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Well I looked at it and here's the good and bad: Good: Belts, hoses, brake lines are in good condition Engine starts right up (faster than my 2010 Outback), doesn't make any funny noises or smoke under throttle, oil isn't black or metallic, none in the coolant, ATF is red and not burned. Much of the interior is in very good shape. Fridge, AC, Stove, lights work. Tires have tread and aren't sun damaged/cracked Suspension, steering, and frame bits all seem to be quite solid. Rusty, but not structurally. Brakes are good and not squishy. Bad: Tires are 7 years old No idea if the tank monitors work or water heater/sinks/drains since there was no water hookup One side wall is definitely water damaged. 3 feet of it is soft in the cabinets (the laminate isn't as flat as I should be and flexes more than the other side) and there's a little bit of softness halfway down the wall No dash AC Rear table is wobbly, seems like it needs a new pole I wouldn't trust the ladder with my weight. The wall seems pretty solid, but the ladder itself flexes on the mounts. From a ladder outside, it looks like the roof bows down slightly in the middle How bad is the wall? If the leak is stopped, or could be stopped, would it be fine since it's aluminum or should I just run immediately? Suppose I got incredibly lucky with the guy, and he'd take $5k for it - would that be a decent deal? Regardless of whether I run from this specific one, I'm pretty darn convinced on the Toyhome idea. Visiting it in person let me realize that it's pretty much perfect for my needs. Does anyone know of models other than the Sunland Express have the same layout as this one? I *really* like the 3-sided table-bed in the back of this thing, and the compact shower.

Not sure yet. Which would be better, and how would I check? Will the block just say "22r" for carb'd and "22re" for EFI? Thanks for the advice, I'll make a bit of a show of thoroughly inspecting the thing and see how far I can talk him down. At least it'll be educational!

I'm inclined to agree...but I'm committed to going to at least *see* it so I can decide if I want to pursue Toys in general (though I wasn't really joking about having to move to the West cost to find them!). This will be the first one I get to see in person. What would you consider a fair offer if everything appears to be working? I suppose I can just post the link, if that's allowed: http://baltimore.craigslist.org/rvs/5920773568.html

The seller wants $10k. Tires are from Dec 2010, and I'm not sure if he actually has any spares. Unfortunately I don't have any friends who know anything about RVs, but I've been working on an inspection checklist. I know just enough that I can probably avoid buying a *total* crapbox, but I'm still worried about some catastrophic failure happening and making it basically worthless within a few months. And smaller things like cracking water/gas hoses buried in impossible areas, rusting tanks, etc.

Thanks for the heads up, this one already has the 6-lug rear axle but I hadn't considered needing two spares. Do you know how long yours sat in the barn for? Is it relatively easy to do belts/hoses yourself on the 4cyl? The one I'm looking at seems to be in good condition, and the seller claims it "continues to be used at least 5 times a year". I'm hoping that means it's been maintained a little bit. Unfortunately the RV is in MD (no safety inspection), but I'm in PA (inspection required), so I'd have to buy it uninspected and then just hope it passes in PA. Also, since I'm here, does anyone have input on a fair price? Like what's the maximum you'd consider paying in the best case scenario (i.e. the appliances work, it runs and drives, doesn't have water damage, and appears to not be rusted-out underneath)? This one does also have a pretty new-looking redone interior. Thanks for all your help

Thanks guys, I'm hoping to find this one hasn't been sitting idle too long. If it looks like a pain to make roadworthy from the get-go I guess I'll probably just move to the west coast and start looking again since that seems to be where all of these homes end up, haha. I have some basic mechanical ability and could do brakes/tires/anything that's just a few bolts, but things that'd require special tools or technique I'd probably have to pay someone else to do. Are there any parts that are *not* easy to find that I should examine extra-closely?

Hi, I'm thinking of buying an '85 Toyota Sunland Express. I've already found some good information on these forums about what to look for when I go to see it, but now I'm wondering how much time and money I should be budgeting for repairs if I end up full-timing with this. I've certainly heard the word "reliable" thrown around a good bit, but obviously after 32 years and ~60k miles there are going to be issues mechanically and in the coach. Could anyone who's full-timed something from the 80's chime in about how much of a hassle I'd be in for? This would be my first RV, so I don't really have much to go on. I am planning on looking for really good towing insurance though! Thanks