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centralman

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Posts posted by centralman

    Why do you love your Toyhome?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    In my opinion, the best RV for a trip in Mexico!

    1. Nondescript - definitely won't be a target of carjacking;

    2. It's reliable, won't break down easily, but just in case;

    3. I see so many 22RE pickups around in Mexico, I figure people there must know how to fix it if something happens.

    Getting the best MPG on Interstate

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Oh, sorry my mistake, the trip is approx 3500 miles or 5700 kms and it should last around 10 days. Yes, maybe I should try to gradually slow down a bit to see how things go. I used to tell my friends one of the perks that comes with the Toyota MH is that you will never get a speeding ticket on the highway, cos it usually is not capable to speed.

    Getting the best MPG on Interstate

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    It's a three step process to do it right.

    1. Pull into a truck stop.

    2. Wait for a truck that says "Swift" to get on the interstate.

    3. Follow that truck.

    Swift governs their entire fleet at 63mph. That's my rig's sweet spot for staying in OD without downshifting. Drafting the big rig helps quite a bit. I've heard the same from others.

    Sigh ... I agree with you sometimes I try to do that too (following big trucks) but it seems maintaining 63mph is not as easy as it seems, sometime even a slight uphill I can't keep up with the trucks with my MH.

    Getting the best MPG on Interstate

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Thanks to everyone for their input.

    I guess slow driving is the key to better fuel economy. This actually is my first RV even I owned it for like 3 and a half years now I still consider myself a newbie. Never driven such a slow vehicle before. Did kinda know about the 51-55 sweet spot zone and tried it but had gotten quite a bit of horns and middle fingers from different motorists in the I-5. Yes there is a slow lane but in a lot of stretches in the I-5 there are only 2 lanes on each direction and when large container trucks try to overtake you cos you are that slow they inadvertently slow the fast lane vehicles behind them down and some folks don't take it kindly. To be honest I do feel the pressure and I found that by at least maintaining 60mph I get minimal trouble on the road.

    Getting the best MPG on Interstate

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Hello there,

    I am preparing for a 5,500 miles trip to Mexico this Christmas and New Year from Vancouver, BC and I will be driving the whole I-5. Maintaining 60mph on I-5 is a challenge enough when everyone is driving 75mph or more. Since slowing down is really not an option, does anyone has any idea how to get the best fuel economy on the highway?

    At around 60mph, my average fuel economy is around 11mpg.

    Engine runs hot

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Centralman,

    the Thermostat should keep this from happening. if the coolant temp gets to low, the thermostat should close down an restrict water to the radiator.

    On most cooling systems, the passenger heater bypasses the thermostat, but its not that much that would cause this (I would think).

    As 5Toyota - a stuck fan clutch could also aggravate this problem (fan running all the time)

    John Mc

    88 Dolphin 4 Auto

    Hi John,

    Now I kind of know why. When I was trying to solve my engine running hot problem, first I tried to replace the existing thermostat (which is a relatively new one) with the Toyota 2-stage thermostat:

    http://4crawler.com/4x4//CheapTricks/index.shtml#Thermostat

    When that didn't work I was thinking, hmmm, maybe even the 2 stage thermostat isn't quite good enough, and someone even advised me to remove the thermostat altogether, I then tried the advise mentioned on the link to put back my old thermostat and drilled a couple of holes on them to act as bypass.

    Maybe that's the reason why this is happening, and eventually even that didn't work and in the end I replaced the fuel injectors and problem solved.

    Thanks John & 5Toyota for their comments.

    What do you use to level your RV?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Centralman, Yes, thats a newer one, not as critical for leveling as the older style. Get one of these (2 pack).

    RV Bubble Level

    Stick one on the drivers door pillar up about eye level so you can see it when you turn your head. Make that the front/back level.

    The other you can put on the dash as a side-to-side level.

    John Mc

    88 Dolphin 4 Auto

    Thanks John for your information. It did have a couple of level measuring devices at the end of the MH but the glass/plastic is broken and the liquid inside is long gone so yes get a couple of replacement is good idea.

    What do you use to level your RV?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    The newer style frig are less sensitive to the leveling problems. Look at the heating chimney on the back of the frig (the big round tube that gets very hot), if its round, your new, if its square, your old.

    The new style can be pretty far off, the old style needs to be very close.

    I think the book for the new says "comfortable (5-6 degrees) where the old unit is 2-3 degrees. I think if you get it within one bubble mark on the levels, you OK with either, and its vour comfortable.

    John Mc

    88 Dolphin 4 Auto

    Hi John I have checked my furnance out it's kind of looks like kind of round. Would this mean I have a newer model? It's a Dometic fridge.

    post-2730-0-06996200-1351529993_thumb.jp

    Engine runs hot

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    Oh since we are discussing the engine coolant temperature here my MH's temp will go all the way down to "C" when it's going a long stretch of downhill (for example, I-5 at Siskiyou Summit), then the temperature will get back to normal once it's on level ground, does this happen to you guys?

    Spark Plugs Changing Time

    in Engines - Transmissions - Drive Train - Suspension - Chassis - Steering - Exhaust - Tires - Etc.

    Posted

    Thanks Maineah for you advice. Actually I carry a set of hand tools for the vehicle just in case. I am thinking maybe the best course of action for me is to buy a set of stock ND plugs and carry those with me just in case. If the platinum +4s perform well then I'll keep the stock for the next change. Any sign of problem I'll change those plugs on the road, I don't think it'll be exceptionally difficult. Cos again, I don't want to waste the +4 plugs.

    Spark Plugs Changing Time

    in Engines - Transmissions - Drive Train - Suspension - Chassis - Steering - Exhaust - Tires - Etc.

    Posted

    Actually my friend was kind enough to buy the set of 4 plugs for me as a gift, so I was asking before if those plugs would actually do the engine any harm. If they'll perform just the way the stock plugs do, that's good enough for me. In fact if I were to replace the plugs myself I would probably just go with the stock ones like you said. If they were to perform any differently than stock I shall report back what I have experienced.

    Spark Plugs Changing Time

    in Engines - Transmissions - Drive Train - Suspension - Chassis - Steering - Exhaust - Tires - Etc.

    Posted

    Thanks everyone for their comments. I would like to know:

    1. If I do choose to replace with Bosch Platinum +4, will there be an adverse effect to the engine? Some says the engine will run hotter?

    2. I have a friend who runs a Toyota Pickup with 22RE engine says he got improvement on acceleration and slight improvement on the mpg after changing the Platinum +4 plugs. That's why I am considering.

    3. Like I have said I have had those plugs changed twice on average 20k miles each interval, last 2 times I used NGK and ND, those are just the 'normal' plugs.

    Spark Plugs Changing Time

    in Engines - Transmissions - Drive Train - Suspension - Chassis - Steering - Exhaust - Tires - Etc.

    Posted · Edited by Derek up North

    Actually was I was using NGK stock number 1233 (BPR5EY) last time and I think ND stock number 3031 (W16EXR-U) the time before, am now thinking if the Bosch +4 Platinum Stock Number 4478 or any other model would be better, thank you all for your comments and ideas.

    Edit: Upgrade to Platinum Plugs recommended?

    NGK Iridium IX BPR5EIX Stock number 6597 or

    Denso Iridium IW16 Stock number 5305 or

    Bosch +4 Platinum Stock Number 4478

    Fuel Pump Failure

    in Engines - Transmissions - Drive Train - Suspension - Chassis - Steering - Exhaust - Tires - Etc.

    Posted

    Thank you gentlemen for your feedback. I guess I can consider replacing the pump when it reaches 200,000 miles - that is, if my toyota motorhome will last that long! Took 25 years to reach 120,000 miles I guess it will take another 16/17 years to reach that!

    Thanks again. It's been very educational. I guess we all wanted that peace of mind when we are on the road, we can work on our own time and pace when the MH is at home but who needs trouble when you are thousands of miles away?

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