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I purchased my SLM in May and since encased it in a Veritas Vans mount with an optional handle and magnets for securement on top of the Savana van when underway. I also bought a 12’ (three 4’ sections) pole with suction cup mounts from FlagPole Buddy for alternative use on the Oliver. Although these angled suction cup mounts are primarily marketed for Airstreams, they similarly fit the Oliver. Pole (two 4’ sections) shown mocked up in COW Barn.

Just before leaving on our current trip, I covertly made a new cherry table and installed it to the surprise of wifey. She had wanted to keep the Oliver’s stock modern look, which is understandable considering that the house is already full of custom wood pieces. But after using it on this trip, we both absolutely love it! If I were to choose to have only one Oliver modification, it would be the enlarged table! The original table was small to fit between the seats for a third bed, and it is barley big enough to fit much more than a two piece place setting. The new table is 28” x 37” (about 10” longer and 5” wider) and it makes a huge difference to have the extra tabletop space. We can now fit the computer and our place settings. I realize not everyone has access to a wood shop to build such a table, but there are consignment woodworkers just about everywhere that could easily do it. As wood working projects go, it doesn’t get much simpler to joint and glue planks together and sand them flat. Many hardwood lumber shops even have wide belt sanders available to flatten tabletops. You could even have a lumber shop cut a nice piece of hardwood plywood, round the corners with a saber saw, and dress the edges with real wood self-stick or iron-on edge bands, just like they do for kitchen cabinets. I recommend experimenting with a cardboard template to determine the optimum size to fit your body types. I also remember a guy who advertises wooden accessories on this forum who might sell larger tables. Anyway, it’s a worthy project or expense to think about! Cheers, Geoff

I purchased my StarLink Mini in the spring during a great sale at Home Depot, and now,. Bosker and I have been on the road from San Antonio for about a month and a half. So far we've had decent broadband connectivity through Verizon utilizing our iPhone's hotspot or a Verizon Jetpack for our internet. We're now staying overnight at Clark Canyon Reservoir, in southwestern Montana, where nary a Verizon signal will reach. No problem. Attatched the 90° flagpole mount to the hitch receiver, snugged the Mini antenna / router onto a 12 ft pool cleaning rod and ran the connector cable to a 100W DC outlet on the curbside of the trailer --- And POOF! Bob's your Uncle, we are connected to the internet. Easy Peasy Love this gadget! Update: Downloadspeed - 242 mbps / Upload speed 4.97 mbps

No experience with this SL pole setup, but years of using the same suction cup mounts on an actual 16’ fiberglass flagpole from the same company; a WeBoost antenna was also mounted at its top. I never had a suction cup loose grip. Yes, they do require a daily check and a couple strokes of the integral pump to maintain adequate suction; a visual indicator on the pump is used to ensure optimum suction. If there is too much obstruction at the Oliver, I like that the SLM can be mounted on the van with magnets while parked in close enough proximity to the campsite for Wi-Fi reception in the trailer. That said, I have parked at the COW Barn several times in like manner and been able to operate the Atmos via the Cielo and steam movies.

So glad to hear that the 103 listed as still missing is now down to 3. 100 have been accounted for and are alive.🙏🙏🙏

“Beauty (or ugly) is in the eyes of the beholder”!

In the 4' wide x 6' long truckbed, with the tailgate down. Properly strapped and secured, I'd hope. Interestingly enough, many of the cybertrucks I see are driven by contractors or trades. Maybe for the battery power, or the attention. Idk. I see 2 or 3 cybertrucks every day, and as many rivians. The rivian is definitely more "trucklike."

Me too. Sales low due to being ugly and it’s just not a pickup! Where do you load 20 sheets of drywall? 🤣

George Strait is also doing a benefit concert here in our hill country town of Boerne (“BER-nee” for out of staters!). It also sold out in a day or so. George lives here and does a lot of local charity work with his buisiness partner Tom Cusick who is a local business owner. Great folks. George Strait Hill Country Benefit Concert Mike

Nothing like being in Texas.

Huge fans of Robert Earl Keen! And we always went to see him when he played in local “honkey-tonks” or concert venues when we lived in San Antonio. Great times and memories during the late 80’s and early 90’s at Greene Hall in New Braunsfels “boot scootin” a the hall. The best night a the Hall is when I proposed to my bride and she accepted. 🤩 The late Hall Ketchum who we actually got to know, dedicated a song to us on one summer evening. 🎶 The Road Goes On Forever! 🇺🇸👍🏻

Very nice! Foy sells three sizes, standard (24.25 X 28.125), Extended 29.25 X 28.125), and Mega (29.26 X 32.125). Yours is even longer, by 3" each side. That's a lot of space you've made available. Thanks for sharing!

Truck Weight Class ≠ Tow Capacity Truth! Think your truck’s weight class tells you everything you need to know about towing? Think again. Many assume that a 1500, 2500, or 3500 series badge automatically dictates if a weight distribution (WD) hitch is needed—but that's not the case. Did you know? Today’s 1500-series trucks (a.k.a. half-tons) can tow anywhere from 7,000 to 13,300 lbs, depending on their specific configuration. Compare that to 1-ton trucks from the 1990s, which often maxed out around 8,500–10,000 lbs towing capacity. That's right—modern half-ton trucks can outperform the 1-tons of the past! 😲 Just because two trucks look identical on the outside doesn’t mean they have the same guts. You MUST: Check your exact vehicle build and tow rating. Consult your vehicle’s manual to see if a weight distribution hitch is recommended or required. Call your insurance company—some require WD hitch use when recommended by the manufacturer, others don’t. Additionally, while the Andersen Weight Distribution Hitch includes integrated sway control, it’s important to know that most half-ton trucks recommend the use of a weight distribution hitch when towing over 5,000 lbs—especially to help manage trailer sway safely. Bottom line: Don’t judge a truck by its series number. Know your numbers. Protect your tow. Example of 1500 Truck series and tow capacity ranges based on engine and other equipment: Please note: We are not recommending Chevrolet or any specific truck brand—this example was simply used to illustrate the wide range of towing capacities within a single truck class. Quick Tow Tip: Did you know that in most cases, a 2WD truck can tow more than a 4WD version of the same model? That’s because 2WD trucks typically weigh less, leaving more of the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) available for towing. Always check your specific truck’s tow rating!

I too like using added protection at the power pole; not only an instant analysis of the CG’s electrical grid upon arrival and potential wiring faults at my particular campsite, but also more joules surge protection if a problem with the grid arises during a stay. Yes redundant, but cheap insurance put to good use before ever plugging in my Oliver’s power cord! This is what I have:

Apply dielectric grease to each inside contact as a corrosion preventative, as well as the outside female plug.

I share your disappointment when owners get into personal comments. Truck discussions, unfortunately, can be contentious leaving no room for alternate viewpoints. I am aware of a number of owners towing with a half ton and no Andersen. I’m interested in the experiences one of our new members will have towing with an EV. I’ve towed our Oliver well over 100K miles. About half of that was with a 2500 (no WDH)and half with 1500’s/Tacoma (with WDH). Only 5K on the Tacoma, it was adequate but very limiting (payload, range without refueling, braking/acceleration, etc). The half tons (both Ram 1500 5.7L) towed the Oliver with ease. Mountain towing proved more challenging for both braking and having the high RPM’s going uphill. I still needed to be concerned with payload. The 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins is an entirely different experience. Level towing is effortless with the engine barely above idle RPMs. Mountain towing is much better, very little braking going downhill (exhaust brake is wonderful) and uphill it may downshift to get RPMs up to 2500, but nowhere near the 4500+ of the half ton V8. I get the about the same mileage in the 2500 as I did in the 1500s. The bed is bigger, interior is bigger, and it feels much more stable. We were camping in AZ and went by a Mesquite lumber store south of Tucson. I bought a fair amount of mesquite planks for some projects. Loaded them up in the 2500 along with our camping stuff and didn’t have to worry about the extra weight. Not possible with the 1500s, we were always near our cargo limit. Diesels are more expensive to buy and maintain but for us and the amount of towing we do it is worth it. As the title of this thread states, you don’t need a 3/4 ton truck to tow your Oliver. You might not even need a WDH on your half ton depending on how it is configured. It comes down to personal choice. Mike

It has water proof plugs. Our Mini has gone through a serious rain and even a hail storm had zero issues. The custom case adds a little weight to the Mini and does a good job of keeping in grounded during light wind conditions. With high winds I will use a bungee to secure it to a table or just place it on the ground. I run an extension cord from the Oliver exterior outlet into the bed of my TV. I have a camper shell so water is not a concern when I plug in the Mini and our Truma cooler in during bad weather. Just how we roll. 😊 Here is a pic of a chilly 28 degree morning while camped in Yellowstone at Fishing Bridge last fall. Our Mini was working great. It has a built in heating element (you must go into your IPhone app to turn it on) to keep ice or snow from collecting on the dish. We love cold weather camping! 🇺🇸🇺🇸