SeaDawg

We have fiberglass lp tanks on the boat. Bought them for dual use in the trailer, but we found it can be hard to get fiberglass tanks refilled. Erring on the side of caution, refillers have refused us in several places outside of marine areas. We use 20 lb standard steel tanks in the trailer. They're easier to lift in and out. You can always carry a third, in a crate to keep it upright, in the truck bed if you think you'll need it. They're easy to get refilled, or swap out if necessary. I do know that a number of people carry 30 lb tanks. Hopefully, they'll see your post.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

No, it's mostly a chemistry thing. The anode is sacrificial, dissolving instead of the steel tank rusting. I do think use of electricity may accelerate the dissolving of the anode. We never used the water heater on electricity, and our anodes lasted a really long time. We have an instantaneous heater (not a truma) for the last three or four years.

Beautiful photos. We had a similar experience with the gnats. Early May. We built a fire, and I wore long pants, long sleeves, a cap and a hoodie, and still got enough bites to trigger an allergic reaction. The park is beautiful, but I would only return in colder weather before the gnats are out .

The sharp corners are a good point, John. (No pun intended.)

No matter the label,I'd be doing it wrong once in awhile. No big deal.

I can't possibly count the fun times we've enjoyed with camping neighbors. We don't necessarily seek out the company, but it often evolves. Meeting new people in remote places has brought joy and warmth to some cold and crazy spots. Sherry

That said, we've enjoyed campfires and conversations with people from all over the globe. My Christmas card list includes camping friends across the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, Iceland, and Australia (and elsewhere.) Most campers are people just like you, but from somewhere else. It's still ok to just say "not now," or "we're just getting settled in", or "we're not into visitors right now."

I worry more about bear and sometimes bison and elk (depends on where we're camping, and the season,) than I do people. I've never had anything stolen from my campsite. (My first solo rv trip was summer of 78.) We do make a habit of putting expensive items out of sight, and lock the trailer when we're gone for the day, but that's about it. It is basically considered rude to ask to use someone else's bathroom. Unless it's a potty training child's mom, you'll probably never be asked that question. If someone does, just say your tanks are full.... As far as showing your camper, it's easy and perfectly ok to say "not right now," or just "we don't feel comfortable with that" especially during covid times. Campers are usually really ok with that response. In today's world, we don't have the same concept of sharing as previous years.

Welcome to the forum! Do you have a pickup date, yet? The wait begins...

I was next to one like yours at a stoplight a few days ago. I remember thinking , "now that's a great looking truck!" Happy travels.

I agree with Mike. The only place we've ever stopped that I felt uncomfortable was a walmart parking lot in what I felt to be a sketchy location. We both agreed, and moved on to a Cracker Barrel a bit further down the road. The only thing I've ever had "stolen" was actually a newbie mistake. We stopped at a campground on the Blue Ridge, and left a table at the spot we selected to mark it as occupied, and went back to the Dropbox to register. We got back to our campsite, and the table was missing. Then I saw a van camper drive up, with my table in the back. She stopped and dropped it off, with sincere and profuse apologies. She thought the table was "left behind." It was one of her first times in a campground. After reading the registration policy, she realized what she'd done. By and large, most campers are honest, regular folks. And fun, and helpful. That said, there are a lot of "new" campers out there. Just put what you care about out of sight if you're gone for the day.

You're going to really enjoy using the electric tongue jack, instead of blocks.

Love the alewives. Safe travels!

I remember mountainborn building some kind of a mudroom/outdoor enclosure when they work camped in snow country. Very helpful. Don't remember if it was addaroom.

Thanks for the report. That should be helpful to a lot if people

Orca, do you remember at what elevation you were camped during the hunt?

And squeezing into tiny campsites is a joy.

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.