Toyota Mini Motorhome

Owning a Toyota mini motorhome is almost a sign of prestige within the RV community today; no longer manufactured, these resilient campers are still desired by many motorhome enthusiasts. During its years of production, the Toyota mini RV emerged in over 50 different styles and models, beginning with the classic Chinook camper. Later models such as the Itasca and Winnebago literally dwarfed the earlier models but remained popular with fans of this type of motorhome.

In the Beginning

Evolving from a model called the Toyota Hilux compact pickup truck, which contained four cylinder engines that operated at the 100-horse power level, Americans first saw the Toyota mini camper in the 1970's. This truck eventually developed into the Tacoma twenty years later, with a V6 available for consumers and a horsepower level around 135.

Accessible to a wide-range of drivers and owners, the mini-model was easy to maneuver – especially when it came to parking; this, along with features such as good gas mileage, contributed to the status of the Toyota mini motorhome. It reached its highest level of popularity during the 1980's, eventually giving rise to larger motorhomes equipped with all the conveniences of home.

Axle Replacement Recall

The 80s saw the body of the mini camper extending almost 22-feet in length, which posed an extreme overload issue for the original half-ton pickup axle. Cited by the U.S. government as a serious safety problem, a recall order was issued in order to replace the insufficient axles. For this reason, enthusiasts often caution those purchasing a Toyota mini camper manufactured from this decade to make sure the axle was replaced, especially given the probability that more than several thousand 1980's Toyota mini motorhomes were not taken to a dealership for axle replacement.

In spite of knowledge associated with the recall, some claim issues leading to the axle recall were a result of people trying to overload their campers in the 1980s. Some fans and owners of older Toyota motorhomes choose to keep the old axles in place, stating they simply do not overtax the vehicle with excessive weight.

Toyota V6

Beginning in 1989, Toyota motorhomes were given V6 engines – proven extremely popular with fans of the camper. They continued to be implemented until the company discontinued manufacturing the model in 1994, with the Winnebago emerging as the last of the Toyota motorhomes.

Lack of Power and the A/C

A typical 1986 Toyota Motorhome Mini Cruiser, such as the Cleveland Westpart model, contains the following specifications:

• Automatic transmission
• R22 fuel injected 4 cylinder
• 18' Long
• One ton axle (6 bolt)
• Sleeps four people
• Two burner stove
• Stainless steel kitchen sink
• Shower/toilet facilities

Dozens of sites, forums and technical journals are available on the Internet for fans of Toyota’s mini camper. For example, if lost the owner's manual to an older model camper, you can probably find it reprinted somewhere on a fan site.

Difficulties related to finding parts for a Toyota mini motorhome depend on the type of part and the make of the camper. Most enthusiasts search for accessories or parts on the internet or ask their local Toyota dealership for tips on where to find parts. The main problem encountered with Toyota campers remains the inability of the axle to safely handle a heavy weight load.

The Toyota Status

Despite the fact that the Toyota mini motorhome is no longer manufactured, many RV-enthusiasts still covet and admire the various models put out by the company. Although issues regarding the strength of the axle resulted in a subsequent recall, the primary complaint of owners is the lack of uphill driving power when running the A/C. Fans and owners still admire the durability and craftsmanship of Toyota motorhomes and utilize Internet groups, forums and websites to communicate as well as locate old parts and manuals.