Motorhomes and recreational vehicles have advanced in both technology and size since this 1982 Toyota Citation came along, but they’ve also become exponentially more expensive, and this one seems like a lot of bang for your buck. It’s powered by a Toyota 22R engine, a 4-cylinder with a great reputation for reliability, and the 4-speed manual transmission might make it feel a bit more spirited. Located in Otter Lake, Quebec City, Canada, this little RV is priced at $5,500, but that’s Canadian dollars, so it’s more like just over $3,900 in US currency. It’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace, and thanks to reader Tom V. for providing the tip on this rolling motel!
Outside, it’s not super stylish and looks a bit boxy. But these were designed for function over form, and everything seems practically placed, like the tall entry door beyond the right rear wheel well. This one also has a ladder on the back for easy roof access, along with a storage tub attached to the rear. Cosmetically, the camper section looks well preserved, and the truck still looks pretty good too. A couple of areas of light rust are visible on the bottom of the passenger door, but hopefully it doesn’t extend much further, and conceivably the buyer will find the sheet metal still reasonably solid overall.
Once inside, the styling improves substantially, and it also has several amenities you’ll appreciate on vacations. This one features a sink, a stove, and a bathroom with a shower, plus enough cabinet and drawer space to bring along any needed food or supplies. I’m not sure if that’s actual wood, but it presents nicely, whether it’s real or composite. The seller says 3 occupants can sleep comfortably in here, and while it may not be as large or plush as a room at the Hampton Inn, it’s certainly not bad for occasional mobile sleepovers.
The cabin also remains in good shape, and it appears this entire unit has been well cared for from front to back. Everything is said to be working, including the air conditioning, so hopefully keeping this RV maintained will be all that’s needed for the immediate future. While this 1982 Toyota Citation may not win any awards for outside aesthetic appeal, it seems to score high in function and sounds like a great value for anyone seeking a dependable, basic motor home. What are your thoughts on this one?
Has a 4 speed, so I am sure that it’s fun to drive
Sadly, next time this will be seen is when someone drags it out of the forest after it has been abandoned. . . .
I think this motorhome was on the tv series Breaking Bad.
This generation Toyota wasn’t great when it came to rust, if it’s living in QC I’d give it a solid go through before purchase. A lot of cars from get eaten through in my experience.
just swapwd the 6 (3VZ-E) into one for a customer. She’d had
the 22R out to Burning Man several times and dissapointed each trip.
May B happy nxt time? Doubt it, some are never happy, no matter what.
Would Not go for the dually 1T rear /or/ transmis change. After a decade of
servicing I believe we’ve parted ways w/this final mod.
The teapot on the stove is a nice touch.
While it looks pretty good inside for its vintage, the lack of left side/
underside/under hood/closeup exterior shots/current mechanical may be a sticking point but then they may emphasize the price and it’s less that 108k mile odo..
Like Dead Garry said, better look at what’s there up close and personally.
If it runs, don’t plan on highway speeds or even maintaining the speed limit on hills.