SeaDawg

Starshine, we've had the original table for 13 years, and we manage just fine. Though I'd love to add a slightly bigger table, but we already have several projects for this winter.

If you find that you camp more often with hookups, an instantaneous water heater is a direct swap out. Plus a new door. For boondocking, heating water to a good temp in a standard water heater works fine. Then, turn it off.. if the shower gets cool, you've used too much water. Plus, with the standard heater, you can avail yourself of free electric heating in campsites with hookups, and save propane. But, you'll need to replace the sacrificial anode more often if you use electricity, I think. We replaced ours at 25 to 30 per cent. Better early than late.

We just use dimensional lumber cutoffs, like Jim-oker. Ours are free, from various projects . When they get nasty, they go into the campfire. Replace them with more free stuff. One time, at a group camp with many out of level spots, Paul went to a Lowe's and asked them to cut up a couple 2 x 8's for everyone we were camping with. It was a big help.

I don't know which Ultrafabric Brisa Oliver uses, but if in doubt, ask for a sample. The stamping /texture and sheen are different in various types. Pretty sure on our boat that we have "original," which is less leather looking, but very soft and breathable. Texture more similar to kid glove leather. Brisa isn't "bulletproof, " but it's pretty nice in a Florida marine environment. Not sticky to sit on in shorts, like old school Naugahyde. Cleans up well with water or water and soap and a microfiber cloth. More than decent wyzenbeek scale double rub count (durability). Brisa is commonly used in luxury yachts, where natural leather may crack and mildew.

Starshine, that will give you a good idea of the Oliver small dinette table. An undeployed 8" leaf might make it tough to slide into the booth, though you could always lift it up a bit. I'm thinking 5 , maybe 6" max. I'd go out and measure, but we're working on the trailer, several projects, and it's so close to the garage that I can't open the door. Sorry

And, John's idea on the two inch ball bearing is genius. You can probably order one for less, or I'd go to my local bearing distributor. Probably less than $10.

Jim oker, the collar lock is one we've used and recommended for over a decade. Great choice.

Nope. Get out of the truck, and sleep in that beautiful Ollie. Only saying, good to learn how to hitch/unhitch / backup/hitchup again, while you're in the mode, and help is relatively nearby.

I think that's true, in both trailers. Not sure. It's still possible to pass, sideways, if you're normal sized, if your husband has his knees/feet in the aisle. Been doing that a long time

Btw, Starship, I'd never trade my elite for a II. It's perfect for us.

The small dinette table is only about 21 or 22 inches deep, (east/west) because of the grooves in the seats to support the 3rd bed, or sofa. Roughly 24" wide The table size is fine for meals for two. It holds two plates, two glasses, and a bit of condiments. Not a lot more. The table leg isn't centered, east west, so a dropdown "leaf" could only be 4 or 5 inches on the aisle side. Which might be fine, but won't add a lot of room. But, it's something, and would not interfere terribly with knee room entering and exiting the table, if you're not really big people. I'd just live with it awhile. We have, I guess, 13 years in. 😀

Oth, moving from site to site would allow you to learn about hooking up, backing up, and leveling, while you're still in learning mode. It's up to you.

Yup, it's really "classy." At least Paul and I are the only ones who see it. And then, I have to get on a ladder. Or, climb onto the boat trailer, parked ahead. Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.

If your question is, "can you reach the microwave counter without getting out of your seat?", the answer is probably. Depending on your wingspan. I use that little bit of counter extensively. All day. And, yes, it's a good spot for condiments. Etc, during dinner, on the rare occasions that we have to sit inside to eat at the small dinette. We don't have the pantry in the smaller Elite, so I can't comment, except to say that since it's behind you, it would be more difficult to use.

So, our ventline exhaust fan started leaking into the shower area, especially in the gully washer downpours we've had lately. To replace the thin, tired foam weatherstripping type of "gasket" requires disassembling everything. (Replacing caulk would have probably solved a lot of the issue, but not all.) Since the Ventline is over 5 years old, though it still "works," I ordered one of the MaxxFan domes today, with the led light ring, as a replacement. This time, we'll do the install ourselves, and either cut a neoprene gasket, or and/or use butyl for bedding. There's a little bit if camber in the roughin area. We'll see what it looks like when we get it. Hopefully, it will indeed be more quiet than the ventline. I was really hoping to replace the ventline with a marinco stainless solar vent, (they're so quiet, and supply their own power. We already have several years of experiencewith them on the boat.) But, the existing 6.25 rough opening for the ventline is just too big. It would require making up a cover plate on top, and a plate in the shower, from star board, or repairing/building back the rough opening with fiberglass layup. to accommodate the smaller trim ring. Plus an extension for the area between the hulls. We looked at all the possibilities, and, discussed it. Even though we have a couple marinco vents (rough in is so much smaller) in the archives, we just gave it up and ordered the maxxfan dome. So, I've got a 6 inch hole, covered with a plastic lid and duct tape, waiting for the new fan. 🤔 Hoping for not a lot of rain in the next 10 days

Or, this one, more adjustable. Don't know if it will fit 🤔. If interested, I'd send the diagrams to Jason, first. Along with monitor specs and drawings. https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Vertical-T-V-Swivel-Mount-p/24-0144.htm If you order through Walmart, it's free shipping and can be returned to the store

The easy start makes it easier to run your ac with a generator. I think most people who live or camp in warmer climates order the easy start.

Deal!

IMO, If you're unsure, go solar and agm vs lithium, and no solar. My home, my trailer, and my boat are all solar powered. Only the house is lithium. But, we live 95 per cent or better, on the sun power, 24/7/365. Whichever home or vehicle. I

Wow

Does Oliver pre-wire for Solar? If so, it's a few holes in the roof, and brackets, and heavy wire through the cabinets. We added solar 6 months in, in our 2008. It wasn't necessarily easy, nor was it necessarily hard. True prewire would definitely make an additional fixed solar easier. Why are you doing lithium, if you think you will camp most of the time, with hookups?

Probably. 🙂

Molas Lake. Not much for facilities, (vault toilets, no dump station, but there's a small camp store in season) but the views more than make up for it.

The highway is up above the red barn/office at United. So road noise wasn't an issue.

We spent one night there, three or four years ago. The staff was really nice. We didn't use any of the facilities, so I can't comment on them. The campground itself was very clean and well maintained. I remember it being really windy, and giving up on using the awning. The Silverton Durango RR goes thru the back of the park, but not obtrusive. It doesn't stop there. We took the hike up the hill to the trolley stop, and walked around Durango . It's a pretty town, quite walkable, with a few breweries, restaurants, etc. We enjoyed our day in Durango, and our time at the campground. We chose a pull through, which showed a tree on the map. Unfortunately, it had been severely trimmed, providing zero shade. Molas Lake, a bit down the road, is flat beautiful, but probably too small for anything but a mini rally.