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Part 1: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/06/boondocking-part-oneof-six-part-series.html?m=1 Part 2: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/06/in-its-strictest-form-without.html?m=1 Part 3: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/07/boondocking-part-three-of-six-part.html?m=1 Part 4: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/07/boondocking-part-four-of-six-part.html?m=1 Part 5: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/08/boondocking-part-five-of-six-part_99.html?m=1 Part 6: https://mountainborn.blogspot.com/2015/08/boondocking-part-sixof-six-part.html?m=1

Hi Steve. This is Jam49 - original and still owner of hull #44 - my beloved Revilo. Going camping with granddaughters at Palmetto State Park in Texas next week.

[postquote quote=175387][/postquote] Trainman: All the Anderson WDH videos are associated with the older style of the "whale tail"; I agree that you could not move the "whale tail" by hand on the older style of the "whale tail". In 2018 Anderson offered a new upgraded unit due to the noise and a few other issues users was having, for a small amount. This offer came from Sage Teichert via the Oliver Forum. I purchased the replacement unit. After I installed the upgraded Anderson WDH, I discovered that you could move the "whale tail" by hand when the trailer was NOT connected to the trailer ball. I sent Sage Teichert an email about being able to move the "whale tail" by hand when the trailer was not connected to the trailer ball. Below is the email reply from Sage Teichert with Anderson WDH about being able to move the trailer ball by hand: That is not unusual, the upgrade that you got has a little different geometry inside. The housing where the ball is, is much easier to turn by hand when the trailer is unhooked. It is quite easy to bump the bottom of the ball up a little with a block of wood or raise it with the tongue jack to release some of the pressure so it can be turned by hand. When the weight is put back on the ball the friction material does it's job and starts grabbing again. So far Anderson has not upgraded their videos to reflect the new "whale tail". Contact Sage Teichert with Anderson WDH, and check for yourself.

Hi Sherry, Steve, and Pete. Good to hear from members of the"Original 47." Time flew by and now both granddaughters have graduated from high school. They wanted to go camping before they leave for college. Such wonderful memories camping with the grandkids and Revilo. I am most fortunate to "still" camp in the driveway. Everytime I go outside to leave in my truck to go wherever I am going, I pass by Revilo. I am always going inside and enjoying sitting there. It brings me such joy to pretend to be camping, and dreaming of the next opportunity to take Revilo out for an adventure. How much fun it would be if we could all be at the same camping grounds at the same time. I am glad others now have the opportunity to enjoy the Oliver experience. More importantly, I am glad that others are just going camping and enjoying life. I have told the grandkids forever that I hope they enjoy the journey of life and don't rush to get to the final destination. I wish the same to all. Wonderful to hear from yall.

I put a Rat Pack in the beed of my truck. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Guard-3343-PACK-Drawer/dp/B00279RCHG/ref=asc_df_B00279RCHG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312061963574&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10705243785031862010&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013690&hvtargid=pla-569311574600&psc=1 I bought s a couple of these over 20 years ago and used then in two commercial trucks. Then, when I retired, I installed one of them in my Ram. They last forever and roll very easily. But they are expensive. Mine is about 22" wide, 48" long and about 12"-14" high. Pushed forward it allows a lot of area between it and the tailgate, and full length and height of the bed beside it. The biles can still roll in next to it under that camper shell. Mine is full of gear I seldom use, but must have along. Like the Viar compressor, floor jack, jumper cables, extra draw bars, tow ropes, etc. I'm thinking about sliding it rearward a ways to allow two jerry cans to sit in front of it. I don't want them in the trailer.

I believe we’ve about ridden this horse until he dead. The way I’m understanding it, (and I wholeheartedly agree) anyone who owns a 3/4 ton or larger pickup does not NEED the Andersen Hitch. However, if an individual has one of these large pickups and feels better using the Andersen anyway, then it’s perfectly fine. If your pickup is a 1500, it’s also a matter of choice. Lots of experienced owner’s coming from SOB’s that have used anti-sway or weight distribution apparatus in the past will feel more comfortable continuing their former practice. On the other hand, many of us have never used anything - with equal success. The Oliver is a very stable trailer. Do what your heart and billfold dictates.

[postquote quote=149881][/postquote] Any updates on your Expedition? The Fast Lane has a tow test video and it scored highest of ALL SUVs they have reviewed. I actually like it a lot, I usually am not attracted to any Ford products. What are your thoughts on the rear suspension and have you ever felt you needed more ground clearance? There are inexpensive aftermarket kits to add a few inches. I think it looks terrific.... I think Ford has really nailed the towing features of their newest pickups and the Expedition/ Navigator. Abundant turbo power and ten speeds, woohoo! John Davies Spokane WA

There’s no shame in leaving the Ollie to fend for itself for a night...

Easy to do. You might see if Oliver is willing to do it first (I've complained many times that they don't have them standard, so the more people who ask, the better). If they won't, then I'd ask the guys in service to sell you an extra battery cable, which will keep you from having to make one up. At that point it's just mounting the switch and connecting the cables. I like these switches. You'll have plenty of room to mount it in the compartment under the street side bed, which is where the battery cable comes in. Or inside the battery box if that's where you want it.

New nautical clock for the Ollie! Chelsea from the Patriot collection. Fits nicely. https://www.chelseaclock.com/style/patriot-collection/

Dwain, since you are still in that initial research stage, check out truck campers. An Ollie with solar and composting toilet is a fantastic, comfy dry camping platform, but you are always hampered by the fact that your rig is 40 feet or more in length. That is always a big factor in driving unknown backroads..... will I have a way to turn around if the road stops at a closed gate or there is a washout or a downed tree? This is not something to brush aside, getting caught at the end of a long single lane road is no small matter and it can cause lots of stress. You can do a lot of research ahead of time using Google Earth, and you can ask your partner to get out and scope things on foot, but the bottom line is that it is always a PITA, either minor or huge, to tow a trailer anywhere. Ferries cost more, parking in cities is often impossible, you risk finding yourself blocked in if you do find a place to stop, storage is more of a problem. Sometimes you will come to a campground that you may not even be able to use due to lack of room to maneuver. Here is one of my favorites, Deception Pass State Park, WA, and I simply won’t go there with my Ollie. And there are lots of similar ones in the woods of the Pacific NW and along the Pacific coast. Trailers are just awkward, ALL the time. That is just the way things are. With a truck camper all those particular worries vanish, replaced by a different set of its own. For a couple with no animals traveling all over the country it makes a bunch of sense. If you want to tow a small boat or motorcycle trailer it or a small motorhome is the only choice. There are very few really good 4 season truck campers like Northern Lite, they cost less than an Ollie but you must have a dedicated very heavy duty pickup to carry the load. They are not put together as well, you have to go upscale considerably to an XP Camper for that, but there are always compromises you have to make. Just something else to think about. ... https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-tech/boondocking-101-water-tanks-power-and-propane/?singlepage=1 I strongly caution you to avoid all slideouts, they are usually huge nightmares starting the very first year. Finding any recent model RV without a slideout is difficult, they are in fashion because people like the big floor space and they are also idiots. Here you go.... https://northern-lite.com/Truck-Camper-SE-10-2EXSE-DB.php OTH there is NOTHING out there for less than about $125k plus the cost of a HD truck that compares to an Ollie for build quality, features, warranty and above all customer service. John Davies Spokane WA

Dwain, If you boil down the concerns to their most basic elements, it seems to be something like: If I continue with the routine I've always done, I'll be safe. If I stray from that routine, I'll be unsafe. It's the fear of the unknown and nothing more. Or, put another way, if I drive on the freeway, in the city, and go about my life (where there are X number of traffic deaths, X number of muggings, and X number of murders every year), I'll be safe. But if I take a risk and go out into the forest, where there is almost nobody around, I'll get robbed and killed for sure. Following that logic, why even go outside, or to the store, or on any kind of vacation? Or why vote for anyone other than who is feeding you the rhetoric of fear? If you long for a breath of fresh air, want to see the open spaces, listen to the quiet, or explore some natural wonders, you have to get out there and do it. And an Ollie is the perfect little cabin you can take with you to do it. I must say that wondering about these basic questions reveals that you are looking beyond the confines of the security trap. Good! Spending the night in the forest, or out in the desert, and just looking and wondering at the night sky, the sound of a breeze in the trees, or a babbling brook, will help you take stock in your life and the meaning of it. Making some new friends that are doing the same, will give you renewed confidence in humans. Hearing a coyote late at night, or watching bats swoop in for a drink from a pond as evening sets in, or hearing a bird screech, or poking at the campfire with it's quiet crackle and warmth, as you study the Milky Way, will reset your clock. And as you drift off to sleep, you'll know you've been changed. Your insecurities about being in a new place will melt as your fascination about it grows. But, of course, you must take more responsibility for your own safety by taking food, water and supplies, and a way to communicate as much as possible. As in being wherever you are, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Much of this comes down to addressing emotions with logic. Those two are incompatible and one cannot answer the other very well. But reason can bridge the gap. Curiosity can fuel desire. Desire and curiosity can lead to adventure. A taste of adventure can lead to more adventure. A desire for more adventure and good experiences can lead to acquiring an Ollie. An Ollie can lead to virtually unlimited adventure. None of this can occur without a bit of courage and curiosity. I say grab your courage by the tail and let it pull you out of the routine. Cautiously at first, if need be, at a rate the works for you. But grab that chance before it's too late. Or before fear of an imagined bogeyman keeps you hiding under the bed thinking you're safe. Find your adventure and relish it. We all have our demons, do they rule us, or do we live in spite of them? Step one: Get an Ollie and attend an organized Casita or Oliver rally. They are totally safe, fun and organized. You'll have chances to make lots of friends and get lots of ideas. Open house tours will give you a chance to meet others and look at their trailers. These are social events based around camping. Step two: Visit some State or National Parks with organized campgrounds. A safe, organized and a wonderful way to see natural wonders, like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon. These are camping trips with no risk and easy access to resources. Step three: begin to visit some BLM lands in more secluded areas, if you wish. There is nothing wrong with steps one and two and they may be just fine forever. But you might want to get out farther, or find more seclusion. If so, Death Valley awaits. The National Forest lands await. Lakes, forests, deserts, hot springs, Bristlecone Pines, and all sorts of wonders can act as a backdrop to your escape and wonder. These are mainly boondocking trips where you are more on your own, but no too remote. Good examples are: an eclipse trip, a hot springs search, a place off the beaten path to wait for a campsite in Yosemite, a desire for solitude, an animal study of some kind, a gold panning trip. Or a trip to the east coast of Baja to fish and swim in peace. Or a few nights amongst the ruins of a ghost town as you ponder the past. Or simply a romantic getaway with your sweetie for a few days.