Palfreyman Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 Will be taking possession of this later this week.... What is it? I know it's a 1982 Toyota, and that is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 That's a “Rader” (built by Monterey Leisure, who also built Sunraders in Elkhart, IN). You should check behind the rear hub caps to see if it has a 'full floating' axle installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfreyman Posted September 29, 2016 Author Share Posted September 29, 2016 I'm picking this up today, and taking it to my mechanic for an eval... It's supposedly only got 26K miles... I'm paying $600 for it. Good deal if it runs, I think... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted September 29, 2016 Share Posted September 29, 2016 (edited) 6 minutes ago, Palfreyman said: I'm picking this up today, and taking it to my mechanic for an eval... It's supposedly only got 26K miles... I'm paying $600 for it. Good deal if it runs, I think... If its got the 5 digit odometer it could be 126K or 226K. They reset to zero after 99,999 miles. Edited September 29, 2016 by fred heath Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunkaman Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 hi and welcome to the wide, wide world of toyota motorhomes. i am a relative new owner myself. i bought mine just over a year ago. if i may offer some advice ? first of all, this site is invaluable for help of any kind regarding these units. I have found the people here have a vast store house of experience and knowledge they freely share. secondly, you will find that you will be required to invest in your rig. in the sense that this is a "motor" home, just as your house needs updates and repairs so goes with your rig. initially it seems all you do is replace parts or repair things, but once you get past that part you really enjoy and have pride in your rig. your profile states you are from ohio, where exactly? i wish you well and please use this forum for help and sharing. joe from dover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfreyman Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Hello Joe from Dover, I'm Paul, and I'm in the Columbus area... I've got this Toyota RV at the mechanics now being evaluated.. After I get that info, I'll get the priorities figured out on what I need to do from an mechanical/automotive standpoint. I'm also prepared to strip the interior to the frame and rebuild from the ground up. My wife, before she became disabled, was an architect, and we've got a basement/garage filled with various samples of flooring, tiles, counter-top material, etc... and the samples will be perfect for doing up the so-small interior of this RV. We also have to remodel the interior to take my wife's disability (and my coming disabilities) into account. We're gonna take the over-cab bed area and make that storage, and turn the rear couch/dining area into a sleeping area she can get into.. the rest of the interior is up for discussion at this time though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Make sure you ask the mechanic about the rear axle. It needs to be a 6 lug full float Toyota axle and it had to have been upgraded for that. Very important. Make sure your mechanic knows what that is. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palfreyman Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Linda, I've researched the axle a bit.. since mine in the 17.5" foot version, it's not got the weight/stress on the rear axle that the other, bigger models do.. Still, the mechanic was instructed to pay particular attention to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 What makes you think yours is a 17.5 foot version. Motorhomes are measured from bumper to bumper not just the coach. Yours is a full sized Toyota motorhome and even the little ones like mine, a real 18 footer can break axles. One of our members 18 foot Sunrader broke an axle driving down the highway. If yours hasn't been upgraded it has the fake duallies that are the real cause of the problem. They put uneven stress on the bearings. If yours was a little one I might suggest single wheels in the back but yours isn't. Only a full float axle will do. Here are the model numbers for a Rader motorhome from 1982. All are listed as 20 ft 6 inches http://www.rvvaluesonline.com/Navigation.do?product=RVBB&yearId=1982&year=1982&manufacturerId=1631&manufacturer=SUNRADER&modelId=84508&model=RADER+MINI+MOTORHOMES Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Yep, that sure doesn't look like 17.5' to my eyes. Plus the recall makes no mention of the length or weight, just all those fitted with foolies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bicoastal eric Posted October 5, 2016 Share Posted October 5, 2016 (edited) At $600 if it runs its a great deal. But as others have said. It MUST have a 6 lug axle to be safe and anyone who says otherwise has wrong information. This is regardless of size. And regarding size, it looks like a 21' model. And once you start adding tile and ramps, it will be heavy. Even if it's a 17.5' model, the fake dualies aka foolies are an inherently bad design added by coach manufacturers, not Toyota. If you can cut allot of weight, and it truly only has 26k miles, you could conceivably remove the outer wheel and put on D load tires on it. But that means no water tank and drastically cutting weight, not adding weight. Good luck, it will be a rewarding project. Edited October 5, 2016 by bicoastal eric Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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