nhcamper

Jeff, The pop-up doesn't lock into place. It is spring loaded. When you push up on the top the springs assist you in raising the top and when it is in the up position the springs keep it in that position. You can see how it works by looking at the outside sizzor setup that makes it work. If it doesn't stay up on it's own than somthing is wrong with the pop-up unit. I have a 77" Chinook and I have the same poblem with backfireing when the engine is cold, when it warms up it runs fine. The good thing about these little campers is they are fairly inexpensive to run and fix. I would take the Chinook to a trusted mechanic to find out what needs to be fixed and dicker with the dealer using this info. If the dealer wont let you have it checked out I'd be leerly of buying it for that price unless you are prepared to invest some money it. It still is not a bad price if everything works and the cab is in good condition. This forum is a good source to keep your Chinook on the road, there are many people willing to give advice and guide you along on your Toy-RV experience. Good Luck Tim

Farmer, I own a 77 Chinook and I love it. If it were me I would leave the 20R alone and just drive it. I have 62,000 on mine and have had only miner problems with it,(water pump, front brake caliper, shocks and a clutch.) It sat in my parents yard for almost 10 years before I rescued it from becoming a piece of junk. The 1200.00 price is a steal snap it up before the guy changes his mind or someone else snatches it up from under you. The rear axle will not be an issue as long as you don't overload the camper. I run Michlin LT truck tires with KYB gas ajust shocks and it rides very smooth and handels good. This is a great site to get important info. on fixing and maintaining your Toy. Good luck. Tim

Dennis, I haven't caught wind of anything planned but it would be nice to have one in down-east Maine or anywhere for that matter. If enough people respond mybe we can come up with something? I went to the Toy-In at Crown-point VT in Oct. and it was a blast. Tim

Anna, I have a 77' Chinook the boot is held in place by (4) phillips head screws, I need a new one to. My plan is to take the boot out of the truck and match it up as best as possible I plan on checking the Toyota dealerships as well as VIP, PEP BOY'S, and the like. I am sure you will find a suitable match. If you find a good match please let the other Chinook owners know where you got it. As you know there arn't that many still on the road. Tim

I just got back from my week-end in VT at Crown Point Camp ground. We drove up Fri. (My son and I.) It rained on the way up but cleared by the time we arrived. We were greeted by 7 Toy Campers and were warmly welcomed into the group. I was told this was the 5th or 6th year this has been an organized event. The group traveled as far as Florida, (I came from central NH,75mi.) not very far. The group plans pot luck meals together and spends time around the camp fire telling stories and swapping info. on there respective Campers. We had a wonderful time and look forward to the Toy-in at Crown point next year.

Fellow Campers, Hope to see you at the Toy-in at Crown Point VT next week. See you there! Tim

I have a 77' Chinook and sometimes in the morning it will backfire if I don't let it warm up. Once it warms up a few minutes it's fine.

I love my Chinook too! I did a simple modification to the storage shelf over the cab to provide a place for me to sleep, so I could give the bed to my 6' 2" boy. It works slick. We are goining to the 2007 East Coast Toy-in sheduled for Oct. 12th at Crown Point Campground VT. If you want compact econemy with decent creature comfort you can't beat a Chinook. I took it on a 350 mi trip last weekend and only used 15.4 gallons of 91 octane. (average speed was 55 mph.) Not bad.

I'm from the central NH area. I have seen quite a few Toy-MH in this neck of the woods. I haven't seen anything advertised for the northeast but I sure would be willing to work with a group to get something organized to represent this part of the country.

I took a motorcycle trip a little south (Boothbay Harbor ME) a couple of weeks ago and it was fantastic. My family owns a house in York Beach ME so it was nice to be able to do a day trip and relax at the end of the ride and enjoy a nice cold one without running the risk of getting bagged for DUI. Life is good! I plan on taking the Chinook to VT in Sept. to the British Invasion Car Meet it is held in Stowe VT Sept. 14-16. If you like the moutains and vintage british cars than you owe it to yourself to check it out some year.

All, just finished the water pump on the Chinook no problems and it runs great. I wish everthing went this good! Tim

I put KYB's on my 77' Chinook with Michlin tires and it rides like a dream.

The shaft has been sloppy for a while and it finally gave out the other day. It sounded like a deisel just before it started leaking coolent out the bottom. I think it is a pretty straight forward RandR but I was just looking for some reassurance before I took it apart. I replaced the thermostat in the spring. I will post a reply on how the fix went Wen. or Thur. Thanks for the reply. Tim

Hi All, I am replacing the water pump on my 77' Chinook this week and I am looking for any help to make this as painless as possible. I ordered a new Cardone water pump not a rebuild. I plan on replacing the belts at the same time any other parts I should replace to save myself a headake later on? The radiator is in good shape so I don't need to remove it if it is not nessecary to change the water pump. Thanks for your help. Tim

Michael, Welcome to the forum. I own a 77' Chinook I resurected from my parents driveway. It is a blast to drive and I use it as a home away from home at work. I commute 1 hr. to work and I stay overnite on my work rotations. I work 12 hr. shifts on a two and three day rotation. The Chinook saves a ton on gas and travel time. I utilize the local WAL-MART as it is just across the street from my work. I am replacinging the water pump on the 20r motor this week do you have any tips on doing this or any problems I might encounter? Have fun and good luck with your Chinook. Tim

I was just out in the camper checking the wiring and I noticed that there is a built-in AC adapter in the lighting fixture. I never noticed it before and it isn't mentioned in the owners manual. If I plug an (150w) inverter into the light I should be able to run my TV/DVD off this power supply, this is run off the deep cycle battery correct? I only use the camper at most three days in a row and I only use the battery two nights and I drive in between, even if this did not charge it fully I could plug it in at home and this should recharge the battery correct? This is what you were telling me in your last post.

I was thinking the the same thing the wiring runs behind the wheel well, and it would be easy to tap into it.I'm not sure what brand or cap. the inverter my brother in-law has but it is a hardwired unit. Is there any paticular brand of TV/DVD combo that is better suited to this application or will one of the WAL-MART specials work just as well? Thanks. This is off the subject but does anyone know of a source for aftermarket sheet metal for the 77 Toy? I could use a set of doors and fenders for mine. I did find hoods but no other sheet metal.

Nolan, where did you wire in your invertor? The Chinook is all original no modifications have been made. I even have the original wiring diagrams from the factory. Thanks.

I have a group 24 lifeline, 80 amp hours. All I want to do is watch a small tv/DVD player., no other appliences will be used. I have access to an inverter. I just don't know what would be better an inverter or a small generartor. I have seen small 1000watt generators advertized for as little as $99.00 I know that some of these generators are noisy but has anyone tried to muffle these units with any sucess? Thankyou for the help.

Thanks nolan. If I tap into one of the cabin lights with a cig. adapter will I be able to power a TV?, will this power come from my deepcycle battery and will the system recarge itself while I'm driving or plugged into shore power? Or do you have any suggestions on what type of invertor I should by to complement what I all ready have. Thank. I'm going to replace the rad. and water pump!!!

I own a 77 Chinook with the original inverter/converter. I installed a new deep cycle battery, everything works but the 110 plugs on the unit and the counter cabinet. When I plug into 110 with the pigtail everything works fine ie; camper lighting and 110 plugs. When the switch is in the 110 position without 110 coming in nothing is live unit plugs or counter plugs. When I switch to the 12volt the camper lights work but nothing else works (110 plugs). This is the original PCM 15CK Model. Any insight into fixing this problem would be appreciated.

I just put a 77 Chinook on the road that my parents owned and drove up to 1991. I replaced the clutch and did reg. fluid changes and it runs like a top. The only thing that concerns me is the coolent temp. gauge tends to read near the high side of the high temp line. I checked my fan pully and did notice a bit of slop in the waterpump shaft. I think I will change it just to be safe. If you can buy the Chinook for a reasonable price you will not be disapointed. Good luck