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Hello, We are Dan and Theresa from Colorado. Yesterday we brought home our new 2020 Elite II as second owners. (Hull #627). After a couple decades of camping with pop-up tent trailers, we have moved up...way up! We first learned of Oliver just a few months ago as we started researching travel trailers and finding that we were dissapointed with the quality of pretty much everything we saw. I started reading through the forums several weeks ago as we were considering this purchase. There seems to be so much great information shared and a sense of family. I'm sure I will have questions as I get some experience and start to ready the trailer for a trip and would sure appreciate the wisdom of this group! The weight and size of the Oliver meant we needed to upgrade our tow vehicle as well. So --- we pulled the Ollie home with our brand new Silverado 1500 I6 Duramax and it was fantastic. We are a little (Ha ha) lighter in the wallet now but excited for upcoming adventures as recent "empty nesters." Already have reservations at Great Sand Dunes NP in Spring, Rocky Mountain NP in June and Mount Rusmore/Custer SP in Fall. Looking to add more in-between. Again, appreciate all the great info shared here! Dan & Theresa 2020 Oliver Elite II, Hull 627, 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L I6 Duramax

Congratulations & welcome! We LOVE Harvest Hosts! The only place where we have stayed on your projected route is Paw Paw's Pecans in Atkins, Arkansas. It's not too far south of I-40. Another great option for one-nighters is Cracker Barrel, especially after an unusually long drive day & cooking is the last thing you want to do.

Because the LP alarm is wired directly to the battery ( Jason @ OTT ) the only way to avoid phantom drains is to disconnect the batteries at the negative terminal. When the batteries are down to 50% and this is done, they go into a “standby mode” ( Larry @ LifeBlue ).. As NCeagle mentioned, please point out the fact to your Oliver contact that the lack of electrical diagrams is a nuisance.. And while I’ve been told that the service crew doesn’t mind answering even the simplest of questions it doesn’t help much when the issue comes up on a Saturday or Sunday... 🙂

I don't have an Ollie until Feb, but I just had to reply and say, "THIS IS A GREAT THREAD!" Thank you all for sharing your responses and inspiration. Happy New Year.

My (Chris) favorite is a secluded boat launch on the Tsirku River about 30 miles outside of Haines, AK. It is primarily used by folks who have homes on Chilkat Lake that are only accessible by boat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/qXKAupauU1tLi9N2A

If you use the harvest host link from Technomadia's site, you'll receive a 20 per cent off code when the hh site opens. I don't know the expiration date. https://www.technomadia.com/logistical-nomadic-resources/ They also list a number if boondocking opportunities and resources for you. Chris and Chris (Technomadia) traveled and worked in their 2008 Oliver Elite for several years, and are rv innovators and researchers. Our original solar panel system used components vetted by them. Sherry

Now to paint the Oliver black, and put the "Bat Signal" on front?

I pray that 2021 brings everyone much joy, peace of mind and soul, love, and good health to enjoy!

We’ve been members of Harvest Hosts for two camping seasons now in our travels with our Oliver. Well worth the money. It’s been very useful for quick overnight stops on the way to our destinations, and some hosts have had a power hookup available. Some great overnight stops to see things that we otherwise would have missed out on if we had just done the Walmart or Cabela’s parking lot overnight stays. Nowhere near I40 but one example of a great HH stop is the Glenn Curtiss Aviation Museum in New York. This was one of my favorite HH stops. Otherwise a lot of wineries as HH stops. We did get the upgraded membership that includes many golf courses as well. We’ve been planning a trip out west for next year and there are a LOT of HH stops all along I40.

Trying to plan the trip to pick up the new Oliver in March. Will probably take 2 weeks to get home from Hohenwald to Los Angeles via Stamps, Arkansas. My dad is buried in the Sardis Cemetery in Stamps. Haven't been there for a while. So will go to southern Arkansas, then home from there. Not in a rush. Trying to figure out I40 or I10 as the main route, with smaller roads okay. Will be going through Show Low in Arizona, and plan to pass through Santa Fe/northern New Mexico, depending upon weather. Otherwise, we are completely open to ideas and suggestions. John

As 2020 quickly approaches its end - thank you- my thoughts wandered off to 2021. Putting aside - for a moment- the "rona" implications - planning for the next journey - had me thinking on where we have been - and which was the most satisfying - where scenery met serenity- and was overall an great camping spot. There are many we really enjoyed - but for 2020 - boondocking off a county road - perched on a bluff over looking the vast valley leading into Dinosaur National Monument - was the number one. It was tough choice - one with great competition. What was your number one.

that is amazing. He could sell those, I bet.

My LP alarm is fused - located in the rear port access area. Don't ask me why I know this. RB

OK, now I am seeing bats and hearing the Batman theme in my head! Paula

I know many of us are in a mood to say "good riddance" to much of what 2020 brought, but I'd like to say, I'm thankful for many things that did happen this year. Early in the year, my nephew married one of the sweetest young women I've ever met. Much of my family was here. I'm really thankful my nephew and his bride chose a February date for their wedding. It's the last time in 2020 that joy and hugs abounded, and so much family could gather. During our more quiet, more isolated time, since March, we've completed dozens of projects we'd been postponing. And, of course, made new lists. I'm studying yet another language, hoping to be able to speak to some of Paul's cousins when they (hopefully) can visit next year from Italy, without resorting to Google translate on my phone. I've renewed several old friendships over text and phone, as we check in with each other. Most especially, I've reunited with a cousin who was my BFF as a little girl, but we grew apart. We speak often, now. The shared experiences of today have brought renewed memories of our shared childhood experiences. I'm thankful that my mom, with all her health issues, has done well so far, with the help of all my siblings, and great doctors . I'm thankful that the younger members of our family who still work are all employed, happy, and healthy. And the few who did get covid, survived and are back on their feet. And, I'm thankful for my neighborhood, where we can talk over the fences, or on patios, share stories (and eggs, sugar, etc.), and never feel alone in quarantine times. Not to ever make light of this strange year, or minimize the tragedies. I lost one cousin, and there was only a small, immediate family only funeral. For those of you who have lost loved ones, I offer my heartfelt sympathies. I know what loss feels like, and this year, without our customary practices, it's especially and uniquely difficult. Not to be able to travel, and hug my aunt and hold her, and comfort her in her time of loss, was very difficult for me, and for my mom, her sister. In these difficult and very different times, I'd also like to say thank you for the community here. Every morning, I look forward to seeing friends here, as well. I wish you a very happy, and healthy, new year in 2021. Sherry

2020 was a mixed bag. We were happy to welcome a granddaughter, our 4th grandkid. Both of our kids and their families were able to work through the COVID thing and actually do very well. We did have to cancel a couple of our camping trips due to family health issues that kept us close to home and the hospital to assist and support. Then the discovery that my 4 old AGM’s were in worse shape than I thought which is going to delay our January trip a week or so. Bottom line - we’re looking forward to 2021 and getting back on the road! Happy New Year everyone!! Mike and Carol

Happy New Year.... May the roads less traveled be open to us all!

That is way too cool! Your son is very talented.

Very cool

Very nice

There are so many beautiful places that we have enjoyed that it's hard to pick one. So, I'll go with Deer Island Point campground in New Brunswick. We took the (free) ferry from letete, nb, and planned to stay one night, then ferry to Campobello, and on to Maine. The campground was "officially" closed for the season, but the tourist office said we could dry camp. No services, but no fees. Don't leave a mess. Our site, right at the point, (may have been a tent site, not sure) was just amazing. Marine life, walk down to see the maelstrom, (old sow), and watch the ferries. Absolutely incredible. We kept rearranging our schedule, and stayed four days, leaving our special quiet place, with a heavy heart. The little island is lovely, and quiet, off season. It was cool/cold, but so very beautiful. Probably more crowded in season. Campobello was a fascinating day, when we finally left.

On the bay in Seward Waterfront Park , Alaska. life is good but I could go on to on the ocean along the 101 in Washington state again Life is good. Enjoy them all.

I think our favorite campsite of 2020 is the one we’re sitting in right now on Sanibel Island hanging out in our brand spanking new Oliver....

Well, that’s not an easy question.... We’ve also been to many, mountains, canyons, beach, tough to say. If we could go back to one (and we tried) it would be at a private campground outside of Sylva, NC. It was a site owned by a former Oliver owner, Cobra1169. He ended up selling the campsite before we could return. It was just outside of Smokey Mountains National Park, the site backed up to a babbling creek, was very private and had a covered sitting area right on the creek. It’s a favorite because the week we were there we had great weather and had a very relaxing stay.

Super easy for us since we just picked up last month and have only camped at David Crocket SP and now Badin Lake CG in Uwharrie National Forest (close to home in NC) in 2020. DCSP was nice, but we were too busy unpacking and checking things to really relax. This latest trip to Badin Lake was fantastic (just got back today). Our first boondocking trip and I am happy to finally color in my own state on the map! 🙂

Bob - For me this is easy - Box Creek de-commissioned NFS campground. N 43degrees 51 minutes 42.5 seconds W 110 degrees 17 minutes 39.0 seconds.

I'm saving this post . . . . you'll retire some day 😀

Here are some photos. When we travel we fold up the top and lower it on top of the bed and tighten up the adjustments. I surround the top with bed pillows incase vibration loosens the adjusters. That has not happened. We have the table set up all of the time. Overland did a great job with this. Thanks for sharing. Our custom table is a little bit narrower than Overland's. We mocked up the size we wanted using cardboard.

Stan - Glad to hear that you are going to be making the trip. I doubt that I will be going but I'm sure that you will have a good time. Bill