TJ88T4R

THIS is great info and perspective. Thank you! Actually, I'm pretty sure I can access the cleanout, and it's pretty close to where I'd be allowed to park. I'd have to figure out how to pump it in there. I assume there's equipment for this in the RV marketplace. I'll look into it. It may be worth the service fee for a portable toilet co. to come service it. There's plenty of those in this area. Here in metro ATL it will get into mid 20's at night, like it's supposed to tonight in fact, but only a couple nights at at time usually; not months below freezing. I wonder how much winterizing it will need. I think of winterizing as prepping for long term cold storage out of use. If I'm going to stay in it through the winter, how much of a pain will it be to maintain functionality. Being I need temporary housing, it may be a much smarter choice to get a 28' trailer like suggested. Then trade that for a Toyota when I no longer need it as a home. I just don't know yet what I'll do. But I have 'til March to figure it out. ugh. Work kamping? That I have not heard of, but I see it has a wikipage, haha, so I guess I'll be reading up on that. Thank you for that suggestion too. Y'never know what bit of advice is going to trigger the light bulb over your head and light a path in a new direction. The rig I went to see was an ok one; had a good amount of repairs to it already; but no modern RV upgrades yet, like the other one I've seen here for sale in the same price range. But a good learning experience, as it's the 2nd one I've actually stepped into. I'll keep reading.

wow. after reading three pages of this thread, I was hoping to see an overdue apology at the end. Tsk.

thank you both (so far) - I'm planning to view an Escaper Sunday that is rear U-bench seating layout, and very clean with lots of listed repairs. That list does come with a moderately high price tag. I'm not afraid of custom building an interior myself on a cheaper one though. But obviously I'd like to find a cream puff that's been cared for. I'm now considering the "investment" of flying to California for something that's lived an easy life, and bringing it back to GA. For the last 3 years I've been in this little apartment, I've NEVER used the oven/stove. I use a little microwave and a very nice toaster oven. I'm hoping to continue using these two appliances. I'm ok with a small fridge, and I've read here it's critical to ensure the propane style is functioning correctly - and level (always??). I haven't had cable or internet wired in over a year. (my cellphone provides wifi for my laptop.) All my furniture will go yard sale or good will. Nothing I have is worth keeping, short of clothes and some personal items. My bed is only a memory foam slab on the floor, which I will probably cut down to size and put in any RV I go with. A friend has already offered her back yard to park in. I would probably buy a portable canopy to put over the whole rig and put the frame on jack stands for most of its idle time. I'm not sure how I'd handle black water yet, maybe visit a campground once a month? Or maybe I can access her main waste line in the crawlspace...which sounds crazy but I'm not familiar with "backyard docking" options yet. The only appliances I'll really miss are washer/dryer, but my friend will certainly let me do my average 2 loads per month. I am concerned with the trade of space vs. fuel efficiency, for the money I spend. It seems I could get a pretty big Class A gas guzzler for the same price as a nice little - Toyhome. But I KNOW 'Yotas well, so I do prefer one over some US van chassis. I don't know jack about Class A's, never even been in one, ha! But I do want to be able to travel with it, so I'm not really keen on bigger vehicles that will cost a lot to fuel. This is something I've been undecided on for a while. Also unsure, $6k for a good one now --- or $3k for one needing love, plus $3k expected investment to bring it to my needs? I don't need another money pit. My 4Runner has already taken a significant cash infusion to maintain its daily-driver status. I've been reading for hours today, and I'll keep at it. Thank you again for additional input from experienced Toy-homeowners!

hi all! first, thank you to everyone who's contributed to this site so there's actually a good resource for newbies like myself. I've had an 88 4Runner for about 6 yrs now, and have rebuilt/replaced just about everything in that time. It's my daily driver and my rolling tent when I go up to N. GA mtns. But I recently became unemployed, and I'm considering buying an RV to stay in when my lease ends. I plan it to be only a temporary housing solution until I'm fully employed again. Just me, no kids or pets. I love 80's 'Yotas, so I'm considering one of the 22RE powered models. Wow, I had no idea there were so many variations! I cannot make up my mind which floorplan I like best. I also have stood in only ONE so far. But I'm < 6'0" so I think I'll fit ok, and I'm used to livin' with the minimum basic needs as I'm already in "severe cash conserve mode". So I'll be reading here a LOT, I need to get educated fast if I plan to get a good one and not dump cash into it fixing surprise issues. I'm pretty nervous...my concerns are: - which floorplan? I think I've seen 6 different already. What are the pros/cons to each? - how much is too much? Prices range from $3k to $15k. - why Toyota class C and not some other mfg. class C, or an older class A? I'm obviously concerned with getting a good value, because I'll be spending the remainder of my savings (yes, funds are dwindling!) to buy one. Basically "paying up to a year's rent in advance" and betting on a little 25 yr old 'Yota to be my temporary housing for 6-12 mos. I think $6k would buy a good rig, but I don't want to get stuck with one that looks great with hidden issues because it was well-detailed to "flip" and hasn't been on the road in ages. I am pretty smart about buying used cars, but I don't know much about RV systems (now - but I'll have to change this!) I welcome any and all feedback from fellow forum members, including links you think are 'must reads'. I've already read the available pdf on the rear axle, and I'm also very familiar with 'Yota 6-lug axles. In fact, ideally I'd like to put a solid front axle and dual t-case in the 4Runner, and swap all of the IFS 4wd gear to an RV. Of course that's a dream for waaaay in the future after I'm gainfully employed again! Thanks in advance for any opinions and/or advice. Happy camping! -T.J.