SeaDawg

Is it Carolina bbq/picking pig? On pineola? We were past there two weeks ago. Should have stopped.

Lovely spot! That's only about 30 minutes from one of my favorite towns, Banner Elk. For our full hookup friends, are water, sewer, and electric available at some of the sites?

Yes, it does. As does parking in the shade. If you are cooler, your fridge is cooler, and doesn't have to work as hard . Bug screens are a double edged blade, as well. Even larger mesh screen cuts airflow. But, keeps the mud daubers and critters out, which cause more significant issues. In our earliest 2008/2009 Ollies, there was no fan, neither from Oliver nor Dometic. Some peoole installed small 12 v fans in the upper vent area to exhaust the air over the coils more efficiently. That really helped, especially those folks who camped in the heat. Another reason we prefer moderate elevation, shade of the forest, and shoulder season camping.

We replaced the entire awning, because the upper case and roller had bent. Even then, ours rolled better than yours, maybe a quarter to half inch extra on the forward side. We used big zipties when we traveled. Our vinyl fabric was delaminating, and we thought about just the fabric (would have been significantly cheaper), but with the bow, we figured after (I think) 10 or eleven years, it didn't owe us anything, anyway. And, we knew we'd caused the issue, and owned it . We use our awning almost every day that we camp. And, that's a lot of days... If you have a good, honest rv dealer near you, you might want to ask them to take a look at yours. I know you've tried a bunch of adjustments, but sometimes it's just a matter of a poor spring, a broken gear, or an adjustment to the mount. At any rate, a $75 or $100 inspection fee could save you a lot. Or, at least let you know whether you need to replace fabric, a part, or the entire gizmo. Good luck. Awnings aren't cheap.

He probably would have enjoyed that back country tent you carry.

Wow.

Thanks. Think I'll just order it, and give it a try. The little gnats are coming out. I know the have their place in the ecosystem, but I just don't enjoy them flying around my face. 🤨

My view, at twilight. I love the woods.

Very pretty. Love your choices, and thank you for sharing the great photos.

Well, looks like you found your way! Welcome.

I think this was the first or second item on my list, when Oliver asked for suggestions on the initial plans for the II. I can't find much to add to your list, with the exception of looking for opportunities for weight reduction, especially if the next model is larger . Maybe metal drawers like Ikea, instead of the very heavy (though wonderful) wood drawers. Many of the appliance upgrades you mentioned (houghton ac, dc fridge, etc.) also lighten the load. Alde or another brand quiet and efficient hydronic heat system would be a really nice option, as would the Vario. Both are quite expensive, but I think a lot if people would opt for the additional comfort . I spoke with the manager at Truma Lakeland when the vario was first introduced in the US. It would be a fairly simple option to offer. I think he said changing my Suburban out for a Vario would only take three orcfour hours, and would fit in the same space.

I just looked up Sunbrella's warranty. I thought it was only 5 years, which it is on upholstery and lighter fabrics, but it is also ten on awning and marine. I'm most familiar with marine Sunbrella, which has given us many years of service in sailcovers and boat covers. It does fade, but it really lasts. It's also solution dyed acrylic, like the recacril, and a water repelling but breathable coating. It, too, is tough stuff.

Overland, recacril looks like an amazing fabric. I'm sure it was expensive, but so worth it. They currently show a ten year warranty on their fabrics. I think that's unheard of. https://recasensusa.com/producto/recacrilawnings/

I was waiting for a long time for a good 12v unit, then settled on the smaller Houghton for our 2008. I spoke at length with a friend in the yacht industry about the 12v units. The power consumption is just too high for our small battery bank, so we went with the 110 .

I talked about this, in another thread. Rv awnings are principally designed only for shade, not rain. The old school manual awnings can handle some light to moderate rain, but even those stretch over time. We stretched ours, an older dometic made by fiamma, manual awning, using it in the rain. . I take full responsibility. We replaced it three or four years ago. Because the manual awnings can achieve more pitch to spill the water, we still use ours in light to moderate rain. I know it may suffer the same stretch as the old one. And, I'll live with the consequences if/when it does . I wouldn't do that with an electric awning. The rvs we deliver to Alaska have electric awnings. We Always roll it in if it rains .

If you are asking that of me, yes. I, my husband, and a friend did the swapout from a 2008 dometic (very heavy) to the smaller Houghton 9500 btu in an afternoon. As far as I know, four or five of us have swapped for Houghton unuts,,and we've all done it ourselves. Any good rv shop could do it, if the would tackle it. Not difficult. The most difficult part for us was getting the very heavy old Dometic off the roof, safely. Second most difficult, getting the new Houghton unit on the roof, safely. The rest was pretty easy. Thank goodness for younger friends, good ladders, and safety ropes.

Has anyone tried a solar bug zapper, like this one from Lowe's? Certainly priced right, but wondering about effectiveness. Even though it's still dropping down into the 50s at night here in our part of wnc, bug season is coming. No chemicals, and no power draw, would indeed be a nice thing, if it works....

I'd probably lay in a supply of good long zipties, rather than string, til you figure it out . We've never had a carefree, but most awnings have adjustments. Sound like you've already worked on making sure its all rolling at the same rate on both ends.. If that hasn't worked for you, I'm guessing two possibilities. 1), the fabric has stretched unevenly from ponding water in rain event(s.) 2) the rail at the top has sprung a bit from the weight of rain ponding on the awning. We could see a gap at the middle, under the bow, in our old awning. But, our awning was 10 or 11 years old. Both the above happened on our original awning. We used it in light rain, though not recommended. Even though we were careful to create spill with a change of plane, it can happen.

I don't see a problem with removing the fridge in the future. With our former dometic, I think there were two trim panels, top and bottom, that had to be removed , then some screws on the face of the fridge cabinet. I don't remember anything in the sides that would mess with your new tile. I hope not, anyway. You did a lovely job on the installation.

Looks like a really fun time! And, a beautiful spot. Thanks for the photos!

Is it this tile, cslevel? Real metal, not vinyl, so safe to use in the stove area? https://www.menards.com/main/kitchen/backsplashes-wall-tiles/aspect-trade-3-x-6-peel-stick-brushed-metal-backsplash-tiles-8-pk/a52-50/p-1444423162724-c-8163.htm?tid=-7059569836711836833&ipos=12

I've seen Dr. Olson's map before, and it's an interesting route. But, I'd want a year, or more, to drive and enjoy camping along the way. Another idea might be multiple trips, branching out from the center? Sometimes, we'll drive five or 600 miles in a day, to get to a destination, then not move for days, or weeks, or, wander slowly for a month after. All depends on time and availability.

My favorite gizmos, in no particular order. Rooftop solar, plus home made "portable solar", from cheap Coleman panels. My conical shape tea kettle, plus pourover coffee cone. At our camping property, the $100 ecotemp shower/water heater. Has worked for 13 seasons, with one small part replacement. This year's fave, as we are camping a lot on our property, this year, a redneck deck from reused dock boards, and pt stringers, in three sections. 8 x 12 in total. Keeps our feet dry in the rain. Will make a great tent platform someday . 5 gallon stackable water jugs, bought many years ago.

Because you look for beautiful, isolated spaces, and defer hookups???