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My new ride and TV, Ford F-150 Lariat, 3.5 twin turbo super cab short box, 4x4 off road, max tow, twin sun roof in leadfoot grey.

As MountainOliver mentions, GenConnex is who I purchased the conversion kits from, I did both of them myself, each took about an hour to do. As a company, they are great to deal with, much like dealing with the Oliver people, they are somewhat local to me, couple hours away and when I was in a hurry and couldn't wait for overnight shipping, they left the kit outside under the bushes so I could swing by to grab it to get it done. If you tell them you need the high altitude kit they'll throw it in for you when they send it. It isn't changing out the regulator, it replaces the orifice where their components replace where the carburetor was. I haven't noticed any power loss/difference from how a 2000 watt Generac I have runs, I do believe there is supposed to be some loss with propane but I've never noticed it. I prefer to use easily refillable 20lb grill type tanks, they travel in the back of the truck, so they can be refilled whenever you venture out to civilization and isn't using the heating/cooking supply. It's also what I'm used to, I've switched out all my home power tools to corded electric, so this setup travels my property with me to do anything. No more little gas engines.... Here is some research info for you, a could steps in from the above link. http://www.genconnexdirect.net/honda_generator_propane_kits.htm

Here are a few photos from our wonderful tour with Scott. If he pointed at & explained something in detail, I snapped a picture. Embarrassingly, most of these I cannot explain but I thought they might be beneficial for prospective buyers. We pick up Hull # 292 (Shallow Gal 3) January 17th!

OK, time for that short term review on the KAITO Voyager Pro KA600L. The radio was about the size I expected - 4 1/2 inches tall, 5 1/2 inches long, 2 3/4 inches thick but it was a bit lighter than expected at 1 pound 2 oz. The lightness is probably part of the reason that my initial impression was that the radio is fairly cheaply constructed - certainly not made for "rugged" use like just pitching it into the back of the truck. I'm guessing that things would break if it is subjected to even relatively minor falls from a counter. However, one of the first things I did to it was to apply heavy duty "3M" Velcro to its bottom so that it will normally ride near the rear window on top of the night stand. But, with the Velcro I will be able to remove it to take outside if desired. Other than the fact that I think that the humidistat reads a touch too low, all the other functions work remarkably well. The thermometer is spot on, tuning is easy (either on automatic or via manual input) and the sound output is OK given the size of the speaker. I'll have to assume that the NOAA weather alert function works since the controls did what they were supposed to do but during the time that I tested it no alerts were issued. The radio comes with a short USB cord and my plan is to use this to power the radio from the USB port that I had installed in the rear of the nightstand. I charged up the battery and let the radio play all day. At the end of the day the battery charge indicator on the screen only showed a minor use of power. So, bottom line is that I'm happy. Given all of the things it can do this radio seems to be a bargain as opposed to the other brands I looked at. Bill

I remember wading through all the options when ordering Twist and thinking about all of the electronic gear - particularly the solar. I looked at the external surge protectors primarily because they are a bunch cheaper. But, then I thought about those rainy nights after a long day of travel when, knowing me, I would either not remember or simply chose to take the chance and not use that external job. That is when I decided that camping should be relaxing and fun without having to worry about anything more than necessary. So, it was the built in on board surge protector for me and I'm really glad that I made that choice. Yes, expensive, but not near as expensive as the cost of all that unprotected stuff because I was too lazy or dumb or ? to use the portable job. Bill

I guess this is one benefit of the built-in surge suppressor being standard equipment on the 2018's.

15? We're planning on 40!

I've been using cushions to keep the drawers from opening until today... Yesterday I found the magnets that I've been looking for at Ace Hardware, they are 07217, 25lb magnets made by "The Magnet Source". They're more then strong enough to hold the drawers closed by themselves and they fit the original strike plates installed in the Oliver's perfectly. I had thought originally about just doubling up on the original magnets until I saw these Yesterday. I just had to mark and lower the middle and bottom drawer screws on mine, the top drawer lined right up. I had some good 1/2" sheet metal screws with a socket head that made them easy to install and though it says that it will hold 25lbs, it's maybe 6lbs of pull to open the drawers. So they are snug but still easily opened by anyone. Here's more pics and a pic of both the old and the new... major difference. I ended up screwing them in all of the way and then backing them out 1/2 a turn. I also adjusted the strike plates out enough to hit the magnets and hold solid. We will be heading down a washboard road here in a day or so to really put them thru the test... Well, I will be going really slow anyway... but still :) Reed

John - don't think that "older" has anything to do with it and change is most always good (in my opinion). I do always carry two Spots - one is always in the Oliver to track where it is at all times and the other is with me. I too use a tablet for when I'm in the back country. In fact, I probably use "Back Country Navigator" more than any other single app and, as you point out, if one downloads maps prior to a trip then they can navigate just about anywhere on earth. My wish for a weather alert radio has little to do with my need or lack thereof for a cell phone. For my purposes I believe that it would simply be much easier to have a small radio in my sleeping quarters at all times without having to worry about where is the cell phone - is turned on or off - is it fully charged - is that app functioning - will some bozo call me in the middle of the night... Glad that it works for you though. Bill

Interesting that most people just assume that everyone has a cell phone these days. Well, yes I do have one, but only use it for emergencies. Therefore, I do not have it on all the time. Actually, I hardly ever have it on - hence the "need" for something that I do not have to remember to turn on. However, thanks for the input - so far. Bill p.s. The wild fire issue does remind me of a time about 4 years ago. I was fishing up a 22 mile long one lane dirt road out of Meeteetse, WY fairly near Amelia Earhart's unfinished cabin. A nice sunny day until I noticed that it wasn't so sunny anymore and those were not clouds. I never did smell smoke but thought that I just might want to start back down that road in the event this was what I thought it was. Well, as I got to about 5 miles from civilization an army of forest service guys and fire equipment met me head on. Just got to give those people a bunch of credit - nasty work and there basically is only one way in and out of that place.