FredNewell

Karen, The "bladder" thing... I think you may be describing an expansion tank. I looked online at HDepot and they cost 30-80 bucks. IMO, they are not needed in our Dolphins - let's ask for a second opinion on that. Maybe it could be eliminated if it is not working correctly. Its purpose is to let the water pump have fewer times turning on and off, and have a smoother flow of water at the faucet. by chance, could you post a photo of the tank, and the water pump which should be in close proximity?

Karen, Does the system work on city water only --- in other words, if you hook up a garden hose (using the $8 regulator as suggested by Bob C in the previous post) does the water work at the sinks and toilet? And are there leaks in this mode? Fred

Yes, has the diamond plate roof and "goat rails" at the perimeter. Really cool. Also has a pair of flood/spot lights remote operated from the driver's seat. These would be cool on a dolphin. Hmmm... maybe a future project?

3 years. Bought the horiz tank online from a dealer in such items. All new propane tank and reg and hoses. Nothing to worry about.

There's an illustrated book on maintaining and repairing the Toyota truck that I downloaded from this site a few years ago. It can take you through step by step for most any repair or troubleshooting. I think it goes up through 1988 or so. In our case, I was cranking the engine to start it after several months of not being operated. I soon had some smoke coming from somewhere near the battery. I stopped and chased down the problem. The negative battery cable is connected to a ground wire to the truck inner fender wall. The groundin connection (screw and washer) had corroded and become a bad contact. I cleaned it up and re-installed to correct the problem... this is the type of problem that is typical of these older trucks, if any. This level of mechanical work can be done by most, with basic tools and some WD-40.

Hi Fred, How does this work? Would you mind explaining the project? I'm interested. Fred

My experience is like Dolphinite's. '84 4cyl 4spd no roof air or cab air. If I were in your area, I'd probably desire cab air conditioning. We installed new curtains, and re-covered all of the cushions and the cab-over bunk with new auto upholstery cloth. We kept the old foam rubber because it seemed to be good and clean. Then we replaced everything that could leak rain to the inside (hatches, caull, fittings and goop and screws). We installed new cab carpet and wet okole seat covers. New propane tank & regulator. All low tech easy handyman stuff anyone with time and a few hundred dollars could do. Add six new tires and all fluids changed and it is now a great vehicle. We paid $5000 or so for the initial price - and it might bring $5000 to $5500 now. Any RV seems to be something you open the door and throw money into. Pick your poison. Eventually, I'd like to have the cab exterior painted, install air bags, upgrade the sound system, install a solar panel, tint the windows, add some sort of storage pod or caboose??? Fix or replace the step. I'm really enjoying the self actualization that goes along with working on this thing. We carry an ipad and a garmin. We carry a juicer, vitamix, water distiller, microwave, electric hotplate, electric skillet, and a pair of 3 gallon jugs for drinking water. I sleep up on the cab area and have a guitrar and a tool box in my space. My wife makes her nest on the dinette for sleeping. There would be a claustrophobic issue for one or both of us if we were both up in the cab area for sleeping. Just saying... I figure I'd get 13.5 mpg at 62-65 on the interstates with hills and wind. When I drive 101 in northern CA I get 15 mpg because I put along at 50 -55 and sorta hypermile it (coast downhill where possible). Ours is a side-bath. IMO a later model itasca would be a nice change, but what we have is good enough. The Toyota MH thing is a blast, and more affordable than many hobbies or toys. This is like our seventh or eighth RV.... I've lost count. In summary - get the one you want and figure on either paying up front for "real nice" or pay later to "make it nice". Best wishes, and have fun!

You can get roll-on bed liner similar to rhino or line-x in white. Price for roll on and liquid roof are similar. Either method requires some common sense prep work. I've used it to coat & wateproof a piece of plywood used for covering an outdoor box. It seems to have held up well after a few years. I emailed a manufacturer of the stuff, and they thought it would work well on an rv roof. BTW post #4 for this thread was mine. I've also used the liquid roof product. For my aluminum roof Dolphin, I repaired any and all penetrations, and the edges where they 90 degree bend to the vertical sides. I used the non-butyl tape, and dicor where appropriate. It worked well and is how I'd do it again. It's been through a couple of winters and is holding up very well. "Waiter" has a post on how he did his roof vents. I did mine after reading his post.

Would it be difficult to sell if converted to 4 cyl? I tend to shy away from vehicles that are not "factory". That way I have a clean slate to create my own issues.

1984 Dolphin 4 cyl stick. ~68k miles. Several 3500 mile trips including mountains, flat land, tailwinds, headwinds, cross winds, and my impatience. When in CA on I-5 I tend to stand on the gas pedal and do 70mph. I have no complaints about the power or performance on hills. I burn approx 44 gallons per day if I'm trying to make 600 to 700 miles per day, which is too far, but I do it. That's data from my mileage log. Go slow and get 14 - 15. Go fast and get 12. The sweet spot seems to be 63 mph, for me. Average over 7000 miles was 13.5. That takes into account the size of the Hankook tires that add an error to the odometer. The Garmin gives correct miles, the odometer is off 5% with the new tires. BTW, truckers tires give best mpg after they have 40,000 miles according to Bridgestone and Michellin - just thought I'd add that. New tires cost a percent of the mpg. Tire pressure counts too. Tire pressure correct. Good tune-up. Fresh lube throughout. Cool weather. Roof air removed. Lowest octane regular at the pumps. Cheapest I can get. Burns no oil - dip stick constant over 3000 miles. Once on a single tank, I got 20 mpg on a multiple round trip at 5000' elevation, Jacks Valley Road between Genoa NV and the edge of Carson City. Daily commute to Starbucks from the time share for a week. Cold weather, 45 mph tops. Drove hypermile style. So... for budgeting a trip, I figure 25 cents per mile for fuel, with prices where they are right now. In conclusion - going to a 4 banger would pay off if it were me.Correction... Would not pay off... Edited!

On another forum for a different brand of motorhome, there is a discussion about "Agreed Value Insurance". I think you may have to have your motorhome appraised. More than one company insures this way. One is Blue Sky RV Insurance, according to the forum. 866-484 -BLUE (2583) I have no interest or involvement in the company. Simply passing along the contact number. It was originally posted back in 2011. Hopefully it is current.

One night, arriving at the KOA in Albequerque, we pulled in for late check-in. Ahead of me was a 35' Bluebird Wanderlodge. I had a conversation with the driver about our vehicles. Both of us had a cool "vintage" machines that you just don't see every day. They are convesation starters. Well, I was bitten by the Wanderlodge bug. Long story short, we bought a 1989 FC35 BB Wanderlodge. Like the Toyota MHs, they are a well kept secret in terms of value. We like them both well enought to keep them. After driving the big one home, I got behind the wheel of the Dolphin for a 120 mile drive, and it felt like a sports car. They are both comfortable. Differences - 7 mpg vs 15 mpg. 32,000 lbs vs 6000 lbs. Fill the tank at $800 vs $50. They both have six tires, but figure $3600 vs $650 for a set installed. Seven batteries vs two. Similarities - they've both depreciated about as far as they will, as long as they are well maintained. We drive them both at 60-65 mph. They both take the Rocky Mnts at 35-45 mph. The BB could tow the Dolphin. The Dolphin shouldn't tow much if anything. The Dolphin Boodnocks for a day or two, the BB in comfort for a week easy. There are great Forums for both, which enable us to keep them running. They're both "keepers".

I have been away long enough to forget my password, therefore i re-registered - used to be Fred3. Same 84 toyota dolphin. Also, I've gained a BB Wanderlodge 1989. I love them both, although they are radically different.