SeaDawg

I'm on the opposite track. I'd load up on solar, cost effectively. But, you seem to think you will be primarily in rv parks.. so, solar there is no big deal. My issues would be storage. Even in a 32 ft sailboat, you'll have more storage. Empty bunks. Etc. You've seen one, now. I would likely not do the van. Go for a truck. With a topper. I loved my van, but, compare towing capacities carefully. Extra fashion forward clothes can always be kept in bins, imo. Honestly, I always envy the younger folks who can arrange their lives to get out on the road, and see the country while young. I'll look forward to your blog. Sherry Ps The truma combi looks great. If I had a II, I'd look at it. Freezer in the truck, great. Think about deleting the microwave, get a toaster oven, and look at our huge kitchen storage space after removing our microwave. Our dog sleeps on the dinette seat.

So much depends on the warranty coverage, and how long you keep your trucks. We bought a lifetime warranty with the Ram. It has paid for itself several times over in 11 years. It covers pretty much everything but tires, batteries, wipers and belts, with a minimal deductible charge for each repair visit. Most of the time, we have skipped extended warranties, but very glad we bought this one.

Not whining. Vehicle shopping is always a pita. Our daughter's vehicle was totalled by a distracted driver last month, ( she's ok), so she's dealing with the same thing... shopping without a real idea of what she wants. Maybe go back to Carmax, see if you like anything at all. Honestly, even trying to get in and out of some of the big truck cabs is tough for me (shorter legs.) Drive a few. At least there, it's pretty easy to say " no." In my town, anyway, it's not a high pressure spot. Then again, i have no problem with sayin no. If you should decide to buy new, you can buy anywhere, but you have to know what you like, and what you want. Warranty is good anywhere. We do have local dealers that we like for Chevy, Volvo, and, Dodge, but it wouldn't absolutely stop me from buying elsewhere. Just, those three dealers really try to work with existing clients. I love my Silverado, but it's older (2005), and smaller than today's half tons. Paul's big Ram used to be a real challenge for me, but I'm ok with it now. The fancy German styling of the 2008 doesn't let me see the front of the truck from the driver's seat. it drops off and away. Our daughter is driving my truck, so I have been driving his three or four days a week in city traffic. And, imo, city traffic is tougher than highway. Best of luck. Sherry

True. Flying into Nyc can be a mess. I was thinking maybe Virginia, south of DC, and take the train... Still some snow, but usually less. And more likelihood of open sspaces. As I said before, all things are possible. But, dealing with snowy gear almost requires a vestibule, for full timing, or a shed. You do have more space in a II, than our Elite. Certainly as much room as many tiny homes, with much more portability. But, it does require a flexible attitude. You have the experience of the 32' boat. As sailboaters, I'd say that's really good experience in small space living. But, easier to get out and about from a campsite, than on the hook. The tow vehicle opens up lots of opportunities.

Chris and Cherie, Technomadia, spent several years fulltime in the smaller Elite. It can be done. You can still find posts on their site, technomadia.com. They wintered out west or in Florida. Not New Jersey. And, since they moved up from a Tab, they already had a feel for (very) small space living. They now split their time between a vintage bus, and a boat. Another couple I know also fulltimed a few years in the smaller Elite. They now live in a fifth wheel. We've lived happily, traveling, in our small Elite for 90 days or so. Then, frankly, I'm ready to go home. I miss our daughter, my neighbors and friends, etc. But, I'm a lot older, and very settled in my neighborhood... We've still seen a lot in our travels. I'd invest in connectivity before a washer dryer combo, personally. Laundromats are everywhere, and campground laundries are usually very clean, and inexpensive. Do you have to winter over in snow country? Snow, and the appropriate clothing and footgear, is a pita, imo. But, that's why i live in Florida. Sherry

Dave and Cindy, Have a wonderful trip. We'll look forward to photos along the way. The adventures await!

$40 plus tax and shipping on the Fiamma website. I'd call them, anyway, and see if there's been a change in materials, plead my case... Gowesty says "new improved brackets", similar price, plus shipping. Ours are 11 years old, aluminum, and all the paint has flaked off, but still strong. Sherry

I missed the ad, but Aldi had their camping specials a week ago. The folding directors chair is again $29. It's a one werk special, but there were still a dozen of them in my store when I stopped in Friday. I love the compact size, the price, and attached table. I find it to be fairly comfortable, and really suitable as an " extra" chair for visitors. Sherry

Nan, which Ollie did you order? The Elite or the Elite II? John did offer some good suggestions. There are trucks that I love to drive ( my Silverado, for example) and others that just don't fit me. You'll know best when you get to drive a few. There are a lot of great deals on 2019s in my county, as there seems to be a surplus of inventory heading into the new model year. Local news talked about it last night. I'm half tempted to go drive a few, myself. Fwiw, I really loved the seats in my brother's new Ford 150 when he came down to Florida from Minnesota. Even the back seat was comfortable, with a lot of leg room. My sister inlaw, even shorter than I am, loves driving it, too, even with a trailer in tow. But, everyone is different, and that's why there are so many ( confusing) choices. Sherry

Hobo, we're discussing this on the mod site. But a number of folks are doing what we love most... camping. :) Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. Continue to add comments, and we'll (eventually) figure out a way to make the dictionary happen. Sherry

I'd try tech services at MaxxFan on Tuesday. They used to be really good with tech support/ customer service. With all the troubleshooting you've already done, you should get a fairly quick answer. Sherry

Hmm. I'm usually in the opposite mode.. Smaller, fewer, less to tote, carry, clean and maintain. I will say that our small trailers live really big on the outside. And, of course, bigger campsites are better...

Nice fan, and nice installation. Practical Sailor tests marine fans periodically, and Caframo fans are always in the recommendations. Quiet, powerful, energy efficient. Btw, they tested one of your style in 2008. In an update in June 2017, the fan was still running. Roughly 9 years of daily use... Sherry

Wow, that was fast, Overland, and a lot of info. TPMS- tire pressure monitoring system Sticky - a. A travel trailer constructed with wood frame and panels. b. A topic "pinned" to the top in a forum so it can always be seen Sherry

Acronyms aside, I know there are terms and abbreviations that can be confusing. Keep up the responses. I was reminded a month ago that many newbies didn't know that PM meant private message. Sherry

Years ago, we replaced the clear lens on our porchlight with an amber lens. Cost was about $10. I don't know if an amber lens is available for the newer trailers, as I believe they've changed brands. Sherry

That slideout kitchen is awesome...

Fwiw, we just replaced our brakes this spring. 11 seasons, around 100,000 miles. But, ours is an Elite. Sherry

Like that, Newshoes, but we prefer bound journals over spiral. We have log books from the boat over 40 years old. It's fun to go back and read and relive the old adventures... We add notations on important mechanical upgrades, repairs, and maintenance. Sherry

40 watts in the sun is better than none. Imo.

I would love to see an 8 inch stretch on the shorty...6 inches added to the bed, two to the door. If that added too much weight, though, to need a tandem axle, I'd say no way. Without any extra length, the original Ollie Elite is a fine boondocking machine. We've got the time and miles to know. (11 years, 100,000 miles). Love my little trailer. Everything we need, and then some. Sherry

Sailorashore, We had a number of friends at Islad Packet. Did you know Warren? Great boats. They lost a lot in the downturn. Sherry

That makes sense. You can live a lot longer on a trailer's needs than a home. Todays specs on your genset say 95 pounds, but still lighter than the Yamaha by almost 35 per cent. Just a bit louder. The yamaha purrs. Even servicing two homes, with doors and windows closed, we didn't hear it in the yard. On the road, we carry only an almost silent honda, very light Honda 1000, just to recharge batteries after the occasional string of crummy weather days. We love the silent, fossil fuel free solar. On the road, and at home, in our solar powered home. BUT, occasions like Hurricane Irma, can require breaking out the gensets. We were strictly gridtied then. We have ordered batteries for the next big one, and hope we will never need them.?

Landrover, Were you running ac in your Ollie, or your home? We powered our home, and our friends next door, we with a 3000 Yamaha, post Irma, just some fans,some lights , refrigerators, and igniter for the gas water heater, plus same for the neighbors, off our single genset. I wouldn't have even tried to run even one of our 2 ton variable speed units off the genset, withou tthe load of the neighbour's needs. Thanks. Sherry

Interesting idea. I've not seen it before, but makes sense. Heavy dc wire from 7 pin to battery. I'm assuming there is an inline fuse, somewhere? Never looked.