FTC Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this article for more information, visit our Advertising Disclosure Page.

Can My 1988 Dolphin Motorhome Go Any Faster Than 55 MPH?

by Anonymous

Can My 1988 Dolphin Motorhome Go Any Faster Than 55 MPH?

Can My 1988 Dolphin Motorhome Go Any Faster Than 55 MPH?

Can I get it to go faster?

ANSWER: Hi thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

Let The Good Sam Extended Service Plan Pay Your RV Repair Bills

Ok first thing your Toyota Dolphin Mini-Motorhome is not limited to 55 miles per hour. That being said; there are a some factors that could be limiting how fast it can go. These mini-motorhomes were never designed to be speed demons. Even when it was brand new it would be slow in climbing hills etc.

When manufactured these mini-motorhomes ranged from 10 feet to 23 feet in length. The longer and heavier the motorhome is the less responsive it will be to accelerating climbing hills etc.

I have listed a few things below that you can do that may help in getting your Dolphin Mini-Motorhome up to speed.

Tune Her Up

The engine in your motorhome is around 25 years old and if you are not the original owner you cannot tell how well the engine was maintained, so the first thing you should do is get a tune-up. Even with a tune-up, the motorhome may not be as perky as it was when it was new.

Put Her On a Diet

As I stated earlier the more weight you carry the less power your motorhome will have to accelerate and maintain speed. Take a stroll through your motorhome and see if you have excess items that you are taking with you and eliminate as much as you can.

If you are planning to stay at an RV Park or Resort that has water hookups; there is no need to fill up the freshwater tank on the motorhome. Always completely dump your holding tanks before leaving on a trip this will also help reduce your motorhome's weight.

Remember: Less weight equals higher speeds.

I hope this helps.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Over 1,500,000 successful roadside rescues. Good Sam Roadside Assistance.

Comments for Can My 1988 Dolphin Motorhome Go Any Faster Than 55 MPH?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Have realistic expectations
by: Anonymous

These are great little RVs, but seriously underpowered. You must accept the fact that you are the slowest thing on the road. Driving one of these is a zen experience. If you are not willing to drive within the limitations of the vehicle sell it.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Soooo u wanna go faster haa??
by: Anonymous

Hi. Go faster secrets. Inflate tires to 55+ lbs. (or get better tires). Use 10W-30 Synthetic oil. Use platinum spark plugs. Replace vacuum line hose in engine, about 20' needed, and purchase from Toyota Dealer as slightly smaller diameter and not from NAPA/AutoZone/etc. Is engine heat a problem? Consider 180 degree thermostat. Do valve adjustments. Replace fuel filter. Pray.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		22R Toyota Engine
by: Anonymous

I owned a 1982 Dolphin on a Toyota chassis with the 22R engine (2200 cc). It had a manual four speed transmission. No overdrive or automatic downshifting issues as I or DW was the "brain" of the transmission. Not sure how different OPs model is but ours was on a platform that came from the factory overloaded and had "duallies" with two tires on the same rim (strange). It would go like blazes downhill or on level. Uphill was a different story. Follow the other commenters advice regarding weight distribution and tuning and don't worry about how fast it goes. You will get where you're going. I really enjoyed the 16 MPG. We now get 6.5. We had the little rig when our three sons a dog wanted to come with. Now we have 39 feet, three slideouts and all the bells. Can't even get our 11 and 15 year grandkids to come along. Internet is never good enough or too expensive for their needs. It's all good. Really miss that Toyota 22R. I sold it locally after 15 years and still see it around the area.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		cant go 55
by: Anonymous

trans is overheating in overdrive and by default shifts to drive
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Enjoy the ride
by: Anonymous

If the transmission keeps changing gears,when pulling hills take it out of overdrive it should not be pulling hills in overdrive, you will ruin the transmission. 55 is a nice speed for taking in the sites sit back and enjoy the ride.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		bad trans?
by: randy

what do you mean by downshift does it slip back down into 3rd that's probably your overdrive in the trans has gone bad. i had a s10 pickup like that shift fine to 55 then try to go into overdrive and slip back into 3rd. does your rpm shoot up when it goes back into 3rd aka trans slip.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		toyota dophin only goes 55 mph ?
by: Anonymous

Thank you very much for your reply b Bill that helps me ,the next thing Ill do when ready is have a good mechanic tune it up and check it! the resean I suspect it has a speed restricting devise is that it down shifts right at 55 and when it gets to about 52 t0 55 it stays in that top gear untill it gets to 55 then down sfts, Any way thanks for your advise maybe someone else had the same isue. Lee
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		more power
by: bill a

Check your compression or have a mechanic do it,that will tell you what condition your engine is in. Try bumping up your timing a little,check your exhaust system for blockage.

Click here to add your own comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION