Jump to content

Contemplating Looking For A Toyota Motorhome, But Need Some Help.


anachronism

Recommended Posts

My wife and I are looking to replace our current camp trailer (a very small 12' number pulled by a Subaru Forester). We would like a larger bed than the glorified twin we currently share, and we live in Colorado and do a lot of ski camping, and an RV would be safer than the camp trailer in snowy conditions (far from optimal, but better).

Problem is, I've never actually seen one of these up close, and know just enough about them to know they exist and will get better gas mileage than anything else in our price range (and probably similar mileage to pulling our trailer).

I was hoping I could get answers to some basic questions that would address whether it would suite our needs or whether I need to be on the lookout for something else.

1. How fast can I generally expect one of these to comfortably roll down the road (without beating the hell out of it)? 50 mph? Anybody have any experience climbing Colorado-style mountain passes? Does that mean 25?

2. I hear people say 14-16 mpg in ads. Does that sound about right for a typical configuration?

3. I am generally looking for stuff that is late 1980's and early 1990's (preference for fuel injection due to Colorado elevation changes being hell on carbs). Most of these seem to be 4 cylinder models. Is a 4 cylinder in a state like Co foolhardy?

4. Is a stickshift preferable to automatic for performance/economy/reliability reasons?

5. I'm reading of axle problems one earlier models. Does this issue come with warnings like noise and vibration (like a bad bearing) or do the axles just shear?

6. Is there any towing capacity in these? I have an 1800 lb loaded jet ski trailer that almost anything can tow, but it seems like this could be an "almost"...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1) You nailed it. 55-60mph. 25 up hills, in 1st or 2nd gear. I traveled eastbound I-70 thru Eisenhower tunnel (11,000 ft), 15-20 mph in 1st. Just fall in behind the line of trucks, select the lower gear so it won't pop in and out between 1st and second, and enjoy the scenery.

2) Sounds about right. that's at 55-60mph, straight and level.

3) Most anything after about 1986-1987 will have a 22RE (4 banger) past about 1989 will have the 6 cyl. these are all EFI and Automatic tyranny.

4) I was initially looking for manual, but am glad I got the auto.

5) Almost everything after 1986 had the full floating rear axle. but look anyway.

6) you need to verify the tow hitch is sturdy and welded to the frame. Disregard all the above regarding fuel mileage and speeds. If you plan on doing this, I would look more toward the 6 cyl than the 4.

john Mc

88 Dolphin 4 Auto (SOLD)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I am curious why you suggested he look more towards 6 cylinder than 4. Is it because he wants to tow and will mostly be up in higher mountainous areas? Still new to these engines so trying to learn more myself.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have an '88 with 4 cyl & auto. I occasionally tow a trailer with my ATV with a total weight of about 1000 pds. I drive this about 50 miles of twisty roads with a lot of steep hills. I get about 12 mph and drive in 2nd gear on the hills doing 45 mph. I know that the mountains are a lot longer but most are not any steeper than the local ones.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...