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shandamac

Toyota Advanced Member
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Posts posted by shandamac

  1. A quote from the movie, Death Becomes Her, "Screw the natural law! Don't you want to live forever?!?!"

    Apparently Sadie's coach battery didn't.

    Onset of "The Battery Project": This evening I learned that Sadie's coach battery is a "starting" battery (installed by one of her previous owners). I also know that it needs to be buried.

    Parusing past posts and Googling around in research , (like I do on quiet, rainy evenings), I stumbled on this battery tutorial. Thought I'd pass it along on the slim chance that it hadn't been linked previously. I enjoyed it.

    http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_F...s%20a%20Battery?

    shanda

    ps. Greg, If I get too way out there, you have my permission to reel me back in.

  2. sounds good to me,might want to bring the ear plugs though,

    Oh no! Ear plugs are for wimps!!!! Best campfire sing along song writers:

    Good ol' Jimmy Buffet and Robert Earl Keen.....(Perfect Pitch Optional)

  3. Mr. E

    Yeah. I really love the "park anywhere" aspect of my little motorhome, which is why, I'll occasionally drive her to Wal-mart or the grocery store ...(You know....for kicks and giggles.) The pictures of your kids remind me of mine when they were that age. How beautiful that they're able to travel with you and Mrs E. Mine almost don't have time for me anymore....sigh. I wish I'd had the motorhome when they were younger. I appreciate your advice on the steep hills and middle lanes. So far, my travels have taken me on relatively sedate motorways. Interesting that you called me Shasta. It was my nickname growing up and is also my yahoo email name.....as in Shastamac.

    Lovely to see you and the family enjoying your new toy!!!!

    shanda or shasta....both work for me :)

  4. Linda Kay,

    So looking forward to seeing pictures. When you're ready to post them, feel free to start a New Topic so we can keep track of your project specifically? Can't wait to see what you've done.

    shanda

  5. I'm lucky, my wife sews, even I can hand sew and have repaired the canvas on my VW camper... Sewing is definitely something that is very useful, I think Moms used to pass the knowledge down but maybe that's not so prevalent in the 2.1 nuclear family. I would learn, my wife tells me curtains and cushions are a doddle and you could muster it in a few minutes. She's going to show me tonight.

    This is wonderful!!!! I believe all utilitarian arts should be studied and mastered by both sexes. It's a shame that somewhere back there, someone decided to divide it all out. "Hon, I'll plow the field if you mend my boxers." or was it, "Babe, I'll darn yer socks if you split the wood."? However it happened, I think it's a beautiful thing that you and Mrs Everste would "doddle" up a few casings together. Warm fuzzy hugs to both of you.

    shanda

  6. Just curious... I'm getting close to buying, but it would be mine primarily, with my husband sometimes using/working on/etc. it. I'm not "smart" mechanically but am smart in general so could learn at least some stuff. Am wondering if I'm biting off too much to chew, but I have this fantasy of taking off for a night or two or more by myself and going to the redwoods or the beach. Any others of the female persuasion doing that? How is it for you?

    Thanks,

    Kathy

    Hi Kathy.

    Sadie is my motorhome. (My husband has his Harley.) My primary reason for purchasing the little motorhome was "independence". I play Irish music and sometimes travel out of state to gigs and works shops. Hotels are okay, but to be able to travel with your own bed.....very cool. (I write a little about my trip to Midlothian,Texas last Fall in one of my past posts.)

    I've only had her about a year, but I've been able to redo the inside and make several mechanical repairs just by doing some research, asking a few questions, and jumping in with both feet. Get the Haynes guide for your year of Toyota truck, and a copy of Bob Livingston's RV Maintainence and Repair Guide, and keep reading past posts from this forum. (Don't be afraid to ask questions.) Start by taking short trips and take notes.....keep a journal.....or just post your travel stories here. I've actually got several Sadie stories, if you want to read them. (Click on the arrow by my name up in the left corner, there's a dropdown field. Click on View Member's Topics, and start from the bottom of the list.)

    Owning your own motorhome home is amazing!!!! You won't be sorry!!

    Best wishes,

    shanda

  7. Your still in the amateur stage, soon when you get to pro status, one project will turn in to 3 that need to be done simultaneously

    :)

    Hopefully, I've got the motorhome parked in a nice shady spot close to an Autozone when that happens.

    Next project: Coach battery.

    Have a nice week WME.

    s

  8. BUT there should be a valve some where in the water line already , some body in the last 25 years surely has wanted to cut off the water ^_^

    Yeah, you would think. I thought it was pretty wierd set up too. Looks to me like the water is directly hooked up to the toilet line behind the tank. I've tried to feel for a faucet valve. Whoever installed it ran a copper tube from behind the toilet, loose up the back wall and out through the sky-lite. They also ran separate electric inside over the headliner. I've only used shore power, (coach battery projects even further down the list), but I did see the original power line tucked up under the headliner when I pulled the cooler's face plate to clean it. I'm not sure if they did that to bypass the battery or what, maybe a separate designation in the fuse box, or maybe had an a/c at one point since the water situation is so wonky. Anyway, I'll get a mirror to get a good look at the connection behind the toilet. I'd really like to change out the copper pipe for flex with a valve, so I can remove the hose completely from the cooler and cap it in the Fall. Isn't that how it usually works. One project leads to another, and another, and another. :).

    Thanks W,

    Have a great day.

    S

  9. Thanks Futar,

    Well, I finished one of my projects early (ran out of paint) so I decided to work on Sadie's water cooler lastnight. Found out first of all that I can't spell. It's called a RECAIR not Regenair (I really should wear my glasses all the time). Second, after taking off the hood, I found years and years of dirt, leaves and debri down inside. I pulled off the fan, and saw the conicle sprayer with exactly the same set up as the Turbocool you described. I pulled out the foam tube and washed it really good, vacuumed out all the loose debri, and wiped out the inside with a damp rag and diluted bleach. Moved the float a little to loosen it up then turned on the water pump. Sure enough, water started filling the reservior. I slipped back in the foam tube, centered the fan, and flipped the switch to high. Yeehaw! Nice cool air. I let it run for an hour or so.

    One thing I didn't do was let the reservior fill completely. (I won't be taking her out for a while, and didn't want water to just sit.) Also, I'll need to see if I can find a shut off for water to the unit for cooler weather, but at least I know for now it works.

    Thanks again for your help.

    Safe and happy travels,

    Shanda

  10. Michael

    Welcome to the family!!!!! Someone will be along soon to help you with your mirror question, but I wanted to say "hi". You're also welcome to post questions of any type in the "General Discussion" topic. (Most of our members really hit that topic the most.)

    Congratulations on your new toy motorhome purchase. Sounds like you found a real gem!!!!!! Make sure to post pictures of your toy, and where you take it, and what updates you make to it.

    Glad you're here.

    wishing you a wonderful summer,

    shanda

  11. Hi Birdy,

    We all must have a little of the "gambler" in us to invest in these little toys.

    I think it's interesting that she won't let you run it buy a mechanic's inspection, and $2800 does seem steep for an "as is" purchase, but I'm in Oklahoma. However, you could call it "a road trip", take a buddy with you with some "know-how" and a set of tools, a couple gallons of water/coolant, plenty of snacks, and plan on taking your time.

    I bought my 18 ft Sunrader, for $1200 a year ago. Had no clue what I was doing. No mechanic's inspection. Ended up needing a fuel system overhall..$200 or so. I have since invested $1800 in a new rearend, and another $1000+ in fabric, carpet, paint, odds and ends, and more things to fix.

    I would do it again in a heartbeat!

    If you do make "the leap", then we're here to support you as best as we can. The mechanical toy gurus on this forum can answer all your mechanically technical questions. The rest of us will attempt to support you in a brother/sister eccentric family sort of way.

    Go with your gut. If that gnawing hunger, total consuming, "I gotta have it!" feeling is not there....just walk away....simple as that.

    wishing you the best.

    shanda

  12. Hi Toy family,

    Just getting around to thinking about looking at Sadie's water cooler/swamp cooler/evaporative air unit thingy. Since, I can't get to it for a few days, (sadly too many other projects ahead of her on the list), I thought I would ask for advice to mull over, until I'm able to tackle the cooler issue.

    What I know:

    It's a Regenair.

    Fan works on both high and low

    Water pressures all the way to unit.

    What I don't know.

    Does it have it's own cooler pump to spray water, or does a valve open when it's turned on

    to allow the water pump to force water through a sprayer?

    (I can't imagine it has an excelsior pad that wicks water from a reservoir......or does it?)

    Can something be fixed or cleaned or tweaked?)

    Any ideas are really appreciated.

    Stay cool!

    shanda

  13. all tank-ups filled to the second click.

    Not to be too goofy, but as a dabler in etymology, this is a term for measurement I've not heard before. :) I like the way it sounds. Can you break it down?

    shanda

    update: This was sort of explained to me by a co worker. Which gives me another MPG + idea. Could I get better MPG by not filling up the tank all the way and stopping more fequently.....(weight being the factor here)?

    (okay, now she's just being silly.)

  14. Hi Birdy!

    Since you've been catching up on past posts, you know you're already on the right track.

    Gosh.....I can only say, I've been there. I had no prior motorhome experience; bought one

    that needed tons of work, and would do it again in a heartbeat. These little toys become

    more than motorhomes. Don't be suprised if you find yourself "obsessed".

    Welcome to the Forum!

    Shanda

  15. Next to duct tape, Ultra shelf liner is a real multi tasker!!!!!

    It comes in assorted colors and thicknesses (depending on the brand), is affordable and washable.

    A few Uses:

    1. Security: Use between support board and motorhome roof to prevent slipping and scratching when making roof repairs or serious cleaning.

    2. To line shelves of fridge to keep jars and casseroles in place.

    3. To wrap oven racks during trasport to minimize rattling.

    4. To wrap around pickle jars, or coffee cups, or between mixing bowls, pots, pans, and other potentially rattly things in the cupboard.

    I love this stuff!

    shanda

  16. Hi Kathy,

    We're really excited to have you join us here on the Toy Forum. Welcome!

    I completely concur with Dianne on all points especially regarding the rearend.

    I don't know what models had what rearends originally, so I'm going to suggest you attach a picture of the home or back wheel assembly on your post. (Maybe just for my peace of mind.) I purchased my '81 Sunrader 18' toy prior to learning about " the recall". Sadie had the "bad" rearend, but I felt I got such a good deal on her, that I didn't flinch at the investment of "safety".

    If you attach a picture, most of the owners on this forum can tell you at a glance if the toy in question has the dreaded 5 lug-light duty welded back dually wheels, or if it is a heavy duty one ton single/or dual rearend.

    I honestly feel the satisfaction and freedom of owning one of these little babies is incredible. Your kitty will love it, and so will you.

    Best Wishes on your quest for Toy Harmony.

    shanda

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