Scarlett O'Hara

I live in the redwood forest, thus no cell phone signal here. Land line only, thus no app-pli-cations! Thanks anyhoo.

Thanks, but this didn't work for me--just brought up a screen full of CL cities individually. I searched for : "all of craigslist rvs by owner."

Buy Low. Sell High. :-}

OK, now I (sort of) know that a "header" is. Thank you Derek. & Thanks much for the links/visuals, WME (who I hope will not be abandoning this group!).

Anyone know a way to search CL to bring up a nation wide search option?

That makes sense! BTW, Derek, one of these Dolphins is said to need a new "header". What is that? And would this header be expensive. Won't be looking/buying for some time till I sell & close escrow, but need to learn all I can ahead of time. Thanks.

Mark, I feel your pain. I found the same to be true when insuring my vintage VW Westfalia. But let's not give up on this yet. Perhaps there is a remedy. I hope other owners will respond with their insurance experiences...

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/rvs/d/toyota-dolphin-mini/6223370117.html https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/rvs/d/toyota-dolphin/6227484442.html I knew I shouldn't have peeked at CL. Can't move on anything now, but really like these two. Can't imagine why, but Toy prices in CA right now seem more reasonable than months ago...

This evening in the parking lot of a grocers across from the ocean in Ft. Bragg, CA I was pleasantly astounded to find myself parked next to a sweet blue & white Seabreeze Toy. After my shopping I saw the door open, called "Ahoy, Seabreeze" & was & invited in for a tour! This '87 Seabreeze with V6/manual tranny is a recent acquisition of a delightful couple, Karen & John, from Chico, CA. The exterior paint still looks remarkably good, the engine has 96K original miles, & *no water damage*. John got a kick out of the fact I was parked next to them in my '82 Toyota pickup & agreed with me that manual transmissions are the way to go. Like so many, they came to the coast to escape the Central Valley heat & were enjoying the sunny 65 degree temps today. This is only the second Toyhome I have spotted in my area of late & it was wonderful to meet the owners & be invited in for a tour.

Mike, of BackroadsVanner (web & youtube) did an incredible exterior using Raptor bed liner paint. Mike is a real perfectionist with all his projects, with an excellent website & videos. All info is included: benefits of Raptor, amounts needed, simple equipment list, time involved, & cost. Raptor paint dries fast! It looks to be a reasonable DIY paint job, even in the open air. The Raptor product offers more surface protection than regular paint & resists stone chips & hail damage. The video is well produced & shows the entire process from start to finish. Check it out!

Your exterior Zep job is incredible. Looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. And now aware of the extent of your restoration, inside & out, I am knocked out at what you've accomplished. Like I've said, when I am finally done with seemingly endless list of repairs & restoration to my cottage I will be in *no state of mind* for major Toy restoration. I am skilled with a sewing machine, love sanding & painting woodwork: I'd even be willing to install new flooring. But I *must make certain* I choose a Toy without water damage. (At least one that has lived its life in CA or the desert SW should have little rust underneath.) Without the collective experience, wisdom, humor & kindness of this Toy forum I would never be confident to tackle a Toy. BTW Mark, speaking of your bath tub: I knew a couple who, when boon docking in their rig, plug the tub while showering then use the water to wash a small load of clothes. Will this upcoming trip you have planned for "eclipse viewing" be your first real trip since completing the restoration? (The toilet removal will continue. One of the bolts needs holding firmly while I unscrew the nut with my other hand, but access is tricky. Also the headlamp bulb failed. I never carry on when I am tired & frustrated. Perhaps if it will fit, I might just cut off the offending bolt with a hacksaw. Tomorrow is another day!

Well, that explains a lot! I've not before seen or heard of a Granville. From which coach maker is it upgraded? As to your having bought it from your elderly Pastor's parents, etc....all I can say is "somebody" up there must be in your corner. I can tell you one thing, I'm not likely to find any Toy half so lovely & pristine as that anywhere, but in CA it is bound to cost me ten times more! Perhaps one day soon you'll post more pics. A recliner, no less. What decadence! But then, at 6'4 it's likely a true necessity. (I watched a YouTube toilet removal video. Appeared to be a quick easy job. But I wasn't fooled. Even with a can of WD-40 & tools on hand, there's always a hitch. A rusty bolt breaks off, a shut off valve that won't turn, something. I'm resting & letting the WD do its' job. Also wondering how much the damn thing weighs & can I lift it & where I might unearth a big piece of cardboard to set it on & drag safely to the door across my beautiful Talavera tile floor...) Wish me luck. That toilet is almost as big as I am.

Yes, I do now. Months ago when I was looking to buy a Toy I learned about this--thanks in great part to Derek & Linda S who, by the way, have damn sharp eyes when viewing even the poorest CL pics. I'd be plenty happy with the 22RE engine as well. But it's good I gave up looking before. It would have been too great a distraction. Now I have something really great to look forward to when all this bloody hard work is finally done. I am truly overwhelmed with getting this place in shape to sell. Only a madwoman would attempt it! And yes, it's beautiful here with great weather. But I've no longer any time for visitors/guests, even for a day. If I'm going to make my great new plunge I must keep my eye on the prize. (I've finished buffing off the excess Watco Danish Oil & am having some iced green tea before on to the *next* job, removing a toilet so I can install some ceramic tile up the walls in the enclosure...) BTW, the upholstery in your rig looks first rate! Did you have it done or was it like that when you bought your Toy?

Good report on your Maxx Deluxe! Sounds like the way to go. I've owned three VW Westy's & have traveled in extensively since the 60's. My current Westy, an '85 water cooled model I've traveled with on & off since '99 is currently being prepared for sale. I've been as far afield as Guatemala & have adventured to mainland Mexico dozens of times for months on end. Having said that, clearly speed or luxury has never been a priority! The same RVers who claim Toy homes are unacceptable feel the same about a VW. Again, one size does not fit all when it come to "motorhomes." The world now being what it is, or likely to become, the canvas pop top of my VW no long feels secure. But a Toy home will fit the bill nicely. I am expert at traveling light & slowly. But you are correct about the difficulty finding a Toy with a 22R/manual. They do exist, however. For months into the future I will be slaving here on my cottage in the wild woods, dealing with all the deferred maintenance issues that are typical on a rural homestead. As I write this I am waiting for the Watco Danish oil to soak into the floor to ceiling built-in bookcase I am refinishing. After a good hand buffing, it's on to the next project of the day. I will enjoy your trip report to view the upcoming eclipse. What fun! For me it's all work & no play, but if all holds together I look forward to a new rig & new adventures.

OK, got it. I thought you'd bought a new door with an opening window. Wasn't clear on the concept. Everyone seems to prefer the Maxx fans hands down over other brands. I've read several reports elsewhere that it's best not to install fans directly over the bed because under windy rainy conditions water can blow in onto bedding. Where did you install yours? Unless I am very lucky, a fan installation is bound to be one of my first improvements in a new-to-me old Toy. BTW, my "weekly" driver is my farm truck, an '82 Toy pickup with the 22R/manual I've owned since new. So fond of this engine am I that I intend to buy a Toy with same. Ditto the manual tranny. I've never owned a vehicle with automatic and find I truly enjoy shifting. My pickup is a wonder! Are you happy with your choice of the 22RE?

Nice work, Mark! Impressive & very attractive. I hope you'll post pics of your new improved door with opening windows--a thing I never imagined as a possibility. Does the window have a screen? Pics, please.

Hi Mark & thanks for the welcome! How right you are re the sticker shock on CA Toys. But CA is where I am & once ready to buy there will likely be a good selection to choose from. Not to mention the mild coastal weather, so much better for a road trip with my hound in tow. Depending on the season, Las Vegas might do as well, or even AZ if, after working my way south down the CA coast, I've found nothing closer. Above all else, except for an interior re-do (fresh paint, slip covers, etc.) I will NOT be in the mood for a serious project. I am up to my eyeballs here, with little working capital & no hired help available. I expect to be exhausted & burned out once I finish up here. This project is daunting & at times seems impossible. Goddess only knows if I will manage it! Like many boomers looking to downsize, I am praying the latest housing bubble doesn't burst before my great escape. (Mark, BTW, as my hound at 40 lbs looks to be perhaps about the same size as your featured sidekick, do you travel in a Toy with a crate? If so, where do you put it? My rescue coonhound came crate trained & adores her den--but it's 3 feet long...but perhaps I should have asked this question in the pet forum...oops.)

Greetings, After several frustrating attempts at CL Toy search/purchase months ago, I'm back here again for more research/education. My game plan has changed. I'd thought earlier to find a Toy before selling or renting my little farm, thus giving myself time to work out the bugs before hitting the road for what I expect will be a grand adventure. Repairing, downsizing, packing & sorting the contents of over four decades ain't like moving out of a college dorm! Perhaps some of you *know exactly* what I mean...& yes, I should have tackled this dissolution a decade ago.) Here in CA there are a lot of Toys on offer. When I am ready to find one I plan to rent a car & take the required amount of time to find a good one. Meanwhile, I try to avoid even so much as a peek at CL. I was pleased to log in here today & find a discussion of insurance, since I recall having a similar challenge insuring for a realistic replacement value on my vintage VW Westy. It's good to be "back" & digging in once again. Hello again & best wishes to you all. Especially Linda & Derek!

Derek, U R AWESOME! Just another piece of the puzzle...

Thanks gentlemen, Yes, I tried two different VIN check sites. Same for both. No big deal, yet anyway. The VIN # is offered on the listing for the little '84 Shasta Toy I am (possibly) soon to have a look at in person. Since it was in the ad I just figured I would give it a go. Scarlett

Would it be typical to get no results on a free online VIN check on an '80s vintage Toy motorhome? Just "checking", Scarlett

Gosh, that stinks. More to worry about... Also: I tried to take notes while on phone with KID. But now, I remember a few other things he told me that I didn't write down. Said he bought a new Cat converter before leaving Seattle. Here's what's nagging me now: KID says Toy still registered in WA, but has a new CA smog certificate. I asked if Toy registered in his name, Kid says yes, but that he bought the rig not from the 80 year old guy, but another guy who had only owned it briefly before selling to the KID. My spidey sense tells me there might be a problem here, but don't know how to clarify the answer... This KID reminds me of the fellow with the 83 Sunrader. He was so desperate for the cash that I just couldn't get there in time. But with this rig, I'm not 'gonna race up there until I feel damn sure it's at least a good/safe bet. Too "iffy" at this point.

You've got sharp eyes for an old fart! You may be right, but could just be angle of photo. What is the "rear extension" and how would I examine it during inspection? Good idea to ask about what's been towed. I'll add that to question list.

Thanks very much Derek! NOW, dread final "outcome" on AXLE...

OK. Spoke with seller. A (nice) KID. Bought Toy 5 months ago in WA state. Sez previous owner 80 yr old man who may have owned it since new. No owners' manual/no repair records. Kid drove Toy to N CA with reportedly no mechanical problems along the way. Intended to fix it up & live in it. Got in over his head with project. When asked about axle, didn't seem to know what I meant. Later, seemed to remember that it DID have 6 lugnuts. I intend to call him again to clarify. May have him post a pic, if he can do it. He's hoping to move into RV park, since wearing out welcome in friends' driveway...Said if I come to look he will hook everything up in RV park for inspection. He's RV clueless, but seem honest. KID bought two new tires for "insides" of back axle. Doesn't yet know age of other tires. His cell phone connection was bad, so I need to call back this evening & try again to get info re AXLE issue. He OFFERED this re Price: He will go as low as $3000. *Intuitive* stabs requested: If I get a convincing report as to axle, I intend to get away & up there to look ASAP. Just don't want to make the long round trip for nothing... Thanks!