Looking for input from experienced owners

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Greetings! I'm a noob here, but hope to someday be a meaningful contributor. My wife has decided that we will be migrating from trailer camping to owning a Toyota based RV. Whatever makes her happy and coming along. We spend most of our camping time in the eastern Sierras (Bishop/Lone Pine, etc) and have to travel up the 15 freeway from San Diego and then up some of the serious grades (8% to 11%) up to our favorite trout fishing streams and backpacking trailheads. Altitudes upwards of 6K to 8K. Cost is a factor, so I am looking at older (1975 to 85) Dolphins as they are about what I can get into now. My basic questions surround the engines and the ability to get up a serious hill. Can the 20r and 22r 4cyls in the older Toyota's get up a hill? If I need a six cylinder, could I pull a small vehicle behind? We usually set-up camp for 7 to 14 days. Trips into town are required and I am not sure I want to drive the RV up and down the hill every day. If anyone gets where I am coming from and can offer some experience I would treasure it. I am an automotive technician and can fix and maintain all of the systems in the RV, so little issues don't worry me so much, nor even serious mechanical failures, it's the bigger questions of "will one of these things get us where we need to go" Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[MontanaChinook]

Four cylinder will make it up any hill no problem. But if you want to tow a car behind?.. Either V6, or get a non Toyota motorhome. It can be done, but it's asking a lot, even of a V6. Especially the 3.slow.

Oh, and V6 became available in 86, so you'll need to change your criteria a bit.

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Thanks Zach!

[Derek up North]

... V6 became available in 86 ...

1989

[waiter]

4 banger will make it just about anywhere you want to go, it just won't do it very fast. :-)

Your really pressing your luck towing anything, particular when you talk about uphill.

Look around, a late 80's model won't set you back that much more than an early 80s. Plus you know you have the 1 ton floating axle and EFI.

Just do a good pre-purchase and look for the usual problems.

John Mc

88 Dolphin 4 Auto

[Maineah]

Can't tow any car with any Toyota motor home, well you can but no one involved will be happy. It won't stop it and you'll only be able to climb hills in low gear even with the 6.

[MontanaChinook]

1989

You are correct(er)! Looks like it was 88.

[Derek up North]

I know of no Toyota Motorhomes with the V6 before the new cab design in 1989. I'm no Toyota expert, but I've read on the 'net (which I'm always suspicious of) that the V6 was available in the Pickup before that, but I've never checked further.

EDIT:-

"The 3VZ-E was also introduced for the 1988 model year on Toyota 4x4 pickups and the 4-Runner."

Source: http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article/2496/rebuilding_the_toyota_30l_v6.aspx

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging news. I was a bit skeptical as I don't recall seeing any older Toyota RVs where we go. There must be some other reason....

[MontanaChinook]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging news. I was a bit skeptical as I don't recall seeing any older Toyota RVs where we go. There must be some other reason....

Dirt roads? High clearance dirt roads? Or just steep hills? What kind of motorhomes do you see where you go?

[linda s]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging news. I was a bit skeptical as I don't recall seeing any older Toyota RVs where we go. There must be some other reason....

I've been up there at least 3 or 4 times in my Sunrader 4 banger. It's the small one but I have to go the hard way over Tioga Pass. 395 is a much easier grade. Used to have family who lived near Crowley lake As to what you should buy just remember the cheaper it is almost always means the more work it needs. Cheaper is not always cheaper

Linda S

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Dirt roads? High clearance dirt roads? Or just steep hills? What kind of motorhomes do you see where you go?

Paved, just some steep grades. See everything from older Class Cs (with huge, gas guzzling V8s) Big 5th wheels bulled by one ton trucks to diesel pushers, just no older Toyotas. Getting up to some of our our favorite spots, my 2002 Astro Van can barely pull my 19ft trailer up the hill at 10 to 15 mph, borrowed a 5.8l F150 and it pulled it up the hill at about 25-30, so vehicles that seem to have sufficient power don't fly up the hill. Of course, they are pulling their weight plus the weight of my trailer.

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

what are you going to use for your toad....ie tow car?

Don't have one yet. If I do get a 6 cyl for sure it would be something small, would love a Suzuki Samurai but don't see to many of those anymore. Perhaps small older (80s) Hyundai or Toyota. Suggestions?

I've been up there at least 3 or 4 times in my Sunrader 4 banger. It's the small one but I have to go the hard way over Tioga Pass. 395 is a much easier grade. Used to have family who lived near Crowley lake As to what you should buy just remember the cheaper it is almost always means the more work it needs. Cheaper is not always cheaper

Linda S

Agree with this 100% There is a saying in the BMW world... "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW" Plus, my limited free time is precious, so time spent "refurbishing" = time not spent vacationing.

Not to go to far off-topic, but how big a deal is the "floating" rear axle thing? Will the wheel really come of and potentially expose my family or someone else to harm, or will the wheel bearing just fail and I'll be on the side of the road? I've read the PDF here on the site, wondering how much of an issue it really is?

[Bob C]

If the axle fails on a non-floating axle, the wheel falls off. The vehicle then drops to the ground on that side and skids to a stop. You can sort of point where you want the vehicle to go, but it is not safe in any way. I was riding in my friends '66 chevy when the axle broke and the car was all over the road until it eventually came to rest in the ditch. We were lucky not to have killed someone. That car only weighed about 3000 pounds. My RV weighs 6000 pounds and is very top heavy.

[linda s]

Yes it is a very big deal. If you look at one older than 1986 you must be sure it has been upgraded. Where is this camping spot. Wonder if I have been there.

Linda S

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

If the axle fails on a non-floating axle, the wheel falls off. The vehicle then drops to the ground on that side and skids to a stop. You can sort of point where you want the vehicle to go, but it is not safe in any way. I was riding in my friends '66 chevy when the axle broke and the car was all over the road until it eventually came to rest in the ditch. We were lucky not to have killed someone. That car only weighed about 3000 pounds. My RV weighs 6000 pounds and is very top heavy.

Yikes!

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Yes it is a very big deal. If you look at one older than 1986 you must be sure it has been upgraded. Where is this camping spot. Wonder if I have been there.

Linda S

Thanks, Ill make sure to make that a key consideration.

Been visiting Sage Flats campground on Big Pine Creek for several years now. We go with several families. Glacier Lodge Rd up out of Big Pine is tough. Also enjoy 4 Jeffries outside of Biishop. Similar hill getting up there and up to lake Sabrina.

[linda s]

Thanks, Ill make sure to make that a key consideration.

Been visiting Sage Flats campground on Big Pine Creek for several years now. We go with several families. Glacier Lodge Rd up out of Big Pine is tough. Also enjoy 4 Jeffries outside of Biishop. Similar hill getting up there and up to lake Sabrina.

I have been to Lake Sabrina in my camper. very slow but no real problems. You really need a v6 though. I know the other roads are tougher. It's the end of the summer and you could get lucky and find one for about 5 to 6 grand

Linda S

[linda s]

Here ya go. More than enough power to climb any hill and the low price makes it worth the flight to go and pick it up. Of course it's now really a Chevy but looks like a Toyota

http://enid.craigslist.org/rvs/4054859719.html

Linda S

[Maineah]

Don't have one yet. If I do get a 6 cyl for sure it would be something small, would love a Suzuki Samurai but don't see to many of those anymore. Perhaps small older (80s) Hyundai or Toyota. Suggestions?

Agree with this 100% There is a saying in the BMW world... "there is nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW" Plus, my limited free time is precious, so time spent "refurbishing" = time not spent vacationing.

Not to go to far off-topic, but how big a deal is the "floating" rear axle thing? Will the wheel really come of and potentially expose my family or someone else to harm, or will the wheel bearing just fail and I'll be on the side of the road? I've read the PDF here on the site, wondering how much of an issue it really is?

Another little interesting thing when the axle breaks not only do you loses the wheel you also lose the brake drum meaning no rear brakes to add to all of the fun. Yes it was a big deal on all of the full size Toyota MH's. Old Chevys rears just came apart literally and the axles walked out tire and all in one nice piece!

[aintgotnodolphinyet]

Here ya go. More than enough power to climb any hill and the low price makes it worth the flight to go and pick it up. Of course it's now really a Chevy but looks like a Toyota

http://enid.craigslist.org/rvs/4054859719.html

Linda S

Very interesting. I'll have to look into what it would take to get it smogged in California....

[Nam]

As far as I know, if the engine came from a newer model year, CARB will issue the sticker provided that it was done correctly. But what's the point of getting a Chevota? Not gas mileage, service is going to be a headache and so is reliability.

Just like everyone said, towing isn't an option with Toy homes, I wouldn't plan on it unless it's a light motorcyle.

V6 is what you'll need. I've seen V6 in around the $5k range with the 340E tranny. 4-cyl will also get you there...at about the same time actually. Advange of the 4-Cyld is parts and aftermarket parts are more abundant than the V6s.

The shorties V6 seems to have little less weight and handles a little better IMO

Only full floating axel (6 bolts) would be acceptable

Very interesting. I'll have to look into what it would take to get it smogged in California....