Debbit

So higher psi, as the tires are rated is better, if rougher? I've read so much info on RV tires and weight, I'm numb. I do think the stuff I've read pertains more to big "real" RVS. Lower pressure=hotter tires, more friction between dual tires, not worth a softer ride.

On topic of fridge, I saw the little nylon bushings that are in the hinge holes in fridge door were missing, so took the ones off the other side and replaced the ones that were gone. Door fits nice now, but I will keep it locked when underway. Wonder too if some of the bouncy ride could be tire pressure. Tires say 50 psi but door sticker says tires should be at 28 psi for all tires. They were at 50 psi. I don't know which to believe. Should we go for tire recommendation? The sticker says GVW is 5500, so maybe the 50# is right?? Help!

Thanks Linda, I've seen the screws, their holes are rounded out. The epoxy wood putty sounds like the thing! Rides nice up front, you'd never know what was going on back there!

We just got back from several days camping trip. It was great, everything worked. On the way home we took a scenic byway route, the road through a ghost town, Lake Valley. I told my husband it sounded really rattle back there, so we pulled over and I went back there. Wow. All drawers were hanging out, closet door open, fridge door was off and on the floor (we'd finished all the food before we left) a support for the upper cabinets has slipped out too. I put everything back in place, and decided to ride back there. it was alarming how everything was rattling and bouncing around. The road was somewhat rough but not terrible, and we weren't going fast...45ish. I know my upper cabinets need to be better supported, and the bottom cabinets are weak in places but I was shocked by how the fridge and all the other cabinets and doors bounced up and down. We checked the airbag's psi when we got home, they were uneven and low, so aired them up and hope that helps. we plan to use a larger diameter screw to fasten the cabinets back up there more securely, but wow! Anyone else experience riding back there like this?

I often see a couple driving around town. I pass a nice dolphin parked at a house near ours and another I've seen at the RV supply store. It isn't unusual in the southwest to see them perhaps? I see far fewer VW westfalias.

Whew In the last week or so. Water heater puzzle solved Heater warmed up and running quietly Two water line leaks fixed Grey water tank valve cleaned and both extended and turned around. We used to have to crawl under camper to attach hose and struggle to slide valve open. The stuck handle pulled toward front of rv. All better! Entire rv shined up with fiberglass restorer and wax. Replaced rubber trim in metal track. New mirrored medicine chest ALL I WANT TO DO IS WORK ON, DRIVE, GO AWAY IN MY SUNRADER!! worse addiction I've ever had

Here you go http://tucson.craigslist.org/rvs/4476966749.html

This is all good to know! At first I kept it plugged in, thinking the extra power would make the fan start faster. It probably did too. Now it starts quietly and runs on the battery. The dolphin's heater was shot though. It screeched and then stopped for good. Win some lose some.

That makes me feel hopeful!

Well, we figured out the furnace had some loose wires and a reset button. The fan is slow to start and a bit squeally, but once it gets going, it works great. I'm impressed with the ducted system, hot air volume and movement, and I think we will want to use it for winter camping. I remember some had posted that they had to let their heaters run a while every fall, to loosen up, and I'm hoping that is how ours will turn out. If not, I think access is easy enough that we will try to replace the blower.

An update on the AC shroud and the fridge access door. I went ahead and bought a new plastic fridge access door. It's by dometic and was in town. It was sort of pricey at $40, but I could return it if I didn't like it, and I do. I had to cut away about 1/2" of an incredibly tough rubbery substance that the refrigerator compartment was built up with. I really wonder if it was "stock" or if someone applied it after the fact. Anyway, the door fits and looks good. Next, I found a slightly cracked Coleman AC shroud at my friendly RV/army surplus store. Another $40. Measured beforehand, and it was an exact fit. Just the bolt holes Were different. Dear hubby glued, epoxied and taped said shroud until it looks like new. Then he drilled and mounted the new shroud. It looks really great. I didn't appreciate how nice they look up on top until it's missing. AC without cover is UGLY. Since I'm aware, I'm surprised how many RV AC shrouds I've seen along the road!! We discussed removing AC, as we probably won't use it often, but a local RV store told me the emerson quiet cool is a great AC, and he would keep it. So 29 yrs and counting. If it goes out, fine, but till then, if it works, we keep it! Fiberglass waxing. Ugh. But we are almost done, and love the smooth, glossy look! Furnace is working, sort of. Has a balky blower fan, and will start about half the time. When it does, burners light and hot air come out! Nice....except it's summer here! We will take out the blower fan and have bearings checked or get new blower fan. Love the little round ducts! Well, just love the sunrader!

I replaced the non-working one in my dolphin. The original shurflo in the sunrader works fine, and it stays till it doesn't . I'm sure it is the location and way it is mounted. But it is quieter than the one that I installed in the dolphin. That was mounted on a closet wall. The location in the sunrader is easily accessible, under the dinette seat, right next to the fresh water tank. If it stops working, it probably is easy to replace, anytime down the road. Why replace something that is working well?

Nice job!

Aww, thanks! My husband wishes I'd stop! Well, he really likes the sun rader too.

That looks nice! I can see how it would attach. Thanks!

Well, I didn't see an obvious place to mount an awning even though I have seen fiberglass campers with awnings. I'm glad to know an awning can be securely mounted. Yeah, I think I was afraid of damaging the fiberglass. I think I'll wait a while and see if we miss having on on this camper. Thanks everyone

Good idea. Umbrella or small ezyup type freestanding. We had an awning on the dolphin and rarely used it. Have a nice dometic awning on the westfalia but seldom use it. Always putting it down when the wind picks up, and it starts to be a pain. But I was considering mounting it on the sunrader. They are nice in hot sunny spots though.

I've done some searching, and maybe I've missed it. But, I'm wondering if an awning can be mounted to a sun rader without damaging the fiberglass. If so, would it be a special type?

There were a few small areas where the paper didn't stay stuck as well as other parts. I suspect that may have been because of some dirt or greasy residue I may have missed. I just used some glue to stick it down. Cutting the paper was kind of tricky , you have to cut it while it is dry, then soak it for 20 seconds and put it in place. There are very few places that the paper doesn't need cutting to go around something. I've wallpapered two of these toys now. Did some ugly, water stained walls in our new sun rader. I like wallpaper because it covers so much....nail holes, rough areas, stains. Only prep I've done was to wipe grime off and scrape bumpy things off. The paper is thick, textured and it hides a lot do irregularities. On the dolphin, I removed the inside window frames for an easy application. The sun raders windows are so much bigger, I made a pattern by pressing foil-backed paper against the I window edges and that worked well. I think wallpaper gives a very good result. The amount of prep work is much less than a good paint job, and it really looks nice.

Looks yummy! I got an element grill last fall, and like it very much. But it's good to know about alternatives!

I'd break it down to truck expenses, coach or camper expenses. Then divide that into necessary and "want to". Even brand new RVs have maintenance expense, so maybe a column for "the expense of RV ownership". Careful shopping can shorten the necessary list, but best bargains can be found if an owner is willing and able to fix things. I'm amazed at the beautiful restorations some on this forum do! I'd not want to do more than extensive fixing up.

Yeah, love that everybody can help the toyota! We took some plumbing parts, extra water and food. ;-)

My other RV is a westfalia too. I must say, the bathroom, shower, storage, AC, bed with comfy mattress, um, um, well you know. We take the toyota all the time. I WANT to take the westy, but then i think about it and pack up the toyota! I should add.. You know about slow. I don't know what year westy, or how many cyl your toyota has. Neither one is a speed machine. Many VW driving habits will transfer to the toyota. Except the fear of breaking down where no one can work on it or can get parts. I love my westy, and can't bear to sell it, but it is sitting more than it used to.

Update on parts. I found a shroud at an RV parts and salvage place, $40, a few cracks we will mend. Then got a fridge access door at the local RV store. It isn't the original metal one, but a sleek plastic one. Looks pretty good. I had to drive a few screws in new holes, which it didn't really want to do, but it works. I'll post pics tomorrow.

So reading the service manual Linda so helpfully provided, I saw that once the pilot was lit you turn it to "on" then depress knob and turn to the line on the dial. BINGO! Big flame and hot water!