Bob C

Definitely disconnect the truck battery. A momentary lapse in memory and you could try starting the RV and end up with a rocket engine that launches the whole rig. Not pretty when LP blows up.

We are taking our first big trip in September after I retire. I may remove the AC if it turns out that it does not get used. I am lucky because I built the swing set in the back yard withintention of using it for lifting by using a chain hoist. I was told that it is pretty easy to remove the units if you have a means to lift it off.

Maybe your bumper is built more solidly than mine. I have seen hitches let go that are not built properly. If your home made hitch fails and someone gets injured, your insurance may not cover you. If I build one, it will be stronger than the rest of the MH and will not break. My MH currently has a class 1 hitch wiht a 5/8" by 2" receiver insert with the receiver welded to the bumper. If I decide to do any towing, I will weld up a hitch that is attached to the frame.

Me too. Thanks for keeping this site going. I would have made a VERY expensive mistake by purchasing a very bad RV. Because of this site, I found a good unit and have learned how to do any required repairs myself. Bob

My MH had a Schlag deadbolt installed when I bought it. I like it because is is a better quality lock than the door knob lock. The previous owner said that they had the deadbolt installed because the factory lock was unlocking itself. It is a simple solution and works really well. I can also go just about anywhere and get extra keys made.

The VIN should be on the drivers side of the dash very close to the windshield just like every other vehicle. I don't remember seeing the GVW sticker on my MH. I know that the title says 8000 pounds.

I have an '88 Escaper. I really like it so far. We bought it late last summer and have put about 3000 miles on it without incident. We spent a week in Door County (Wisconsin) and a couple of great weekends with friends. The truck is a cab and chassis sold by Toyota. The truck parts are available either new or used. The coach is added by the manufacturer. They are built on the Toyota frame. Most of the parts are strictly off the shelf. Most manufacturers use the same components and the parts are still available for the most part. Look around for parts on the internet. I got a new Atwood electronic ignition (direct spark) water heater for about $200. If you are reasonably handy, you can do most of the repairs yourself. Ask alot of questions, these guys will help with any problem imaginable. You will find yourself learning fast and feeling competent are doing the jobs without incident. This fall I am taking 10 days in northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. Next summer Door County with 3 of our kids and their families, totaling 10 people. (Not all in the motorhome.) The following summer my wife and I are taking off for about a month in the Rockies.

If your coach battery is totally dead, it may not light up your indicator light on the monitor panel.

I would strongly suggest a GOOD QUALITY battery converter with a modern control system. I picked up a Progressive Dynamics 9245 Intell-ipower real cheap a while back. It was easy to install with just 2 wires to cut and reconnect.

Don't you love it when what you thought was a major problem turns out to be something minor.

I go to Tractor Supply Company and they fill the tank for $2.69/gallon. That is far cheaper than having a place fill my BBQ tank and refilling the RV tank. I am looking into installing a hookup to use BBQ tank in extended stays but with the 40 lb tank that I have, I don't think I will run out.

I have several vehicles that only get occassional use. If they have metalic brake pads and you live in a humid area, you will sometimes get a little rust buildup on everything. This will sound terrible for a couple of minutes when you start out. I live on a rather steep hill and I ride the brakes for about 15-20 seconds and the noise goes away. This happens on my Ford Ranger and Hyundai Accent. I have not noticed it on the Toyhouse.

You should have a truck battery under the hood and a deep cycle battery somewhere in the coach. The two batteries are charged by the truck alternator. There should be a battery isolator under the hood somewhere that electrically connects the coach battery to the charging circuit when the truck is running. When the truck is not running, the coach battery runs the coach electric but does not drain the truck battery. There are several people here that will be more specific and have some really helpful diagrams that help a lot if you are new to Toyboxes. The battery in the coach must be a true deep cycle battery, not a starting battery.

ShaggyRV, Thank You for your service to this fine country. I may not trust the government but I definitely respect and support our troops.

Not only don't they care, they are not held accountable by the shareholders or the law. Fraud is fraud. They should do jail time and that stuff sould stop quick.

I say that he should be fired for fraud and have to repay everything that he was paid.

Here in Wisconsin we have had to have a state park sticker for as long as I can remember. It is currently $25 for the first sticker and $12.50 for extras. That does not include the cost of camping. I have no problem paying for the stickers. My family and I use the state parks at least twice a week all year long. I go kayaking, hiking, skiing, swimming, camping, and just hanging out. Here in south central Wisconsin, there is not any federal land, most of the property is privately owned and it is illegal to enter it without permission. So, I use the state land a lot.

I used foam rubber padding between all of the moving parts to keep the parts from making noise. We put the burner covers in a drawer with rubber pads between them. We use the oven to make fresh "Take and Bake" bread with just about every meal, unless it is hot outside. we also cook an occassional frozen pizza.

I had a Toyota SR-5 pickup and the 5th gear started vibrating at about 150,000 miles. By the time it got to 200,000 miles, I could not use 5th. Most of my driving was very lightly loaded, but, sometimes I really loaded it up or pulled a pretty good size trailer. Whenever it was heavy, I never used 5th gear. I had the 22r engine and can't believe that it would pull these MH's any better than my pickup being loaded up. I do not know what gear ratio I had in the pickup so maybe the MH is gear enough lower that it would work.

I once had a Scamp camper that had a heater that did that. I found that my LP tank was just about empty and it would cycle off after running for a short time. Have you checked your LP supply?

I bet that my MH lost about 25 lbs by just changing the converter. The old one was HEAVY.

I had a gear housing break on something (I can't remember what) and I disassembled the unit, and repaired it with JB Weld. I had to do some cleanup with a file and die grinder but when I reassembled it, it worked.

Thanks for the hint, I have a can of Tri-flow in the garage. I removed the knob and gave it a shot of Tri-flow. Amazing how easy it turns now. Another problem solved by the people on this great site. This probably saved me $75 for a new valve and installation.

I got the valve working again. It was really tight and I could not move it with my hand on the knob. I took the knob off and turned it back and forth a few times with a small crescent wrench. As I turned it, it loosened up. I can now turn it with my hand using the knob.

Thanks, it is good to know when getting it filled. I need to have the valve replaced because I need to use a Channel lock wrench to turn it on and off. I know that the handle will not last long doing that. Does anyone know what it cost to get the valve replaced? I was told that the valves are not available except through LP service shops. They would not sell me one and have to look at my old one to find out if they can even get one.