BackofBeyond

That is impressive - at least to me - The usual extent of our planning is logging the start and stop dates - a general direction - and head out. Now - this last years trip found a huge increase in the number of folks out - using the parks and outdoor camping facilities. Seems like planning may become more important, especially if you want to stay in the more popular areas. Having a boondocking RV opens up the ability to go and do - at your leisure. Have a great trip!

One thing not mentioned so far are the many app's and such that are almost indispensable for finding RV and camping locations. Coming from Maine - the shear amount of open and accessible public and private camping spots will be eye-opening. BLM, National and state open areas can be useful - even for a few days - and provide multiple options. while you plan - Southern UT is a great place to explore. Off the top of my head - Campendium, Ultimate Campgrounds, and the other reservation sites (rec.gov, reserve america) are great for finding the perfect spot. I am sure I missed a few. And to add - the weather will be an issue at times - JD's caution on elevation is spot on - We got about 2 inches of snow last summer - in late June - outside of Steamboat - about 10K elevation. Once we got over the shock the next morning- and got on the road - 500' lower - it was all just drizzle. Glad we had 4x4 - we were out in the Nat Forrest - off the main roads. Good luck in your travels.

JD, I expected a reply pointing out the eastern portions of the PNW - as it is a dryer and wonderful part of the moss coast....... We have spent time in and around the area, and really enjoyed both the beaches and the inland areas all the way into Idaho . My wife spent part of her youth in Tacoma - and swears the it rained every day - but we no that's not true, - its every other day. HA. Quite possibly, had we not ended up in middle TN, and developed the current plot of land - the very areas you mention would be high on our list of places to retire. Especially with our youngest loving AK. I especially love BC. When the borders open up for travel - I intend to spend much more time exploring the area. I agree - there is gold up in that part of the US. No moss here - slugs, perhaps

Nature is a complete menagerie of moving things - plant's that reach out - that's the appeal..... As for overall cost of living - TN is hard to beat. Seems real estate has gone crazy most everywhere we "once" considered in our retirement planning. I have come to realize - the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the state line -err - fence - so to speak. And like SH - low population density is an attraction for us. This summers wanderings throughout CO was in stark contrast to the people numbers of the same trips 10 years back! Amazed at the traffic, congestion, and sheer building activity in CO. Course I remember when DEN was just a thought. My attraction to the west is the boondocking - really great if you like that kind of thing. Our time in the PNW - well it was fun - not a place I want to live - my spouse rust's - she says. - AK - I love the openness, the attitudes, the last frontier? - not the winters.... My son - however - says he will never leave - . To each his own - Oliver EII - and a good TV - the world is your oyster.

Well I think I learned something here ; The newer XC Pro 2000/3000w inverter and the newer Oliver's are wired completely different than my 2018. It appears the separate transfer switch in my unit is now integrated into the 2000?? but I did not realize how this affected the battery charge sequence in relation to incoming voltage values. Seems a chicken and egg problem - low incoming voltage, shuts of progressive unit, default to battery power and subsequent drain. Without a full 120-125 volt - on a 30 amp rated circuit - you have problems ?? Seems incorrect, I suspect it was a combination of lower voltage - under load - and a GFCI that activated on the surge, and then cascaded from there - my guess. I haven't figured out why a 12 gauge cord was causing the excessive voltage drop if the only load was the battery charging - perhaps the voltage was on the low side at the plug (long way from its source) - 50ft of cord - should not have affect the voltage drop that much - However, the power management showed 123 v - without a load. Hmmm. Does anyone know the low voltage cutoff of the progressive? - what's the amperage draw on the Oliver now all is working? A good multi meter would have helped in the troubleshooting - if you can - test the current draw - amperage- at the house plug end (Oliver plugged in) - that would be an interesting piece of data. A Kill-a-watt plug in monitor is cheap and effective. I have not had an issue with charging on a 12 gauge, 50 ft. cord, but I make sure the source is sufficient. (I always test voltage and polarity at RV sites) Perhaps with the new units - the initial draw with the battery charge is above 15 amps ? I should go test mine -wonder what the draw of the charge is - gonna have to drain the batteries first. The GFCI just added confusion - any leakage in voltage will cause havoc with these and a sudden voltage drop - under a sudden larger load- could result in the circuit fault. Great human protection but a PIA sometimes. OK - I am just thinking out loud. Seems you have it in hand - but it certainly is good to know - Always enjoy these remote problem solving exercises.

Wow, I could go around and around with this topic. Similar to others that do this exercise, a list of wants, needs and like to haves gets you started and then you go explore. Fortunately (or not) we have seen a good bit of this country, and lived in it - from coat to coast, and in-between, and at the top of out list was seasonal weather - which almost drives two places. So that is where the Oliver came in, we plan to spend winter months in dry warmer areas - and then explore the rest of the year. I put a little wrench in the plan - as I enjoy the home place, and my spouse desires the dry, warmer winter of the desert southwest. So we plan to adopt a hybrid - keep the current home, and just go when we want, keep the options open. Perhaps one day we will find the perfect place.

I'll add - if you have time - a visit to the Jack Daniel distillery in Lynchburg is a good tour, - not to mention all the other nice areas to explore -- and I'll offer up our farm as a spot to park (camp) while your enjoying the sights. Distancing is not an issue here....

Seems well worth the change - I wonder if theses run any louder on the big roads. I have seen good reviews on both tires. I purchased a second identical spare tire/wheel when I got the Ollie - I have been rotating it in - a 6 tire rotation. I am sure I'll hit the age limit before the wear limit. For what Oliver charged me for the wheel and tire it was a fair deal - and it all matches on rotations.

The only reason I would consider the gas version is cost of maintenance - fuel is cheaper, but that almost evens out towing. Oil changes are about $30 more, and every 10k miles a fuel filter at about $50 - when home I do them, but still a cost. And the DEF is added cost - but not really that much - in the long run. However - a big thing is the added initial cost of the diesel - it is 1/6 or more of the price of the truck........ To date - the gas versions are not as powerful on the torque side of the power scale, and historically are at the top end of the RPM's - which is really annoying. At last check, GM was NOT paring the new 10 speed with the gasser, and it is std on the Duramax. And to add injury - the Gasser has not shown any improvement in fuel mileage - towing. Now I realize each year they claim better Gas engine numbers - but I haven't seen it in real world. Perhaps that is changing. My GMC runs at low rpm, pulling, and almost to low, running around the home front. My gas trucks were about 1000 rpm higher at cruise, and really worked hard on the steep grades. IF the new larger gas engines change - I will look at them - but I doubt they will match the diesel anytime soon. As I have stated previously - the total package - not just chassis/powertrain, are really comfortable on the long hauls, not to mention the feeling of safety and capability under tow.

In my real world Oliver EII towing - I average about 15 mpg - over about 18000 miles - all terrains. Empty - around the home place 18-21 - depending on what I am doing. If I was buying new - again - I would try out (test drive) a gasser - but those are far and few between in the GMC 2500 I desire.

I find this fascinating, not doubting you at all. However, the listed curb weight of the Porsche is about 4400 lbs. and a standard EII is about 5500 lbs. dry, , I am curious, does the tail wag the dog at all. In 28000 miles I would guess your more than happy. Just interesting - a cool sports vehicle pulling a cool RV!!!!

As the Master Oliver remodeler (I say that in reverence) Mr. Overland has commented - if you have shore power - and the Power manager says you do, and you get power off the inverter - it is most probably the transfer -or a connection in that circuit. Not having a wiring diagram for your unit I'm just surmising. Good hunting - with a good voltage tester it shouldn't take to much to find the issue.

I find it immensely entertaining to watch as folks eventually work their way to the correct answer..... But honestly, I could be fine with a Ford, Ram, or GMC. - Arguing about the very small differences - well let em rip.

WOW!

The best - one by far - is one rated for the load - and with in your cost budget- Other than that - the choices are many. All of your concerns are handled with a modern 3/4 ton truck - diesel are the preferred- but not necessary. Many modern 1/2 ton trucks, SUV's and such are also in the mix. The number one thing I will caution - don't go on the word of a sales person, an internet forum, or the neighbor - consult with the GVWR label on the vehicle you are considering - it is the legal rating of that vehicle. You also will need to consult the owner manual for other spec's. Good hunting.

Hmm. An interesting set of reply's to a concern some RVer's seem to rate as a higher issue. I have thought about the remote start, the fact the lights are activated on our truck with the remote, and simply turning on an interior light. One deterrent we have is our canine - not much gets within earshot of our RV that he is not in tune with. He is big enough to get peoples attention. If I make it clear to him - to raise attention - and open the door - most will vacate the area. However- he is not really after much more than a treat..... But - the wolf thing - yeah - would half to keep him on a tight "leash". The comments on firearms - well - lets just say - we're covered there. I have never considered 911 as my first response to a threat, or second, for that matter. I am continually amazed at the mod's Oliver owners contemplate and actually complete. Just great minds it seems. RB

For us - its just preference = turning radius is better. I don't equate any 3/4 ton with easy parallel parking. Overall I have come to love my truck - once the newness wore off - life was much easier - each scratch, mar, and such became less annoying. 43K later - I put fuel in it, and go. Happy Halloween all you ghouls and goblins.

If you have nothing running - solar will be more than adequate. Depending on what you have running on the DC system - you can also rely on the solar - if there is sufficient sun. We camp for weeks at a time in our Oliver - and use nothing but solar for power - so storage should be fine. As for the mystery - just think of the batteries as a pitcher of water - which has two sources of supply - the tap - (shore power) or a well (Solar). AS you drink from the pitcher - you will need to refill - the tap is always at the ready - the well - sometimes it may be dry (no SUN) . As long as the pitcher is 3/4 full you will be fine 99% of the time. When you feed the pitcher from both sources - the well takes a back seat.

All seems fine now - must have been a pre Halloween gremlin.

Overland - I am in awe at the amount of remodel/improvement you have done - seems like an Oliver in name only. The Overland RV, base by Oliver.....

No _ it is a remodeled former industrial building. As Topgun posted- its at the end of Industrial Ave. According to Oliver it will house the Sales and delivery team, Service activities, and other Oliver business - non RV. It will be a great site - with plenty of room - no idea if there will be spots for overnighting.

Quite honestly - having to stop for fuel - usually around 1/2 tank is a relief. I suppose if you could find a fuel stop with really low prices this would make sense. I would still be stopping - to stretch the legs and arms. The trip to AK - would have helped - but still never really had an issue. Could do as the AF does - just have a tanker follow along - fuel up on the run.

I had a left lower running light start blinking - Oliver replaced it - said it had gone bad..... I thought it was good for many many years...

Sorry for your troubles. I really like our keyless, but your story helps me with my "WTH" moments. Recently we had the outer keypad replaced as the old one was cracking. I double checked that all was working well - and it took a few key entries to get it opened, but no issues after that. Take it home - put it under its storage bay , and next day , I found the door locked - I thought - my wife must have locked it - I unlocked it, and went on, few days later same thing - asked my wife about it - she says no - I haven't touched the lock. A few days later - similar thing- it appeared to lock itself!! Since then all has been fine - I thought I was losing it. Really interesting - never did this in first two years....

Mav - you don't like North Dakota - or is white a color of record. Ha