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Here's a photo from Harris Beach State Park in Brookings during a warm stretch between Xmas and new years a few years ago - so many nice little islands and sea stacks! And one from just north of there by Cape Ferello (this is from last week)

I’ve very much enjoyed all of the posts here. Though my wife and I have the great parks and sights of UT/WY/MT on our bucket list, the comments regarding seasons and efforts to follow the best weather have provoked thoughts regarding our possibilities from home. It’s 11 hours north to Acadia and about the same south to St. Augustine. We should be able to find the weather we like between those two poles.

I had a similar problem this summer, with water leaking inside the hull from the outside shower unit. The insulation below was wet, and water was coming out of the seep holes. When the shower valves were open, there was water coming out of the hole in the photo. I found part numbers from the manufacturer’s web site, and then found parts on Amazon. Replacement Vacuum Breaker. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97022-006-DB-Replacement-Vacuum-Breaker/dp/B015Q89WCM Replacement Straight Nipple, Seal Collar and O-Rings. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97020-080-DB-Replacement-Straight-Nipple/dp/B015Q89WA4 Replacement Faucet Set. https://www.amazon.com/ITC-97022008-Exterior-Shower-Repair/dp/B007HRVOHW They also had the entire unit for $99: https://www.amazon.com/Fontanna-97022-Compact-Exterior-Shower/dp/B019F81FQ0 I contacted Jason in Service, and he said that it would be much easier to replace the unit than to try to swap out parts in that hard-to-reach space. He also was able to send me a replacement unit for a price much cheaper than Amazon's. The outdoor shower unit is held in place by rivets, and since I don't have a rivet gun, I called a mobile RV tech that I had used previously, and he came out to where my trailer was stored and installed it. He charged me $75 for 45 minutes work. So, I agree with @topgun2 and I suggest you call Jason.

At this rate it won't be long before there are more Olivers. around than in Tenn. We have had snow on the southern end of the Blue Ridge in April. That's the end without guard rails. While winter is here we load a case of bottled water and carry it in the truck. We then move it into the camper when heat comes on. We also use nontoxic RV antifreeze to flush with. We also would like to pull out after the holidays, just have not done any planning as you have. Don't forget to pack some marshmallow Fluff, Moxie, and a few Whoppie Pies. You can trade them with displaced Mainers for almost anything. Also take some referral cards, because you know you will be asked about the camper. Enjoy

I've had no problems with the outdoor shower on my Oliver. But, I did have one develop a leak in a camper I owned previously. Indeed, the plastic "feeder tube" or "mixer" area of that shower had cracked thus requiring a total replacement. If you decide that you are going to replace the unit you might want to give Jason in Service a call, asking what price he'd charge for the unit. Bill

David Crockett sure got around, didn't he?

Don’t forget about David Crockett Birthplace State Park near Limestone, TN. Just in case it wasn’t confusing enough already

The moles at red iguana might just be reason enough to live nearby... 😅 loved it.

I've found most camping reviews are either great, or in the dump. Same campground. Either super happy, or ax to grind. If I click on the reviewer, and read their reviews, I often find a stream of the same. My needs are not the same as someone traveling in a sunblocker motorhome or giant fifth wheel, so I take some comnents with a grain of salt. Where I worry are multiple reports of lots of cranky permanent residents, old trailers, poorly maintained facilities, etc.

When you put it that way, I have to promote Salt Lake City, population 200,000. Before I retired recently, I did a lot of work to recruit people to the University of Utah. My major pitch was about the collaborative scientific community, but my pitch was also was about the lifestyle in SLC as a small city. Low traffic, walkable, bikeable, 45 mins to ski areas in winter or great hiking in summer. Climate with all four seasons, but not too hot or cold in summer or winter, with very low humidity that tempers the climate extremes. It is the largest city in the state, so it has a vibrant restaurant scene as well as major cultural opportunities, including music clubs, multiple theatre groups, symphony, opera, ballet. We live in a walkable neighborhood one mile from edge of the University and one mile from the center of downtown. Salt Lake City is well situated as a jumping off point for camping. To the West, it is 8 hours to the Sierra Nevada mountains. To the North, it is 5 hours to Grand Teton or Yellowstone. To the East, it is 8 hours to Rocky Mountain National Park. To the South it is 5 hours to Moab, Canyonlands, Zion or Bryce.

Congratulations! Your wait is over and now you can enjoy your lovely Elite ll. Plus it looked like you had some lovely days to test it out. Enjoy!

Seems like a great notion in any case to experiment from your current home and learn more about how you really like to roll as you spend more time out camping and exploring etc. There are so many different takes on the possible answers to your opening question depending on who's answering, and you'll learn more about YOUR answers by just getting out there from where you live now.

I'd suggest that if you're going through the trouble of repairing or replacing the shower box, that you add some cutoff valves on the water lines. This will allow you a quick solution to any future problems and might also be useful when traveling through cold weather, to cut off the supply and drain the unit as best you can. If you get the new model, I'd be interested if it performs any better than the old one. I wouldn't say that mine trickles, but it's not exactly forceful either.

"Offroad" is a relative term and most people think of it as just off pavement. Gravel roads and such. From the factory, an Oliver should be able to handle maintained, moderately smooth gravel roads. Even so, lots of washboard, potholes, etc. would run the possibility of small damage, like to a water line, electrical connection, components like the water heater, etc. To me, vibration is the biggest enemy of the trailer. If you've been to Chaco, think of the entry road there, and that's about what I think the limit of the trailer is - for 95% + of owners that's surely a perfectly acceptable level of durability. And with some small modifications, like securing water and electrical lines, you can go a long way to improving durability in those situations. I would hesitate to lift the trailer much, even though relative to true offroad trailers, one of the biggest limitations of the Ollie is a poor amount of suspension travel. Many early Elite I trailers have the axle flipped and so have about 3"-4" more clearance, but the Elite II gets a little ungainly when you try that. The factory actually mounted our suspension like that for us, but weren't comfortable with the possibility of decreased stability. Plus it looked dumb, and we switched it back. But there are some suspension options that will give you more like 1"-2", plus a little more cushioning. I'm trying out one of those on our upcoming trip (Lippert Centerpoint) and will report back. It was a dead simple install so I'm hopeful that it will show some benefit. There are clearance and perhaps durability tradeoffs with that type of solution, so you have to be OK with the compromises. The main advantage of a camper van would be maneuverability, and the main drawback would be that you can't leave it behind. We've been very happy with using our camper as a basecamp and venturing out for one or two nights in a tent. Last year, we did the white rim trail in Canyonlands that way and we felt that it was ideal. True "overlanding" really isn't a thing in the US, unless you go out of your way to travel like that. There are a few multi day overland routes here and there, but IMO, not enough to justify an Aussie or South African style setup. Most places in the US aren't seen best by going from point A to B to C each day. Instead, you go to point A for three or four nights, see what's around to see, then go to point B, etc. And if you travel like that, keeping your home on your back every hour of every day will get old. Better to set up your basecamp then go adventure.

I haven't gotten my Oliver yet so can't comment beyond what we can both find here on the forums on this topic. But I have talked to folks who have 4x4 camper vans and my take is that they do have their limits. So their usefulness depends a lot on where you want to go. They're not really what you want for instance if you hope to get out on a lot of the sandy 4x4 roads in the southwest for instance. The folks I know who travel at will around there are all in 4x4 trucks (or jeeps or land cruisers etc.) and ideally in one with modern computerized "crawl control" for helping get out of deep sand (one photographer I know down there who heavily travels in AZ and UT swears by the Toyota Tacoma's crawl control and he has a Four Wheel Camper brand slide-in camper on his - I know a handful of folks with these campers and who use them on very rough roads, all of whom are quite happy with them btw). I have another friend with a 4x4 converted van who, though he can access some places down there that I can't reach in my RWD camper van, has discussed sharing a jeep rental with me to get to some places such as White Pocket which involve a lot of sandy road travel.

I use Campendium and Ultimate Campgrounds the most - I kind of play them against each other. As for the neg OR positive reviews - I have found them about 50% useful - just depends on what the reason for the rating. Needs to be really specific - and timely for me to really give it any consideration. Sometimes they are just ridiculous comments.. Used Harvest Hosts this last year - it provides another alternative.

would love to see Oliver revive this option for the Elite... My wife and I do not like to climb over each other. I'm 5'11 and she is 5'5 so it would work for us I believe. We have a delivery date next june 2021. also hoping for a lithium package.

Just a "might" work solution. If you can get to the gaskets, make sure they are not cracked or broken. If they are sound, try rubbing them with a very light coat of Vaseline. Reseat the fittings and see how it does.

Flyfisher - Thanks for the info! My plan would be to approach Buffalo from the south and after a few days in that area I'll head due west towards Meeteese. So, I doubt if I'll venture up towards Sheridan. Your recommendation for Deer Park Campground is helpful in that I will probably need to fill my fresh water tank and possibly dump before hitting the boonies. I rarely fish "still water" unless I feel like looking for bank cruisers early or late in the day. But, usually where there are lakes there will be small streams coming into or going out of them that people overlook. Bill

I drive past Buffalo every year on my way to and from MT, but have never fished there. In fact, I just drove by Buffalo at the end of last month after fishing for several weeks in SW MT. I would suggest contacting one of the fly shops in Sheridan, like the Fly Shop of the Bighorns, and ask them if you don’t get your answers here. I believe you are looking more for boondocking locations, but I could recommend the Deer Park Campground in Buffalo or Peter D’s RV Park in Sheridan if you’re looking for full service campgrounds to stay in. I’ve stayed in both of those multiple times, as have a number of my friends. I’ve also stayed overnight a few times at the rest stop located on the east side of Sheridan along Interstate 90. That one is nice and clean, and is located a bit off the interstate so it is a quieter than most, and sits on a hill side overlooking the town. Lake De Smet is right next to the interstate just west of Buffalo and I understand it has some pretty big trout in it. I don’t see many people fishing it when I drive by, and I always tell myself I should stop to check it out, but never do. I’m sure there are some small streams in the area, and other lakes to fish in too.

Also look up the "Chetco effect (aka "The Brookings effect"). I've had some lovely winter days down there. The wind can for sure be quite strong. Folks flock to Boice Cope park to kiteboard on Lake Floras just a little north of Gold Beach (south of Bandon) due to the strong and consistent winds. If I were happier with the mountain access (for both skiing and hiking/backpacking) I'd move down there in a hearbeat. The coastline from Brookings up to Cape Blanco is just amazing. Stunning.

There's a road marker 7 or 8 miles from our property in NC, about David Crockett. At least there used to be. He did, indeed, get around. Those were really long distances, at the time. https://www.obcgs.com/crockett-david-and-elizabeth-patton/

Yes, he did. He fell in love with his wife , Elizabeth Patton, in western NC, near Swannanoah/Black Mountain. Remember the Alamo. Sherry

I also like Outdoor Project for gathering details of an area. https://www.outdoorproject.com/

Check out the climate in the extreme southern Oregon coast. Brookings to Gold Beach is called the Banana Belt. I don't know how the area compares for annual rainfall, but temperatures are great. The only disadvantage I can see is they are pretty well isolated from most of Oregon's recreation areas. And then there's the wind in Gold Beach.

That was you behind the outhouse, with the mask on?? With the maroon 'Pemaquid' sweatshirt, strawhat , and flip flops???

That is impressive - at least to me - The usual extent of our planning is logging the start and stop dates - a general direction - and head out. Now - this last years trip found a huge increase in the number of folks out - using the parks and outdoor camping facilities. Seems like planning may become more important, especially if you want to stay in the more popular areas. Having a boondocking RV opens up the ability to go and do - at your leisure. Have a great trip!

Craig, I see you will be four nights in Kalaloch, be sure to spend a few hours at low tide at Ruby Beach, a few miles north. It is a glorious spot for rocky tide pools at a minus tide, just watch for sleeper waves, the rocks are kinda far out on the sand. My wife and son really enjoyed the tide pools, I was more than a little freaked out by being that far from high ground. Be “tsunami aware”, always. Know your emergency exit routes and don’t ignore a siren if it goes off. Kalaloch is high enough that you would be safe there.... just don’t pitch a tent on the beach. Sorry to hijack a SW camping thread. John Davies Spokane WA

One thing not mentioned so far are the many app's and such that are almost indispensable for finding RV and camping locations. Coming from Maine - the shear amount of open and accessible public and private camping spots will be eye-opening. BLM, National and state open areas can be useful - even for a few days - and provide multiple options. while you plan - Southern UT is a great place to explore. Off the top of my head - Campendium, Ultimate Campgrounds, and the other reservation sites (rec.gov, reserve america) are great for finding the perfect spot. I am sure I missed a few. And to add - the weather will be an issue at times - JD's caution on elevation is spot on - We got about 2 inches of snow last summer - in late June - outside of Steamboat - about 10K elevation. Once we got over the shock the next morning- and got on the road - 500' lower - it was all just drizzle. Glad we had 4x4 - we were out in the Nat Forrest - off the main roads. Good luck in your travels.

Here in Bozeman, MT, 10 inches of snow fell yesterday. And the forecasted low for tonight is MINUS SEVEN! Ouch. However, that's not the norm. And the summers are beautiful.

I would like to point out once again that the “Wet Sides” of WA and OR are actually a fairly small percentage of the Pacific Northwest region, which stretches clear to the Northern Rockies..... It is only because most people live there that the silly “moss everywhere” public image persists. The Cascades effectively block that Pacific Ocean moisture; just twenty miles east of their crest you enter arid and semi-arid climates, with clear skies, hot summers and chilly winters. And WAY fewer people. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Northwest Certain locations like the Okanagan Region are “banana belts”, low elevation river valleys aligned due east of rain- blocking mountains, where irrigation is most definitely required for the orchards and vineyards (not a moss to be found). These spots are popular with retirees looking for mild weather, spectacular beauty and much more affordable housing than in Seattle or Portland. Just saying. Come visit and see for yourself. John Davies Spokane WA, AKA The Dry Side. No moss or slugs here:

I know of at least one Oliver owner that will once a month lift the tires off the concrete and spin them leaving them 90 degrees from where they had been. I leave the propane lid latches undone to keep from permanently stretching the rubber pieces. This also allows the foam bumpers to expand so that when the lid is latched the bumpers are not already flattened out.

Interesting thread. Where we live in the Texas Hill Country north of San Antonio has some advantages for RVer’s. We have mild winters with no sustained below freezing weather, so no need to winterize. We do usually get a week of night time temperatures in the 20’s but usually well above freezing during those days. Being right on I-10, it’s an easy two day drive to Arizona, Colorado or the Florida panhandle. If you are young and ambitious those can also be done in a day. San Antonio is in the top 10 largest US cities so has all the cultural, medical, sports, airport and shopping that goes along with being large. We’re not in the city but only a 30-45 minute drive to any of the big city features. What we don’t like are the hot, humid summers that usually last from June through September. We usually make a July/August trip to NM, CO or AZ during those hot muggy months. Mike

We have lived in several states mostly due to career upward mobility moves with our former employers. We found the state we enjoy living in most is where we are right now. We love the beautiful temperate spring and fall, the long summers and short easy winters of Western North Carolina. We feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to choose where we could eventually build our home and retire. Here in the foothills of Western NC we might get one snow fall of 5” and with a few days it’s gone. So no shoveling or plowing of driveways, or driving and slipping on ice! Very little snow and ice covered roads and power lines suits us well. A short drive to the gorgeous South Mountains a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 4.5 hrs to Sunset Beach we are completely content and very happy. We now farm a small Blueberry grove, (a record 43 gallon yield this past season) we also hunt and enjoy wild game and the trout fishing is not bad either. Being “Patriots” we enjoy tremendous amounts of awesome revolutionary war history here symbolizing the birth of this great country. 🇺🇸

I'll add - if you have time - a visit to the Jack Daniel distillery in Lynchburg is a good tour, - not to mention all the other nice areas to explore -- and I'll offer up our farm as a spot to park (camp) while your enjoying the sights. Distancing is not an issue here....

Yes, we had hull # 026, one of the (very) few twin bed models in the early Elites. It was just as you described it, the second bed was where the dinette is. We ate off the folding table midships. We needed something bigger so we sold it in 2013 and bought the first Elite II, hull # 050.

This is close to the original twin bed configuration of the elite I, circa 2008/9. I remember the "desk" being a nightstand, and both bunks being +- 24 to 28 inches. It wasn't well received. The drop down table was awkward. The small dinette bed was really narrow, and 6' long. Ok for some but not for couples. I do think it's a terrific floorplan for solo campers. Hope it will be revived . Thanks, KenB, for the trip down memory lane, and thanks, DavidS, for the floorplan. Sherry

Here are the floor plans from the 2016 Elite Brochure.

So many things I use are online or on my phone/tablet...so I'll break this down into 3 parts: 1) My favorite "online - web based" roadtrip/camping planning tool: RV Trip Wizard is an Online tool I used for planning my trip to/from Hohenwald...it's great. - https://www.rvtripwizard.com/ 2) Apps my Phone/Tablet Tools for Finding and Reserving Campsites: Allstays Camp & RV - also a good lookup tool for campgrounds - https://www.allstays.com/ Campendium - For reviews of campgrounds - https://www.campendium.com/ The Ultimate US Campground App - For locating boondocking sites.= http://www.ultimatecampgrounds.com/ All Trails - for finding localized hiking info - https://www.alltrails.com/ Recreation.Gov - for doing many of the reservations in Nat'l forests, and parks - https://www.recreation.gov/ Harvest Hosts App - for one night stays at wineries, farms, etc. - https://harvesthosts.com/ RV LIfe - All round app I use as a portal into reviews and new campground info. - http://rvlife.com/ 3) Seeing the actual campground sites: I've found so far that I use several apps when planning a long trip. Some are great for finding "camping" others are good for planning the drive. In addition, there are resources we use that help us plan by showing actual campsites as photo's or drive through's including these three sites: Campsite Photo's - https://www.campsitephotos.com/ Campground Views : https://www.campgroundviews.com/ - featuring drive throughs of a campground in 360 deg format so you can look around. The Dyrt - a great site for what's good about a specific campground: https://thedyrt.com/ Hope that helps... Craig & Rose Hull 505 - Galway Girl

Allstays RV Campgrounds, Ultimate US Public Campground, Allstays RV Dump, Campendium. There are a bunch of Allstays Apps, depends on how you camp.