It?s been nearly 20 years since Toyota decided to quit manufacturing their light duty pickup cab and chassis platform. When Toyota stopped making these little uility trucks, that brought an end to a quirky ? yet very functional ? mini-motorhome based on the truck. Yet the end of the little Toyota cab and chassis pickup hasn?t slowed the enthusiasm for Toyota mini-motorhomes.
The Toyota mini motorhome or Toyhome, was a unique marriage of a small Toyota pickup and an RV. At the time and even now, it is beloved for its small size, durable construction, and an engine that doesn?t quit. They also boast remarkable fuel efficiency, with owners reporting 14-18mpg. That rating sharply contrasts with the gas mileage that large motorhomes typically get, which can range from as little as 3mpg to as much as 10mpg. Toss in the fact that this motorhome is small enough to park anywhere, and you have a recipe for a very popular little vehicle. To this day, these are sought after RVs.
Of course, there are some drawbacks to these efficient little motorhomes ? namely, horsepower. Driving one of these Toyhomes up a mountain pass reminds drivers of The Little Engine That Could, a children?s story about a tough little train slowly chugging it?s way up a hill. The problem? The Toyhome?s four-cylinder engine produces just about 100 horsepower. This is barely enough power for a small truck, let alone one that has an RV sitting on top of it?so driving it means you might take a little longer to get where you?re going.
In stark contrast to the American desire of bigger recreational vehicles, this little motorhome is perfect for one or a couple looking to get out there. It isn?t roomy by any means, but it is very practical. There were five main floor plans that were built by a variety of RV companies, many of which are still building RVs. These contracted companies included:
Even though it has been so long since the last Toyota mini-motorhome rolled off the assembly line, there are many used models still for sale according to several enthusiasts. They say there are several in the Northwest, Northeast and Florida. Ebay is also a great place to look for these relatively rare vehicles.
During the RV craze of the 70?s and 80?s, the Toyota mini-motorhome was a practical, fuel efficient, and inexpensive RV that challenged the notion ?bigger is better.? A unique little piece of automotive history, don?t you think?
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Author Jason Lancaster is editor of TundraHeadquarters.com, a website dedicated to the Toyota Tundra that occasionally dabbles in Toyota history. To learn more about the Toyota mini-motorhome and to see some more pictures, click here.
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