I finally got the toyota motorhome I've been waiting for.. just got a 18ft 4 spd manual w 130k miles..
Its in excellent condition, seems to have the 6 lug rear axle upgrade, Handles and drives a lot better than I was thought it would..
in fact I'm surprised at how good it handles wind and steep grades, (I've been reading this forum on and off for a few years and got the idea that it was going to be really awkward and slow to drive)
I purchased it in the desert east of LA for $7500, which is a lot but its pretty much exactly what I wanted; with the rear lounge 4spd, awning and roof racks and .. I really wanted a 22re but the 22r seems to be pretty on point.
The drive home was around 800 miles, the first test was the heat test. I decided to take the scenic route home through death valley while it was in the mid 90s.. The temp gauge went up to the halfway mark on a really long steep pass (hwy 60 to joshua tree)which is notorious for overheating rigs, I figured if it didn't overheat now we would be good for the rest of the 750miles.
The next test was the aero/wind test. once we got out into the desert the wind picked up.. blowing a piece of plywood across the why making it look like cardboard.. Luckily the short wheelbase and smooth styling of the rader cut through the wind like a knife through cold peanut butter.. Even with semi's passing this thing doesn't get blown around too much.. which surprises me..
So the two things that worried me, power and handling, were both surpassed in expectation.. I could imagine having a longer/heavier one making it sketchy on this chassis, but I think the 18ft sunrader matches the chassis, I still haven't weighed mine but I'm guessing its under GVWR.
so after a week of owning this odd looking little thing. I love it.. It needs a few things but overall it is great.