sailfritz

Can't wait to have you help me make up my "honey do" list for the Dolphin early May! I got the Bookdockers guide but was disappointed. I will check this one out, thanks Linda. (just ordered via Amazon)

I'm sure glad for this sight and wish I had know about it before buying but as my Dad used to say" Can't cry over,...........you know the rest. Anyway I take ownership May 2nd and found out Linda S is right around the corner from where I will be working on it in Los Gatos,Ca.! What providence so just picking your experienced brains out there. 43,000 miles, 4 speed 500 series Dolphin. What would you do 1st ,2nd, 3rd etc?,................Have a Yosemite/south on 395 to Lone pine where me and my oldest brother motorcycled camped in 1982 then Big Sur back to San Jose in a week. Advice if this was yours? Tom

I should have paid 5 grand in the Bay Area of Calif. for my 85 Dolphin but as you say I was looking for months for a 4 speed/rear dinette/ 22r motor and so $6,500 got me one that I take ownership May 2nd! Did you look on this web sites sales area, good deals,...........Tom

Looks like I won't be dreamn this summer as we travel all over Calif. but would love to know "your favorite campout locations" free or paid for. Tom in San Jose

Just wondering if any of you have heard about the club you join for $35 and they give you a list of Calif. winerys that allow a Rv to park. No nothing but a nice private place, secure and a wine tasting adventure outside your door! I think it's frugal-rv-travel.com or harvesthosts.com or overnightrvparking.com or maybe landyachting.com

Hello Zephrgreen of the Bay Area. I have air bags on my 85 dolphin that I will pick up from the owner May 2nd and was very interested in leaf springs. This site has so helped me as I prepare for repairs on a near 30 yr old rig! Tom

Really loving reading all the problems some of you have had with newly purchased rigs. Speaking of this topic I'm sure some of you have read a few posts of mine. I made payments with the owner, who by the way only put 500 miles on this 85 Dolphin 500 series stick 22r motor with 43,000 miles! Long story. I pick it up May 2nd in Stockton,Ca. and take it to San Jose where kind Linda S. , a moderator on the site, will be helping me sort out prioritys to ready her for my 1st trip May 17th (a week) with my oldest brother and 12 yr old son to Yosemite and back. I am a light mechanic of sorts and have remodeled kitchens, bathroom s etc,...........soooo I'm also a tent camper but at 57 yrs old I'm ready for some basic comforts. I got to look inside while in Calif. as I live in Hawaii since Sept. 2012. Seems leaks around the front bunk windows and vents. Most of the vent opening handles are busted off. ( I will reseal the roof for sure) Propane valve leaks as you unscrew it to the on postion (normal?) The water pump worked as did the interior lights so the aux. battery is good and papers show it was new in 2008. Also new radiator & hoses, thermostat in 2010 too. No receipts for brakes or tuneups. You mechanics out there tell me where do you start? The owner refused to smog it even after I said it's the owners responsibility so that's the first item and should pass as it has low miles. So do I take the signed title to Stockton,Ca. DMV and show it and get a one day moving permit to drive it to a local smog shop and then take that to the DMV with proof of insurance, bill of sale and smog certificate and around $500 later (what owner paid in 2012) I'm the proud owner of a close to 30yr old baby girl Toy? I'm a backyard mechanic so I'm thinking it goes (I drove it) but will it stop when I really need to? The basics of setting something in motion, it needs to stop! How is removing the rear duallys for a brake inspection? This thing has air bags so I should see if they hold constant air pressure which means they are still good? How about some feedback here guys and gals? I'm game for the fun and challenge of putting repairing and making this baby safe and sound over the summer. In fact May 1st I fly in and don't return to Hawaii till Aug. 5th so plenty of time to travel with my 2 boys and the wife around Calif. and up to Bend, Or. and along that famous coast. Tom in Kona

I'm in Kona Hawaii suffering with the breezes and heat, ha,ha,............can't wait to get back to Calif. May and pick up my 85 Dolphin, I'm a 57 yr old virgin when it comes to RVing! Tom

I am picking up my 85 Dolphin May 1st in Stockton,Ca. and 1st trip with my oldest brother and youngest son is to Yosemite before the crowds arrive for the summer. July we travel all over Calif. & Or. with the family. Hey I have a mission on Ometepe Island (Goodle it) and it would be a cool place to cross over on one of our ferrys and camp out on Playa Santo Domingo in front of the Istiam Hotel. Tellm Tomas sent you. Been there 13 years myself, everyone knows me. Had a 78 westfalia there, called it Chitty Chitty bang bang, backfired alot. Tom

I will be traveling 1st time in my 85 Dolphin this summer from San Jose. We have many friends along the Mendicino coast to Eureka but would like to explore other less touristy areas, any suggestions or favorites in Calif. & Or.?

I'm picking up my 1985 Dolphin 500 series May 2nd without a clue on how anything works as the owner never used it either the year she had it. I know the lp valve is bad as I turn it on gas leaks out but only in opening it so should I replace the whole valve that screws into the tank and keep the regulator or is there one somewhere else? My water pump works and I didn't see any leaks but I did notice in the little access panel where the electrical Rv hook up cord is there are 2 water valves and I believe drains but one is capped off, not connected so what is that all about? By the way any RV rallys in Calif. this summer? Tom in San Jose,Ca.

$400 I heard

Thanks Bob, I have been feasting on all the topics in the forums, so much great info and links to find fans and other parts for all problems, fantastic resource as you guys have learned through the hardships so we newbees can do it right! THANKS!

Sold yet? I just emailed you.

I just figured it out I think.

I figured it out!

My 1985 Dophin 500 series with the 22R, 5 speed with 43,000 on the motor. Can't wait to find out all about RVing when I explore how everything works. I'm a tent camper and this is my 1st Rv at 56 yrs old but can't wait till this summer as we pack up the wife and kids and hit the road for 3 months in Calif.,Ore, Wa. and Id!

Thanks Linda S, new to all this tec stuff and RVing.

Beautiful shape!

John, I'm new to this site and how it all works. How do I send a private email?

Just out of couriosity how do you know a shock needs replacement other than hitting a bump or dip and the rock and roll never ends?

Can you explain more on the De Smog item? In Cal. we have to keep the original smog equip. on or fail smog.

How do you get a picture down to size as all I try to post say "too big"?

I to am a new owner (paid off in Jan.) of a 1985 Toyota Dolphin 500 series, 43,000 miles. I know nothing at all, zero, about how any systems operate so this will be fun to learn. Have all original owners manuals and repair receipts too! Where does one start? My canopy was shot so where do I just get a replacement canvas vs a whole new awning? Tom in San Jose,Ca.

I just bought an 85 dolphin with rear U bench. Have no idea if anything works or how it all works and neither did the owner! I'm a tent camper getting older (56) and wiser, mechanically inclined so I have manuals and will eventually figure it all out. This forum has been such a big help with 5 pages of notes and counting! Any suggestions? Tom