SeaDawg

@IL_Travelers, Truma has one of its service and sales centers in Elkhart. You may want to give them a call. When their Varioheat first became available, I think it wasn't listed on their website either. (It still has only a brief mention.) When I checked with the service manager in Lakeland, they had the Vario, and their shop rate for installation was quite reasonable. The unit itself was rather pricey, but an alternative I'd consider if and when our trusty suburban furnace ever dies. Like our recpro, the Truma adu (indoor unit) looked quite sleek and slim in the video. We picked up over an inch, maybe two, of headroom with the Recpro.

Honestly, JED, I'm not showing that photo to Paul. He wanted an even bigger, taller garage than we have, and, add to that, you have a snorkel! Our Ollie will (barely) fit in the garage, through the sidelane and side overhead door, and it's a real pita to maneuver it in. And, Paul has to move two work benches... yes, they're on wheels, but... You, indeed , have a beautiful setup. Enviable, in every way. He got his way with the new barn. Big door (12 ft. high.) I can live with that. Still working on the snorkel concept. 😋 Ps, the snorkel looks great on your 200. Really great .

Our thought over the years have been, get a big motor 4 x 4 van, and tow the Ollie. Leave the Ollie, and explore in the 4 x 4. (Paul really, really wants a big van, with a snorkel. 😄) As you can see by our signature, that hasn't happened. Maybe Santa will bring him one. I doubt it, though.

Yep, the 200 amp version of this caught my eye because it was so cheap. Looks like the build and cell quality was quite good. If they have added a low temp sensor it just might work for my uses. Thanks! You could possibly add one, if they haven't. But, considering you live in Michigan, it's important. Not so much for me, in Florida. I'd test everything, before the return period expired, if it were me.

Good catch, though I don't know if it's irrelevant to the math. I don't think anyone has noticed, before.

If you're talking about this one on Amazon, you may want to watch this video from Will Prowse.

I've never owned a truck camper, but my uncle had one for a number of years. He eventually bought a Scamp to replace it. I love the concept of a truck camper, but dislike the climbing in and out part. (Today's trucks are so high.) We see a lot of truck campers on 4 x 4 trucks up in Canada and Alaska, both rentals and privately owned. But we see campers of all types, as well. Northern Lite makes beautiful products.

Here's a link to the video @IL_Travelers discussed. Robert's minitini has some equipment that may not be available yet on Winnebago. The US version Aventa eco ac is not listed on Truma North America's website, yet. To save you the time of watching Robert's entirely too long video, skip over to 38:00 to see and hear the Truma ac in action. It is very quiet, at least as quiet as my RecPro, maybe moreso. Robert's running his on a 320 ah lithium battery (lithionics.), along with a 10 cubic ft 12v fridge. I'll look forward to its release here in the US. Since Oliver already partners with Truma on the water heater, this could be a good match. (Though it will likely be quite expensive.)

Lifepo4 batteries can be heated to above 32 fairly efficiently, with small mat heaters in a small compartment, like the Ollie compartment . Some batteries are sold with an integrated heater . Important to note, the batteries can still discharge, (can supply power to the trailer) at temperatures somewhere below 32, though perhaps not as as efficiently, they are just limited in charging. I could probably live with that, as we don't love winter camping and I can't remember a day when we didn't get above 32, daytime, even in Alaska, for at least 10 hours . (We don't camp in cold weather, intentionally. ) But, for a very few others (true cold weather campers), not so great. They'd need the warming mats, and they'd deal with the energy drain, accordingly.

I hope you'll get to do that trip again, someday, and share your story, along with the differences from your memories, with us . The sign forest has certainly grown. And, the roads and services are significantly better. Again, lucky you, to have experienced the road, not long after Alaska's statehood. Such a great experience !

Your charging rates and current are dependent on specific batteries. My deep cycle marine 105 ah agms can charge at a higher rate than Chukarhunter references. I would say that generally, lithium is a terrific, very light, and very expensive, option, that can benefit many people. I, too, am not convinced that I will ever "need" lithium. We may do it anyway, but we'll see. For us, it's a want, not a need. A small generator, that we carry anyway, for cloudy days, can easily make up the difference. It's not as eco friendly or quiet as the solar we love, but it works, when we need it. I usually suggest that people new to camping get flooded or agm, and wait to see if they actually "need" lithium . @Chukarhunter's suggestion of a smaller lithium package is an excellent one, imo. A number of members here have diy'd smaller lithium battery banks, and are very happy.

My aunt, uncle, and my cousin drove that many summers in the 60s, in their car, loaded with supplies, and several spare tires. My uncle's brother lived in AK for many years. I loved listening to their stories. I'm glad the roads are better, but, they had the true adventure spirit. Lucky you, to be included in the journey as a little guy. What great memories you must cherish.

I agree. We drove into Banff, drove back out. Great for townie shopping tourists, not for us. Jasper is a great park, and Jasper town is a lovely spot to walk around, do laundry, get groceries, eat, catch a movie, or catch the train.(we've done all the above.) Jasper town is very walkable, clean, and pretty. Not the massive crowds of Banff. We caught a first nation festival one time. Very interesting. We've found the people of Jasper town to be very warm, inviting, and helpful. It's small, but has just about every service you may need. We've not been to Waterton yet. We'll try to do that, another trip. Thanks.

Btw, many of the highways in Canada and Alaska are actually quite good, and most are scenic. Don't let the tales of the poor roads keep you from the adventures. Just plan ahead to travel in your comfort zone. For those of you, like us, who are missing our Canadian adventures this year and last, here's a new little video from JRNY media, and gorving Canada that shares just some if the beauty that makes the drive worthwhile. It's short, encapsulating a 7 day trip by friends through the Canadian Rockies. Places visited: JRNY media's RV adventure: -Abraham Lake A.B. (Preachers Point Campground) - Salmon Arm B.C. (Salmon Arm Camping Resort) -Squamish B.C. (Squamish Valley Campground) - Fairmont Hot Springs B.C.( Fairmont Hot Springs RV Resort) - Canmore A.B. (Wapiti Campground)

We've never driven the Dempster, but met people who've driven it in good, dry weather, in little sedans. It's really about timing, and road conditions. The day we drove the Dalton, to the arctic circle, from Fairbanks, was awful. Weather (unprrdicted) changed to rain. Lots of mud and construction. Extremely slippery, and had to keep forward momentum or lose it. Paul did a great job. On the way back (we drove it in one day, eschewing the idea of camping for free above the circle, because of the incredible mosquito swarms), we stopped to talk to the guard at the top of the valley run, probably 2 miles. He said it was worse than when we came in. A huge flatbed behind us, with a big drill in the bed, came up. We moved over and let him go first. Followed a quarter to a half mile behind. It was perfect. He squished the trail, with his heavy truck and load, we followed, at twice our speed going up. No rock spray. Our return was relatively delightful, compared to the mess going up. No fwd.

Most good lithium systems, like battleborn and the systems Oliver installs, will lock you out when you drop below acceptable levels, unlike fla and sealed/agm batteries. . That level may be down to 20, or less reserve capacity. That's part of the beauty, and expense, of lifepo batteries. Less weight, and more capacity in the same space. That said, we're still on the fence. Lots of $$ if we replace our agms with lithium, in the next few years. Since agms (and fla before) served us well, we'll see. I'd love the extra capacity on our two battery tray, in an original 2008 Elite 1 shorty. I also find it not that difficult to limit power, and camp with cheaper agm.

No, I wouldn't count Chicken. 🙂 Tok is the crossroads, no matter which way you drive in from Canada, and we always stop there for a night at one of the nearby campsites. Speaking of Chicken, and Top of the World highway, do choose your weather carefully if you drive it. The US side isn't nearly as nice as the short, paved, Canadian side, and has very steep dropoffs, and soft shoulders. At the gas station near Walmart in Whitehorse one year, we met a couple in a class a that got two or three tires sunk in the mud at the shoulder, so deep they had to climb out driver's side. Waited hours for a tow truck from Tok. Thousands just for the tow, and they had no idea what the body repairs would cost. We've driven it, but wait for at least two days of clear weather (no rain) preceding your trip. We were told the ritual is to meet oncoming traffic slowly, or pull as close to the inside as you think safe, and stop. Apparently, this is common advice. One time, at one particularly narrow part (and we were on the outside ledge) , a big truck and fifth wheel stopped, planted himself in pretty much the middle of the road, and made us pass. Paul got so close our mirror touched his. Me, sitting on the outside passenger seat, looking down the cliff,, wouldn't honestly have cared if he'd taken the guys mirror off. He had at least 4 feet to the shoulder. I was looking at treetops far below me. That said, on a good day, you might meet only 10 or 20 others on the whole stretch. We left early from the Yukon River campground.

There's often a line for the free car wash at Tok's Northern Energy gas station, also. Free cold water wash with fill up. They supply the wands (2), water, and some well worn brushes. Byo bucket, soap, and microfiber cloths, etc. We've seen some super dirty vehicles there, including our own. Btw, the free carwash is behind the station, not really visible from the front. Back by their big solar array. The nearby grocery store (Three Bears) has a pretty decent selection, and decent prices, by small town Alaska standards. I can usually buy wild caught Alaskan fish, frozen, at a decent price there. And the visitor center is a pleasant place to stop by, view the exhibits, and check road and weather conditions.

I wouldn't take an Ollie there, but we've driven some pretty poor highways up there. Ps, I think that is a Trillium, not a Casita. My mom's neighbor had a cute one.

Mt. Pisgah is one of our favorite places on the Parkway. Enjoy the fresh, cool air! I understand the restaurant at the inn is currently only open for inn guests, during breakfastand lunch. Such a shame. It's one if the most beautiful views of any restaurant, in the morning, with that big wall of glass. Later in the day, the sun moves on, and it's not great.

Btw, at least one waterless toilet manufacturer sells a kit to connect urine disposal to a collection tank. (Separret). The 9215 villa would not fit in an Ollie bathroom, as it's quite large. The new Separret Tiny would, I think, quite easily. Separret has its own issues,,as it uses a rather puny fan to "dry" solid waste and paper, no composting medium. Both require a fairly large vent tube, (though smaller in the Tiny) which would look odd in the bath, and could quite possibly annoy your camping neighbors with the "aroma." But, looking at their technical drawings and installation guide might give you some ideas.

I've seen several posts by people on airforums who've done that, but not here. One installed it so it was reversible. Though urine is 99 per cent sterile, it will def "stink" if kept in a tank, in the heat for days or weeks on end. If I were going to do that, I'd probably also see if you (or Oliver) could plumb the bathroom sink to the black tank. Lots of rvs do this, as it's a short run. It would add some grey tank capacity for showers, and dilute the urine in the tank a bit. https://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/anyone-out-there-connect-their-composting-toilet-to-a-gray-or-black-tank-for-urine-187621.html You'll probably find some sob brand youtubes, which could be helpful, as most rvs mount the toilet directly above the black tank.

Any functional, useable ladder on the rear would likely block a portion of the rear egress window.

We had the pleasure of meeting @Mike D. and Jill at a gas station near Ocala today.

The cicadas are so very loud tonight. Rhythmic white noise. Its all ok.