Nam

Updates: still no sign of seatbelts. I will have to look harder but so far, none was found. There was evident of leak by the AC unit. Upon removal of the AC, the roof sags a little since the AC has been there for 22 years. The seal has dried out and roof sags --> leak! For now since I have an extra roof vent, I'll put it there until next summer. Next project: install support for the dinnet to convert it into a child bed

With patience, you will find it. Expand your search in Southern Calif. also. For some reasons, they are usually like $1k cheaper than Northern Calif.

Hi All, Just want to re-introduce myself again with a new toy. 1990 Itasca Spirit picked up in Brentwood Calif. last week. The rig needs some work like new muffler and CAB A/C recharge, some holes to patch but nothing I can't handle. I have been looking for this particular floor plan for a while but a decent Itasca/Warrior is quite hard to come by with my limited "budget." I have looked at several Dolphin/Odyssey/Americana/ but none that I found I could live it until this one. Quite interestingly, this rig's picture got into national scam (the $3500 Toyota Motor Home) for some strange reasons. First question is: where are all seat belts? I found only one seat belt in the back by the dinette. What about the sofa? has anyone installed seatbelt for the sofa? I am thinking of hitting the RV salvage yard in Sacramento to get 4 seat belts (one for the other side of the dinette) and three for the sofa if I can find a way to mount them. Other than that...I'll start clean up...doing all the basic maintenance stuff and should be ready for the road anytime. All the best, I know will learn a lot form all your experience on this site.

Impressive work! did you ever try to weight the RV? does not look like much and what are you getting for MPG?

Coincidentally I thought of the same thing after driving home from Santa Cruz last night. Will be looking into the 3rd Gen 4Runner with power seat and see if they fit. I found the Sienna seats are very comfy as well...wondering if they bolt on...will check with my dad's Sienna

These thermoelectric cooling fridge does not chill below like 45 degree; it takes a very long time to "cool", but "cold" and no freezer of course. I tried it one with a free one from a neighbor, did not work for me at all.

Where about in Calif. are you? Southern Calif. often has more choice and better price than nothern Calif. for some reasons. From what I see Dolphin's ceiling is slightly lower than others e.g. Winnebago but the Dolphin is much larger than the Sunrader. I think the Winnebago is among the highest ceiling's but I could be wrong. Besure to look for leak around the cab over areas. Take your time, the right one will come along.

McSHANK, I have sucesfully installed the Onan 2.8 Microlite on to the Kohler compartment on my 319RB Warrior. Will upload the finished pics when I can. Basically I have to cut the inner divider and use the Onan's brakets to bold the unit on. The compartment is big enough for the Onan. You will have to re-route the fuel line and big DC cable for the starter but that's not too hard. Nam

this can be done for a lot less $$$. How I got it up the roof was wrapping it on a blacket, tight the ropes together and pull it up.

Great job there John. My Winnebago's gray water tank sensor is acting up also but I think the Winnebago uses different method...like putting several conductors at different water levels and measure conductivity in between...has anyone experienced this kind of sensor?

Inverter won't work on AC...at least practically. The high surge will shut it down. Generator is the way or plug-in

A typical RV with all appliances will not leave much room for your cargo or carrying stuff around. I have hauled Scaffold and doors and construction stuff in it but it's not very convenience since the door is so small and not much room inside. RV requires much more maintenance than a typical van or truck due to the construction method. Something to consider. And yet, it can't tow much if anything at all Living in an RV is pleasant with only 2 or 4 max. for no more than couple weeks. It's convenient since you carry the comfort of your home, nice clean bathroom...all cooking stuff, and your own bed. Plus it would save you money v.s. renting a hotel. Plus you can sleep/stay where there is no hotel. It's not as fast and easy as driving/parking a van or truck due to its size. Here in San Francisco Bay Area, I can't park it at the Train Station due to its size and height. Showing up at the job site on an RV isn't too bad. I once showed up at Moscone in San Francisco in my RV, the parking arrangement office told the security guard that I drove a Winnebago...the guy asked what??? then they came and check it out. If you are not mechanically inclined, my observation shows that owning these vintage vehicle may end up cost you more than making payment on a newer one unless you have some backyard mechanics who can work on these for cheap. Just my opinion.

You are in the low range but not completely out of track. Try a tune up and take it easy on the gas pedal to see if it would increase

When I bought the 90' Warrior, there was no gas cap; I had a spare gas cap came out of 1994 Ford F150 truck and it fit perfectly. A sale person from the part store can help you. Just drive in and tell them you need a gas cap for this and they should be able to figure out what fits.

I use Cheveron Techron for injector cleaner (the box that you can get at Costco for a decent $). I don't think compression test can tell if you need valve clearance adj. or not. A reputable mechanic can do the job. I will attempt to do mine soon. My Warrior 319RB avg. 14MPG and I thought that was bad enough. BTW, are you using those K&N air filter?

Finally the Dolphin is at my parents' home. It's in an amazing condition with lots of extra e.g. roof mounted water cooler, extra heater, window vents...it has a complete rebuit transmission at 54K miles. It now has 56K miles. I have a feeling that he's asking quite a bit for it so I don't think I'll go for it. If I ever want a longer Toyota Motorhome, I'll look for the 21' Warrior. Thanks all for your replies, when it stops raining in here in the West, I'll take some pics and upload.

Derek, I think you're right, it's a bit of relieft when I found out it holds more than 13.2 Gals. That thing probably makes 200miles between fill up. Latest is that the relative who owns the Dolphin lost his storage space and has asked me to help him selling it for him if I don't want it. He brought it to my parent's home for temporary storage. This saves me 100 miles of driving and I have all the time to check it out and see if I really want to give up the Warrior for the Dolphin. More updates to follow

Looks like it has Calif. plate, is that where it originally came from? Nice rig BTW

Wow I didn't know that the Dolphin has 4-5 vents. I thought the Warrior's 3 vents are giving me enough of issue. Height won't be an issue for me since I am only 5'-7" and among the tallest in the family so far. Peharps I need to drive down and look at the Dolphin in person and see how I like it. But in the mean time, I keep improving the Warrior i.e. I'll replace the dead stock speakers this weekend with a set of Pioneer ones. The inverter and generator are still sitting in the shed. If I am planning on trading it, I certainly do not want to invest anymore time and $ but will see.

Thanks Derek for sharing your experience. I guess I should be happy with 14MPG on a motorhome then. I've seen people advertise upto 19mpg on these MH so i was just wondering. What is Cd? I think the frontal area has a lot of drag that's why MPG suffers. From the owner of the Dolphin, he has 50Gal tank and getting 12mpg. I wish I have a bigger tank on the Warrior instead of 13.5Gal.

A relative who owns a 1991 Dolphin would want to trade with my 1990 Warrior 319RB. I haven't been inside his Dolphin since he lives about 200 miles away. I would like your input in the comparison between the two models. What I like about the Dolphin is it's roomier but I am not a big fan or corrugated siding. I'd prefer the smooth siding on the Warrior. I was hoping to get better MPG on the Warrior since it's lighter (19') but I've been avg. of only 14MPG driving 55-60mph so my hope is the Dophin won't get much worse than this. How's workmanship/quality on the Dolphin? Any input is greatly appreciated.

What is the interval of valve clerance adjustment?

pplmotorhomes has lots of selection and $ seems decent

I parked mine 319RB on the slope so water would drain right away. Not much you can do except going through and seal everywhere that leak is possible

A foldable center console seems to the best option. I'll look at my Honda CR-V and see if it would fit. I've been wanting to put one also since there is only one cup holder and it blocks the vent and HVAC ctrl.