Derek up North

Yes, they are expensive up here. You can get more bang for the buck South of the border. Of course there's the logistics problem to overcome, but in my case I've got more time than money! I'm not sure where Bryon got his from. He said it was 6 hours drive back to Buckingham, so that's a lot of territory! And he got there by train, in 6 hours, too, so I think that rules out Lac Simon! How about this one? http://nh.craigslist.org/rvs/1683699890.html

I just noticed on the website linked above that there's a FREE ferry ride available due to that bridge being closed that I mentioned before. http://www.ferries.com/temporary_schedule.asp

The ferry you're talking about goes from Plattsburgh (Cumberland Head) and takes about 12 minutes. Runs every 20 minutes, 24/7/365. It'll cut about an hour off your travel time vs going up to the top of Lake Champlain, right up at the Canadian border. There is another ferry further South that goes from Essex, NY to Charlotte, Vt. Much longer crossing (20 min) but very pleasant if the weather's nice. DOES NOT operate 24/7/365! And then there's the 'biggie' that takes an hour, from Port Kent, NY to Burlington, VT. http://www.ferries.com/index.php I should mention that at peak Summer holiday weekends, you might encounter quite a line up to get on the ferries! Just something to consider.

Well, hang on there nearly neighbour. First things first. 1 - Are you sure that it hasn't already had the axle changed already? Do you happen to have a picture of the back wheel with no hubcap installed? 2 - You're right, Car-part doesn't kick out a single result for the 1-Ton axle in Canada. I've always suspected but never bothered to confirm that Toyota never sold the 1-Ton (BTW, I read somewhere that it's actually a 1-Tonne) into Canada. I certainly don't remember ever seeing any around. 3 - You can look at Car-part and search in the US. For a ZIP code, use 12901 (Plattsburgh, NY) or 05404 (Burlington, Vt). I alway just use 1992 for the year. It'll kick out any year 1-Tonne axle anyway. As luck would have it, there's one listed at D. Richard in Colchester for $550. It's low miles and listed as coming from a MH. I suspect that the MH is Dan's!! They're just down the road from the Auction place. http://toyotamotorho...?showtopic=2647 http://www.drichauto.com/ So that makes 3 of us in each other's pockets. Bryon from Buckingham has just joined and bought a Toy. We'll have to get together. Maybe we could call the Chateau Montebello and ask if they'd let us camp in their parking lot?

If it hasn't been changed out for a 1-Ton (6 lug) axle, I think the only way to check the axle would be to take it apart and do some NDT testing and replace the bearing. For a replacement, I think you can use any one from a 1-Ton pickup. Check www.car-part.com '4x2, dual whl, 1 ton' Car-part doesn't mention any choice of axle ratio, so there's probably only one. I could be wrong. I know my ex-wife always said I was. Car-part has many listed from $200 to $1200. Good luck with your search. P.S. I assume it's not this one:- http://pensacola.craigslist.org/rvs/1687800241.html Let us know where you are. Maybe there's someone who knows of one and/or could help you go and check one out. I doubt you're anywhere near Montreal (nobody is, it seems) or I'd offer!

Since they seem to have the same tire requirements as out Toyotas, there's quite a bit of info on the 'net courtesy of Westfalia owners:- http://www.ratwell.com/technical/TirePhotos.html http://autoparts.pricegrabber.com/auto-tires/185r14+8pr/p/4645/ http://www.busdepot.com/details/tires.jsp Lots of different makes listed, but I don't know how hard it is to find most of the obscure brands. The Hankook RA08 seems to be a good bet. Good reviews, good price. And 'All Season'. Some of the others are listed as 'Summer'. http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=RA08

So you're going to forego the opportunity to cross the border to enjoy the 'Windsor Ballet'?

I'd cut across from Albany on Rt 4 over to Rt 100 and follow the Mad River up to I89. Note: If you go further North to take Rt 125 to Vermont, the bridge at Chimney Point is CLOSED and probably will be for years! You could cut across from I89 by picking up Rt 302 in Montpelier or Barre Vt over to North Conway.

I've been wondering and might as well ask here if anyone has added, say, another inch of foam insulation while rebuilding walls and/or ceilings. An inch might not be much, but it seems to be about as much is there originally!

Autozone (for the 91) has 'cheapies' and Bilsteins, too. In fact they have 3 different Bilsteins listed ($75, $85 & $102). I wouldn't expect you to find anyone in your local AZ to be able to explain to you the differece, though miracles could happen! Another source could be Rock Auto. If you can get the correct P/N, there's always FleaBay to check, too. With the constant heavy load on our MH, I wouldn't expect cheap, standard duty shocks to last long.

I've read good things about KYB Gas-a-Just shocks for the Toyota MH. They also make the Mono-Max, but I haven't read any comments on their performance.

For the record, I hate electrics and treat them as a 'necessary evil'! Electronics I avoid even more! I do know the NEK a bit. Actually went scuba diving in Lake Willoughby decades ago. And I have cycled around Jay a couple of times. One of my sons lives just over the border in Sherbrooke. His wife is from Coaticook. Both sons graduated from Bishops University in Lenoxville. I actually drove down I91 last Sunday to check out my Winnebago purchase in Maine. As I recall, there was sleet falling as I drove past Newport!

Interesting. I just had a look at their website and see they also sell specific RV and Marine versions of Gel-Gloss. I wonder how much difference there is between the different versions? And where to buy them locally? I'll be keeping my eyes open for a small bottle to experiment with. Nice that it's available in larger (1 gallon) containers, too!

Nah. I'm still living in the woods here, aren't I? Of course, I've just bought 2 Bug Escape Modules!

Well, I haven't researched them all at all. Would I be correct in assuming your PD4635V is basically included in a Progressive Dynamics PD4000 Intellipower Distribution Panel? And the 'V' designates their version for a Gel battery? http://www.progressivedyn.com/all_in_one_pd4000.html Is there any downside to installing a 45 Amp vs 35 Amp unit? Or is it that 35 Amps is more than enough? BTW, Chris, where do you hang out in Vermont in the Summer. I know the North pretty well. I've done quite a bit of cycling in and around the Mad River/Stowe area.

I'll state my preference for doing it anytime outside of blackfly or deer fly season. What does that leave? January and February?

Count me in for Maine. Heck, I've already got a Toy sitting in Maine while I figure out how to get it home!

Many good things are written about POR15. Sets up hard as nails. For the exhaust, you'll need something that will handle the heat, like manifold paint.

Technically, Odyssey offered 4x4 20' Motorhomes. There's a picture of one in their brochure. Whether that's the only one ever built, I don't know.

Well, after going to all the trouble of gettin the complete regulations from them (took a year) I now feel armed for battle! If they want me to play their game, tell me the rules! In order to maximize interior room, I'm planning to use a 'Mansard Roof' and hope they let me count the sides as the roof in their measurement/calculation! That would give me 12'to thejoists and some useful storage area above. I want to use a steel roof so that thesnow will slide right off. And hopefully they won't remember the little line in the rules that say the garage can't be higher than the house. If they do, I'm $crewed!

The screw type Aggie refers to is more correctly call a 'Robertson' type. They're far more common this side of the border, very common in (pre-Ikea) furniture assembly and other wood assemblies. The most common size here is a #2. I've only recently bought a Toyota MH (2, actually) and neither are here for me to go and look at, so I'm not sure what size you'll need. At a pinch, if you have a good selection, you might find a flat head or Philips head screwdriver that MIGHT work, especially if the screws aren't too tight or corroded in place. The main advantage of the Robertson vs Philips or flat screw is that there's less tendency for the screwdriver to 'torque' out of the screw and bugger it up! http://www.mysteriesofcanada.com/Ontario/robertson_screws.htm Hey, if it was good enough for the Model T, it's good enough for me!

Nice! I've yet to begin construction of mine. Unfortunately, mine won't be as big as yours. Municipal regulations will limit floor space to 1200 sq ft and a height (average roof height) of 7.5m (24.6'). But I've had to revise the design in my mind to increase door height to accomodate a Toyota MH.

Well, if you were there then (which it doesn't sound like you were) we were nearly neighbours. I lived in Tannay (just up the hill from Coppet and went to school in Versoix and Geneve. First time on skis was Christmas Day, '59 @ St Cergue. Fond memories, indeed! It's good that you've now got some of the basic tools to work with. I'd suggest you spend some time getting comfortable reading the wiring diagram and using the multimeter (some might refer to it as a VOM). Start looking at the wires you can see and try and confirm that the colours corespond with what you see on the diagram. It's possible that they are different because of the 'Swiss' wiring or have been changed over the years. If you find any differences, be sure to take notes. I'm not going to try rewritting the book, so I'll suggest that you Google 'How to use a multimeter'. Just start with the basics (how to read voltage and continuity). Remember, this is not rocket science and there are a lot less wires (fortunately) in the MH than in the Toyota part. Break it down into seperate circuits and check the from one end to another, 1 at a time so as not to become everwhelmed! Mark off each circuit, one at a time with a highlighter. I should add, in parting, that I hate electrics!! Good luck.

By '88 it was 5950lbs.

I know that all my needs would be met with 2 burners (well, actually 1) and a combination microwave/convection oven. Likewise, a single sink would be fine. I suspect all the other stuff added was a sort of 'arms race' between the various builders to try and out do each other. I'd rather have the extra space and lower weight. I'm a minimalist/survivalist cook at home and I don't expect to get all inspired while boondocking in a Walmart parking lot!