewell, front and rear. I'm pretty sure these are passenger car tires ( from the "thrifty" previous owner), but they are brand spankin' new. Perhaps some nicer ones for the rear, where the load is greatest? Also, the sticker I got all the GAWR info from was installed by the coach manufacturer. Should I contact Toyota to verify the numbers, or assume they are correct? Your help is much appreciated!!! -Bonner

I'm re-posting this in the hope of getting some input. Hope that's o.k. Hello Again, I posted awhile back about my 17' Dolphin with single rear wheels, and was told to go get it weighed. So I did, and here's what I found. From the sticker inside the driver's side door (from the coach manufacturer), I found the G.V.W.R. to be 4600#, the G.A.W.R. Front to be 1850#, and the G.A.W.R. Rear to be 2900#. The vehicle itself came in at 4380# total, with the Front at 1520# and the Rear at 2860# loaded, but with no passengers aside from the driver. My question, as usual, revolves around the G.A.W.R. Rear. The rig is a mere 40# below the rated weight, and I'm wondering if this is a problem. The tires are new, and I don't see any evidence of fluid around the rear brakes or axle area. What do you guys think? Drivable as is, or do I need to do more exploration? Anyone hear of a 17' single-wheel setup breaking? I suppose I know that the set up is not ideal, but I'm wondering if anyone here would drive it themselves. I'm planning to work my way through the brake system thoroughly, and I can look for other telltale signs of axle issues as I do so. Also, I realize that nobody can make this call for me, but I appreciate any info that can steer me in the right direction. Thanks for any guidance you can provide. -BonnerA

I also just found out that this rig is equipped with the G082 axle. I've been able to find specs on it, but no weight rating. Any help? Thanks, Bonner

Hello Again, I posted awhile back about my 17' Dolphin with single rear wheels, and was told to go get it weighed. So I did, and here's what I found. From the sticker inside the driver's side door, I found the G.V.W.R. to be 4600#, the G.A.W.R. Front to be 1850#, and the G.A.W.R. Rear to be 2900#. The vehicle itself came in at 4380# total, with the Front at 1520# and the Rear at 2860# loaded, but with no passengers besides the driver. My question, as usual, revolves around the G.A.W.R. Rear. The rig is a mere 40# below the rated weight, and I'm wondering if this is a problem. The tires are new, and I don't see any evidence of fluid around the rear brakes or axle area. What do you guys think? Drivable as is, or do I need to do more exploration? I'm planning to work my way through the brake system thoroughly, and I can look for other telltale signs of axle issues as I do so. Also, I realize that nobody can make this call for me, but I appreciate any info that can steer me in the right direction. Thanks for any guidance you can provide. -BonnerA

Hello All, First off, I'd like to say "Hello" and that I truly wish I had chanced upon this forum before I purchased my rig!! You guys know your stuff and I appreciate the effort you put into the site. So, here's my situation: I have just purchased a 17' 1980 Toyota Dolphin with single wheels in back and five lugs per wheel, around 130K for mileage. I have read all the literature available on the rear axle issue and, after much trepidation, have begun to hope that the rig might be OK as is. However, I'd like to get the opinions of those more knowledgeable than I on the subject. I don't plan on doing any major driving for a few months as I work out some other (hopefully) minor details, and, during that time, I'd really like to put the axle issue to rest, one way or another. Any help you can give would be much appreciated. Thanks, Bonner