RiggerRob

This is an '86 Sunland Express - the chassis is identical to mine and I can 100 percent guarantee that is a 1 ton full floater. I'd snatch that up if I had a place to put it. It looks to be in great shape and has the rare rear dinette setup. Someone took the time to do a nice remodel too. These campers also are built on an all aluminum frame which is uncommon. It's still 37 years old so you'll always have stuff to work on. Most importantly get a good look at the roof if you do go look at it.

Here's a link to the lights similar to the ones I used on my Sunland Express: https://hitchshops.com/i-8516874-bargman-led-taillight-84-recessed-triple-long-horizonal-mount-red-backup-amber-black.html Wiring is identical to the old ones and is pretty straight forward. They're still too short by 5 or 6 inches but the width is good. I used pieces of FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Panel) to cover up the holes (see photo). I did this years ago so I didn't do a particularly neat or pretty job of it. A couple of additional notes: - Make sure to seal not only around the opening of the lights but also the lens covers themselves. Mine quickly filled up with water but I was able to disassemble them and clean them and reseal them. - The backup light bulbs are incandescent but you can source LED replacements for them if you like. - The center LED in the brake light will always glow a faint red. The whole unit is sealed in the back so there's no way to add a resistor or anything to compensate. Not enough current draw to drain the battery but you'll get constant warnings from people that your lights are on. - This video describes how to fix the "fast flashing" turn signal issue. I just cut my resistor off the board and have had no problems with it since. Relay is located in the drivers side fuse panel on the left under the dash. Good luck! -Rob

This is the converter I used to replace the old one in my '86 Sunland Express: https://www.amazon.com/WFCO-WF-8735-P-Black-Power-Center/dp/B004LF14Q4 Going on 4 years with no issues at all. Replacement is fairly straight forward. WFCO also offers an "updated" version that seems to be the same thing. The Camping World one you linked is a 45 amp converter - you won't need one that large for your Sunland Express. I would encourage you to replace the old A/C breakers as well - my original ones were in such bad shape they crumbled to dust when I took them out. Also, the A/C breaker contacts on the old converter were melted and starting to short out - big time fire hazard! The new converter doesn't come with A/C breakers - you can grab them at any big box hardware store or at an electrical supply house. The new converter wasn't a perfect fit so I framed in scrap pieces of trim to close the gaps. Good luck!

Just measured mine and it is almost exactly 6 feet. I included a couple of interior pics to give you an idea...The A/C shroud sticks down about 2 inches so if you're 6 feet tall or taller you'll be hitting your head a lot.

Homer, Don't know if you remember me but I'm the other guy in Haywood County with an '86 Sunland Express. We touched bases a few years back - I still have the camper and have done a full remodel on it. I bought land up by Cataloochee and she's up there with me now (4,000 feet). As of last year our campers turned 35 years old and no longer require a safety inspection in NC. My last vehicle tax bill said 'no inspection required' as I recall. Not sure about other states but as an owner of 3 vehicles it was a relief for me. Additionally, as of last year, vehicles 20 years old and older don't require an emissions test in Haywood County. I hope you are well, let's be in touch - I'd love to see your camper sometimes! -Rob

Can't say enough good things about SDTrucksprings.com. They were inexpensive and delivered fast. Got my airbag kit for my 1986 Sunland Express from them, too. You won't believe the difference in the ride when you swap these out. Good luck!

Just wanted to add a couple things. I do all my own work - including mechanical - so take into consideration how much you are willing to pay someone to do the work if you are not 'handy-inclined'. Also, check out the chimney in your fridge and hot water heater. I had birds nests in my fridge chimney compartment and the metal chimney is pretty corroded. Speaking of that watch out for wasp nests when you are replacing plastic roof covers (learned from experience)! Fortunately I found a great RV repair guy who has salvage parts for cheap - he had a like-new A/C shroud for my Coleman Mach II for only $20.00! If you can find a guy like this make him your buddy. A lot of the light covers are very hard to find and locksets for the rear door are almost impossible to replace new. I mentioned that I replaced my interior lights with LEDs. If I had to do it over - And I think I will - I would just replace the whole fixture - they're only about 15 bucks on eBay and you can find the link for them here on this forum. Search function is your friend - I'm off to search for the fix for fast blinking LED turn signals, see y'all later! -Rob

86 Sunland Express full timer here. Expect to replace everything made of plastic, especially anything on the roof. I had a lot of rotted rubber hoses - vacuum lines, transmission cooler lines, radiator hoses, etc. My master brake cylinder was bad, as well as my coach battery and converter relay. I have been upgrading/replacing/repairing stuff on this thing constantly, including a new timing chain at 170K (this is a ticking time bomb in 22R engines) and you can also expect idler pulleys, harmonic balancers, belts and other spinning things to be at or close to replacement time. Your shocks and springs will probably be shot, too. I am getting ready to replace all my exhaust components from the engine back because of rusted out studs and a giant exhaust pipe leak - as mentioned by others, pretty much what you can expect on a 30-year-old truck. I replaced all the running lights, interior lights, tail lamps and turn signals with LEDs. I just finished a bunch of work on it yesterday - tough to find time as I full-time and travel out of state a lot for work - and my brand new Bilstein shocks and airbag kit just arrived. I'm putting 6 new tires on it as well - my rig came with great tires but if you full time expect to get 2 to 3 good years out of a set (YMMV). Being my first RV, I went through a steep learning curve about backing up and parking and running into stuff and ended up breaking a lot of things that were good when I got it (i.e. awning, black water tank, side mirrors, etc.). Truth be told, I'd have been completely lost if it hadn't have been for this forum and the helpful folks on it. But I wouldn't change it for a thing. It's a sturdy rig and drives like a dream, and most of all, it's my little home! That is a great looking rig in the ad. I love the big back window and it looks clean and well kept but $9900 is far too high for this kind of camper. You can score a 89-92 era 6 cylinder model for that easily. I paid $3400 cash for mine with good tires and pretty much everything working. Good luck with whatever you choose to do - I've seen other Sunland Expresses come up for sale so keep looking.

Same as in my quote - still haven't done it yet, seems pretty straight forward but I don't have the right stuff to draw down a vacuum or evacuate the lines properly. Also, if you don't properly lubricate the compressor (it comes with the right type of oil) you can easily wreck the compressor. Might do it when I have "extra" cash, heh heh.

Hey, Red: I have a 1986 Sunland Express with the aftermarket A/C compressor installed - looks identical to the picture. It was dead - it's a single wire compressor and it wouldn't kick over even with 12 volts present, so I ordered the Volvo kit off of eBay from here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/VOLVO-740-760-780-940-DKS15BH-A-C-COMPRESSOR-NEW-KIT-/121076323776?hash=item1c30b615c0 I still haven't installed it yet (haven't had the time, tools or know-how) although all the components look identical. Let me know if you have any luck with it... -Rob

Sounds like you got a great deal for 12 at $48.00. I replaced all 12 of mine (7 red in the back, 5 amber in the front) with these guys: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CDWWZTM?redirect=true&ref_=s9_ps_ot_d99_g263_i1 $7.00 a pop but 6 LEDs and BRIGHT, huge improvement over the incandescent originals. Had to redrill one hole and then sealed the bases all the way around with clear silicon adhesive - still good & leak free after a couple months

86 Sunland Express owner here. Linda S - I thought the Sunland was an aluminum frame build but I could be wrong. Very solid quality, mine is burgundy red inside, kind of a nice break from the duff brown and grey interiors. I have a 6 lug rear axle, pretty sure all of them had it by this time. I've been full timing in this for almost 2 years and am so happy with its driveability and reliability. It's a little different in appearance from Dolphins or Sunraders of the era so I get a lot of positive comments on it. With a 22REC - the first of the fuel injected Toyota four bangers - it ain't no powerhouse but I've taken it up to Mt. Pisgah (6000 ft plus) any number of times and the original owner took it out west and put the first 130,000 miles on it. You won't be going anywhere in a hurry in this guy so I would advise the "Blue Highway" approach - these rigs aren't really designed for long term 80 mph cruising on the interstate (imho) so enjoy the slow ride! The roof is solid aluminum for the most part - watch out for the "luggage rack" on the back - they catch on tree limbs, break off and can cause leaks. I have a dorky rotatable VHF TV antenna up there that I still haven't really figured out what to do with. I replaced all the old running lights with led's as well as the interior lights, and am getting ready to install my first solar panel. Biggest things to look out for are tire condition, obvious water damage, drive train and cooling system (VERY important) condition and coach battery condition (my original one was crap). this has a 30lb horizontal propane tank - I've had no problems with my gas system but I have been turned down at one place for a fill (Tractor Supply, grrrr) because I couldn't verify the age of the tank. Keep in mind that these RV's are going on 30 years old so even if they are well kept there are going to be a lot of little things to fix. In particular, all the plastic stuff gets really brittle from continuous UV exposure. I think the overall quality might be a little higher than other RV's of this period but I'm a little biased.... Ask me anything about it and I'd be happy to post current pics. There are also a couple other Sunland Express folks on here - and a gold mine of info you won't find anywhere else - but I'll let them speak for themselves... -Rob

Homer, I would love to see your Sunland Express some time. i'm in Asheville but come up to Waynesville (Hazelwood) on a pretty regular basis in my '86 Sunland Express. I love the ladder and the neat way you did the insulation. it would be good to compare notes. Have a happy and safe New Year, hope to hear from you soon! -Rob

i installed Reflectix last year in my over head front and side windows and have had great results. I actually used foil tape around the edges to get a semi-permanent seal. What I've noticed after almost a year of exposure to sunlight, is that the Reflectix foil is starting to fade and become gradually translucent over time - has anyone else had this issue? I'm looking at replacing it soon, not an expensive proposition but just curious if anyone has encountered the same phenomenon.

Awwwww... Jdfrost, would love to see the progress on your Sunland Express and share suggestions and tales of wonder and woe. I'm currently full timing in my rig which makes major overhaul and repairs a challenge. My current project list - install my new 3-row brass radiator (thanks, Linda, for pointing me in the right direction for that) and install my new 100-watt solar panel on the roof. I'm blessed in having gotten one in fairly new shape - I've done more damage to it from backing in to crap than it previously had its whole life... Hard to find a lot of info on them as there don't seem to be lot of them out there. Any of you guys want to meet up at Earth Fare or Katuah Mart (one of my new favorite hang outs, great off street parking and free internet) and compare notes, I'm up for it any time. Hope everyone is staying warm, we're looking at temps in the teens by tomorrow night...