SeaDawg

Texas guy, especially with an elite I, the TV options open up. Sherry 2008 elite1

My brother loves his F150. He's in sales, in a rural territory, so he spends hours every day in his. My sister-in-law, who's even shorter than I, really enjoys driving it, as well. She towed a utility trailer with my mom's furniture from Minnesota to Florida, and was quite pleased with the experience. Hope you enjoy yours, too. For many of us, our trucks are also our daily drivers, so I think it's important to find balance in our selections. Daily comfort, mileage not towing, and overall driving experience are all factors in our decisions. Sherry

Have you seen this YouTube from the tfl guys doing the ike gauntlet? 2016 Silverado, but 5.3 and 8 speed transmission. 9000 lb utility trailer.

Cobbler looks yummy. Dutch oven cooking, at its best, and sweetest.

I took a look at their website and fb page, as I haven't been in Hohenwald in a long time. When I met the new owners, they talked about their upgrade plans. Looks like they've done a lot. Next time I'm up that way, I will go visit. We also usually camp at Meriwether Lewis.

Bill, was that before the new owners at Fall Hollow? We stayed one night in their b n b right after they bought it. Nice couple from Wisconsin. They have changed and upgraded a lot if sites there, plus adding some cabins. Sherry

Thanks! Beautiful spot. The link works now.

Top gun, how long did you stay in this spot? Any time restrictions? Sherry

This link comes up with the message " video is private .," Can't open it. Sherry

@Susan Huff Since you have a little time, if you don't know the address of your dad's house, you might try contacting the local historical society. Dodge City is pretty small. I've found some great contacts and info in contacting historical societies in smaller towns and cities, doing genealogy research for my family. Sherry

We've overnighted at a few cracker barrels, going from point a to b. It's always been a good experience. Went in for dinner or breakfast . I'm not a big fan of Cracker Barrel food, but we feel it's important to patronize those who give us a free spot. I'll remember this one. Thanks.

You're towing an ollie elite I? Ram is a delightful machine. Our 2008 has 200k on it, about half pulling the Ollie. Super.

We've used Rock Tamers for over 12 years. They are well built. Most of the "chrome" trim has flaked off over the years, but that's about it. We think they are quite effective, as we've had very few dings on the front of the trailer over the years. But, I guess like lightning rods, you only know if they don't work. 😃 We can still get some mud sprayed up on dirt roads, but I do think they offer a lot of protection. Sherry We bought both sets at Costco, but I don't see them on the Costco us site anymore. Amazon and etrailer seem to have the best price right now.

Maybe consider a propane genset? Extra portable solar is not dangerous to carry. That would be my first choice.

We have an older Elite, so many of our upgrades are already included in the base model. Solar is the #1 upgrade for us, as it has allowed us to camp without hookups most of the last 12 years. What I wouldn't get: Kingdome/satellite receiver or TV antenna. Frankly, I'd leave out the TV, though I think it's standard. It just takes up space, and we never use it. If we want to watch something, as we rarely do, it's fine on the tablet or my phone. Convection microwave is another item we added at the last minute. It died from lack of use, I think, and we replaced it with a big storage cabinet. I can reheat foods on a pot or skillet on the stove, or in foil on the fire. I love my big cupboard. Sherry

What a shame. Guessing this may have been used as a hunting camp, perhaps? I love these old Silver streaks and Streamlines. My brother came across a late 50s Silver Streak in even worse condition a few months ago. (The door had blown open in a Minnesota winter...) Decided it wasn't a great project for him/us. https://www.thevintagesatgalwaydowns.com/history-of-silver-streak Sherry

Speed limit. 70 to 75.

So, if you're collecting Elite I data, also, we average 11.5 to 12, interstate highway speed with the Elite in tow. 2008 Ram 1500 4x4. Not towing, 16 to 16.5, interstate speed. Slower roads, of course, it all improves. Thank you again for compiling this information. Sherry

I don't think bugeyedriver posted any photos, but here's a link to the discussion. I've seen his trailer. The color match was excellent, coating looked really nice .

Welcome, and I'm sure the time til pickup of your new Oliver will fly! Sherry

Renting is a great idea. There's a site called rvshare.com, where individual owners put their own trailers and b/c/a motorhomes up for some period if time when they're not using them. (Not something I'd ever want to do with my Ollie, though.) When my sister and her husband thought they wanted to buy a tab, I found one for them to rent for a week in Asheville. It was cute, but a few nights let them realize that model was not for them. Sherry

Yes, my thoughts are with friends and family and all those in Texas and Louisiana. Laura is an ugly big storm. Sherry

Mtkadan, camping is, for us, a great way to travel. We bring our own kitchen, bath, and bed. And outdoor living room. We often meet new people, and have made lifelong friends, camping. Pets, rules, etc., vary from place to place. Most organized campgrounds have a host. Small towns usually are very welcoming. Many of them, especially in rural areas, have town and county campgrounds that are pleasant stopovers, or sometimes, a really nice place to stay awhile. For example,, there's one outside Lanesboro, MN, that I really love. Cute, artsy town, lots of bike riders, etc. The county campground has been mostly empty when we've been there. Lake Mitchell Campground, owned by the city in SD, is really nice, though a bit rustic. I could go on, but, too many to mention. Here's a screenshot of city and county campgrounds in Iowa, for example. Small towns often create a campground to bring business into the town that the interstate has bypassed. It's our personal policy to spend what we can in these welcoming towns. Buy a few groceries, get gas, visit a gift shop or art gallery, maybe. Life on the road is often very fun. If you can stop a bit, and enjoy.

Tlaw, if your towing capacity is 3500 pounds, as I think it is, you're marginal on any Oliver. Our 2008 Elite weighs in at or above your capacity, ready for camping, with gear, food, and some water, grey, and black you've also indicated that you want to have space for gramma, and a favorite aunt, along with you, and your son. Honestly, if you want to keep the jeep (nice!,), you'll probably have to look at other brands to get sleeping for four. And, be within your tow limits. A few years ago, with limited towing capacity, my sister bought a lightly used rpod, bunk model, that could have slept four, at a good price. Light, aluminum framing (cage) in the walls, panelized roof (not rubber/epdm). Don't go there to the rubber roofs. Nor 2 x 2 cage, wood . I love molded fiberglass. But I don't think there's anything US made in molded fiberglass that would fit your jeep, and sleep 4, comfortably. And fit your tow capacity, and gvwr . Not trying to be a bummer. Just trying to be honest. If you want to change up the vehicle, other avenues open. But, an Oliver is really only set up for three, sleeping in the trailer. Imo . Sherry

I think so! 😅