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Dolphin Rv Review From 1985


thetundrawolf

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Has anyone seen this?

http://wherewheelgo.com/toyota-dolphin

From the above link:

Toyota Dolphin
Dolphin 500 Specifications Performance
  • Fuel consumption* … 14.2 mpg
  • Acceleration time:
    0-60 … 26.2 seconds
    40-60 … 18.9 seconds

*Fuel consumption recorded at 55 mph, 1000-feet elevation, predominately flat highway, Ambient temperature 75 degrees F.

Chassis
  • Chassis Manufacturer … Toyota
  • Engine … 2.4 Liter
    Net horsepower … 87 @ 4800 rpm
    Net torque … 190 @ 2800 rpm
  • Transmission … Transmission
  • Axle ratio … 4.10:1
  • Tire Size … 185R-14LT
  • Wheelbase … 137″
  • Brakes … Front disc/rear drum
  • Suspension … Front torsion bar/rear leaf
  • Cooling system … HD
  • Fuel capacity … 17.2 gal
Coach
  • Ext length … 21’7″
  • Ext width … 6’11”
  • Ext height … 9’2″
  • Frame construction … Steel
  • Insulation … Block foam
  • Freshwater cap … 17.5 gal
  • Sink/shower holding cap … 19 gal
  • Waste holding cap .. 19 gal
  • Propane cap … 5 gal
  • Water system type … Demand
  • Furnace … 16,000 BTU
  • Refrigerator … 4 cu ft
  • Toilet … Freshwater
  • Converter … 30 amp
  • Base sugg. price … $24,500
  • Price as tested … $24,500
Wet Weight

(Water, propane, fuel tanks full; no passengers or supplies)

  • Front axle … 1660 lbs
  • Rear axle … 3360 lbs
  • Right side … 2580 lbs
  • Left side … 2440 lbs
  • Total … 5020 lbs
Chassis Ratings
  • Front gawr … 2200 lbs
  • Rear gawr … 3700 lbs
  • Gvwr* … 5950 lbs

*Owner may add up to 930 pounds in weight of passengers and supplies to motorhome test coach without violating manufacturer’s maximum gvwr.

Gawr: grass axle weight rating
Gvwr: gross vehicle weight rating

Micro-mini motor homes have always offered good value—a relatively large amount of living space and convenience, on a chassis that delivers fuel economy in the 12- to 15-mpg range. Many manufacturers, however have had a tendency over the years to add more and more appliances and equipment, to the point that the original concept of a compact, light-weight, economical motorhome was hardly recognizable.

National RV, manufacturer of the Dolphin, has consistently attempted to apply the brakes as the micro-mini has grown more and more corpulent. Currently, the company is leading efforts to the the micro-mini back on target and offer a realistic allowance for the weight of passengers, fuel and supplies that are added by the owner. The result is the Dolphin Model 500—a 21.7-footer built on the Toyota chassis—that offers a 775 pound payload capacity with full fuel, propane and freshwater tanks and many more options, including roof and dash air-conditioners, cruise control and AM/FM stereo. Its payload is adequate for a rig of this size, when used realistically.

Even though the Dolphin is compact, it features a fully equipped galley. Built on a Toyota foundation, this micro-mini offers enough payload capacity to comfortably accommodate a small family.

Driving This 137-inch-wheelbase rig is, to say the least, easy. The 2.4-Liter, electronic fuel injected engine propels the 5020-pound (2.5 ton) rig down the road quite well. Our test vehicle was equipped with an overdrive automatic transmission, which worked flawlessly. Overdrive was definitely for the flatlands, however. The slightest hill or grade caused the transmission to shift back and forth, typical of overdrives combined with heavy loads. The overdrive remained in gear while cruising at 55 mph, but upon increasing speed to 65, the increased wind resistance was too much for the “tall” gear, and a constant shifting back and forth resulted. The overdrive can be locked out by pushing the button on the column-mounted shifter.

As expected, the 0-to-60-mph times were nothing to write home about, but were proportional to the size of the engine and weight of the coach. The test rig had only 57 miles on it, and the engine felt right; the best 0-to-60 time was 26.2 seconds. Passing simulation tests required 18.9 ticks of the clock to go from 40 to 60 mph.

The mileage, of course beats the pants off that of larger motorhomes. Driving with an “egg” under my foot, the best mpg figure was 14.2. If pushed hard and drives at 65 mph for any length of time, with some second-gear grade pulling, fuel economy dropped to 12.8. This may improve a little with a fully broken-in engine, but still it’s very respectable for a motorhome. With the 17.2-gallon fuel tank, a reasonable cruising range of about 220 miles can be expected.

One of the biggest advantages of the Model 500 is its ability to handle mountain roads. With its low stance, the suspension seems to hunker down and really work on twisty asphalt. We were surprised by how well rig felt when pushed hard into a turn. Dolphin installs air bags at the rear axle to assist in fully supporting the coach’s weight. A sizable factory rears-stabilizer bar also contributes to the good road manners.

At an elevation of 6000 feet, the power of the little four-banger dropped off somewhat, but the difference was minor. Second gear was required much of the time at elevation on grades; we did not encounter any that required first gear. The Dolphin braked as well as it cornered. Gearing down to second went a long way toward minimizing application of the brake pedal. Even with hard use, the front-disc/rear-drum combination never faded.

Twice during our test we had the opportunity to face some stiff crosswinds, and the Dolphin took them in stride. The power steering that Toyota uses transmit accurate road feel; it’s not mushy nor is it too stiff.

Construction

The Dolphin Model 500 features fiberglass laminated side walls in sandwich constriction with block foam insulation and interior paneling. The exterior roof is a one-piece seamless aluminum sheet, as is the front cap. The flooring also contains foam-block insulation and is covered by a full aluminum underbelly for weather protection

The Model 500 seems to meet all the requirements for micro-mini Motorhoming in style and in safety. The 930-pound load capacity, coupled with ample storage, ease of handling and second-car practicality, make this rig an economical family-oriented RV.

Just aft of the cockpit area is the streetside bath. Equipped with a small corner shower (6-footers will have to duck slightly; the shower height is 5 feet 81/4 inches), sink and Thetford freshwater flush toilet, the space can be called adequate—although not large. Immediately to the rear of the bath is the large wardrobe, which measures 25 × 18 × 45 inches high.

The Model 500’s curbside entrance is opposite to the bath. Upon entry, to the left is a large storage cabinate that measures a full 30 inches high and 16 inches wide. Inside, three shelves hold items that are frequently needed outdoors, such as a flashlight, charcoal lighter fluid and matches. Aft of this cabinet is the galley.

Dolphin selected the Dometic 2401 two-way (LP-gas/120-volt AC), 4-cubic-foot refrigerator for the Model 500 galley. It’s mounted at the floor level, which helps to lower the center of gravity of the rig, while creating a good size 25 × 17-inch contertop above. In fact, this Dolphin coach had more counter space than some Class A’s we’ve tested that were 8 feet longer! The four burner rangetop, with its folding stainless steel gover is found just to the rear of the refrigerator. On the opposite side of the range is yet another counter, measuring 23 × 18 inches. Beneath the range is a huge 22 × 22-inch storage area with a 12-inch-high door that’s perfect for storing pots and pans. Under the rearmost counter there are three drawers.

Completing the galley cooking area is the double stainless steel sink. Its location, Immediately across from the range and counter top facilitates function in the galley. Movement from the refrigerator to the range to sink is efficient. Below the sink is another large cabinet. This one measures 23 × 20 and has a 24-inch high door opening. Additional galley storage is found above the refrigerator, counters, range and sink.

The Model 500 features a dinette that comprises the rear 60 inches of the coach. It’s a U-shaped unit, which we found would seat four very comfortably. When not being used at mealtime, the dinette converts into a 60 × 80-inch queen-size bed. There’s room here for even the largest adults to sleep in comfort. In fact, for a family of four, the adults are best off in the rear bed, while kids love it “upstairs.” Under the galley and rear bed are two large 25 × 60-inch storage compartments.

When traveling, the windows in the galley area provide a panoramic view of the passing scenery. For privacy, attractive blue-gray drapes easily pull across the windows.

The Exterior of the Dolphin is laid out as well as the interior. Frankly, We didn’t expect to find any storage on the outside, considering the amount of inside storage, but there it was. A large curbside compartment can accommodate a barbecue, a bad of charcoal, a lantern and even a few logs for a campfire. Just to the rear of thes door is another, smaller storage area that provides access clear across the rear of the rig. Fishing gear, a shovel and an axe fit easily into this compartment.

On the streetside exterior access doors for the 5-gallon propane tank (with sight gauge), water heater and electric/cable-TV hookup. The coach’s deep cycle battery is also kept on this side, behind a vented door. Battery access is excellent.

Driveability

The Model 500 is built on the Toyota chassis cab. Dolphin has recertified the Toyota chassis gross vehicle weight rating to 5950 pounds (~3 tons). The rear-axle rating has also been increased to 4250, which is 550 pounds over Toyota’s 3700-pound rating. Dolphin was able to achieve this higher rating by redesigning the spring hangers and shackles, adding air bags and recalibrating the brake system’s proportioning valve. Toyota’s front axle rating of 2050 pounds remains the same. Our weight slip from the scales showed the rear axle weighing in a 3360 pounds, leaving an 890-pound reserve capacity. Tire capacity is more than adequate; with duals in the rear, it’s a whopping 6100 pounds (3.05 tons)! In past years, design of the rear drive axle was semi floating; now, it’s full-floating. A semi-floating axle must do two jobs: support the weight of the vehicle and drive the wheels. A full floating axle drives only the wheels. Vehicle weight is carried entirely by the hub assembly, which is supported by two large roller bearings that send the load on to the differential housing.

The new wheels that Toyota is using are built to heavy-duty truck specifications. The center sections feature an extra-wide, six-lug-bolt pattern for good load distribution. All wheels are interchangeable; the spare tire will fit any wheel position.

Livability

Dolphin has always offered colorful yet tasteful interior appointments and fabrics. The micro-mini line is no exception. Rather than the usual earth tones, a luxurious soft gray blue theme is carried throughout. Light metallic maroon striping and graphics on the outside make for a sharp-looking rig. Interior paneling is light oak, which goes perfectly with the fabrics. Lighting is handled by an abundance of incandescent fixtures and some well-placed high-intensity reading lights.

The cabover-bed area is roomy and comfortable, allowing two adults to sleep comfortably on the 5-inch-thick foam foundation. A handy carpeted step is built in directly behind the passenger seat in the cockpit and a wall-mounted handle is located in just the right place to provide easy access to the cabover bed.

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Nice to see the "Wet Weight" spec. I always wondered if the weight ratings before passengers, gear, etc. included fuel and freshwater. That means we are only kinda' way overloaded (with two people, a dog, a cat, two bikes, food, etc. etc. etc.) instead of hugely overloaded!! Very comforting thought. Of course, then there are those times when the waste tanks are full because we've been boon docking....eeghads! But we do try to drain the freshwater tank before driving in those instances. And making our 60 lb. Queensland Heeler run along side helps too! :)

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Has anyone seen this?

http://wherewheelgo.com/toyota-dolphin

From the above link:

Yes, It's been posted here on this forum several times. It is from a May 1988 issue of Motorhome magazine. NOT 1985. I assume the model-year of the Dolphin was a 1987. Note also that they used that evil term of "air bags" to describe the air-assist suspension. How dare they! MPGs of 12.8 MPG @ 65 MPH that sounds about right.

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Yes, It's been posted here on this forum several times. It is from a May 1988 issue of Motorhome magazine. NOT 1985. I assume the model-year of the Dolphin was a 1987. Note also that they used that evil term of "air bags" to describe the air-assist suspension. How dare they! MPGs of 12.8 MPG @ 65 MPH that sounds about right.

Cool article JDE. Thanks for reposting it. I bookmarked it for reference. I've got an '87 and a '88, both model 900's.

~Riverman77

EDIT: Woops! I goofed! Thanks to "thetundrawolf" for the repost of this cool piece.

Edited by Riverman77
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Yes, It's been posted here on this forum several times. It is from a May 1988 issue of Motorhome magazine. NOT 1985. I assume the model-year of the Dolphin was a 1987. Note also that they used that evil term of "air bags" to describe the air-assist suspension. How dare they! MPGs of 12.8 MPG @ 65 MPH that sounds about right.

the horsepower/torque seem off for an1987 22re

in the brochure :

  • Engine … 2.4 Liter

    Net horsepower … 87 @ 4800 rpm

    Net torque … 190 @ 2800 rpm

  • 1983–1987 2,366 cc 22R-E I4 SOHC FI 78 kW (106 PS; 105 hp) at 4800 rpm 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) at 2800 rpm .....from wiki

and JD when they use the evil term 'air bag'.....well shoot'em with your now legal slingshot!

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the horsepower/torque seem off for an1987 22re

in the brochure :

  • Engine … 2.4 Liter

    Net horsepower … 87 @ 4800 rpm

    Net torque … 190 @ 2800 rpm

  • 1983–1987 2,366 cc 22R-E I4 SOHC FI 78 kW (106 PS; 105 hp) at 4800 rpm 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) at 2800 rpm .....from wiki

and JD when they use the evil term 'air bag'.....well shoot'em with your now legal slingshot!

It's an "apples to oranges" comparison. When the 22RE was installed in a Toyota truck, it was rated to have 116 SAE GROSS horsepower and only 87 NET horsepower. Late 1980s - Winnebago often posted SAE ratings even though it was frowned upon in the auto industry. Dolphin used more meaningful NET specs.

The 116 horse is the bare engine with no loss from a power steering pump, alternator, water-pump, air-pump, AC compressor, torque-converter, etc. The 87 horse is what is actually left to power the wheels and send you down the road.

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in the brochure :

  • Net torque … 190 @ 2800 rpm doesn't seem high??

Yes, I noticed that too. It has to be a misprint. Even the turbocharged 2.4 engine doesn't make that much torque. Max torque for a 22RE is around 140 pound feet. The turbocharged version around 170 pound feet. The difference between NET and SAE GROSS horsepower was a huge issue in 1971. That's the time when US auto sellers stopped claiming (for awhile) the exaggerated SAE GROSS numbers and used NET instead. But the torque specs remained the same. 1971 was the "transition" year when many auto makers posted dual figures For example, a 1971 Chevy truck with a 454 V8 was advertised as having 375 SAE horsepower but only 285 NET horsepower. BIG difference.

Here are some older specs on other make small truck engines around the same size as the 2.4 liter Toyota.

1961 Corvair - 2.37 liters - 80 HP @ 4400 RPM and max TQ 128 lbs. @ 2300 RPM

1971 Vega panel truck - 2.3 liters - 90 SAE HP @ 4600 RPM, 72 NET HP @ 4200 RPM, 136 lbs. max TQ @ 2400 RPM

1987 S10 truck EFI - 2.5 liters - 92 HP @ 4400 RPM, 130 lbs. max TQ @ 2300 RPM

Farm tractors stated power with a lot more honesty. They HAD too since they get verified at the Nebraska Test Institute .

2.3 liter Continental gas engine - continuous HP with accessories - 30 HP @ 2200 RPM

- max HP with no accessories - 42 HP @ 2400 RPM

-max torque read on bare engine - 106.5 lb. ft. @ 1300 RPM

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Automotive press in the UK used to refer to SAE HP as 'Silly American Estimate'.

Ah, those silly Brits. And all the while I always thought it meant something important like, Society of Automotive Engineers.

I guess we've been getting fooled all along.

~Riverman77

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Is that why the Dodge '71 Tradesman Van I got new in '70 was rated at 140 HP?? on a 318 V-8 !! Wish I had that in my Toy :)

Yes. 1970 Dodge van with the 318 was rated 210 horse @ 4000 RPM and 318 lbs. of torque at 2800 RPM.

1971 same van and 318 engine was rated 210 GROSS HP @ 4000 RPM and 180 NET HP @ 4000 RPM and torque rating got lowered to 295 lbs. @ 2400 RPM.

By the way, my first motorhome was a 1972 Champion. 21 feet, 318 Dodge V8, Torqueflite trans, and 4.33 rear. It got a best of 6 MPG on the highway.

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Whoops, I forgot to mention I was told the Dodge 318 came in 2 versions. Cars and Sportvans had same engines. Truck, (Tradesman), got more torque less HP in cams and slightly lower compression ratio. The 140 HP was on the drivers side door pillar dataplate, Auto and 3.55 rear end and 2 barrel carb. I think the car V-8's got a 4 barrel carb.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Whoops, I forgot to mention I was told the Dodge 318 came in 2 versions. Cars and Sportvans had same engines. Truck, (Tradesman), got more torque less HP in cams and slightly lower compression ratio. The 140 HP was on the drivers side door pillar dataplate, Auto and 3.55 rear end and 2 barrel carb. I think the car V-8's got a 4 barrel carb.

The 318 came in around a dozen versions. A-318 (Red Ram), LA-318, LH-318-1, LH-318-2, LT-318, etc. Compression ratios from 7.5 to 1 up to 9.2 to 1. Came with a two barrel, four-barrel, two four barrels, etc. Industrial 318s were used in types of industrial equipment, boats, snow equipment, and farm tractors/combines. My Champion motorhome had a low-compression HD 318. It used low compression (deep dish) pistons, low compression heads (big chambers) and taper-seat spark plugs. I had a forklift that had a 318 industrial V8. It was rated at 152 horse and 292 pound feet of max torque. That 318 was the gas alternative to the Detroit Diesel 4-53. The Detroit Diesel (212 cubic inches) was rated 130 horse and 273 pound feet of max torque.

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