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Deb and I are trying wintering in Florida this year for a few weeks. We couldn't get into state or federal parks in the southern half, due to all the snowbirds who've planned further ahead than us. If you're near where we're staying, drop us a message and maybe we can meet up! Eggs 'N S'mores Rally at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park near Live Oak January 15-20 Blackwater River State Park January 20-26 Fort Pickens January 26-31 A couple of nights at Best Western in Tallahassee to stretch out January 31-February 2 Salt Springs Recreation Area February 2-12 Retro Reno in Jacksonville February 12-13 A four night Carnival Bahamas Cruise for a change of pace February 13-17 After that, we'll wander north, with possible stops in Savannah GA and/or Columbia SC, depending on the weather.

When towing with a truck, the majority of ‘stuff’ brought along on a camping trip or road adventure is conveniently stowed within the various holds of the Oliver and bed of the TV. However, even though my former crew cab Silverado 1500 had a storage box under the rear seat, it was mostly used to accommodate service tools and supplies for the truck and thus, found myself utilizing the rear floorboards and seat as additional cargo space when traveling. There’s peace of mind knowing cargo carried in the bed of a truck is adequately secured, not so much for that behind the front seats! All one needs is something going on from behind when something tragic is happening up front, no bueno! We’re required to wear seatbelts for good reason, proper securement of vehicle interior cargo should be of equal importance. I would be interested in learning how owners with trucks/SUVs safely carry their cargo within. My awareness of cargo securement was heightened recently with acquisition of a converted cargo work van as my TV; specifics are detailed in a forum post last October under ‘Towing an Oliver’ and titled ‘2019 GMC Savana 2500 Cargo Van’, if interested. Unlike service utility work vans that generally have a partition or cargo net, along with containment shelves and boxes, to secure cargo and ensure personal safety; conversion and passenger vans are more designed for ‘people’ cargo. In the aforementioned forum post, I addressed cargo containment, but cargo securement was still under consideration. Here is what I did to address the subject matter: Maiden voyage to Texas Oliver Rally, Inks Lake SP; cargo contained, but not secured! DC CARGO E-Track system components were obtained via online purchases from Tractor Supply. Each of the Buyers Products boxes were fitted with six of these brackets, three at the top of each end. A 1/4” x 8” aluminum backing plate was used to attach and strengthen these mounts. Backing plate cut to size, holes drilled and tapped for mounting bolts. Containment boxes prepped for backing plate and E-Track bracket installation. Super Sliders affixed to bottom of containment boxes for ease of handling on interior carpet. Three E-Tract rails fastened to deck to accommodate securement straps. Aluminum plate at floor level is runway for folded e-bikes. This box was slid rearward once back box was removed for storage at COW Barn. It primarily contains items typically kept in the TV with additional storage space, as needed, a trunk per se. Ratchet straps best used for non-towing vehicle use. Box securement once e-bikes are deployed. Wider Cam straps best used for e-bikes and subsequent box securement when traveling. Rear box is for camping ‘stuff’, forward as a truck and more ‘stuff’. Driver’s side box securement using ratchet straps. View of e-bikes ready for ‘takeoff’ on runway! Cam strap securing e-bike. Ratchet straps for spare propane tank, generator and other needs. Items too long for the containment boxes are stowed behind at side panel. Oliver-mounted hoist used to transfer box at storage facility. TV moved forward to enable box positioning. Cam straps used for the lift. Containment box lowered onto platform cart. Liking the modular containment storage.

I am going to give another shout out to Seabiscuitmetaldesigns.com located in Johnson CIty, TN. It is not just that they make wonderful, well made custom products for the Oliver but when you buy from them you are supporting made in USA by USA workers that need support to put food on the table and keep the doors open. Awesome, friendly staff, including the dogs! Best, M Agree with @Patriot, every trip gives you more experience on how you want to pack/load the Oliver for each own's specific camping style. I like having the watertight storage for useful things that I can keep handy. Goal Zero solar generator will go into the bed of the truck when and if I need it.

Ditto. I would only say "Danger Will Robins Danger". There is a good reason OTT cut off the corners of the front box. I and many other owners have the "witness marks" to prove it. 😞

New Mexico State Parks will be implementing a new fee structure beginning January 1, 2025. For those who have been following this topic this is not news. If you have not been following, the rate increases can be substantial, particularly for non-NM Residents and may come as a surprise. Most notable is the increase in fees for the non-Resident Annual Camping pass from $225 to $600. Passes purchased in 2024 will be honored til expiration in 2025. If you are a non-Resident and plan to purchase the Annual Camping Pass for 2025 you may wish to do so yet this month so you will not feel the impact from the increased rate until 2026.

Our refrigerator has an external cooling fan as standard equipment. If yours is similarly equipped, then you should hear that. Ours is loud enough to drown out the sound of the propane flame. If the propane flame fails to light, then the error code will reappear within a couple of minutes. A side comment: the factory cooling fan isn't adequate for Texas summer heat. Like several others have done, we've added an auxiliary fan from Beech.

What refrigerator do you have? When we ran out of propane running our Norcold it could be switched to AC or DC without displaying an error code. When the propane was refilled and the stove burners, hot water and furnace were working, the fridge still gave an error code on propane. After turning the fridge off and then back on, then the propane worked.

I'm guessing that ScubaRx might take this as some sort of challenge. I'd also bet that he'd win. Bill

You too Tom! Didn't we meet at the dump station upon leaving? Too bad it wasn't a few days sooner! I met Ron at the Rally and what a pleasure to meet this Southern Gentleman! Can I say @Ronbrink is a nut? 🤣 Or perhaps a pack rat?! Love the guy and I know we've learned a lot from each other on this forum, long before meeting in person. There is NOBODY more prepared than Ron, though I must say, I have not yet met Steve! 🤣 @ScubaRx Hoping we will run into each other soon. I have the first week of Feb open to get down to Quartzsite, or points between! I prefer to pack a bit lighter than Ron, and Steve, but their mods are the tops! EXCELLENT well-presented post here. Thank you Ron, for posting ALL your great work! I've copied more than a couple of your mods.

It was nice to meet you at the Texas Rally! You've come up with some really clever ideas, nice work! The crane is impressive as well!

I understand the idea of prioritizing your parks for your residents, especially when campgrounds were all filling up in the COVID boom. And I don't. Out-of-staters will probably spend more at restaurants, tourist destinations, etc., than locals and I think the COVID bubble is bursting, so this might end up hurting states overall. I don't agree with fire departments charging out-of-towners for car crashes, either (same concept). Just like out-of-state campers, those people pay taxes to support a fire department (and parks) somewhere. I think it should just all be reciprocal: same price for everyone. It all equals out eventually. (The only exception that makes sense to me would be visitors from other countries who don't pay taxes to support anything in the U.S. I can see charging them extra.)

We have a Sea Biscuit Metal Designs front storage box and can’t say enough good things about it. It looks fantastic on the front of our Oliver, perfectly complementing the trailer’s design. The craftsmanship is top-notch—durable, sturdy, and well-constructed. The extra storage space has been a game-changer for us. It allows us to keep bulky or frequently used gear easily accessible without cluttering the interior or other compartments. We’ve also been impressed with how well it holds up to the elements; the materials and finish are clearly built to last. If you’re considering a front storage box for your Oliver, I highly recommend checking out Sea Biscuit Metal Designs. It’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing—an excellent upgrade for your trailer! Here’s a link to their website if interested: https://seabiscuitmetaldesigns.com/product-category/oliver-travel-trailer-accessories/

Yep, $1200 for a toolbox no way for me! 🤣 With another $150 an Atmos AC system can be shipped to my door! Certainly a good price on this one. You made the frame weaker by drilling through it in 4 places. They show it mounted with U-bolts. I would add a steel plate under the compressor, large enough to cover all frame members short of the outer perimeter. Hold it down by the same 4 bolts to strengthen those points and better support your generator. I also like the ability to pull U-turns, steering fully cocked. I've found that even with my long-bed truck, Oliver in tow, I can pull a rather tight U-y when needed, as sharp as I can turn without the Oliver in tow. I'm happy with the basket OTT installed. We don't carry a generator, and our LP fire ring and several accessories fit nicely up there.

Agree 💯%, sorry did not mean to sound like I criticized your post! I also was just putting the more affordable option out there. Like I said the Amazon box works just fine for our needs.

Yes, the sea biscuit box looks very well made, I just couldn’t justify paying $1200 for a box that I can get on Amazon for more than half the price. Yes I know it’s not the same quality but I (me personally) don’t need a “safe” to hold my chocks, levelling blocks etc. in, but hey, that’s why there’s dark and white chocolate, I like dark chocolate! My $350 box from Amazon is working perfectly fine for my needs. 😊

I would be more concerned when turning sharp corners or turnarounds with your setup; even backing up into a campsite pad could be challenging, which is usually not a straight shot! Aside from that, you’ve made good use of this valuable real estate; really like the gas can mounts. Many owners have added weight to the tongue and seem pleased, rear additions or not. Good luck with your endeavor!

They are expensive! Got to admit, found an eBay seller with a one-off pair for $60 (looked hard and long)! A better set would be as strong yet maybe taller. The Andersons are 4” tall, and they just fit between the wheels. I can see the required height on the LevelMatePRO before using. If > 4” move and try again! Then drive up ‘til level and you shouldn’t drive past the top. However, I have done so when I have gone in reverse when should have gone forward, or vice versa. What a mess, just drive forward, right over the dang things and try again! I haven’t broken one yet (rated to 30K LBS). 🤣

Congrats on your install and getting rid of your “Demonic penguin”. You’re going to love being able to talk on the phone, not use ear plugs to sleep, watch a little tele or listen to some music. Great mod! What BTU is the Atmos? Where you able to use the original condensate inner hull OEM Olive drain lines? Just as an FYI I sold my Demonic to a guy who needed an AC unit for his food truck. I put it on FB market place and it sold in 3 hrs for $600.00.

I decided better safe than sorry on the bug thing. I had the ladder out yesterday to install the easy start on my AC, so why not add a screen to the plumbing vent while I was up there. Taking off the vent cap is just one screw and it pops off. Once uncovered, the PVC vent sticks up a half inch or so from the roof, making it a simple task to add some screen. I had a pack of these in the trailer for repairs, and they fit perfectly with just enough overlap to zip tie one on the vent. (Those particular patches come with tape around the edge, but it didn't want to stick so I took the tape off and used a zip.) Took all of five minutes, if that. Just be sure that if you go through the trouble of adding a screen that you use a finer mesh like a tent screen. I think standard screen that you'd get at the hardware store is probably not fine enough to keep out the sort of gnats that would infest your toilet.

Smart. Nothing heavy in our back seats except the impact wrench and torque limiting extensions, which are under the front seats to contain them in an impact. I once saw a guy killed by the small red steel toolbox in the bed of his pickup. He went head on with a tri-axle dump truck at about 50 MPH and his toolbox flew through the truck cap window and rear truck window, hit him in the head, then kept going through his windshield and dented the hood of the dump truck just below its windshield. The pickup driver was killed instantly. The truck driver was lucky it didn't get him, too. (The cause of the accident was an impatient small car that passed the dump truck in the fog, then cut in front of him and braked hard when she saw the oncoming pickup. This caused the rear tires of the empty dump truck to skid out and the dump truck crossed the center line into the pickup. The car driver kept going but called 911 to say she had witnessed an accident. She was charged with vehicular homicide.)