I spotted this mid-1980s Toyota-based Dolphin RV at a picnic area in Yellowstone, and had to grab a couple of photos, if only to taunt Paul a bit…
This particular rig was in use by a family with three or four young boys. I’ve never poked my head inside one, but if it’s anything like the small-ish Swinger (towed) camper we had growing up, I imagine the rest break was probably well-deserved for Mom and Dad.
From my very quick searching online, it appears that Toyota offered five different floor plans, which were built by a range of “big-name” RV manufacturers. This particular edition probably has less than 100hp under the hood—Toyota was aiming at a niche with this product—compact camping—and going by the avid following these trucks still have today, I think they hit the mark dead on.
Nice. If it’s the V6, it had 150 (tough) hp. The V6 handles these surprisingly well. If it’s the four, not so much so. Patience is the watchword then.
Toyota had nothing to do with these; RV manufacturers just bought the Toyota bare chassis. And then kept putting ever bigger bodies on them. These are actually quite roomy inside. The Sunrader had an excellent fiberglass body, and is still very much in demand, even more so than the Dolphin.
But it all ended badly: the rigs got too big, and the rear axles started breaking up, and folks sued Toyota, even though the total loaded-up weights were well in excess of Toyota’s max weight specs. Toyota stopped selling the bare chassis for that reason. That’s why there’s no newer versions of these: litigation.
There is a Toyota-underpinned RV in my area – now I will have to look at it closer. I remember this chassis under a lot of U-Haul trucks as well. The only Toyota truck I have ever seen with a column-mounted automatic.
Same issue here too. The U-Hauls got overloaded, folks sued, no more bare Toyota chassis for America.
A friend of mine has a 4 cyl Toy with a flat bed. He feels OK loading it medium heavy because the Toyota USA engineer at the time admitted the bearings could handle 11K pounds. However, his normal (ab)use of it is to tow his John Deere A to an annual tractor show about 25 miles away. I’d consider towing bigger loads with the Silvarado, but not a smaller truck–why our Ranger hasn’t worn a hitch in 9 years or so.
Go to Europe and see what is towing what. I have never seen a 6000 lb “truck” with a four foot bed hauling anything outside the USA.
Every time I see one of these rigs I fantisize (engineers can’t spell) about taking one on a solo or significant-other tour of the U.S. west – starting in Michigan. I’d like to hear from experienced road warriors about how they are to live with. I understand the smallish living area, am more interested in how the light Toyopet handles the load and the driving experience.
Some of these are quite roomy inside. They were built in a wide variety of sizes, mostly Dolphin and Sunrader. And the 150hp V6 versions (highly preferred and harder to come by) handle the load quite adequately.
Bill, I’d rather do that trip with my Kawi Concours and a credit card. We just finished a minivan & popup trailer tour of NH and several times I asked my wife:
“Why am I not riding a motorcycle right now down this marvelous road instead of driving a minivan towing a trailer?”
“Because you’re a middle aged Dad”
With that kind of answer, it’s time to look for another wife. One who’s way more motorcycle understanding.
Nah, she’s got her own bike too. We do mc trips as well when we can get kid-sitting, but the minivan and trailer combo are needed for full family adventure.
I drove the smallest version, a 1975 Toyota Chinook with poptop, from 1978 to 1986 for business (advertising sales) and family pleasure trips including camping. It had the 2OR engine (4 cyl) with 4 speed stick and was always a pleasure to drive but especially after 1980 following a complete engine overhaul including larger pistons. I had bought the rig from a private owner that had hauled a fishing boat to Canada with some buddies (not sure how many times) so by the time I got it (with an odometer questionably reading 30,000 miles) the engine was sounding a bit loose and I soon discovered that it was burning a lot of oil. I nursed it along for two years but at 80,000 miles the oil consumption was a quart per 100 miles. I originally paid $5,000 for it so spent another $1200 for a complete engine job and never regretted it. I ran it an additional 180,000 miles after the engine overhaul and only had to give it up due to rust issues. I did have the cab rebuilt about 1984 and stopped using it in the worst northern Ohio winter months but by 1986 the passenger seat was tilted going through the floor and I failed a number of safety checks from a roadside highway patrol check one day. (horn didn’t work, some lights not working, emergency brake didn’t work etc.) Wish I still had it though. My wife and I only had one child so the size of the camper was adequate for us. With the larger pistons and rebuilt engine the little camper became quite the highway cruiser. On the Ohio Turnpike some of the big rigs would pull out to pass me and somehow they could never catch up to me. There was plenty of throttle left when going up hills at 75 mph. We enjoyed several trips in it from Ohio to Florida, once at Christmas time with a small decorated tree on the kitchen counter and the cat always went with us. There was a great place for the litter box under the ice box by the back door because of the step down feature. Such great memories!
Would love to hear more about your $1200 engine replacement as I am currently working on rebuilding my 78′ toyota. She used to have a camper, but the previous owner removed it. That being the case, I am still looking for a camper shell for her as well. Any help and advice is much appreciated!
If anyone is looking for a replacement bare chassis, my now-retired father-in-law has a Sweeper Truck on a ’92 Toyota Dualie set up with a V6/automatic (last year I believe). No rust (SoCal vehicle) garaged every night, he was the owner/operator. Bought it new from the dealer, has owned and maintained it since.
The sweeper part unbolts, so if you have the camper with a rusty or broken Toyota underneath it, he has the replacement truck for you.
Paul, maybe you want it and can get the enterprising bicycle-mounted framer from the Dodge van a few posts back to build you a whole cabin on the back…
How the hell could anyone think it was a good idea to pair the Toyota pick-up powertrains of this era to an RV?
The domestics were better suited to this purpose.
During the early eighties, gas spiked very high. Some folks preferred to get 15mpg instead of 6 or 8. And the V6 version is not underpowered.
I have fond memories of my Grandfather’s Dolphin making the trip to our house for several years. He started out with a Chevy PU with a camper top and gradually moved up to the Dolphin and onto a diesel pusher. He always missed the Dolphin. In fact he often spoke of the trip he made in it up Pikes Peak. Must have been quite a ride to make it up in one of these.
I am thinking of selling my Toyota Dolphin 1982. What do you think I should ask for it?
my son is looking at buying a 1981 4 cylinder toyota dolphin rv.
I was reading your your comments about the 4 cylinder. the person wants 3500.00 dollars . do u think it is a good idea to buy this. your advice would be much appreciated
thanks
just drove my 85 toy gran ville 18,000.miles , just wandering around, love it. Luann
I need to find out what the weight capactity was for the 1978 Toyota Dolphin- 2.2L In-line 4 with the short body. The city seems to think the capacity is 3000 pounds. I know the original pick-up chassis was built for about a 1000 lb load. What I need to know is what is the load weigh after the chassis was modified for the Dolphin. It is critical that I know this as my city passed a law stating that no truck with more than a 3000 lbs load capacity can be parked on residential streets. Please help.
This isn’t exactly what you’re looking for but maybe it’ll help.
http://www.marill.com/toyotarv/Dolphin%20Brochure/dolphin_brochure.htm
I’ve had three different Toyota motorhomes.
The one pictured is a 4 cylinder which does just fine up hills and at freeway speeds especially if it’s a later fuel injected model and geared correctly.
Incredible machines! Now I own a v6 model which has plenty of power but I miss the simplicity of the 4 cylinder in terms of maintenance.
Price varies from $3000-12,000 for a runner depending on many things.