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I had glue residue from the floor in that groove, which attracted dirt; so I spent an hour or two cleaning it out with some solvent and a stiff brush. It still collects dirt, of course, but now it sweeps out easily and looks 100% better. After each trip, I mop the floor and if needed spot clean and go along the edge with some 409 and a paper towel.

Thanks folks, really appreciate the feedback. ScubaRx, - my wife's goal is similar - all National Parks, as many State Parks as possible, and everything in between. We have done a good part of this, but not with the Ollie. Currently planning for this summer - something I don't usually do - we usually just go. Trying to pin down a few reservations that are hard stop - gotta be there days, (Yosemite) and plugging in around them. As for the photo equip - please don't laugh, well, go ahead, I did, "So" from the hidden location, where only my wife knew, I pulled out the digital SLR I bought for her - what I though was just a few years back - well it turns out it was ten, TEN+ years ago. The batteries were dead - my wife preferred her phone. Charge both batteries, presto - a nice working camera - so its mine - now. The Cannon rebel T1i, EOS 500D - with multiple lenses, represents a challenge - it gives me something to start with, at 15 megapixels it will be fine for now. Your wonderful shots have rekindled an old interest. I'll add this to my list of things to do..... Yes Ride n Fly - there is an old Nikon film SLR somewhere in the back of a closet - its been retired for - well apparently I'm not good with remembering time, but it is many years..... RB

David, always enjoy seeing your fine photos! RB, I'm an amateur photographer using two economy Canon Powershot cameras, one smaller point and shoot and one with powerful zoom with manual controls and automatic modes. Have not used an SLR, but still have my Canon AE1 program 35MM film camera, it's retired. Don't use post processing unless cropping or adding text. While taking sunset shots at the last Alabama Ollie rally, used zoom on the Canon Powershot SX520 and rested the camera while taking shots in the automatic mode. Used manual exposure mode with Canon Powershot SX520 on this shot to lighten landscape with cloudy sky at Badlands: Made a solar filter with a UV filter to hold in place with the SX520 lens in auto mode using a 6' ladder as a tripod: Solar Filter installed: Took this shot with a Powershot in the manual exposure mode with manually set aperture on a tripod during a cloudy, low light day. Crabtree Falls Blue Ridge Parkway NC

Photography is one my passions, and it is what I do when I get there. @backofbeyond asks what kind of gear. I travel with a big Canon digital SLR and a compact Sony RX-100. Both take great pictures, as do most of the modern digital cameras. If you spend more money you will probably get a faster lens, a more sensitive sensor, and probably a faster processer. I love my Canon 6D because of how responsive it is; it responds quickly. A faster lens will allow you to take low light pictures without a flash, and the results are much more pleasing without a flash. Ignoring the price range of the camera, my one suggestion is to consider whether to take pictures with the default setting for JPG file format, or the RAW format. If you take pictures and then print or share them, then you are fine with JPG pictures. However, if you enjoy "post processing," which involves transferring the files to a computer to that you can crop the photos, and adjust the brightness, contrast and white balance, then you should shoot in RAW. RAW files are 5 to 8 times larger than JPG files, but that means the photo has that much more information about the light and the colors, and that information is available for you to use at the computer. When you shoot in JPEG the camera’s internal software will take the information off the sensor and quickly process it before saving it. Some color is lost as is some of the resolution; the camera is throwing away 80-90% of the photo information in order to make the file smaller. With JPG, the camera decides how the picture should look; with RAW, you make that decision at the computer. RAW pictures are especially good in low light situation. This is an interior shot of a cathedral in Orvieto, Italy. No flash, and it is pretty dark. After processing of the RAW file on the computer: This picture of Lake Guntersville was taken at last year's Oliver Rally. After cropping, straightening, and adjusting the color, this picture really "pops." Last year in Oaxaca, Mexico, we became friends with a couple from London. He is a retired professional photographer, and he told me he never crops or adjusts his pictures. Clearly, he is a better photographer than I am. Cropping is critical for me. This is a picture I took while on a safari in Kenya. It was nearing sunset, and I had to act quickly to get even this shot. The camera in the foreground ruins the picture. After cropping, I think it is one of my best pictures. Summary. Any camera will be give you more control over your pictures than a phone. If you want to do post processing on a computer, be sure to shoot in RAW.

https://www.amazon.com/EVER-ADVANCED-Oversize-Gravity-Recliner/dp/B07GKWR8H3/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549997760&sr=8-1&keywords=EVER+ADVANCED+Oversize+XL+Zero+Gravity+Recliner+Padded+Patio+Lounger+Chair+with+Adjustable+Headrest+Support+350lbs%2C+Green It seems rather sturdy, is very comfortable, we will see how it holds over time RB

We've accumulated a small collection of chairs over the years. My favorites have been purchased at Aldi. Only available once or twice a year, in their special purchases section, they're director style chairs with an attached folding side table. Under $30 each, but way better quality than similar chairs in the big box store. One pair is 8 or 9 years old, now. I like the legs, as they're less prone to dig into wer soil than the umbrella chairs. This year's Aldi model folds in half, so takes much less space in the truck bed. Sherry

Bill, those are awesome photos. Russell, I am certain you can get good pictures with the Canon 500D. Instead of the Automatic setting, try shooting with the Aperture Priority setting. Have fun with it!.

Use a carpet runner at the entry and a nubby “shoe cleaner” rug on the ground and don’t step on that aluminum piece. My runner extends all the way to the dinette and traps most of the grit. Remove shoes and put on slippers always. Flip the dirt out of the runner and rug daily. Vacuum the strip and entry area every now and then from outside the trailer. Mine actually doesn’t get very dirty.... but I don’t bring sticks from my shoes inside either. If it is really messy outside I put a tarp down to try to keep most of the debris out there. The dogs are another story entirely. LOL. John Davies Spokane WA

I did mine this weekend. The insert I bought was 10" x 14", and like Bill, I decided to cut off the extra compartment. I paid extra for this one because they said that the bottom was bamboo and not MDF like the others. They lied, so don't bother - get the cheapest one you can find. I also got a similar 10" x 16" tray to go in the bottom. It fits well with about an inch to spare front to back. Instead of attaching the angles, I had some adjustable shelf pegs like these in my shop, so I just measured and drilled inside the drawer for those. I put some thick felt furniture pads on both sides of the tray, so it fits snugly and hopefully won't mar the drawer.

Great photos, David. I gave up my SLR a few years ago, in favor of just the iPhone. There are times I miss it but the benefit of not lugging something else around has been worth it for me. I do agree on the post processing. I always shot in RAW with my Nikon and processed with Aperture. In fact I think Apple’s abandonment of the software (and it’s users) had a lot to do with me giving up the Nikon. I could never get used to Lightroom as a replacement. But I was really pleased a few months back to see that Nik tools have been revived after being bought up by Google and left on a shelf to collect dust. And I’ve been doubly pleased that the new version works perfectly with Apple Photos, reviving much of the utility of Aperture. I’ve been going back through my library from the past few years and getting good results with iPhone photos.

When we camp in the area where we live, we normally take bicycles or kayaks or motorcycle depending on the area and time of year. Next camping trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway, will probably drop off a motorcycle where we will be camping and tow the Ollie there later in the day. Plan to also install removable kayak and bicycle racks on our Diamondback cover on the Tundra, too. When we travel around the US and locally we also use Ollie as a base camp while exploring and photographing the beautiful places in our nation. We normally don't spend much time at campgrounds from 10:00AM to 6:00PM during day while out exploring. Here's photos taken during local camping trips Hunting Island SC Blue Ridge Parkway Eastern TN Photos taken on trips out West You meet the nicest folks in rest areas with Ollie Took this photo of brand new Ollie owners in New Mexico We have so many more beautiful places to visit and nice folks to meet during our Ollie adventures!

We seem to have the exact same chairs and agree: They are extremely comfy but heavy, clumsy, and difficult to pack. They are, however, worth the trouble if one is planning on staying at any location for some time. (The problem I think I would have with any chair that is not a "lounger-type" is that, after a certain amount of time sitting upon them, they would start to be uncomfortable because they don't support the forelegs and inevitably put some amount of pressure on your upper legs when sitting.) We also carry two of these. They are not all that comfortable, but we are amazed at how many uses we find for them around the campsite and at home. We are guitarists, so we can carry these and our instruments wherever we want and then be able to sit and play. However, I find them indispensable for working around the Oliver--for hooking up the cables, checking the lug nuts and tires, for getting into the basement and hooking up the city or fresh water. It sure beats having to stoop or get on ones knees. (The GCI Outdoor Quick-E-Seat Folding Tripod Field Chair with Backrest is low to the ground.) They are easy to sling over one's shoulder and walk a good distance, which would make them ideal, it seems, for fishing, birdwatching, photography, or just hiking and needing a seat to rest upon. I highly recommend these lightweight chairs as a supplement to any others one would take on their Oliver adventures.

I just read a reviewvertisement of the Stargaze Recliner from Nemo. Looks like a neat idea, and well executed. It's another expensive one though.

When we picked up we didn’t bring chairs so we bought a couple of cheap ones at the Hohenwald Walmart. Comfortable if you didn’t sit in them for more than 30 minutes. Very lightweight and small when folded. We still have them and throw them in the back of the truck when we travel. We also have a couple of zero gravity chairs that we don’t use much, while they are comfortable they are big, bulky and heavy. We also picked up a couple of director style chairs with an attached side table at Costco that we don’t use much anymore either, they are lighter weight, comfortable for short periods of time but take up more space in the truck than I like. For the past year we’ve been using these chairs from Core. They were about $50 on Amazon. When folded they take up very little space, are light weight and comfortable.

We have had several of the cheap chairs that fold up and fit into a bag. We got them years ago at a big box store for probably $10-$15. Their main virtue is that they are inexpensive. I have never found them very comfortable. My major complaint that the arm rests give way when you push on them, making them difficult to stand up from. So I have been thinking about chairs for a while. On some forum several people recommended the ALPS Mountaineering Lakeside Chair and the ALPS Mountaineering Camp Chair, and I put these into my notes as option. Then, last year at the Oliver Rally someone had a rocking chair that folds up and fits into a bag. They kindly let me try it, and oh my, I was sold. I wrote down the details: It was a GCI Outdoors Freestyle Rocker. When we got home I went to Kirkhams, a wonderful local camping shop, and to REI, so I could see what they have. REI had a different model, the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker, which I really liked. Amazon had the GCI Outdoor RoadTrip Rocker for $60, but with an REI discount coupon I got it there for $40. I really love it! Very comfortable, and I wondered why I waited so long to get a better chair. The only disadvantage, compared to the cheap bag chairs, is that it is approx 20% longer when folded into the storage bag, and it is heavier. As to Hobo's other question, we usually carry three or four chairs. And my wife is happy with the cheap bag chairs.

Overland - Yep, nice. Certain I couldn't stand the SO's rebuke. :-) I did Amazon a nice zero gravity lounger. Will post a review when its gone thru its paces. Thanks Hobo, you read my mind, RB

I've also always thought that these Kermit chairs are pretty neat. They seem to pack up well, and are beautiful to look at. But $$$ and I'd probably get tired of the assembly time. Gorgeous, though -

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-10500100-Brown-Sport-Camping/dp/B0036UI1OI These are comfy, strong and not too large. Two will fit nicely in the front of the closet if you wanted them there, along with a ladder. Plus they have the cool overland ARB logo that will make folks think you really know what you are doing. Be sure you get chairs with sloped backs. The crap ones for $20 often have vertical backs and those are 100% horrible to sit on. John Davies Spokane WA

Timely question, since I'm trying to convince my wife now that we need to rethink our chair game. At the moment, we have three sets of chairs that we've collected over time. The first, which we got years ago, is the armless scissors style or quad chair like this one from Alps Mountaineering: Ours are from LL Bean, I think, from back in the early 90's. They've held up well and gotten a lot of use, but they're heavy and only good for lounging around; i.e., you wouldn't want to try to eat at a table with them. They have a relatively low seat height and you slouch back in them when you sit. They'd probably be difficult to get out of for someone who's elderly. They pack up into a tube shaped bag, and in that respect are fairly easy to pack. We don't really use them anymore. In our later car camping days, we wanted something that wasn't so loungy, and so we got these directors chairs: I like these a lot. They're super sturdy with a normal seat height and straight back that makes them great for use with a table. They're also heavy, and don't pack compactly at all. They're also steel, and water will get into the tubes - so if you leave them out in the rain, you'll get rusty water dripping out the legs. When we got our Ollie, we figured we'd have enough space to upgrade to some zero gravity chairs: These are sort of in between as far as seat height and position. They're probably too clumsy and heavy to use well with a table, but they make fantastic loungers and are stiff enough that an elderly person can probably get in and out of them without difficulty. They're great for soaking up the sun or stargazing. They're also steel tube. Also heavy - and not compact in the least. My wife loves the Zero-G chairs, and so do I; but I don't like at all how clumsy and difficult to pack they are. The directors chairs are a bit more packable, but we've found that we don't eat outside a lot with the Ollie (at least not at a table), so they don't really make a lot of sense to take anymore. At the moment, I'm into making everything more compact, lighter and efficient, so in my mind, the Zero-G chairs have got to go, but I've yet to convince my wife. What I'd like to switch to are Helinox Chairs, which are super light and super compact. And they're also pretty sturdy, despite their appearance. They're a little on the loungy side, but their Sunset and XL models have a normal seat height and I think that in a pinch, they'd work fine with a table. To me, their high backed Sunset chair would be a good compromise between our Zero-G's and Director chairs. I just need to convince my wife. They're not cheap, either. In the same vein, Big Agnes has just released their own line of camp chairs, which have a somewhat different design but are just as light and compact (and just as expensive): I'd like to see one in person though before spending that much money on one. In truth, I'd be fine with a good sized rock, but man are those hard to pack.

All are welcome - glad you like it. I should have been a bit more clear about the part I cut off. Originally, the tray looked like a regular silverware tray with an additional storage area running perpendicular to the ones shown - like most of the silverware drawers available. That was the part that I cut off thus leaving the three shown in the photos. The only thing that I dislike about this mod is that the aluminum angle leaves a dark mark on the tops of the sides of the nightstand drawer. Obviously that could be remedied with a clear coat spray or reduced with the application of a bit of wax. Or, simply keep the drawer shut and do not worry about it. Bill

We tow our Oliver Legacy II with a 2018 Ford Expedition XLT with FX4 and heavy duty tow packages. It has a 3.73 rear end which I understand is important in towing. This is our first camper and our first towing experience. The Expedition/Legacy II combo is great. The Expedition has plenty of power to haul the Oliver around. My previous two vehicles were Toyota Highlanders and I was intimidated by the size of the Expedition initially, but it didn't take long to get used to it. It's very comfortable to ride in around town and on long trips. It seats 8 and honestly that third row seat is not bad to ride in. Our towing experience has been limited but it has been a lot easier than I thought it might be. We have the Ford back-up assist and the brake controller and they work wonderfully. The blind spot monitor extends back and covers the trailer when it is hooked up to the truck. I have the Ford safety suite although I haven't used the adaptive Cruise. The FX4 package got us 18 inch wheels and Michelin truck tires (no low profile tires for this truck). The backup camera in the truck is big enough to be useful (the one in the Highlander was way too small). My husband can back the truck up to the trailer and pretty much line the hitch ball up with the trailer tongue just by using the camera. We could easily take the Expedition on dirt/gravel roads. We're not doing Expedition Portal stuff--if we were we would have bought a raised teardrop-rooftop tent type thing and a 4Runner. But I'm confident that we can wander around on forest service roads, etc. One thing that I have not seen mentioned in this thread is vehicle payload. My Expedition is rated at 1600 lbs. When you are deciding which vehicle you want, you might want to consider that figure too. Think about how much stuff you'll travel with and whether your vehicle will be able to haul it. I think that being able to get your vehicle serviced anywhere is important and the Ford F150 is the largest selling vehicle in America. There are plenty of Ford dealers out there and that was important to us. I wanted an SUV for our day-to-day lives. My husband drives a regular cab Ford F150 so we have a truck for truck stuff. There will probably be a day when we're camping and towing when I'll wish I had a truck bed instead of an SUV. Dirty, wet, stinky stuff in the bed of a truck is better than that same stuff in the back of the SUV but so far that hasn't happened to us. Good luck with you choice and happy camping.

I had a very hard time finding fuses for the jacks. I went to a bunch of auto parts stores, looked online at Amazon and others, but was unsuccessful. I finally found them here: https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/bussmann-mdl-30/slow-blow-fuse-30-amp-p-bus-mdl30 The price says $1.62, but they sell then in lots of five, so it is $8.10 for five. And they tacked on shipping charges...