FredNewell

Recently installed a new propane tank and regulator - three years ago, actually. I finally made a manometer of plastic tubing to check the regulator outlet pressure. It seemed the propane flame on the ranage was a little wimpy. Regulators have a plastic cap that removes to expose a calibration screw. Right turn (clockwise) to increase pressure - with a screw driver. I found our pressure to be low and increased it. There's lots of info about this online.

Recently we took a trip. Before the trip we filled the propane bottle. We turned the propane on to light the water heater. My wife smelled propane in the coach. We turned the propane off (at the tank). Then, for several days, I turned the propane on only for the time it took to heat the hot water tank, then shut it back off. After returning home, I realized that I was only opening the tank valve a full turn or two. The valve must be fully opened against it's backseat in order to not have propane odors. Fully open - no odors. Fully shut - no odors. Parially open - yes odor. I'm just writting this down in case it helps someone else.

Just a thought - but you asked for ideas. Can you load the tractor inside of the 26' truck and pack around it?

Other products were good too. I have old Seiko watches and wall clocks that continue to run. The watches have the radioctive dial. I have several old "Matsumoku" guitars. All were good quality. They were discount priced in the day, but were fine instruments. They were sold under brand names like Aria, Aria Pro 2, Univox, Vantage, and some others.

I did a plug & wires replacement and all the adjustments that go with an old fashioned tune-up. The difference was impressive. The ground connection from the engine battery (screw into the fender well 18" from the battery) was bad - correcting this was easy and avoided big trouble. Battery cable connections needed cleaning. I had all the fluids changed at a Jiffy Lu** that I like in Carson City. They flushed the radiatior as it was gunky as described by the original poster. We completed a trip to and from Nashville, then brought it in again for another flush. They did it at no additional cost. The point is... do the maintenance.

Slightly off topic, but related... Whatsa used roof air worth on CList??? Any experience?

A recurring topic is "what to look for" when purchasing a Toyota MH. Here's something I found on mine, that I could easily have seen, but didn't inspect before the purchase. In my rig, both the engine and the coach battery are located under the hood. The coach battery was installed on the driver side behind the headlight. I sat directly onto the fender well structure - not having a "rack" for support like the other battery. I finally got around to removing the battery for replacement. The metal under the battery is corroded/rusted. It requires some repair work. It equates to body cancer. Now I get to learn how to repair this... welding I suppose... this is a common repair for vintage vehicles. When I buy another, this will be on my checklist. Later...

Or budgeting a weeky roll of quarters so you can call your fiance once per week from a navy base. Got a busy signal so had to call back later, but left the roll at the payphone... when I go back it was,,, still there!!!

So, what's the best route to Nashville Fred? We always take I-40 because we travel during the colder months. We're coastal people who melt if it gets too warm. Other routes have been used by us. I-70 heading east into the Rockies is beautiful. The northern routes - like if you were to see Mount Rushmore on the way - is another one. Go for it!

Ann, I'll chime in here. Glenda and I figure 200 miles per tank. A pleasant day up the coast is one tank per day max. If you went from Chico to the coast via route 36, you'd be in that range. We go uphill at maybe 40 mph. We would cruze at 55. This is for route 36. We go as slow as 35 crossing the Rockies, but throw it into neutral and coast down the hills at 65 (interstate). Ours is a 4 speed manual tranny. We push to 70 mph at times. Like on I-5 thru California. I-5 in OR or WA I'd do 65. Long trips??? Every year we drive from Fortuna to Nashville, which is about 5000 miles round trip. We do three tanks per day and just enjoy the journey. We stop at KOA campgrounds for the nights. We hit shopping malls so Glenda can shop while I take naps or cook hamburgers, and walk the dog. If I was retired and had more time, I'd do coast to coast one tank per day. We come home tired, but later are ready to go again. I'd say your rig sounds like it could do all of what you want. But, it is an old vehicle... if something breaks... it's a toyota and you can get it fixed.

Labor day weekend for us. Just a night or two - probably Gold Beach.

Maineah, this is a genius job of explaining. I'm messing with mine today. This really helped. I get it too complicated and confuse myself. Again, Thanks!

Curious... how is the perfomance on flat and hills?

Don't know what rig you have, but I'm thinking there's a good chance there's wiring from the factory. Did you install the ac in the same hole the factory would have? Any chance the wires were capped and tucked away? Just thinking.

Lights for a "christmas parade"?

Incurable, you write well and convey an attitude which will enable success in your venture. Suggest maybe you start a blog on the topic? Your story will resonate with others in the same mode. At least keep us up to date on this board.

I've lived in mine for a few months straight while on a job away from home. Shouldn't be a problem as long as you can deal with sewer and water. Consider using a trailer park, mobile home park, or rv park and exchanging work/maintenance for space rent. Or just pay the rent. It avoids being viewed as a vagrant. My Dolphin didn't have a deadbolt for the cabin door. I installed one after getting the hardware from Amazon.

Cobwebs on the speedometer? Nice rig though.

Just a thought... if you take the window out and take it to a glass shop, it is a good opportunity to get it tinted at the same time.

Interesting, and I learned something new. I had a 79 Cordoba. When the brake light burned out, the interior dome light came on if you depressed the brake pedal.

Lesson from my install... Consider using a hole saw to cut openings for floor bolts and seatbelt bolts. (cutting the pad and carpet) Test on a scrap first. I installed a carpet sized for an extended cab. I'd do it that way again.

I want to add this... The Oregon Coast is the best of the three west coast states. All three are interesting and nice, but for camping and sightseeing, Oregon takes it, in my opinion. Also, we've had several RVs of different types, and the Toyota MH holds it's own against any other. Mine is not perfect due to it's age, but i intend to keep it going for at least another decade. Some things that make the Toyota good for us are... 1) new upholstery. 2) Wet Okole seat covers. 3) new cab carpet and door inserts. 4) white vinyl floor in coach. 5) roof air conditioner removal. 6) all new roof vents and escape hatch, and window resets... it is about as weather proof as it can get. 7) New tires and spare. 8) New plugs and wires. 9) New deep cycle battery. Some things on our wish list... 1) wish my propane system and all appliances worked better... there seems to be a pressure problem even with the new propane bottle and regulator. 2) wish I had a webber carb setup. 3) wish my hood didn't wobble (sheet metal came loose from frame) 4) wish the cab body had a new paint job. I accept imperfection, but there will always be a "next" project on an old RV.

Manual trans.

North from Fortuna CA to Newport OR on US101. Then to Portland for 3 nights via hwy 20 to Corvallis and north on I-5. Drove around doing errands in Portland. Return via I-5 to Grants Pass and on to Crescent City via 299 then Fortuna. 1060 miles. An honest 16 mpg for the trip. Our best ever. Front axel wt 1900# Rear axel wt 3800# Total 5700 on scales full of fuel, propane, freshwater tank full, waste tanks empty, 2 persons and a dog. Modern Hippies in VWs waved to us. In Portland near my Dad's house, locals sneered - musta been the CA plates. I get it. Sunshine envy. Maybe my driving??? We waved to a fellow Toyota MH in Cave Junction. Later he passed us on an uphill while towing a motorcycle. Winnebago late 80's??? We had a great time. MH ran great. Burning only one tank per day between overnights suits us. 4cyl 4 speed is well suited to Oregon. We drove I-5 at 62-65 mph. Camped at Gold Beach one night, then Seal Rock. Full hookups are around $40 these days.

Right turn signal position has begun to click twice as fast. I am thinking the flasher is needing replaced. Anyone know where it is located? 84 chassis. all signals operate as they should for now... Just blinks faster for rt turn. Thanks.