Derek up North

Around here (Quebec), $9500 is the cheap end of the price scale. That's why I bought in the US. Most around here are advertised at $12k+. Where are you?

If they were proposing the Khumo 857, be aware that these are rated for TRAILER SERVICE ONLY!

When I need tires, I'm leaning seriously towards a set of Hankook RA08 185R14 All Season Radial. Others speak highly of the Yokohama Y356. Just be sure you don't get talked into installing a set of passenger car tires. You definately want at least Load Range 'C' in a 185R14.

First, the bad news. Yes, you'll need to get 4 6-bolt rims. Now the good newa. Yes, your new tires will fit. Assuming you bought 185R14, that is. Where are you located, in case someone knows of any near you to save the shipping cost. Did you think to contact the EBay seller to see if he happens to have any?

Sounds like a great guy to deal with. Too bad he's so far from me (5000+ miles round trip), since one of my 2 V6's needs to be done. Certainly worth supporting he guy, if possible. I wonder if he has a cousin working at dealer near me?

I give up. I've no idea what a 'hill brake' is.

I insist that you post some pictures somewhere so that we can see your mods!! (Please, of course!!)

If things get really steep, you'll find that the lowest gear is reverse, so you can always try backing up the hill!! Or jetison some ballast! Too bad Google Maps can't be asked to plot a course with the least number of hills!

This might be Toyota Canada only:- 1-888-TOYOTA-8 or 1-888-869-6828 Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm EST Or maybe these:- http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html

Posted by: "Hollywood (Callsign)" jimspellman@yahoo.com jimspellman Tue May 18, 2010 4:52 pm (PDT) FYI -- Flying J Dump Stations - Change in Policy 05/06/2010 To continue providing waste dump station services at Flying J, we are instituting a $10 fee to customers using this service. This has become necessary to cover the increasing costs of offering this amenity. These additional fees include: • Escalating expenses associated with normal usage and the misuse and abuse of waste dump stations • Rising costs from local sewer treatment service providers • Increasing expenditures linked to stringent corporate responsibilities For our best customers, those that are members of Flying J's Frequent Fueler and RV Real Value clubs, a $5.00 dump station coupon will be added to their card based on fuel purchases. The club member must present their card to cashier at point of purchase to receive the discount. We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to offer the best services and facilities in the industry. Flying J also stated that the program is being implemented at all Flying J locations in the next week. Some will be monitored by a device that will allow you to pay at the dump, others will require the customer to come inside to pay for the service. Be aware that you will soon be required to pay a fee to use the RV dump at Flying J.

There definately seem to be mixed messages being sent by Toyota. It seems to depend on which dealer you contact. Who exectly was it that told you "it didn't apply". Was it a dealer or Toyota directly? I know that Gene J has recently had success finding a dealer in NV willing to 'play ball'.

I'm afraid you don't have the good 1-Tonne axle. Time to start searching. You can start with www.car-part.com

Yes, that last set of pictures is the S-10 version. Depending on the year built, the S-10 MIGHT be only the 2.8 60 degree V-6. Don't know why, but I had a real problem (obviously) with posting pictures and double postings. One of life's little (computer) mysteries!!! Thanks, Bill Gates!

Here's another on CL. http://roanoke.craigslist.org/rvs/1732563400.html

And an S-10. Sorry, but I don't have any better Toyota Bandit pictures, but I assune that the interior layout is the same. 1 thing I'd be concerned with would be thea limited amount of storage space, given the short fixed walls and lack of overhead cabinets. That, and the sparse bathroom facilities.

Nissan Bandit pictures:-

That's a 'Bandit'. Pretty rare and I can't tell you too much about them. The builder reported went belly up in 1990. They were also built on the Nissan and Chevy S-10 chassis. A more modern version but similar to the Chinook. Would be sweet to mount the coach on a more modern 4x4 chassis. I think it's been done before. That one's missing the usual stripes. 'Facilites' are a PortaPottie, if you can live with that. Should get good gas mileage with it's low weight and frontal area. And it's low profile and center of gravity should let it handle corners and cross winds better than most. http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/1702273791.html I think they're probably light enough to get away without upgrading to a 1-Tonne axle. Haven't read anything about them to indicate that they'll fall apart on you any more than any other fiberglass item that's 25 years old! Good luck and keep us in the loop.

I don't think I'd pay that much with those needed repairs.

I was a bit surprised to read that, too. Just for everone's FYI, the only thing that's required to get a dog across the border in either direction is proof of a rabies shot. And they very rarely ask to look at it.

Please give some details. Don't leave us hanging!

I agree about the ladder attachment being less than solid. On the SeaBreeze, I'm planning to reinforce the arrangement. I'll probably through bolt it to pieces of hardwood inside the closet and have the pieces of hardwood serve double duty as shelf supports in the closet.

Also note that the bumper adapter Camping World sells appears, if I'm not mistaken, to be installed on an aluminum bumper while the text says it's for use on a "4" square continuous-weld steel tube bumper". Somewhat misleading, I'd say!

Great news. Glad to hear it.

Hopefully the oil leak is just a valve cover gasket and the tap-tap-tap is a sticky lifter (and not a bearing). Good luck. We're all standing by to either leap for joy or offer a shoulder to cry on.

I gather you posted a picture somewhere. Could you please provide a link. And Bob, do you have a picture? Thanks.