T.A.J.

I had a custom truckers tarp built at Montana canvas that locks down under the over hang, straight to the back covering half the windows, and folds in the back like a wrapped gift. It has "D" rings sewed in all the way around just like the truckers tarps and I bungi it down tight with rubber rope. There's a zipper either side of the door and the tarp rolls up to ties that hold it up there. I have to remove the ladder each winter for it to fit down tight. I'm able to drive down the highway with it on. It's the best $400 I've spent since I bought this '84 Dolphin and they tell me the tarp will easily last 20 years. I even had a choice of colors. It was -20 below last night, ( 1-1-2011), and the tarp is still real pliable. All my vent covers even made it through a sever hail storm last fall. T.A.J. in Butte Mt.

I went with the Hankook RA08 185R14 load range D and couldn't believe the improvement in ride and sound reduction. I included an alignment and the ride is sweet. T.A.J.

My '84 Dolphin w/22R engine w/ a weber two barrel, a tuned header, and K&N filters will run 75 to 80 MPH all day long on the flats and 55 MPH up the Mt. mountain passes, (I live in Butte Mt.). I've had the Dolphin for two years and am impressed every time I drive it! What fun and a head turner. T.A.J.

My '84 Dolphin hauled a Honda 90 on the rack and pulled a VW Bug before I purchased it and my pre-purchase inspection shows "0" damage anywhere. These little rigs are amazing for performance and comfort. T.A.J.

I've got an '84 dolphin w/ the22R and standard tranny.I got to 16-18 MPH by using a Weber two barrel carb., a tuned header, and Mobile One full synthetic oil. I also use K&N filters. The machine amazes me. 75-80 MPH is easy all day, but the 15-18 MPG is @ 65 MPH.(I live in Butte Mt. and Mtn. passes are every day.)Good luck! T.A.J.

My '84 Dolphin had 78,000 miles and synthetic in the engine for many years before I bought it. It doesn't leak or use a drop. I use 5/30 Mobile one with a quart of Lucas full synthetic oil treatment. The treatment is to prevent dry starts,(it sits through the winter months), and I add 2000 more miles between oil changes.( every 7000 miles) Works for me and I will continue the same routine. T.A.J.

I've got an '84 Dolphin w/the 22R. The folks I bought it from said theytowed a VW Bug and hauled a Honda 90 on the rear rack. I believe them.I saw the Bug w/tow hitch and the rear rack is still on the RV. I don'tthink towing would be an issue with a small, lite weight trailer aslong as your hitch is well secured to the frame. My rack is fastened tothe frame not the receiver hitch. Good luck! T.A.J.

I've got an '84 Dolphin w/the 22R. The folks I bought it from said they towed a VW Bug and hauled a Honda 90 on the rear rack. I believe them. I saw the Bug w/tow hitch and the rear rack is still on the RV. I don't think towing would be an issue with a small, lite weight trailer as long as your hitch is well secured to the frame. My rack is fastened to the frame not the receiver hitch. Good luck! T.A.J.

I've got a Warner two barrel carb. with a K&N filter that came with a chrome bottom and top plate that say K&N right on them. This little 22R breaths and runs great. I would suggest you go thru K&N filters and match the filter to the carb. you have instead of to the vehicle. T.A.J.

I changed the rear end and transmission,(4 speed standard), at 80,000 miles using Mobile 1 75W,(full synthetic)and the drop oil was pretty dark. Flipper seams to shift easier. Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Bill, Hi. Replace the fuel gauge. All mechanical fuel gauges have, lets say a brake?, that keeps the needle stiff so that it doesn't flip back and forth as the gas sloshes around in the tank which is what yours is doing now it sounds like to me. I've got the same issue with the gauge in my '75 chevy pickup. As the needle moves from full to empty and back over many years, it wears the little brake out. You probably notice that needle flips less when the tank is completely full as opposed to half a tank or less due to less room for sloshing. Good luck, I hope this helps. T.A.J.

Stability and zero spring sag. If your RV is level while sitting on level ground you really don't want to lift it. Do you? T.A.J.

I just replaced with Hankook 185 R 14's @ $85.00 each. The ride is very good. As far as the airbag. no one could find bags to fit my '84 Dolphin so I went with Timbrens. Talk about stability. No lean on corners! Look them up @ Timbrens .com. T.A.J.

The Weber carb., intake, and K&N filters should be available at most parts houses. (NAPA,Carquest,O'Rielly's,etc.) The tuned header was on when I purchased the RV and I'm not sure where to direct you for that. The K&N filters is a good starting point. I've got them on all my vehicles. They'll pay for themselves! T.A.J.

I've got an '84 Dolphin with the 22R and a four speed. It's got an upgraded intake manifold, Weber carb., a tuned header, K&N filters, and has run on full synthetic oil for many years. I've had it for two years now. I run Mobile 1 with one quart of Lucas full synthetic oil treatment. This little engine runs so good. I'm in Mt. and have plenty of passes to travel over. (50 mph) I generally drive 60-65 mph and get 15-19 mpg. Pretty amazing engine. T.A.J.

Is it possible to swap the two odometers? If you've got it out to roll the wheels, stick the other odometer in. No mileage to change. T.A.J.

I've run Mobile 1 full synthetic with a quart of Lucas Pure Synthetic Oil Stabilizer so I never have a dry start. This works great for my '84 Dolphin. Has never used a drop of oil. To each his own. T.A.J.

I'll take some pics this fall when I reinstall the cover. It completely covers the over head back to the windshield and straight down the sides leaving the bottom half of the windows uncovered for light in winter. I really like it. T.A.J.

I had a custom tarp made at Montana Canvas in Belgrade Mt. It's made of the same material that the truckers use. It has "D" rings down each side and across the back. It has a zippered flap over the door for anytime access. I tie it on with rubber rope as truckers do and I'm able to drive down the road with it on. They tell me it will last at least 20 years. $400.00 and well worth it! T.A.J.

I've also got an '84 Dolphin and this year bought a Powermite 1850 at Costco for $224.00 and it works great. I don't have roof AC but it powers all else fine and is only 6 db's louder than a Honda 2000. T.A.J.

I, two weeks ago put that exact Hankook tire you are asking about on my '84 Dolphin and love them. The ride improvement I could hardly believe. I don't put maybe 5000 miles a year on my RV, so the price, the tread pattern, and the availability was perfect. I highly recommend the Hankook.(keeping in mind that I've not tried other brands) T.A.J.

Go to Timbrens.com I had these installed on my '84 Dolphin. They made it very stable. No sway. Life time guarantee and zero maintenance!!! T.A.J.

Look at Timbrens.com I put them on my '84 Dolphin. No more sway!! T.A.J.