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First true boondocking adventure for us this weekend for our shakedown. No reservations and just showing up to see what we could find. We lucked out to find only us with a spot next to the river in a bird sanctuary. Thank you Army COE! To be honest, I never thought a camping adventure like this would ever happen!

A teaser…this evenings sunset at LGSP. Safe Travels everyone!

In the past, several people have gotten camping spots for the next years rally. At this time I don't know the exact dates yet and wanted to advise not to secure any spots for next year until I can finalize the dates. I will be speaking with the campground and shoring up the dates and will let everyone know as soon as they are set in stone.

Day two, 244 miles in under 4 hours, mostly on I-40 at 70+ MPH. SOC increased from 56% to 82% (26%) or 156 Ah. Tonight and last night we ran our Emeril Air Fryer for 20-30 minutes (too windy to cook outside), fridge on DC most of the time which brought 600Ah down to 56% (fridge on DC overnight SOC would have been about 50%). Today on the road we charged 40Ah per hour. Yesterday it was near 42Ah. Likely 40Ah gained per hour is something I can count on with the Orion XS 50A DC-DC charger as I have it wired. If you drive a long day (7.5 hours with engine running) you can charge a full 300Ah! That and 720W solar, I'm thinking we no longer need 30A hookups. Very nice not to need to plug in. Carrying 35-gal extra water in the TV and it's only time between dump stations that bring us back to civilization, that's amazing. 😂

2025 Oliver Forum and Facebook Group Rally Attendee List - Final Issue! Attached is the final PDF sheet of 81 of you who have volunteered to be added to this list for the convenience of other rally attendees. It comes in handy for finally meeting someone you've talked to online, or to see that amazing modification you've been lusting after. Or, just to say hello. Print this list before you go to the rally, or copy it to your phone. If you need a printed copy, I will have about 50 at our campsite. It is G23, right on the corner of the main drag. Just look for "Curiosity" on the front of the trailer. If we're not home, I'll have the stack on the table by the door or the hood of my truck, weather permitting. A big thanks to all of you who have contributed. Making this list my first rally in 2023 was invaluable in getting to know people I'd only met on the Oliver Forum or Facebook. Thank you! Steve 2025 Forum and Facebook Oliver Rally Attendees Final.pdf

We’ve been in the Escape 23 a couple of times. For a similar size trailer as the Oliver, it seems larger, mostly due to the extra width. It has some nice features, especially the much larger fridge. But it is a step down in quality for sure. Another option to look at might be the Bigfoot 25 fiberglass trailer. We haven’t been inside one, but hear the quality is very good.

We (just 2 of us) fulltime in our Oliver after living in a smaller Casita, so we see the Oliver as a big trailer in comparison. If you think you need something bigger....then you need something bigger. We looked at Airstream but could only see rivets and an oncoming hail storm. And when you approach the 27 footers you're talking serious money. New models of fiberglass trailers are coming as people see the benefits...so keep looking...we would definitely stay with fiberglass. Good luck, john

Arrived at LGSP today after a leisurely drive from Murphy, NC. Beautiful weather and we really enjoyed the Trail of Tears route. As always the check in staff here were super nice. I think we counted 6 0r 7 Olivers here in the park on this evenings walk. The security gate as you enter the park is not working so no pass code to enter for now. Safe Travels friends, David & Kathy Hull #634 XPLOR

My daughter sent me these pictures today of an Oliver at her camping event and then following it part way back to Tucson.

Don't miss the Yankee Fork which feeds into the Salmon River. Trout Unlimited and others have done a good job on restoring the Yankee Fork. A tour of the Dredge (GPS: 44.377737, -114.72268) is in order while here and so is the ghost town of Custer (GPS: 44.38767, -114.69656). Pole Flat Campground (GPS: 44.30335, -114.72012) is fine with water and pit toilets - the best sites at at the northeast (top) corner of the looped campground road (Forest Service Road 40369). The last pic below is the hot springs just west of Yankee Fork Road right on the Salmon River (free).

I have driven, and towed a trailer many times, on all of the routes you are considering. I grew up in Idaho and regularly do the rivers accessible from those highways. You will have absolutely no trouble towing your Elite II with your 2500 on any of those roads. Just be sure to: (1) top off your fuel tank(s) just about every chance you get, as there are long, mountainous stretches with no services along those routes and (2) use engine braking (downshift to lower gears) going down steep, long hills. Relying exclusively on your brakes on these roads can burn them out quickly. You have correctly prioritized seeing the Sawtooths in Stanley. I recommend securing a reservation at Redfish Lake, if you can. Those sites fill up long before summer. Mid-week, there are often non-reserveable Forest Service sites along the Salmon River on Highway 75 available for a night or two. Good luck if you get there on a weekend. If your next priority is great scenery, either your 3A or 3B will provide lots of scenic mountain driving. 3A is more consistently scenic, with fewer miles of sagebrush prairie getting back east to Jackson, through Montana. Once you get close to Boise on your 3B, it's all sagebrush prairie from there most of the way on I-84/I-15 back to Jackson. If you choose "3B" through Boise, I agree with Galway Girl that Three Island State Park has good RV camping, not too far off I-84. Regarding your "5B" alternative, a stop at Shoshone Falls on the Snake River may be worthwhile as you pass by my hometown, Twin Falls, on I-84. It is higher than (but not nearly as big as) Niagara Falls. That said, I recommend finding a place to park your Elite II in town (like at Walmart) before heading down to Shoshone Falls Park, as that paved access road is quite narrow and steep. That is the one place where I would not want to take our Elite II. Highway 12 along the Lochsa and the Clearwater (referenced above), although beautiful, is not along the path of either your 3A or 3B. It would be best seen on another trip through "Scenic Idaho." Feel free to PM me if you would like to brainstorm your proposed routes, and possible RV camp spots along those routes, on the phone. I know them all well.

As far as I know - Garmin does not produce a "satellite phone". I can send SOS messages, and, email type messages. It also maps where I've been and am currently located, shows and store places on a map that I designate, and proposed trails, fishing spots, sight seeing spots, etc. Bill p.s. the mini's primary function is to get assistance to you if you need it by whatever means is necessary.

You're more than welcome. Now, there are three things additional you must do: 1 -activate your new Mini 2 by selecting the "Garmin plan" that suits you. 2 - remember to keep it with you when you fish, hike, travel. 3 - remember to turn it on - if you have it "plugged" in to a power supply, it will automatically power off when it it senses that the power supply has been turned off. For example - I have a USB plug in the truck that I have my Garmin Mini plugged into while I travel. When I stop at a rest area or gas station or .... and turn the truck off, the Garmin will shut itself off automatically. Then when I get back on the road I have to remember to turn the Garmin back on. This is not a big deal but you do have to remember to do it or the tracking function will not be tracking you. Bill

You can download my latest catalog here: Download I'm excited to introduce a new section called Oliver Makers, featuring talented crafters like myself who create upgrades for Oliver Travel Trailers. This update features Re-Wrapped Upholstery and Sea Biscuit Metal Designs. We are heading to Lake Guntersville for the Oliver Rally. Stop by and say hello. We are at campsite D-14.

That's why they call it "fishing" and not "catching"? Unfortunately, those fish get hit so hard by so many fishermen that they are very well educated (PHD level). There are many streams in the Yellowstone area (both inside and outside the Park) that are not as well known but do provide excellent fishing opportunities. Bill

Thanks Steve.

I found dispersed camping off 20 outside Yellowstone, right on the Henry's Fork. I spent 3 days in the middle of the river with trout rising within feet of me, and didn't get one hit. It was still fun fishing one the top trout streams.

We drove in via Stanley, camping at a beautiful USFS campground on a canyon near the ranger station. Plenty of hot springs. On through Boise to Ponderosa SP in McCall, ID on a beautiful reservoir, and then North and connecting with Hwy. 12. This will get a return visit probably 2026 or 27. Don't miss Crater of the Moon National Monument Beautiful campground in the lava bed.

Hwy. 12 is a beautiful drive with great wildlife views. The LoLo Hot Springs was a fun night stop and enjoyed the hot springs. We took this route from West Idaho back to Missoula Mt.

Last Call! Currently at 73 listings. I'll and/remove up until sometime Sunday evening, and then print a bunch of copies to bring with us. I'll post the final PDF at that time, too. Thanks again to everyone who has contributed! It sure makes it easier for owners new and old find people they've only conversed with online. 2025 Oliver Rally Attendees as of 4-26.pdf

Congratulations -- the adventure is the best part!

I ordered the Mini 2 and it was on sale at Amazon for just $300, all the same things 'in the box' as if ordered direct from Garmin. This will give my friends and family some peace of mind (me too) when I'm out hiking and fishing solo. Thanks for all the info! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PSKG7C3?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title_0_0&th=1

X2.. @Toby look at the creekside 19 MKS titanium!

If you aren’t set on fiberglass I would give Outdoors RV a serious look. Well constructed and true 4 season. Another one (related to Outdoors RV) is Arctic Fox. Mike

WOW!

Absolutely gorgeous country…there is nothing like solitude, a perfect spot and totally a home run 🤩👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

We've been working hard on Helene deadfall cleanup. Time to relax, grill some steaks, and chill a bit.

Looks like a great drive along the Clearwater River. We have Idaho on our short list, this fall or late spring 2026. Interesting that Utah Hwy 12 is also a scenic drive!

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is my ‘kitchen pass’ to travel solo! I wear it on my person, to the extent possible, to ensure it is within reach if needed. Pic of me off-trail in remote West Texas in the heat of summer, daytime temps were 100+° during my stay.

Nice looking rig!

Landed at Rivers Edge CG in Cherokee County, Murphy, NC. Concrete pad, F/H and a nice place to overnight on our way to LGSP. It’s good to be back on the road and traveling again. Tomorrow onward to Lake Guntersville SP. See ya at the Rally! Nothing like the beauty of Western North Carolina! 🤩 Safe Travels!

Good point. We need to be 100 ft from my truck or carry the Starlink with us which we would not do on the short hikes we walk these days.

The Garmin inReach service can be suspended when not in use as a cost saving measure, can be used to summon help to others in dire need at no risk of costs for their emergency/medical response, weather forecasts are available, and they offer very reasonable and affordable SAR plans.

I have the FITCAMX, it’s nicely integrated into my Silverado’s rear view mirror housing, and plug and play installation with the power wire hidden and connected to the rear view mirror wiring, and hidden inside the mirror housing.

The first George Strait concert we went to was in 1985 in the Killeen High School auditorium in Killeeen, TX just outside of Fort Hood. Amarillo By Morning was his big hit then. We went to another concert a few years ago, to hear a 70+ year old George and he didn’t miss a beat. Over 2 hours of singing and he finished as strong as he started. He lives near us and is very active in the area. He’s authentic. Mike

I simply disconnected the power wire at the 7 pin connector and bent it back. I was experiencing intermittent trailer brake disconnect messages on my dash and part of my trouble shooting (while camping in Colorado) was to open up the 7 pin connector and check the trailer brake wire. While doing that I took care of the charging wire. There are other threads on the trailer brake disconnect issue. BLUF, it was the wire inside the axle that connected the brake pairs, it had frayed and was shorting the connection. This has happened to several Oliver’s owners with early hull numbers. Mike

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