chief

caffeinemonster, just another thing to think about with the gas cap. I just had my dolphin Ca. smog checked and they pull a suction test on the tank inlet and the gas cap. My cap is a locking type, the only info on it I can make out is ( E1 S.A.E. POM and a 5 on the inside and a "S" on the outside) It also is a screw in to filler type, yours could very well be different. May be you can trace around the filler tube, sketch where there may be locking indents on the filler tube , If it's not screw in, and do your best measure guestimate, then take that to the auto parts store.

McSHANK , I don't know if this is any help. I have a dolphin with a 2.8 Onan, It will not fit in/out the side gen access door. I have to pull the whole door frame to get it in or out.

I have a 92 dolphin, It's 6000 # GVWR. Chief

I stapled mesh wire around the generator exhaust pipe, fuel and cable holes, also maybe try some of that spray foam in any cracks and holes, Mice love the dark hard to get at areas. Recently heard to use "cloths dryer sofftener sheets in all the usual suspect areas, (in and under each drawer, compartments, and even select places under the hood, watch out for possible fire hazzards) Suppossably the rodents don"t care for the smell and this will make your rig smell better. I haven't needed to try the fabric softener sheets yet. Has any one tried this yet? Chief

85 mirage, I haven't tried cutting FRP, but I do use my 4 1/2" milwakie grinder with a thin metal cutting wheel on a awfull lot of different materials. Depending on your skills you can follow a pencil line fairly well. Be sure to wear safety glasses. Chief

ummab, I looked around a lot, Craigs list "Toyota" in recreation section, found a pretty good site, " jaXed.com site mash : toyota : combined classified and auction listings" or something like that, these sites can give you a good idea of whats out there and the much varied price range. Of course the wisdom of this web site gives you much to mull over and wonder. I bought my first RV, a 94 Dolphin a year and a half ago. It's been wonderful. Just my woman and our cairin pooch. It is probably quite small to those experienced in larger RVs but just right for the three of us. On our last trip 3000+ miles it averaged 14.5 mpg, mostly going up and down winding north western mountain roads, usually 55 mph max. It would easily go faster but 55 is where I felt most comfortable. My rig is a 6 cyl , auto. If you are really leaning toward a Toyota, read what you can here. They do require some maintenance and tinkering. Some of it is quite enjoyable and it's all a good learning experience. Remember to read over the sections on this site as to what to look for in your search, there's so much to be learned here. I am sure happy with our Dolphin. If I can help answer any questions, just ask. Good camping, Chief

Over the last 4 weeks I've been forced to deal with the tire situation 3 times. On a return 3000 mile trip I noticed a bump bump bump while driving. The left front had developed a tread bulge, put spare on, made it home ok. Started researching the tires on line. Daughter barrowed rig for 3 day, put a new Hankook on to replace spare, $110 out the door. On her return Sunday she also encountered a bump bump then a blow out (LR inside), she put on the new spare, a hour down the road same bump bump (LR outside). Limped down the road about 50 miles to a larger town , spent the night. I called around and could not locate a open tire place untill 0800 Mon. She did find a 185-14 8 ply Hankook in that town (Lancaster Ca) that morning $125 OTD and finally made it home by noon. I had already decided to go with the Hankooks after the first tire bubbled up on me. I read what i could find here and on line, did not see much negative. They are not readily available at a lot of tire shops. Sears and a few shops will order them though, usually can have them in a few hours to the next day. The Sears on line quote here was about $102 OTD. I bought four more here for $95 mounted & ballanced, OUT THE DOOR price at a local tire store. Now have 6 new Hankooks. Haven't had a a chance to test them out yet. From all I've read so far I recomend 185 R 14 8 ply rating for most the Toyota RV's. My old tires were 7 year old (good tread) Capitols. Chief

DODAD, Here,s what I have on belts info for my 3.0 93/94 Dolphin: Alternator Toyota Serpentine Mitsubishi 4 pk 1185 R34-7 E217044/45 Masterpro 470k4mk Dayco 5040470 Gates K040470 Good year 4040470 Napa 25-040470 AC Toyota 99332-10890 V-Belt Good year Denso 90871-08905 Master pro 9355 17355 1/2 " X 36" OC Power steering Toyota 90916-02196 Master pro 17480 Dayco 17480 Gates 9480 Good year 17481 Napa 25-12205, 259480 Maybe somewhere in those numbers is something that will work for you. Happy camping, Chief

Longwater, my rig did not have the foam around the filler. I pulled all the piping and hoses to the tank because I did not know where the problem was. I think it had been apart before because there was extra hose clamps and zip ties on it. I doubt the metal pipe is a problem. I think mine was a shoddy chunk of hose from that piece of pipe to the tank, the other stuff looked ok. Good luck on your trip. Mine starts in a week. Chief

Longwater, I have 94 Dolphin that had the same leaking filler hose problem. The "non self serve" attendants in Oregon quickly pointed it out to me. Was on a 2000 + mile trip at the time. From underneath it looked like someone had drilled a 1/8" hole in the filler hose. I put a screw in it but still had gas on the concrete at every fill up. When I got home I pulled the 4 screws holding the outside fill cover to the side of the Dolphin and 2 screws holding the fill metal pipe to the outside cover. Then I was able to get a looksee at how that was attached. Ended up removing the pipe and hoses up to the tank. The main hose was badly deteriorated. Replaced both the main hose and the adjacent overfill/breather hoses. Mine had a assortment of hose clamps that I also replaced. Was a bit tight getting the old hoses off and the new ones back in. You have to go at it from both ends, looking through the outside hole while working with your hands under the rig. I remember the outside metal filling part went into a special reducer ribbed hose, then into a piece of pipe that looked like a 6" long piece of tail pipe, then into the regular looking (and leaking) piece of filler hose, then into the fuel tank. Was also a bit of a trick getting the ribbed section oriented in the right position to get the outer filler part fitted up. Its' a bit of a task but a good feeling when you're done. I bought the replacement hose AutoQuest, I would think most Auto Parts stores would have it or point you in the right direction. Also note the replacement hose should be specifically for gas fuel use. I took the old hose with me to the store to insure the right diameter. You should also not buy it to much longer than you need. It's sold by the inch and is quite expensive. I've got to get the camera involved in these projects, I know a few pictures really clear up a lot wonder. Hope this helps, Chief

I'm not able to bring up either of the info web sites. Anybody else getting thru??