My first experience with RVing was in 1963 when the vehicle my parents and sister were traveling in had engine problems on Arizona SR 89a which was Mike’s “shortcut suggestion” on our annual pilgrimage from Los Angeles to Virginia to visit family. My Dad traded in the crippled family car in Oklahoma City for a new windowless VW delivery van which he promptly screwed down 2 folding aluminum lawn chairs in the back for my sister and I. Once in Virginia, my father bought and installed 5 square crank out screened windows, 3 on the driver’s side and 1 in each of the passenger’s side rear side doors. This was just the start of his new camper. By next summer it was finished and we never stayed in another motel on Route 66 again.
Having traveled in a “Dad Customized” VW bus camper from age 12 onward, it was not unusual for me to suggest an RVing honeymoon adventure in New Zealand for 5 weeks. Yes, my new wife and I traveled for 2 months in New Zealand in a rented RV. We’re still together and still RVing around the country.
Toy Mike started in the Toyota RV world in 1994 when he purchased a 1981 17 foot RBR Mini Cruiser built on a 2L diesel truck chassis. In 2014 he purchased his second and last Toyota, a 1991 18 foot Sunrader.
Always an active online participant, he joined the toyota-campers yahoo group soon after it started in 2000, becoming co-owner. This active Toyota RV owners email list is still online and holds a wealth of information having over 40,000 topics, hundreds of files, manuals, and how to repair tips.
Comments Off on About the Toy Man