We have owned 5 toyota motorhomes and our current model is a 1993 Dolphin 900. All these (5) RV's had the sagging roof. The current model 900 seems to be like your Dolphin in that the roof around the air conditioner doesn't seem to be sagging. Thanks for showing the metal framing in that area. However, the roof is sagging approximately in line with the side door of the coach (about 5' forward of the air conditioner). Sagging enough to pool water about 1-2 inches deep when on a level parking surface. Your video shows the roof rafter framing pieces to be smaller dimensional wood (1' x 1" ?) and spaced pretty far apart (?' on center) resting on top of the wall framing. No wonder these roofs sagged. I hope to pull these sagging areas up by installing steel metal cross members (L shaped 2" x 2" ?) across the roof which will rest on the outer walls. From inside the coach I will bolt a wooden board (3/4" x 6") up through the roof and through the new metal cross braces. Tightening the bolts should pull the ceiling back up to raise the roof/ceiling surface. I hope the through-the- roof method won't leak after using self-leveling lap sealant where the bolts penetrate the roof and maybe butyl tape under other cross member points of connection (like on top of the side wall connection). Would you advise resting the metal frame directly onto the aluminum roof and using butyl across the whole joint or raising the metal pieces up above the aluminum roof material? Do you think wind noise is going to be a problem? Thanks for your video.
Hi guys, thank you so much posting. You two have shaped my inspiration to get back on the Dolphin project. I bought my Toyota back in the summer of 2020. Life caught up with me and it's been sitting since December 2020 with 1/2 of the interior ripped out and the passenger side wall stripped all the way from the entire front wall of the over cab to the back closet. Needless to say, I thought I had either outgrown or taken on a project well out of my scope. Specifically, during a busy last year and a half of buying a home, starting a new job, and getting engaged. My now fiance and I have been discussing full-timing it in a 5th wheel or towable trailer once she has graduated from her nursing program. She would do travel nursing and I would leave my 9-5 corporate job that sucks the soul out of me and get back into freelancing, yoga, and music. After looking into these options for the last 3-4 months whilst deliberately ignoring the Toyota at my family member's house falling apart, I found myself still not truly enthralled with any of the vehicles out there on the market. I kept searching for the perfect layout and it finally hit me. Toyota's are the most majestic, motorhome creatures in the sea of the highways. I immediately took the time to find a lot near to where I moved that I would be able to store the Dolphin while building out. I went up to see her this weekend for the first time in several months. I spent all morning doing some routine checks with the engine before trying to start, installed a new battery, turned the engine by hand etc. and the Dolphin actually started with little to no problems. It sat for a total of 20 months. These machines are absolute monsters. I have a 1988 Dolphin w/ 22re as well. Anyways, yeah you guys completely inspired me to get back on the project. I'll update you in a year with progress haha. THANK YOU!
The Toyota motorhomes really are perfect for longer-term travels; they are bigger than the sprinter vans, yet they still fit in almost all parking spots (this has been extremely nice for visiting the downtown area's of larger cities). Congratulations! I'm so glad we inspired you to get back to building our your RV, that was the goal of these videos 😊
I wonder if he is nuts, and she encourages him being nuts but that was great effort and staying together through a major project.
We have owned 5 toyota motorhomes and our current model is a 1993 Dolphin 900. All these (5) RV's had the sagging roof. The current model 900 seems to be like your Dolphin in that the roof around the air conditioner doesn't seem to be sagging. Thanks for showing the metal framing in that area. However, the roof is sagging approximately in line with the side door of the coach (about 5' forward of the air conditioner). Sagging enough to pool water about 1-2 inches deep when on a level parking surface. Your video shows the roof rafter framing pieces to be smaller dimensional wood (1' x 1" ?) and spaced pretty far apart (?' on center) resting on top of the wall framing. No wonder these roofs sagged. I hope to pull these sagging areas up by installing steel metal cross members (L shaped 2" x 2" ?) across the roof which will rest on the outer walls. From inside the coach I will bolt a wooden board (3/4" x 6") up through the roof and through the new metal cross braces. Tightening the bolts should pull the ceiling back up to raise the roof/ceiling surface. I hope the through-the- roof method won't leak after using self-leveling lap sealant where the bolts penetrate the roof and maybe butyl tape under other cross member points of connection (like on top of the side wall connection). Would you advise resting the metal frame directly onto the aluminum roof and using butyl across the whole joint or raising the metal pieces up above the aluminum roof material? Do you think wind noise is going to be a problem? Thanks for your video.
This is awesome. I'm about to start my own renovation on a 1980 toyota heritage. It has the double rear axles I'm supe excited.
Hi guys, thank you so much posting. You two have shaped my inspiration to get back on the Dolphin project. I bought my Toyota back in the summer of 2020. Life caught up with me and it's been sitting since December 2020 with 1/2 of the interior ripped out and the passenger side wall stripped all the way from the entire front wall of the over cab to the back closet. Needless to say, I thought I had either outgrown or taken on a project well out of my scope. Specifically, during a busy last year and a half of buying a home, starting a new job, and getting engaged. My now fiance and I have been discussing full-timing it in a 5th wheel or towable trailer once she has graduated from her nursing program. She would do travel nursing and I would leave my 9-5 corporate job that sucks the soul out of me and get back into freelancing, yoga, and music. After looking into these options for the last 3-4 months whilst deliberately ignoring the Toyota at my family member's house falling apart, I found myself still not truly enthralled with any of the vehicles out there on the market. I kept searching for the perfect layout and it finally hit me. Toyota's are the most majestic, motorhome creatures in the sea of the highways. I immediately took the time to find a lot near to where I moved that I would be able to store the Dolphin while building out. I went up to see her this weekend for the first time in several months. I spent all morning doing some routine checks with the engine before trying to start, installed a new battery, turned the engine by hand etc. and the Dolphin actually started with little to no problems. It sat for a total of 20 months. These machines are absolute monsters. I have a 1988 Dolphin w/ 22re as well. Anyways, yeah you guys completely inspired me to get back on the project. I'll update you in a year with progress haha. THANK YOU!
The Toyota motorhomes really are perfect for longer-term travels; they are bigger than the sprinter vans, yet they still fit in almost all parking spots (this has been extremely nice for visiting the downtown area's of larger cities).
Congratulations! I'm so glad we inspired you to get back to building our your RV, that was the goal of these videos 😊
I just bought an 88 Toyota coachmen. Glad you guys did a video! Worried I might be looking at the same thing. Maybe not as bad.. hopefully, lol.
Going to be sick! Following along!
Thanks for following!!
Superb👍
Love from NILAMBUR safari ❤️❤️
Can I ask how much you paid for this unit?
Yeah, it was $4,500