Debbit

Nice!! Don't miss the oven?

Our oven is not working, all the parts were out when we bought it. I'm tempted to replace it with a new drop in 3 burner cooktop. We had a working oven in the dolphin, and I used it some, not much. Opinions?

We have leaks in the same areas. It is hard to tell where the water comes from. Ours is fiberglass, so the water just puddles up there and doesn't soak in. We sealed up the marker lights, yet it still leaked after a rain. I sat up in the bunk, peering close to suspected leaky area while husband stood on a ladder outside and ran a hose over the area. I could plainly see the water seeping in at the window gaskets on the left front window up there. I'm not sure I'd do this with frame construction, but I can tell you it is worth going after any possible water penetration points as water can come in one place, run along and come out somewhere else. A LOT of water can come in a seam or hole. Our marker lights were loose, cracked and I'm sure contributed to the wetness. We had some empty screw holes, that would have leaked and then the window gasket, big weepy spot! I'd cover all bases.

14-15

Weather is chilly and wet, not complaining, as we need the rain. The Sunrader is still in state of finding and fixing leaks, replacing insulation and covering of upper bunk. But I go out to work on things out there, and all I want to do is pack up and travel!! My family obligations have been oppressive, and I think it is a desire to run away, but still, I can hardly stand staying home! I think I'll insist we are going somewhere in a couple of weeks. Camping in NM in the winter is quite delightful.

We check our milage on every trip. 86 Sunrader, 4 cyl, FI, auto tranny. Most trips involve a good many hills, and often wind. If possible we travel without fresh or waste water. Usually drive 60. Don't/can't use overdrive as our elevations are usually over 3000 ft. Our milage really fluctuates depending on the combination of variables, which is what one would expect. The best we've ever recorded was 19 mpg and the worst was 11 mpg. From time to time I look up average mpg for something a bit larger and am not tempted to buy something different.

We have slowly been replacing the vinyl strip that goes in the metal that covers the seam. The last part to do was the part over the cab, so my husband started today. He found several holes with no screws, so is dabbing silicone in them. I'm sure water was seeping in at that seam, because as I ran my finger along there, I felt moisture. I saw drips running down from higher too, so we are resealing the lights all around. We also have a leak in the rear which is in the area of a side marker light, so I do suspect the lights. Then we will spray the front with a hose and look for water inside. The windows gaskets could have some gaps where water gets in too. I'm going to wash the bunk covers, spray and air the foam. When we are sure there are no more leaks, we'll paint and paper the upper bunk area. If the original cushions don't stink, we will reuse. If not, I think a mattress is next on the list. I'm itching to go camping/stargazing, so we will sleep on dinette till upstairs is done. The upper bunk is a good storage spot for now. Thanks everyone for all the hints and great advice!

I've washed the dinette cushion covers, but yikes....how hard is it to stuff that "U" shape cushion back in its cover? Then the little piece with the board attached doesn't come off, I don't think. I was thinking upholstery shampoo. But I do need to take the covers off, In case the foam is involved.... I don't like that mattress anyway. the pieces don't stay together very well and even through a memory foam topper, I can feel the "crack" when it shifts apart. I'm tempted to put a board and a new, fresh, one piece foam mattress up there. But probably I'll shampoo and/or wash the covers of the old one and rig some Velcro on the bottom side to hold them to each other. Oxyclean, good idea! And we have plenty of hot sunny days here!

I'm glad too!! I have to replace, already tore the stinky foam and vinyl fabric out. it's not much square footage though, and the over the cab 'bedroom" was next on my list anyway. I honed in on the smell when I got up there to take down the curtains and started sniffing around. weep holes are good for windows, but I think we will try to find and fix the leak. I don't know why it didn't smell bad when we were sleeping up there. maybe the bedding? who knows. but the spare bedroom where the upper bunk mattress is awaiting attention has a faintly, yet distinctly funky odor.

Yep, stinky! I'm glad to know about the landau foam. We were thinking of different things to replace the foam and vinyl with. Although it's not something I wanted to tackle, I'm so relieved to have found and gotten rid of the smell. I'm also glad I'm dealing with fiberglass. I was impressed to see little puddles, but no rotting wood at the source of an old leak.

Thanks for all the good info, we are looking for screws that protrude, cracks and leaky windows. I suspect the lights because the water is mainly below a couple of them and there are 3 places this is happening, all close to lights. We don't get a lot of rain in NM so its kind of tricky to find leaks when we so seldome see rain. I suppose we will resort to the hose to locate possible leaks after sealing all the lights.

I'm sure it is the lights. Some of the vinyl is wet above the windows. The windows are due for some work as both are cracked, one bubbles out and one caves in. But they don't seem to be leaking. We also have a leak in the back where a marker light is. The windows replacement is for another time, maybe a trip up to CA wine country is on the calendar when we can afford to replace them.

I thought I'd post that I think I've found the source of the smell. The cab over window leaks a bit. Over time the foam that was under the vinyl upholstery fabric under those windows had become soaked and smelly. You couldn't really see or feel any moisture from outside, but when I pulled it up, there was actually water puddled under there. The fiberglass forms a trough and the vinyl covered it, so it wasn't very visable, but when we pulled the material out, the foam and fabric back of the vinyl was soaked......and smelly. I don't know if the upper bunk cushions got wet, but they are out airing, and I'll check them out later. But with everything out, it smells wonderful!

Love both my 86 vw westy and my sunrader. I agree about being "torn" between the two though. The mpg and size of the westy make it the vehicle of choice for certain trips. But the amenities in the toy make it hard to choose between them. Sometimes I think we should sell vw because a dependable one in nice shape has become worth a lot of $$. But I know I'd regret it. I think grey water rules differ from state to state and state park or Federal. In most of NM, it is ok to dump grey water. In CA, it's not allowed. But then we've never been camping in dispersed campgrounds in CA. I like the shower in my sunrader, but the water goes into the black water tank, which is a terrible idea, I'd like to change it someday.

I look at mini RVs ALL the time. On the road, on the Internet and at any dealer or lot I see a small one at. This is just my opinion, but the new $$$ van type like sprinters, are very claustrophobic. Same with most of the class b+ rvs. Even if I could afford one, I wouldn't buy one. I think the smaller class Cs are nice, but most have a big engine and fuel economy would make wandering around the highway an expensive lifestyle. Over and over I read on RV forums that people try to keep their speed down to around 60... Well, my sunrader can do that and I don't have the payments. Rialtas are almost perfect in many ways, but so expensive, and I believe not as dependable as they should be for their price. Getting one repaired outside of a sizable city is risky too, most shops aren't as familiar with VWs as other vehicles. I do think the provan tiger vehicles are pretty perfect, but I've not seen one except on the Internet. http://www.tigervehicles.com/ We aren't ready or willing to purchase a new RV of any style, so these are just pipe dreams for me, and I can afford to be critical. And If something new and exciting comes out, by the time it is "pre-owned" I'll probably not be driving around the country anymore. the conclusion I come to over and over is that the VW westfalia and the toyota mini motor home are the best ones to have. My westfalia is a very dependable vehicle. Although it takes maintenance and mechanical aptitude. It is simple to work on and we have an excellent VW mechanic for the big things. The sunrader is perfect too. Bigger, yes, but fuel efficient and dependable, easy to work on and mechanics able to work on them are everywhere. Someday I might find the perfectly designed, fuel efficient, dependable mini RV that is newer than the ones I have, can cruise at 75 without strain, is bigger than the westfalia, smaller than the sunrader, for a reasonable price.....but I doubt it.

Wonder why we don't get some of these available to us?

About a month ago I purchased 10 double light fixtures, with bulbs, from Amazon. $100. I've replaced all double fixtures and couldn't be happier. Bright, low energy use, easy. DH mounted one under stove hood too, and I can SEE to cook!

Yesterday the furnace worked intermittently. Today fan blew but did not ignite. Assuming the sail switch. Will check it out. Can the squeal be fixed? It goes away when it warms up (if it warms up) The furnace on the dolphin seized up after a few days of squealing.

That is pretty cool, reminds me a lot of my vw westfalia.

Still sniffing. I believe the smell isn't waste water tanks. Maybe a little critter decaying somewhere behind something. I've taken as much apart as I care to, and lots of rodent feces in batt insulation. Probably will pull out what insulation I can get to, vac and disinfect and just wait for it to go away. Ewww.

We do dump and rinse our tanks very often! The odor is the worst when they are empty, and I'm beginning to wonder if it is something other than the tanks. Like some stinky carpet behind or under the fiberglass bathroom. Or a vent leak. I have decided it would be too bad to remove the toilet though.

We would have loved to have heard them. But no howling, even our dog snored through the night. What made it seem eerie was the lay of the land, the location and vegetation. It was a deep valley with twisted oak trees and no sign of anyone ever using the campground. We like to camp in secluded spots, but this actually was a bit too secluded! There were forest service signs, fire rings and a few tables and a single hole outhouse without a door. But seemed it was very old and very seldom used.

Don't know if I posted about the Grand Canyon trip. Went for 11 days. Mt Graham, az, safford, Juan miller (wolf reintroduction area-very eerie), Luna lake in Alpine, AZ, on to Grand Canyon. Back through Hopi ancestral ruins, and finally home. The sun rader was a perfect home, cabin, ride. What more can I say? Oh yeah. We went camping this week. Deep in the woods. 10 new led fixtures make it bright, heater to stay cozy and, well....we just love it.

Love this! I just love road trips, and love hearing about them!

So much helpful information! We just got back from camping, and with water in tanks, no smell. So odd. We used the toilet some, but not a lot. Grey water and black, inside smelled fine. I'm thinking the p traps? Also, found my husband had left the valve open to air out the tanks. Maybe not a good idea.