Toyota 4WD Turbo Sunrader Camper Is Rarer than a Ferrari

The diversity of subcultures in the automotive world never ceases to amaze. Even die-hard car nuts are probably unaware of the robust community of enthusiasts who restore vintage trailers, campers, and RVs. In this world, a Toyota 4WD Turbo Sunrader, like the one recently for sale on eBay Motors in La Jolla, Calif., is tremendously rare and commands big bucks.

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Beloved and Restored

Campers and RVs get used and abused. They accrue plenty of mileage trekking to wilderness sites, and they’re subject to wear and tear as their owners live out of them for extended periods. The Toyota 4WD Sunrader is one of the few that are so beloved that aficionados collect and restore them like they would a vintage sports car.

When Japanese carmakers began importing compact pickups to America, they were more affordable, nimble, and fuel-efficient than trucks sold by the Big Three. All those traits translated well to the RV market, and soon a number of companies designed camper toppers for these pickups.

Sunrader was one of several, but its design stood out for its wraparound front windows. The camper shell, made out of fiberglass, aluminum, and wood, came in 18- or 21-foot lengths. They were usually mounted to two-wheel-drive Toyota pickups, which offered fuel economy and maneuverability that full-size trucks couldn’t match. As the cherry on top, Toyota’s R-series engine was known for being incredibly tough and reliable.

An Extremely Rare RV

Toyota also offered a four-wheel-drive version of its popular truck. These rugged off-roaders came with lifted suspension and a two-speed transfer case with low range for true trail crawling. It is said that Sunrader built only 26 Toyota 4×4 campers, making them extremely rare and sought-after.

What makes the camper for sale even more desirable is the fact that it’s built on an even rarer Turbo model. Even without the camper, Toyota’s factory turbo truck is a scarce commodity. It’s said that Sunrader made only eight turbocharged 4WD campers.

Originally, the camper came with carpeting, a four-burner gas range, and plenty of 1980s wood paneling. This one has been modernized with hardwood flooring, an electric stove, updated cabinetry, and recessed lighting. The sleeping area still retains a cutout in the mattress to provide more headroom and light above the cab.

Rust Free, But Pricey

According to the listing, the Toyota has never seen road salt and is completely rust-free. The truck has 101,000 miles, which is nothing for Toyota’s legendary 22R motor. What’s more impressive is that the camper shell is said to have no cracks or leaks after all that time. The RV was also recently professionally restored, and the seller has over $5,000 worth of recent service receipts.

The asking price of $69,500 may seem high, but this is an extremely rare model that is less common than most Ferraris. For vintage RV enthusiasts, that makes it a unicorn. As such, it has transcended its role as a house on wheels and entered the realm of collector’s item.