After a couple years of thinking about an RV and it's many uses, we're happy to announce it's finally become a reality for us (see our banner pic above). We had many visions of what the RV would look like with so many varieties out there today. After considering many variables, three basic qualities rose to the surface in terms of what we would truly need...1.) Fuel efficiency 2.) Reliability 3.) Does it fit our budget?
Sure, there are bigger RVs out there but they only get 7-11mpg at best. There are also very fuel efficient diesel RVs out there but even a used one will cost over $50k. At one time we even looked at VW Camper Vans but realized we wanted something fully self-contained (stove, shower, toilet, bed, fridge, furnace). That's when we began researching Toyota RVs. Believe it or not, there's a whole culture devoted to these little guys. We scoured places like Craigslist and a few sites devoted to just Toyotas. We finally came across one in Pasadena, CA that looked to be in excellent condition for a 1990 (1994 is the last year Toyota made an RV). When we called the seller, little did we know we would be talking with a TRUE expert on all things Toyota RV.
Marilee proceeded to tell us the RV we were interested in had recently been sold. To be honest, it was a bit out of our price range anyway. She then told us she had another one she and her father had been working to restore for over a year and were ready to sell. We would later find out she's had a hand in "rescuing and restoring" 52 Toyota RVs over the years! This makes her one of half a dozen people around the country with such a passion for these particular RVs. After going through 63 online pictures of this 1986 Toyota EZ-Ryder while talking to us on the phone, we were sold. Marilee and her husband Tom also drive the same year & model and have enjoyed many years in theirs. This gave us some added incentive as we gave her a deposit for this 25 year-old "Toy-House" as they're sometimes called.
After flying out to LAX, I (CJ) was able to stay with Tom & Marilee and get a day and a half tutorial on how everything in the RV works. Marilee also tells all of her buyers that they'll continue to get customer support if we ever have any questions. I told her she'll most likely be getting calls from us since we're newbies in the RV scene. After giving her the remaining balance (selling our Chevy Colorado helped) and signing the necessary paper work, I couldn't believe I was driving down the road in our own RV! Anytime you envision something for any length of time and it finally becomes reality can be a surreal feeling.
After speaking at two different southern California schools, I began the nearly 2500mi drive back to Findlay, OH. What a way to break in a vehicle! And this RV is certainly still in the "breaking-in" stage with only 22k original miles on the engine (4cyl Automatic). I was able to average over 16mpg which is what Marilee said it would get. This is one of the primary reasons these used RVs are in such high demand with gas prices the way they are.
My route took me through Barstow, CA where I took I-40 eastward through Flagstaff, AZ (where it was snowing!), Albuquerque, NM, and Amarillo, TX. Once in Oklahoma, I took I-44 through Tulsa until reaching St. Louis, MO where I took I-70 all the way to Dayton, OH before taking I-75 the final 100 miles home. The day after arriving home, I would read about the devastating tornado that hit Joplin, MO. I had to count my blessings since I had stayed in a Sam's Club parking lot in Joplin a mere 30hrs before the tornado hit. It's sobering to think of those who lost their lives and the families grieving that loss as I write this.
As for any issues with the RV, I noticed a couple minor leaks after going through a fairly lengthy rain storm between Barstow & Flagstaff. Fortunately, I was able to have some guys in Albuquerque do some sealing that kept things dry the rest of the way. Part of routine maintenance with any RV, regardless of year is having the roof sealed every 6 months to a year. These houses on wheels take a beating between roads & weather. Engine-wise, the RV drove very well and gave me no problems in that area.
One of the primary reasons for getting this RV is to use it in ministry and ease the travel expense burden for schools & churches who want to bring us in to speak. By traveling in an RV, we'll be able to plant ourselves in various regions for an extended period of time and minister in those areas before moving on to another region. This will maximize our time to allow schools, churches and camps to invite us while we're in their area. With the possibility of renting out our house in Findlay, we would truly be considered "tramps" for the Lord.
I leave you with this...
