xanthogar

I fill them horizontally and don't pull the preasure reliefe pin. I'm fairly good at judging it from practice. While camping at 4am I ran out of propane in my heater so I decided to replace it. I unknowingly had a bad tank from wal mart which leaked when I plugged it into my heater ( I later found a small hole in the neck of the tank, I then lit the heater not knowing and was engulfed in a large fireball (we were in a tent at that time) was scary putting out the fire in my clothes and my leg/arm hair was gone. Lesson learned look listen and smell before lighting all appliances.

I do alot of boon docking and use aroud 4-5 small tanks a trip so I fill the small tanks all the time. As with even driving out old rigs we face danger that's life but you can minimize the danger. Thouroughly check the tank before filling and after I submerge min in a sink of watter to double check for leaks. I also fill them less then full so although they don't last as long I feel safer.The only critical failure I've had with a small tank was with a new one from a store that went boom (not one I filled)... Also do your home work and decide if you feel comfortable with the risks and rewards, I save around $20 a trip by filling my own tanks which is like a half tank of fuel for my rig.

They sell rechargable battery kits for most cpaps that last 2-5 days then need to be recharged that could be a good option.

My 1983 Dolphin has the corner batteries in front wish I could run batteries in series but there's no room.

I personally like sonic pest devices I use them in my house and RV when it's hooked up keeps out mice, rats, roaches and spiders for the most part. Too bad it doesn't work on 12v.

Ok so I've been using bio-packs because that's what my family has always used but I hate the smell and was wondering what other people use and what works well. I went to try the vornado but my vent is under the ladder of my dolphin and I can't install one. So any suggestions on what works best to break down the stuff and prevent odors, I'm looking for something good since my dolphin has only 1 universal tank which does black and gray water.

I just replaced mine I used penetrating oil and a lot of force to get my old one out. I also bought a hose attachment to clean out the inside of the hot water heater tank it's like $5 at most rv stores. Per the instructions on the new anode rod it says to use teflon tape so I did and I hope it's right. Another thing I considered is they sell anode rods that have built in drain plugs, I didn't get it but it might be a good idea. I looked at my suburban water heater manual and it recommends draining and cleaning the hot water heater tank every six months.

I was down looking at the honda 2000 generator and was told camping world now has a knock off with the same stats and works just as well here's a link to it if you're going to go with the honda but lack som cash this may be a good idea. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/campers-world/powerhouse-2000wi-2000-watt-inverter-generator/coa60376 .

So being a novice mechanic I invited my brother over to help me install new pads and rotors on the front of my dolphin. I though it would be fun and just had to pay him with some beer. The first wheel went on and off no problem I learned a lot but it took so long I couldn't finish putting the second wheel back together. Since I was leaving that night at around 2 AM I let him put it back together for me. Well I didn't think it was possible but he put the pads on backwards (pad out and metal in). Got about 3 blocks before everything locked up. That extra savings turned into more cost and a long night of work lol.

Another thing to think about if there's a no generator policy is a solar panel. I use a little 5 watt panel which was $20 at harbor tool and if I only run lights (all led) and water pump it will keep my coach battery full without a problem.

Sounds like a good time to me. I go camping in my 83 dolphin a lot with my wife. We boondock at the Kern river hot springs near lake isabella. You can also do blm land (make sure to get a campfire permit they're free at your local fire station). We also do a lot of beach camping.

Your local RV dealer should know a a custom class shop that should be able to make one from lexan or glass for you but it may be expensive.

My rig uses a window mounted amplified antenna with no mast that works pretty well. Here's a link to one on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Universal-Hidden-AM-FM-Car-Radio-Windshield-Glass-Mount-Stealth-Antenna-/280827016813?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item416298366d

You do get used to the kink in your neck I'm 6'3" and my dolphin is 6'2" so I am bent while cooking or sitting at the dinette across from the stove. I also end up standing in the bathroom under the vent where I can stand straight. The bed is defiantly ok as it's about 6'6" long. But even after a year I still bang my head on the AC. Toyotas are the best motor homes out there (imo). Another problem he might encounter though is the driver's seat make sure he's comfortable, I barley have enough room to drive my toy would have been better if I had gotten an automatic so I had more room with less pedals lol.

The best thing is to pull the window replace the rubber ring/caulking but me I just coated the window edge in silicon and it stopped that problem in mine there's a really good thread on windows under improvement/do it yourself it explains why and how it leaks.

I love my boondocking but buying the small tanks was getting expensive, I thought about the large bbq tank but it was hard lugging it around and absolutely not good for night hikes with my lantern so I found a new toy, a tank filler. The little brass piece hooks to my bbq tank at home and I can fill all my old small green tanks. It's been working great (found I had to freeze the small tanks to fill but that's easy). They're about $20 from camping world or harbor freight.

If your rig is older then around 1990 you can use a shaved key or try any random older Toyota keys from people. Another thing most don't realize is that the door locks on almost all motor homes use the same keys so if you can get to the rear door you can use another person's dolphin keys (also a lot of RV dealers have a master key you can call them).