greetings from a "homeless" full time RV'er

[ugr]

Hello there!

I'm driving one of those Toyota 22RE motorhomes full-time, and working on getting my gas mileage up. It varies wildly, but I've never seen better than 15 and I know it can do better. I've already purchased an MPGuino, and I enjoy "playing the game" with the AI and gas mileage gauge whenever I drive, say, a Prius, so I plan to eventually rebuild my dash using that and a Raspberry Pi to get all kinds of data and also make my driving more efficient + comfortable. Solar is also on the list. It might result in my truck looking like the Delorean from Back to the Future, we'll see.

I'm not computer stupid but I am a little car-stupid, so I still need to figure out how to hook some of these things up. I don't really live anywhere, but I'm kinda near DC a lot, helping with stuff in Maryland and Delaware. If anyone wants to jump on this project or see it ever, drop me a note!

[California98Civic]

Like this one?

[ugr]

very similar! mine is a coachmen offshoot with a much more pointy body. 20 feet long. also, if I had to guess, that's the V6 toyota front end on a mini-winnie, mine's (as dictated by 22RE) the lowly 4cyl 2.4.

[Daox]

Welcome to the site!

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by ugr

... the lowly 4cyl 2.4.

Manual transmission?

[Stubby79]

Didn't those little toyota's come (optionally) with a small diesel?

[ugr]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Manual transmission?

4spd OD. Switching to manual has been considered, but I'm really poor. I think what I might do instead is implement my own cruise control using the aforementioned Raspberry Pi, once I discover what works best in driving it.

[ugr]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Didn't those little toyota's come (optionally) with a small diesel?

I've heard of people on YotaTech doing diesel swaps on their Truck/Hilux/4Runner (I think with the L series?) but I haven't ever heard of someone that's done it with their RV. I always see 20R (in 70s models like the Chinook), 22R in the models immediately following that including some early Dolphins, 22RE easily most common, and late 80s models and up with the 3VZE. I did a lot of research on whether I should get a 4 or a 6; generally speaking there's a tiny bit more torque and hp in the V6, and a tiny bit better FE with the 4cyl. So I went with the 4cyl and figured I could deal with going slow uphill.

I figure I should mention that much like my comment about a trans swap above, an engine swap is not really in the cards, really any modifcation to the vehicle that is gonna cost me more than a few hundred dollars is just not in my budget.

[slowmover]

A truck is a truck.

A typical Class C of the late 1980s was 7-9/mpg. So your little box is already “there” as per its specification. Double that of competition that though larger didn’t offer much more except space.

1). New shock absorbers
2). Examine tie rod ends, front end, etc.
3). Adjust out any steering slop at dead-center
4). Exhaust back pressure check.
5). Brake drag
6). Alignment

There’s more, but you’re strapped for now. Must mean California or PAC-Coast. Best is to leave for a better place.

The Moho penalty is in acceleration. Not enough engine. It’s only “right” on the highway. And then at a steady-state 1980s 50-55/mph. Burns too much fuel any faster as it’s working too hard.

The sweet spot isn’t anything but use. Planned use. Moving it as little as possible. And then when traffic is lightest.

As the cost of ground rent is higher than fuel cost, learning to accept what this vehicle, is best. The focus should be on reliability. All new fluids, hoses, belts, filters, spark plugs & wires. New battery & starter cables. NEW VEHICLE GROUNDS. Exterior lamps to LED (priority).

Tire selection should be consultation with dealers. Tread design will matter.

If this vehicle is being used daily to commute and it’s seeing 15-mpg, you’re doing well.

Find schematic and get vehicle electrical grounds REPLACED (or at least cleaned & re-secured). Add a few across doors and hood.

[ugr]

Front end is in good shape, as is alignment and brakes. Haven't checked out the exhaust or the shocks, but I haven't experienced any problems with that. I see people getting 18-20 so I am not shooting for crazy numbers, just a little bit higher...