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This morning I got a new Land Cruiser 200 to go with “Mouse”. Thank you Ian! I hope everybody has a very satisfactory holiday season. John Davies Spokane WA

Christmas goes on for several days in our family. Christmas eve day brunch included ham, fruit, smoked salmon, eggs, and vaffler, those norwegian heart shaped waffles that we all love. Dinner used to be traditional fish, or oyster stew. This year, prime rib on the smoker, perfect medium rare. Tomorrow, brunch/early dinner at my Florida sister's. I'll bring the quiches. We'll not do lutefisk and lefse, but I'm sure that's on my Minnesota sister's menu . We feel blessed to enjoy tradition and new, and, more importantly, enjoy the company of family and friends.

Those look fantastic. We make biscochitos, lots of them, and use the same dough for my infamous roasted red chile cherry pies 🌶 🍒 🌶 (this one I made half regular cherry for a couple delicate tongues we’ll have for dinner tomorrow.)

Could not take a photo until today, shrimp, grits, collard greens, squash spaghetti, and bacon! Finishing off with Key Lime Cheese cake and Hot Cinnamon Spice tea!

This is a pretty special song for us. It was on our tree decorating cd for years. This was the "dance break" song for me, my mother in law, and my daughter. Every year, the tree had a heavy amount of ornaments at my mil's height/ reach. A few got dropped. No big deal. We had so much fun, and I really miss those days. And I miss my tiny, sweet mother in law, with her big spirit, and beautiful smile. Merry Christmas.

I assume that the pierogis are filled with mashed potatoes? Nicely done no matter! Like a bunch of "Bills" cherry pie is one of my favorites but I'm not so sure about that "roasted red" side. Perhaps with enough wine during the main course I'd be right there with the best of them?🤩 We could not find a nice ham locally for Christmas dinner tonight - so - we bought and will have a nice beef roast instead. January is going to be painful as it is then I will be paying the price for eating too much! Bill

Wow, the pierogis and pies look wonderful!!!!! Debbie has been cooking this afternoon! We will be having shrimp, grits, collard greens, spaghetti squash, and Key Lime Cheese Cake tomorrow! Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Bill, Thank you for taking the time to respond and Happy Holidays. We will be towing with a 2021 Ford F-150 Lariat with the 2.7L Eco boost with the For Trailer package. We also decided to go with an Anderson hitch for the Elite II. I hope that was a good choice. Dale

The older BAKflip covers required the tailgate to be closed first before the last section of the tonneau cover. My first one was like that. The new covers (last couple of years) don’t require that. The tailgate can be closed and the last section will just snap down when closed. Much more convenient. Mike

We opted for a high topped (but not the highest topped) A.R.E. shell. I like the extra height; it's easy to crawl into the back; taller items (e.g., bicycle, chairs, patio rug) can be transported vertically. Eventually I'll build slide out drawers that can double as a bed platform. I agree with Jim and Francis: build quality is good but not great. I really like the flip out side windows for side access.

Merry Christmas everyone! It's a beautiful, warm and sunny day here in the swamp. And the morning air had enough chill to warrant a sweater.

Wow! He even got the snorkel. What a wonderful gift.

Looking good. I do like a symmetrical plate. 😀

Slick how he even made the receiver hitch so that it would accept the bulldog - nicely done! Bill

Me too! I was about 13 and my sister was 15 when one Christmas Eve she convinced me to learn how to dance. Let the lessons begin! In the living room, next to the aluminum Christmas tree that had a color wheel lighting it, she played that song over and over and ....... until I learned. Same thing the next day too. For a long time I really didn't like White Christmas and/or the Drifters. I'd had enough! But, then I found out that girls liked boys who could dance!😇 Thanks for reminding me - it really brought a smile to my face with a great memory. Bill

Hey Dale, Oliver travel trailers are unique in their double wall construction but as far as appliances, suspension and brakes, wheels and tires are concerned they aren’t too mysterious. Any competent repair facility should be able to work on your trailer. We have a local, family owned repair shop that does work on ours and has had no issues working on our trailer. I would start looking locally at what is available for servicing, I’m sure you’ll find a competent shop. You live in a great area, one of the few states we haven’t visited but high on our list! Mike

am waiting for one myself...will be off to tennessee as soon as it arrives.!

Thanks, we're looking forward to it! Plan to take Ollie for some winter camping, too!

Dale C - Those "final stages of purchasing a 2022 Oliver" sure must be an exciting way to spend the holidays!🥰 Besides any replies you get here, you might want to ask Jason Essary (Service Department Manager) this question just in case they have worked with someone in your area. For most of the systems in the Oliver (fridge, furnace, exhaust fans, air conditioner, wheel bearings and brakes, etc. ) they are just about the same as in many other RV's. Also, if there are any good marine/boat places near you they could possibly help with anything related to the shells. Solar is getting more popular and wide spread but in many parts of the country good solid knowledge if still lacking. However, the Oliver solar system is well tested and reasonably robust - there have been few issues along those lines over the years that couldn't be resolved via a phone call. Good luck and with your new Ollie I'm certain that it will be a very happy New Year! Bill

One more item for the GFC, this thread might be informative. https://forum.gofastcampers.com/t/camping-in-a-gfc-with-kids/ John Davies Spokane WA

The dealer said the delivery was moved from 12/24 to 12/28. Hope the Tundra comes in next week, will see. Don't plan to tow with Ollie until we have at least a 1,000 miles. Going to add sideboards and a Diamond back bed cover while breaking in the new SR5. There's some other members here with a Tundra coming, too. Used to call our last Tundra Stan, guess that will work for the new Tundra, too.

Like some of the others, I have a Bak Flip on my RAM truck. It has served me well. However, I've had to repair the back latch and discovered that a well placed tire iron could easily pry the rivets from the thin sheet metal if someone wanted into the bed of the truck while parked. Couple of other considerations. My Bak Flip requires you to close the tailgate first and the cover second which is counter intuitive (at least for every delivery person that has helped me load my truck) Also, because it flips up, it prevents the use of most ladder rack type systems (we'd like to carry a couple of kyaks over the bed and still have access). Finally when fully retracted, it blocks the rear window preventing me from seeing if the straps holding my motorcycle are still tight. My son-in- law has a Peragon cover on his Raptor. I'm aways jelous how easily it opens and closes.

We use a Marmot Halo tent when we’re away from the Ollie, and really like it. Plenty of room for two cots with room to walk around them, and the halo feature really expands the stand up room beyond the center of the tent. It’s held up well for several years, and weathered some good winds.

Before our pop-up tent trailer days, we used to have a stand up tent with 2 cots that allow us to sleep off of the ground. Now with the Ollie, I am looking for a new similar tent (still got the 2 cots) so the grand kids can go camping with us. We have square sleeping bags that can be unzipped so they are almost like sheets. We do not have the issues here in New England that out west has with bears. No posion snakes and after spring passes little bugs (somewhat). We use a tonneau cover which was purchased before the Ollie. If I were starting new, I would consider the cap with racks and side opening windows and carry the bikes on the cap roof instead at the rear of the Ollie. Happy Holidays

We have the backup camera for the Ollie and when towing it becomes my rearview mirror. Like you I am always checking around. Good luck with your decision. We use a tonneau cover as that was the set up long before we had the Ollie. If I were starting new I would consider the cap with racks and side opening windows.

We use the diamondback cover which is nicely made and very durable. I needed the visibility during the winter months plowing and could take some abuse for the next decade or two. If I didn’t require the extra rearward visibility I’d probably buy a ARE DCU or similar with toolboxes along with a cargoglide to have easy access to everything.

I currently use a tonneau cover because I like to be able to climb up into the bed without crouching or being on my knees. It has obvious drawbacks though. My model is not as secure as a cap, and if I need to access the bed in the rain my gear gets wet. The front of the trailer dominates the view from the rearview mirror while towing. I leave the rearview camera monitor on all the time and I use it in conjunction with the side mirrors to navigate safely. If you prefer a cap, don't let the view in the rearview mirror sway your decision. Not much there to see anyway. However, if your TV will also be a daily driver you may be more comfortable with the added visibility afforded by a tonneau cover.

@SeaDawg, next time we camp I'll try to remember to take a picture and post it. We don't always take the bikes depending on weather and only take the kayaks from about late March thru early October here in Texas.

We also went with the Leer painted to match our truck with the Thule bars on top. We added Thule Hullavators to lift our 12’ kayaks easily on top. Inside we carry 2 electric bikes, 12’ Clam, a propane fire pit, chairs, a 22” Blackstone Adventurer grill with stand, a 12’ rug, an aluminum table that folds to fit in a bag, a tool box, small air compressor and 2 stackable crates with cords, lights, helmets, battery chargers, etc. The cover also has lights and it locks with the remote when you lock the truck. We have had no issues at all with leaking. We also have a bed slide that pulls out to easily load and unload items.

If you go the route of a truck topper, I recommend getting the awning side window option. One of my trucks toppers has the option and the other does not. One makes it simple to access items in the middle or front of the bed without either unloading everything or crawling in the bed and over everything.

Each of us have our level of camping that is right for us. Reminds me of the difference between my sister and me. Back in my 20s and 30s going tent camping meant backing packing 5-10 in the boonies and and setting up a 2 man tent and staying 1-2 nights and then moving on to another site. My sisters idea is going tent camping is going to a KAO camp type ground next to a city with a big tent; Bring a microwave, curling iron, TV (television), electric skillet,.... and 2-100ft extension cords to get to the nearest 110 outlet. To each their own. I think I can make it 5 days on solar without a phone.. Heck, I know I can still watch a movie every night and still have electricity to keep Oli warm on a cooler night in the low 30s. Enjoying nature in the lap of luxury.

We love the Bed Rug in the ram.

I have had good results with this Gardner-Bender Liquid Tape product: https://www.amazon.com/Gardner-Bender-07315001126-LTB-400-Electrical/dp/B000FPAN2K/ref=asc_df_B000FPAN2K/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198096571354&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10257715978080992862&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029558&hvtargid=pla-350654169801&psc=1