We have a new addition in the neighborhood CC fleet. It’s been parked regularly on my walking route to our nearby corner market, which has a great offering of normal groceries as well as bulk items, organic groceries, and a huge selection of herbs, vitamins and alternative health products. This camper fits in well on that block. And it runs, as I’ve seen it driving in town a few times.
I’d never heard of this brand before, but as always the Internet provided some info. Sandtana was a Southern California company, in business from about 1982 to 1985, using Toyota and Chevy S10 pickups. There’s even a Sandtana owners’ website but it appears to be mostly the work of one person. The four year model offering straddled the Toyota pickup model change which occured here in the US for the ‘84 model year.
Our neighborhood Sandtana is an ‘84 or ‘85; perhaps a resident Toyota guru can help narrow that down. All I know is that without EFI badging it could be either year, as EFI was an 1985 option only for SR5 trim levels which this definitely is not. The brochure pages show a 1983. There’s a long list of options but unfortunately the resolution of these images only let me pick out 4wd and automatic transmission.
The interior fabrics are straight out of the sixties, which of course is to be expected as the RV industry is usually a decade or two behind the times.
Here’s an S10 version, which had been for sale in British Columbia five years ago. Note the stylish wire wheel covers in front. Not to mention the other CC photobombing the shot.
The ad photos show the interior pass through. As should be expected, the Tilt-Top used basic wood and fiberglass construction, with a bit of aluminum trim, and several posts describe making repairs to rotting and delaminating body panels. But in our town, which has a handful of regularly driven Toyota Chinooks and Sunraders, the Sandtana with a D is a welcome addition to our streetscape.
Very interesting; thanks.
On first read I thought that these might put quite a strain on a Toyota pickup of that vintage, so I did some quick research. Curb weight on these pickups was about 2500 lbs, but they were rated for up to 5000. The 22R engine put out 97 hp in standard (non-FE) trim; according to Wiki output was upped to 114 for 1985, in non- FE trim. So, it looks like the camper company chose well.
Very interesting build. The canvas & tilt mechanism kind of erase the advantage of the fibreglass, and they seem to need a little more tire back there in the rear.
I was also hoping the circle on the hood was a giant Steal Your Face logo, but alas no.
Not sure if the bungie cord keeps the hood down or the bumper in place. Also see a steering wheel lock. Therefore, the family must think it has value.
Today, Class “B” RVs are converted vans. Class “C” has morphed into mobile condos on wheels. A small RV like above would be appreciated.
I’ve seen a lot of these Toyota-based campers, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these. I rather like it; better than average.
Seems a bit longer than what I’ve seen, and with more overhang in back. But I like that pop top! Seems a bit much for the little 4 banger, but the genre is slow and the small Toyo engines do have a good reputation.
Executive summary: I like it!