Toyota RV

Toyota sold their chassis to many RV manufactures between 1970 and 1995.  National RV of Californian made several versions of the Dolphin with different floor plans (200, 400, 500, 900)was manufactured by National RV of California. (They are no longer in business).

Mechanical:

My 1988 model Dolphin is based on a Toyota 1 ton pickup chassis. This chassis has the floating (dully) rear axle that is mandatory for any Toyota based RV. Empty weight for the Dolphin is approximately 5,700 lbs.

The truck has a 4 cylinder 22RE (Electronic Fuel Injected) and a 3 speed automatic transmission, with Over Drive.

Fuel mileage varies significantly with speed, winds, hilly vs flat, and altitude.  Typical mileage at 55 – 60 mph will be between 12 – 16 mpg.

It has a standard 17 gallon fuel tank, which gives it a comfortable highway range of about 200 miles, and a little over 3 hours of travel time.

Sleeping arrangements:

The Dolphin will sleep two average adults comfortably.

2 Adults in the cab-over (the extension that sticks out over the truck cab)

1 Adult on the couch (folds out to single size)

1 – 2 children on the table (table leg removed and sleeping on table/bench seats)

Accessories:

Furnace (Propane and 12 volts)

Stove / Oven – 4 burner

Refrigerator – 110 volts / Propane

Water Heater – propane (6 Gal)

Air Conditioner – OPTIONAL – Mine is not equipped with a coach A/C unit.

Generator (110volts) – OPTIONAL – Mine is not equipped with a generator.

Kitchen Sink, Bathroom sink, Shower, toilet.

17 Gal Fresh water holding tank with 12 volt pump.

17 Gal Gray water holding tank (Kitchen sink, Shower waste water)

19 Gal Black water holding tank (Toilet, bath sink)

Water source can be the internal holding tank, or an external “City Water” connection (Garden hose)

Horizontal LP removable tank (5 gal)

Electrical System:

12 Volts DC (12 Vdc)

The 12Vdc system is split, one system is the standard Truck 12Vdc, and the other is the Coach 12Vdc system. The Coach has its own battery that is seperate (and isolated) from the truck battery.

These two system are seperate when the truck is turned off, and are tied together when the truck is running. When running, the truck Alternator supplies 12Vdc to the coach, and also re-charges the coach battery.

When the Coach is plugged into “Shore Power” (110 Vac) there is a power supply called a “Converter” that supplies 12Vdc to the Coach and also re-charges the Coach battery.

The Coach lights, furnace blower, Stove Hood light and blower,  Water pump, and some roof vents are all powered by 12Vdc.

110 Volts AC (110Vac)

The 110 Vac system feeds several outlets, the Refrigerator, the 12 volt converter, provides power to the Coach Air Conditioner (if installed) and also some styles of roof vents.

There are two sources of 110 Vac power, “Shore Power” is when the the RV is plugged into external 110 volts service, and, if the optional generator is installed.

INVERTER –  I have installed a high power (1500 watts)  inverter in my RV.  The Inverter takes 12 Vdc and converts it to 110 Vac. The inverter can supply a modified sine wave 110 Vac.  I’ve installed several outlets that get their power from this inverter.  This allows me to operate 110 Volt appliances when not plugged into shore power.