SeaDawg

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.

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.