Re: Important answers to newbie questions

A few of us use pop-up screen rooms as an cheap alternative to the 
combo awnings/screen room.  I have this one, often available on Ebay 
for $35-55, including shipping:

http://snipurl.com/ogmn

Advantage vs. combo awning screen room: is that it will fit over even 
the longest state park picnic table; it has no bottom so it will 
easily go right over the table.  Pop-up so quick to set-up.  Makes 
for a great bugless outdoor eating/social area.  

Disadvantage vs. combo awning screen room:  Since it's pop-up it's 
hard to get back into it's compact storage bag (definitely a two-
person Lucy and Ethel job); also has metal spring frame, so it's 
heavier than it looks, probably around 35 lbs.

JeffM 93 Warrior


--- In toyota-campers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Tika" <tika_ee@...> wrote:
>
> --- In toyota-campers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "jrmtj" <jrmtj@> wrote:
> 
> I am about to purchase an 83 and am interested. I have a few 
> questions that I hope you can answer.
> > 1) What size generator to add and what is the quietest one?
> 
> Onan 2800W is the best built-in and also the most expensive ($2500 
at least plus install).
> However the only thing you need a built-in generator for is to run 
your roof a-c while 
> driving.  Other power needs can be met with a hefty inverter and 
dual coach batteries, and 
> perhaps solar panels ($400-$1000 for adding a complete solar 
system).  The least 
> expensive solution is an upgraded power system with a 1500W 
inverter ($100-$200) and 
> dual golf-cart batteries ($150-250) which will even run a 
microwave, coffee maker, or hair 
> dryer for a few minutes.
> 
> Honda portable generators are the quietest.  You'll need a minimum 
of a 2000W portable 
> to run a roof air conditioner when parked ($800 - $1000).  You may 
need a 3000W if your 
> roof a-c is an older model with a high amp startup surge.  
> 
> > 2) Aftermarket dash air?  Which one and the cost of such?
> 
> I have aftermarket dash air and it has never been satisfactory.  Be 
sure to get a system that 
> has a big enough condensor.  Cost will likely be $2000 or so to 
install one.  I would guess 
> that about 85% of used Toyota RVs already have dash air -- 
something you might want to 
> think about.
> 
> > 3) Where to get an awning that isn't too expensive?
> 
> Used awnings are extremely rare.  Awnings that store in a vinyl bag 
are the cheapest.  
> See the one called Campout ($250 - $350) from 
> http://www.CampingWorld.com   
> For longer life get their Horizon model with an aluminum box ($700 -
 $800 installed) 
> depending on length.  
> 
> Campout awnings have an optional matching screen room ($300 - 
$350).  Any other 
> brand of screen room that is not from the same manufacturer (nor 
the same length) as the 
> awning has a very low probability of matching up without any gaps 
for bugs to get in. 
> 
> * * * * *
> My bottom line recommendation is that if cab air conditioning and a 
generator are 
> important to you, don't spend the money to put them into a rig that 
is as old as a 
> '83.  Keep looking for something that is a bit newer, and quite 
likely it will already have 
> cab a-c, and maybe even an awning and a generator if you are 
lucky.  Put that same $4000 
> - $6000 you would need to spend for these things into a motorhome 
that is about 4 - 6 
> years newer.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> Welcome to the group.
> 
> Tika in Southern California
> '86 E-Z Ryder
> '78 Musketeer FOR SALE Cheap & Cute!
>