Scarlett O'Hara

Thanks! Good to know. Now, what do you mean by "lasts for quite a long time"? Obviously, mileage may vary. Just rough ball park. Also, what are the signs a roof coating needs redone? And what about pinholes?

Hello Brian, Enjoyed this post, pics, ideas. I'm currently using at home a nice big bamboo cutting board also bought at Ross! I paid $8 for it & have plans to eventually use it in a Toy when time comes. The flip-up board is both attractive & useful. Little details can make a big difference in comfort. Your between seats wire bin looks made to order. Nice going!

Pin holes! Until a few days ago, I never knew of the existence of pin holes. With RVs it's *always something*. Thanks, Joe

So, unless roof sheathing is water damaged & needs replacing, it wouldn't make sense to go for rubber sheeting. And removing a heavy AC unit myself would be tough without help. Once I've got a Toy in the driveway & have assessed the roof, I will query again about roof sealing options. (Those rubber roofs look great tho, but I hope to not have need to re-sheathe.) Thanks Linda.

What *good* news. So rare in matters of money. BTW, Does Dicor ever go on sale in any season? Do I presume correctly that your current RV is roofed with Dicor? If so, did you do the job yourself. Thirty feet, that would be a big job. You'd need a second pair of hands for that job, I bet. More than likely, I will end up doing the job without a helper--but I've gotten pretty good at figuring out how to do things myself without the recommended second pair of hands...

Wow! So that's DICOR. Clearly not an "outmoded" system. I can do that job, & am capable of doing it right. I figure it is more than likely any Toy I bring home is 'gonna want a new roof & probably re-sealed windows immediately. Not cheap but well worth it. Hope it won't be the rainy season... Video was spot on. And thanks for including the $ cost link. The bad thing about cost is that I will probably have to order 30 feet even tho only likely to require 21 feet +/-. Is having an extra length of that stuff on hand useful at any point? The roof will be the very first thing I will want to do. Much appreciated WME, thanks! Scarlett

What's up with rubber roofs? Occasionally I find CL rigs with them but not sure if I am clear on the concept. Is a "rubber roof" simply a rubber coating applied over whatever type roof surface needs resealing? Or must this rubber coating always be applied over an already existing rubber coating? Or is a rubber coating an option one may choose to reseal/coat any existing roof coating? What are the pros/cons of rubber roofs? Or is this an outmoded material? If rubber *is* a suitable option, how does it hold up compared to other roof surfaces? Is it cost effective? Is this "rubber" actual organic rubber? Especially interested to hear from those who have/had a rubber roof & can speak from personal experience. I'm in the dark here. All these questions keep bouncing off my brain! Thanks, Scarlett

Holy smoke! I can't believe you took all this on...You must make a name change after you finish up, for you can't reasonably refer to yourself here as "neubie" after all this! I have to say that only on this forum, *with Linda et al*, could such a transformation be attempted with any hope for successful outcome. But I don't need to tell you that. Please keep the pics coming, so informative, if frightening... Are you replacing the toilet? If not, are you considering a waterless system? After much research, & after several years of severe drought in CA, I pulled my flush toilet & replaced it with a C-Head dessicating/compost model. Highly recommended. Even unvented there is absolutely no odor. The unit is substantial molded formica & works wonderfully. Many RVers have installed them & are pleased with the system. Your project is daunting, but clearly you are *full steam* ahead. I will be watching your progress with great interest. Scarlett

The National Parks are a big draw for me, too. And State Parks can be great on occasion, tho in CA are pricey. There's so much gorgeous territory in the SW. Boondocking will be a major part of my plans, tho. There's still plenty I've never seen/explored in AZ, not to mention Utah & New Mexico. I do understand well what you mean when you say things move along slowly for you in your renovation. I am moving at a snails' pace trying to get my place in shape to list for sale. I've read about the various Toy coach manufacturers & the advantages some have over others with regard to infrastructure. Aside from Sunraders, which are reasonably plentiful here in CA, I see more Dolphins for sale. I am open to "any" maker if I love the rig, but suppose I will end up with a Dolphin since there are so many to choose from. BTW, did you say you have remo picks in a sub forum? Where do I find them? If you don't already know this RV travel site, here's a wonderful resource: https://wandrlymagazine.com/article/rv-camping-state-parks/

You are right about all this! Sounds like you've got your hands full. I live north of the Bay Area proper, and while BA prices run high, prices in SoCal are high too. But finding a suitable Toy can take a long time, especially on a tight budget. At least the BA and points south offer a large number for sale, thus good choice in a given time frame. I am preparing to sell my country place & full time for at least a while. I am also getting my vintage Westfalia ready to sell. I've traveled extensively for decades in Mexico, even as far as Guatemala, and once I've got a rig road ready I am experienced at giving them all the TLC required to keep them running well. I am no mechanic, but am a decent "diagnostitian" and can direct most work I pay for--even if I must do it in Spanish. I won't hit the road with a Toy until I've driven it locally for a fair amount of time... I know about the water damage issue with Toys, and will do my best to avoid acquiring one with serious trouble, no matter how well hidden. My daily driver is an '82 Toy pickup I've had since new. So at least I am familiar with the truck. What are you planning to use your Conquest for, once it's ready? Have you posted any pics of your project? You should. Good luck with all that! ;82

Perfect opportunity for a project. Personally, when I complete the project of repair/restore my redwood cottage I will be burned out on any serious projects for a good long while. Nice to know there are still some out there for those willing to take them on...

Derek, a bit steep indeed, even for the SF Bay Area. Lately prices are all over the place. Recently I saw a CL ad for a nice, clean later model Sunrader for $25,000. But I am beginning to get a better and better idea of what I can expect eventually to find, given patience when I am in a position to buy. Tho I wouldn't pass up a chance for a full size Rader, if the price were a real steal, I am growing fonder & fonder of the mid 80's Dolphins. I am an enthusiastic scratch cook and find the counter space of those Dolphins really appealing. Too, I like the wrought iron cabinet bracing, so very "west coast". Whatever else, my rig MUST be manual transmission & have a Rear Dinette. And now I've seen Jon's rig with a rear opening window I am mad about that idea. Don't hold out any hope for that feature, tho. Scarlett

But hey, he's open to offers! Lots of original miles on it. A pretty little rig tho, don't you think?

What a beauty! 'Gotta have deep deep pockets for this one, tho. But costs nothing to look...... https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/rvs/d/1976-toyota-chinook/6250247259.html

Jon, I think Derek might be onto something with this suggestion. I, for one, would *really enjoy* opening windows with a rear dinette. BTW, congratulations on your find. You must have felt a bit like Indiana Jones unearthing hidden treasure in the jungle! Scarlett

Hi Darrel, Twice I've scrolled thru your Alaska travel pics, but twice will not be enough! Always I have dreamed of an Alaska road trip, but never, even in my wildest imagination, did Alaska loom so colorfully. Who could have predicted the quirkiness? Or the $13 slice of watermelon! It's a feast for the eyes, that's sure. You must be having the time of your life. Stay well & be safe (enough). Thanks, *so much* for posting these pics! Scarlett

Hi Derek, The plot thickens, eh? In a perfect world, I'd find a rig with original owner & impeccable maintenance with complete records. Perhaps an older couple who used their rig annually, but didn't put too much mileage on the odometer. (One can dream!)

Yikes, just as I suspected. The rebuilt Toy in question currently has 90k miles & was said to have been "rebuilt" two years ago. Thanks WME.

Thanks, gentlemen. That's a lot to chew on. Is there a rule of thumb as to when, in terms of mileage, a 22R might realistically be due for a complete rebuild/new block? I assume previous maintenance practice is part of the equation, but is this the sort of decision best made by a competent Toyota mechanic prior to purchase? I am beginning to see that, when Toy shopping, (for some buyers) ignorance is bliss. Scarlett

I've been up a ten foot stepladder with a paint edger all afternoon & since I've survived that yet again, I figured I deserved to relax with an iced coffee and a peek at CL. Just now, I came across a pretty little rig to digitally "appraise" (& thanks to several of you I am getting better at it!). Seller sez (22R) engine was "rebuilt" two years ago. First CL Toy I've taken note of with a "rebuild". I have a growing list of gnarly questions for sellers, but this one hasn't been addressed. My first thought: was engine rebuilt professionally or by seller? After that, I don't know where that leads. I *just know* there's got to be more to this than that! Your thoughts, please. Thanks!

Heads Up! Anyone hunting a Toy now, there are a plethora of SF Bay Area & SOCAL listings--& I've not seen asking prices so low since I started checking a year ago. It's plain some offerings now meant to attract this years' Burning Man goers, but I have a *queasy feeling* there might be more to it; perhaps yet another warning indicator of economic downturn. Typically, nearing August, Toy owners enjoy what is often their last adventure before selling at seasons' end. Usually, this time of year, I see few Toys for sale... Your thoughts?

I figured you'd all get a chuckle over that claim...I see this exaggerated mpg often on CL. There's a sucker born every minute, as WC Fields is know to have said. (I plan to hold out for a rear dinette, but the rear kitchen has definite appeal. I don't see many of them.)

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/rvs/d/toyota-sunrader-rv-low/6227944818.html Not my time to buy yet, but can't resist checking CL. Here's what looks to be a nice, clean 21 footer with a Rear Kitchen.

Thanks ToyoGuy! I will give those a try! Cheers, Scarlett

You might be right--seller might well have made a typo! But at least I've learned something about headers, which I previously understood in the framing carpentry sense...