Bob C

Even going through the plains I have my two spare cans on the back bumper. Sometimes it is either fill up at 100 miles or push on knowing that it is 250 miles to the next gas. Somewhere in there we will stop for something and I will dump in 5 gallons of gas. Sometimes that 100 miles station is off the main road by 5 miles. I had two- 2 1/2 gallon cans on the last trip but from now on I will be carrying two 5 gallon jerry cans. I would be able to help someone else if I found some poor soul sucking vapor.

I installed a Viar compressor with 1 gallon holding tank. The tank had a 70-90 pressure switch. The compressor turned on at 70 and off at 90 psi. I did not like the way the RV rolled from side to side with the two air springs connected together so I added check valves to each feed line. This helped the sway. I also included a pressure regulator to the system so that I could maintain 70 psi no matter if the tank had 70 or90 psi in it. This sytem in theory should be about ideal. Turn on the engine, wait for the system to fully pressurize, never have to think about it. It stayed in the RV for a couple of months and then came out and sits in my garage because it took up too much valuable storage space. I lost enough room to store my lantern, coleman fuel, and hydraulic jack. I hated the lost storage. The worst part of the system was if the compressor came on in the bay right behind my seat and it scared the hell out of me.

Remember that the chassis is a Toyota and you can buy parts for them almost anywhere. The motorhome part is filled with off the shelf appliances that can be repaired or replaced with current equipment. The appliances and parts are not specific to Chinook. I have an '88 Escaper and I could go to camping world and pick up parts for almost anything in the RV and they would be the same parts as your Chinook. This forum is a great place to learn. It has saved my back side on more than one occassion, especially while I was looking to buy.

Remember that the chassis is a Toyota and you can buy parts for them almost anywhere. The motorhome part is filled with off the shelf appliances that can be repaired or replaced with current equipment. The appliances and parts are not specific to Chinook. I have an '88 Escaper and I could go to camping world and pick up parts for almost anything in the RV and they would be the same parts as your Chinook. This forum is a great place to learn. It has saved my back side on more than one occassion, especially while I was looking to buy.

The heaters that are "Amish made" have a cabinet that is made by the Amish but the electronics are the same as the heaters that you can buy at Home depot for half the money. They all put out the same amount of heat. There is no magic heater that can put out more than 1500 watts at 110 volts.

The heater from Amazon is 1500 watts and costs $52 plus shipping unless you have Amazon Prime for free shipping. A milk house heater from Walmart will run you about $19 and also puts out 1000 or 1500 watts with free ship to store. They both have force air, tip over protection and thermostats. I know that the Braun company puts out pretty good product but I have had one of the Walmart heaters for over 10 years and have never had a problem with it.

I found this fabulous site before I bought my Toyhouse. I am glad that I did because the first Toy I looked at had a rotten roof. The second one had the 5 lug axle and a rotten over cab area. I finally found my Escaper. It had issues but they were minor and I was able to correct the problems myself with the help of everyone here. I hope that you find a good deal that is priced right. Don't get in a hurry, that is when mistakes are made. I know that it was hard to walk away from that first one.

Welcome to the insane assylum. Most of us love these 20 + year old vehicles and do our own upkeep and repairs. Most of the people will help out with any problems that you have. I have used this site extensively both before I bought and after I purchased. When (not if) you need help, just give us the best discription of the problem and we will try to help.

If I did not have a ladder on my Escaper, I would probably buy one of the telescoping ones like Linda posted. I like to be able to get on top to check things out and I have taken many photos from the roof of my RV. On our first trip after my retirement, the bumper broke loose from the weight of a very lightly loaded carrier that was mounted on the back. I actually carried the plastic box and carrier on the roof until we got the bumper repaired. Having the mounted ladder made it possible to get my stuff to the repair shop.

I would suggest a complete tune up. News plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, new PCV, adjust the valves, & change the fuel filter. I can tell the difference between 700 ft at home and anything above 6000 ft but I have never come close to putting the gas pedal to the floor. Even at 12, 000 ft I had plenty of pedal travel left. I just watch the tack and enjoy the sound of that little 4 banger play its music.

If you only use the Toyota for a short trip twice a year, why own it? I would sell the Toyota and two cars. I would stay in hotels on the way to each destination and drive the same 2 cars all year. It would mean that your cars don't have issues from inactivity. You would save insurance on 3 vehicles, no prestorage maintenance, and you get some of your money out of the Toy and the 2 vehicles you sell. That being said, I have a Goldwing and our Toy that are in storage about 3 to 4 months of the year. I store the Toy at the local fairgrounds because I don't want all of the snow sitting on the roof. My Wing gets started and run for 10 minutes every week so I don't have any storage issues with that.

I have also driven over 10,000 ft many times. I have a 22 Re oin my '88 Escaper. When I bought the RV, I knew that I was buying one of the most underpowered vehicles on the road. I bought it anyway and my wife and I just enjoy the "slow" side of life. We rarely drive on the interstate highways. We get there when we get there. I love being retired (semi-retired actually) Next summer our planned trip will take us up The Old River Road in Rocky Mountain NP (12,143 ft), over Independence Pass (12, 093 ft), up and over The Beartooth Highway (10,947 ft), and up the Bighorn Mountains on 14A (9,430 ft) from the west. Slow is a state of mind and we love it.

I went through the Rockies and the Big Horn Mtns last summer. I ran second gear at 4500 rpm's and 45 mph on most hills. Without a tach I would not have run that fast because the engine is really winding up, but, that is what these engines are made for. I have a 22Re with auto. I rarely use OD unless going down hill or with a crazy tail wind.

This 1990 Dolphin is listed in the Madison WI craigslist. I have no connection with this vehicle or the seller. http://madison.craigslist.org/rvs/5265362939.html

This listing is posted in the Madison Wisconsin craigslist. I have no connection with this item or the seller http://madison.craigslist.org/rvs/5249616568.html

Check your furnace intake and exhaust vent for mud dauber nest buildup. My furnace would not work properly until I checked the vent. I found the mud dauber nest about 6 inches inside the pipe. I put a wire screen cover over the vent to avoid the same problem in the future.

I agree with JD on this. I like to stop at every possible site of interest but there are times where it is more than 250 miles between gas stops. Having to plan stops for gas is not high on my list of things to think about. I carry 2 2 1/2 gallon gas cans on the back. I am picking up a couple of 5 gallon jerry cans with mounting brackets when I find them locally.

Now would be a good time to change all of the hoses if you have not done that lately.

You might try warming it up gently with a heat gun (not a propane torch) Just heat up the lower end of the radiator and maybe it will come loose.

Replacing them is not difficult if you have help and a way to get almost 100 pounds on the roof. The price for parts will be at least $600 and can go as high as your wallet will allow. I removed my A/C because we seldom camp with electricity and when it was run, it sounded like I was in an aircraft hanger with a jet engine warming up. Very LOUD.

They have a 130 liter tank that converts to 34 + gallons. I want one.

How is it possible that "Tricky Dick later signed it into Federal Law" when Nixon was president before Carter 37. Richard Nixon (1969-1974) 38. Gerald Ford (1974-1977) 39. Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

I had to use a pliers to open mine when I bought the RV. when you close it, it has to be snug, not tight. After you refill with antifreeze, drive for a while and check it for leaks. It is just a plastic plug so don't overdo it.

My father (40 years as a heavy truck driver) taught me to drive and he had one rule for driving in the mountains: Drive down the hill in a lower gear than you used going up. I have driven 4 different cars with the same 2000 pound pop-up and my Toyota RV down many steep hills including highway 14A going west out of Burgess Junction I drive down that hill in FIRST gear for a reason. Let the engine slow you down. I had to use the brakes sparingly and they NEVER got hot. I also drove down Pike's Peak and they check brake temp part way down. They can tell you to park and cool your brakes. Every time I have driven the Peak, they are surprised that my brakes are not even warm. Why didn't you go to first gear on the way down? This is the warning sign near Burgess Junction. We took the Toyhouse down 14A without incident.

I have to stop putting gas in the tank as soon as the pump shuts off the first time. If I try to "top it off" I end up with the vent hose getting fuel in it and the vent stops working. When that happened the first time, I could not get any gas into the tank. I found out if I crawled under the RV and pushed the vent hose up to get the gasoline out of it, I could go back to putting fuel in. I know that I should change out the hoses but as long as I don't top off the tank, things work good.