Cat09

Definitely is not a Toyota. I believe this has a Ford V8 engine. Here's the brochure for it: http://www.pacnats.com/Links/NRV%20Brochures/1991/Dolphin%20Class%20A.pdf

That is awesome, Corbin and I apologize if I misread your post. I've seen a lot of blogs and posts from women of various ages who are being real adventurers in their RVs- not using them like mobile homes in dedicated RV parks. I intend to be one of them. I've done my share of woodworking, mechanical, and other projects but I don't think I'll be nearly as precise or dedicated to it as you are! I was researching honeycomb yesterday for building a desk, but I don't know if I want to get that involved. I tend to go more towards retrofitting or modding already built materials that I can source cheaply. If I can buy or modify something I already have I will probably do that rather than build from scratch. It's been fun and sometimes exasperating to try to find things of the right weight and exacting dimensions for such a small space. I'm still working and my kids are grown, so for the first time in 20 odd years, my income is my own. I can't imagine how it feels to be robbed of a retirement income you've worked all your life to build. I'm sorry that happened to you. I will be getting help for the roof rebuilding project and electrical work. Those are two things I don't wish to tackle on my own. I intend to do the rest myself. I love the arts and crafts design style as well, I think it's great you're doing taking that on! May I ask what your blog address is so I can keep up with what you're doing?

Perhaps. I've never considered myself part of a "bunch" anyway.

Whoa. Not only sexist, but ageist as well. Gray haired women can be and are adventurous people, Just like any other segment of the population. I'm not yet retired, but I have plenty of gray hairs. I'm completely renovating an old Dolphin I just bought with the plan to live in it full time. Not just applying pretty curtains, but doing the building and repair work myself. Considering I won't have a 35' land yacht sitting in a cushy RV park, I would consider what I'm going to do an adventure. My situation is a bit different than the original poster in that I can work remotely from anywhere I choose (with internet access). So I am not going to stay stationary in one town. My plan is to renovate the RV to be completely solar powered and to install a composting toilet so that I will have no propane to buy and no black tank to dump. I'll give you a link to my blog when I've got the roof done and get started on the interior.

Thanks John - good suggestion. I did see some bed liner applications on other threads as well - does it have the insulating and sun refraction properties that a rubber coating would though?

Thanks everyone- good information. This Dolphin has a fiberglass body- not like I can't put aluminum on the roof, but I think I'll be using plywood (I'll definitely look for marine grade) and Eternabond plus liquid EPDM. Shouldn't be a problem finding marine grade anything here- I live in Tidewater, Virginia. Lots of boat supplies. Yeah, the more I think about it, I am leaning towards doing the work myself. Maybe enlist a friend or two to come help. I appreciate all the help with this - I have a much clearer picture of what I need to do and more confidence now about doing it. Thanks!

Wow, John thanks so much for the great advice. Especially about the moldings. They are old and ugly but I'm sure I can clean them up. So I just checked and can purchase aluminum roofing for a bit over $200. That's not too bad. I'm wondering though if I could use elastomeric or EPDM coating right on the plywood instead of the aluminum or a full rubber roof. Now I just have to find a reputable roofer Thanks, Cat

Hello Fellow Toyota RV Owners, I just bought a 1987 21' Dolphin. I got it cheap knowing it had a lot of restoration work to be done. Because my plan is to one day occupy it full time or at least half time, I am ok with replacing most everything since I plan on some heavy mods. My first plan is get the exterior right. I went up on the roof to have a look see. I know there are leaks. The last owner replaced a lot of the interior insulation and paneling already due to rot/mold. They also pulled the air conditioner off and installed a 4th vent. The roof sags between every support beam- so the roof has a rippled appearance. What looks like roofing tar, silicone, and strips of plastic covered rubber have been used to patch. There is a rubber roof installed. but it has been cut into in many places. The newly installed vent was not placed into the old A/C hole. Instead, they made a new hole directly in front of it. The old A/C hole was patched- and not very well. It sits lower than the rest of the roof and is an obvious leak source. In short, I think my best option would be tearing the entire roof off and replacing the luan and new rubber roof, and probably new extrusions around the sides as well. Has anyone here done a complete roof replacement? I've spoken with a local RV handyman who told me another local had a regular residential roofer do the work for her and it cost 1/5 of what a typical RV company would charge. I will do the recovering, sealing, and replacing vents myself, but I am not up to the task of replacing the entire roof. Any thoughts? Thanks, Cat