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What JD said - I actually believe that saying the new solar package is good for running the AC is borderline sketchy marketing. Yeah it will run it - but at what end result. But - I get the Solar Lithium cool factor angle. FYI - There is free lunch at all the public TN schools now a days, breakfast too.... man would I have loved that 50 + plus years back. Buy a small gen set - better off in the end. RB

Leaves are just starting around here, but soon! The comments on Non weekend events are right on, or used to be - this year with everybody "at home" the parks and such are under heavy use - it blew me away this summer. Gonna be 80 around here tomorrow - seems my bee hives are still putting up their winter stores - usually by now they are into the winter is on the door step mode. Me, I'll take it - historically the weather turns right at Thanksgiving, the cold is just around the corner. Retirement - hmmm, yes it can be BUSY. But Mondays don't exist anymore. Wohoo. RB

I'll try to visualize my thoughts; If using a 2x6 (I would) cut it to fit closely to the width between the walls beneath the beds, (padded if you want- thin carpet, ) locate the fork mounts accordingly on the 2x. The rear 2x - similar - but I don't think you need one. In my experience, the rears don't move much on or in a trailer, esp. if you secure the front. If you are doing two bikes, angle the rear wheels to where they come together, tie together with the wire thingies. Where the rubber meets. It's a double twist - done. I carry my road bike in the bed of my truck like this (under the topper.) As I have a lot of rope rigging experience from my kayaking days, I like to use 1/4 inch or so poly/nylon rope. If you look at the platforms under the beds, the lip overlaps the walls by a few inches. I drilled an appropriate sized hole from the top down (its two layers) in the location I needed. Thread one end of the rope through the hole, tie a knot on the top end, (hole is same size as rope) and make a loop on the bottom end. Do both sides - you now have a location to tie off almost anything side to side.(and fore/aft) It is easily removed, and not really noticeable. Don't like rope, Mount a smaller hardware bracket underneath - same results. I use this to secure my portable freezer - works very well and its KISS.

I'd bet a beer - Anderson would claim the little swaging out JD did was outside their engineering specs... I'd certainly do the same, except I sold my Anderson. RB

FYI - the Natchez Trace parkway (Just outside Hohenwald) is a perfect place to perfect your towing expertise. Its a 45 mph max, no commercial traffic, little traffic at all, great road surface, plenty of turn outs, rest spots, historical stops, turn around entrance and exits, AND its a beautiful drive. RB

Amazon yourself a couple of the cheap fork mounts - there are two sizes - (axel width) make sure you get the correct size. Mount them to whatever platform you want - 2x6, 2x4, aluminum tubing, etc. . Then with similar sized platform at the rear, you can can use eyelets, conduit straps, whatever you want, and tie/secure the rear wheels to the platform - bungee, rope, or those neat padded wire ties, again - what suits you. The bike frames are now parallel - The front is secured, the rear is secured. Were it me, it would be between the beds, rear wheels facing the front of the trailer. Use the same cool padded wire ties to tie the front wheels (removed to mount the forks) to the rear wheels - perfect storage . HD has the wire tie thingies in multi colors and lengths. You can figure out how the secure the bikes from moving around - fore and aft, I know what I use, but, that's me. Or you could just use padding to keep mm in place.. But they will move forward, trust me. I found out one trip.. I secure a portable ac/dc freezer/fridge between our twin beds, secured from sliding forward, plugged into a DC outlet. This works well for traveling. RB

Two things - change the question, invert - from how much fits, to what do I really need. Minimalism comes to mind. And as Susan has mentioned - Your TV and set-up should encompass storage solutions that fit this situation. For me it's a 3/4 ton diesel truck with a Leer top, rear trailer rack, and if needed, roof rack on the truck/bed top. And I'll add - I would eliminate the Micro - its pantry now, add the front basket, and explore rear trailer rack solutions. Get started, it will work out as you gain time and experience in the set-up. Enjoy the experience

Dan, I'm sure a few of the FT'ers will reply. We have spent a few months at a time in ours and enjoy it immensely. Were we to FT - only a few things we see that put a kink in the enjoyment - not an any order - laundry - moving around you are always looking for a good laundromat, inclement weather - more than a day confined is hard for me to do, and lastly to Susan's point - I really enjoy working around our farm, keeping Bee's, gardening, etc.. And I like to keep my training schedule - local pool 3 times a week, run, bike: on familiar routes. Out on the road I don't usually get any pool time, and I end up blowing off the other two.... I'll have work on this. However, we travel to see family, have no issues being around each other for long periods, and have enjoyed the vagabond lifestyle (in month or more stints) for our entire married life. We sold the house, and eliminated a good deal of the other responsibilities and fixed expenses a while back - in anticipation of leaving for long stents. Within the next year we plan to substantially increase our time out exploring the world and our largest issue will be putting the farm in longer term slumber. Which is really just securing equipment, renting out (or whatever happens) my hives, and locking up the Barndominium. As for the rest , The grass and trees can keep growing, the weeds will do what they do, and the wildlife can have it all back. We do plan to spend some time here - not sure when - winters - not, The rest is all part of the adventure. Enjoy.

I apologize for apologizing, wait that wasn't me, my mistake, I apologize. Yep there are no stupid questions. And as others have mentioned, I often learn from some of the questions found here.

In my experience - with adequate sun, I ran a coffee pot in the morn, a dc portable fridge, and the other minor stuff - for few weeks. Included a few days - here and there - move to new spot. The coffee pot really takes a toll. The MW would push it, With a 100w or so suitcase addition it may make the difference, One or two days of no sun would have put me in trouble. I have decided - a small generator is the perfect insurance for my tastes. But I haven't purchased one yet.... RB

You should ask the factory folks. I would hesitate to say one year's run is the same as the next. I'm pretty sure mine run straight to the rear cubby hole. I have used mine once - just to verify they work.... RB

Good Luck BILLATX, You will be fighting the payload limit of the Tacoma on almost every outing. Many of us have run into the same issue. And some have up fitted their TV with equipment to help alleviate the issue, only to eventually move up to a more capable TV. Give it a try with what you have, you'll figure it out. Never worry - there's plenty of us here on the forum to tell you what's best - 🙂 Have fun, RB

I'll add - as much as I enjoy music, and I have spent more $$ than I care to remember on equipment, I just don't use the music capacity in the Oliver much. Close proximity of other campers prevents much more than barely audible, and out boondocking music just isn't important. RB

I believe solar is one of the most valuable options available - won't evaluate the new Lithium set-up, but my AGM set up has done very well and adds an enormous amount of options for camping - anywhere - in comfort. The 30 lbs. propane is also a value. My other options, hmm, I like the front tray, I like the rear (old version) rear rack, the Truma - mixed emotions - upgraded counter tops - yes, Couch cushions - a waste of $$, I'm sure I am missing something. Oh - I really like the electronic keyboard door latch. Good luck.

FWIW - I really like my front basket. Were I you, I'd go with it, load out your truck and the Oliver as you want - and go to a cat scale - and weight it out. AS mentioned, you should have no need for the Anderson. I would save the $800. Good travels in your new Oliver. If you end up around the Mid TN /Lynchburg area give me ping- RB

River paddling - WW mostly - river left/river right is determined from your downstream direction. Port = left. Starboard = right - as long as your headed downstream.....However curbside in the bottom of the royal gorge was on the left - that's where the ice-cream stand was.....back in the day.

Yep - I have yet to find an installed GPS worth a darn. Let the auto manufacturers build the vehicle - I'll let Garman and the group build the GPS units. The one in my GMC is infuriating. And for a $$$ update it will really tick me off..... Mostly, I just use the cell phone - G works just fine.

Is this possible? I failed - miserably .

https://lithionicsbattery.com/product/12v-315ah-e2107-gtx-battery/ I ran across this battery company today - seems very cutting edge - but then I'm not that up on the lithium tech. RB

AS we have family in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Scottsdale we have spent much time in and around the areas you mention. As has been mentioned, Sedona can get touristy, cost of living is 134 of nat avg. Prescott has its charms, but is also growing and the cost of living 115 - similar to Flag. We have thought about the general area for a "home" but have decided to just spend a few months of winter in the valley - every now and then...... Summers in Flag can be nice - but dry. Summers in the valley - hellishly hot. Just too many people for me - too much government, too much, --- civilization RB My son has good things to say about Payson - but I thinks its more about getting out of Scottsdale summers than anything.. I could live in Flag - but the RE has gotten ridiculous.

Hope the weather stays nice - the newest Hurricane seems to be dissipating across that middle east coast. I'll put this one on our list.

Thanks Brian and Maria - a good review of real world experience. I was surprised that you were up against the payload limits on a Super crew. I did the math on my former TV - an older 1/2 ton GMC 4x4, and I was about where you are with a full EII. I eventually decided on the 3/4 ton diesel route - I never worry about payload anymore, have Leer top, bed mat,, and bring everything we think we need/want. After 44K experience - 15K towing the O - mpg is decent, comfort is great, albeit all at a much higher expense - overall. If I put about 200K on the truck - it will even out,,,,,,,,, ha. I lose $$ on each mile, but make it up in volume...... RB My rubber bedmat must weight about 70LBS about all i want to wrestle around given its unwieldy size,

As much as I have toyed with this idea of a true off road Oliver - Overland really captures the best reasons for not going that route. I have seriously thought about the true off road truck mounted RV - Earth rover type - and keep coming back to the benefits of the base camp concept. I'm still trying to figure out how to carry additional "stuff" mainly larger heavier - like a multipurpose motorcycle, a boat, or perhaps a true off road Jeep or side by side. But my wife brings me back to earth - ride the MTB, walk, and bring a Canoe if you must...... I can always rent when in Moab, much cheaper in the long run. RB

Yes, we really enjoyed our time exploring this area (PNW) 2 summers ago - I can see us spending more time there in the soon to be retirement phase...... but one thing I've discovered - warm/hot is very subjective - what we consider to be a warm day is downright scorching to some - . I don't remember a day out of about 14 where I thought it was warm. The PNW was if anything comfortable - but not swim temp warm. AS for the NC/North GA/SE TN - about as perfect overall weather one can find. We are just west of this area. If I head south 12 miles - elevation- it is very similar. I am really fond of UT - haven't spent any time in the SLC area, but all around - between UT and CO - I could spent a loooooong time.

I use Campendium and Ultimate Campgrounds the most - I kind of play them against each other. As for the neg OR positive reviews - I have found them about 50% useful - just depends on what the reason for the rating. Needs to be really specific - and timely for me to really give it any consideration. Sometimes they are just ridiculous comments.. Used Harvest Hosts this last year - it provides another alternative.