SeaDawg

We didn't have a choice in the original, smaller Oliver, but I like the sideways mount. It's not only a splatter guard, but a nosy dog guard. Our little dog would never try to poke around the lid... No big deal to operate the controls from the left side. I would, personally, love to have the extra counter space inches created by the sideways mount in the bigger trailer, with the wider counter. Sherry

Saw a legacy II northbound on 95 today, about 25 miles north of the Florida- Georgia line . Around 3 pm.

If you would like to make the towing experience the easiest, one of the trailers with width around 7 ft or less, like Oliver, is the easiest. Trailer tires and body width closely match the tow vehicle. As far as teens camping with you, I'll share our experience in the little 08 Oliver. We have the little side dinette drop down to a "twin" 24" bed, 6 ft long. Honestly, according to our nephew, it's not the bed size, but the independence of his own tent, that draws him to a tent beside our trailer. Our adult daughter brings one or two friends, who love our eight person tent. I would not consider sleeping really small ones in the tent. But, teens, they'd likely be happier. Beyond that, I'm with John Davies, for the most part. I hate slides.and, I don't like wide trailers, beyond the 7.5 width. Even the Bigfoot and Airstream are pretty wide. Too wide for us, though the extra width allows more floorplan flexibility. I saw that initially you thought 16 ft was long enough. Rent a tiny motorhome or van , or a tiny trailer like a tab on rvshare, and see how it works for you. You don't want to buy a trailer too big, just because you might have a couple teenage grandkids from time to time, anymore than you would want to build a house to hold the whole family at Christmas, to clean and condition the rest of the year. Just my thoughts. 17 ft is plenty for us. Room for one small grandchild, if and when we get so lucky. Good luck in your decision, and happy travels. Sherry

The milepost is good, but devoted to advertising. You will miss a lot if you camp only in the spots listed there. Pick up the provincial/ territory guides at each entry. Use those to supplement. And, keep your eyes open for the local spots. In Alaska, you can camp anywhere no posted. We've spent many nights in turnouts on the Denali, Richardson and other highways, with amazing views, and no fees. ( Obviously, no service, either). Several nights in vacant lots in old Valdez. Much nicer than camping in the crowded municipal campgrounds. We rarely make reservations, but, if you want to camp at Denali, it's a necessity. We've lucked out on last minute, but I do mean lucked. We always have a backup of camping at my cousin's house at the foot. So we can risk it. Sherry

I need to dig out my journals, and share some of my favorite campgrounds. The Alaska trip is beautiful, amazing, and something you will remember the rest of your life. I don't know if we will go again. Three times may be enough. Or, who knows? Campsites like this beckon you back.

Not a lovely day to drive this highway. Some poor motorcyclists were completely covered in mud. We sometimes couldn't see the road after the windshield washer fluid ran out. Beautiful, but ugly, too.

Glad you got a sunny day and fewer bugs at the Arctic circle. We drove up on a cloudy and rainy day, intending to camp at the campground by the monument, but gave it up due to the thick swarms of mosquitoes. Got the photos, youred the cg, and decided to make the trek back to silver gulch brewery in Fox. The road out is awful. Most of the way. Some pavement, mostly gravel, and if it's been raining, really mucky and slippery in areas that collect water. Go on a dry sunny day... Don't do as we did... We followed a heavy equipment trick out, a mile to a half mile behind, and followed his tracks. Twice the speed out as in. I would not recommend taking a fiberglass trailer on this road. Too many rocks flying. Take the TV only, and you'll be happier. Here's one of my happier photos, holding the dog, and slapping mosquitoes. Make sure to wear long sleeves.

Yes, our original Oliver has those storage bins, uniquely formed to fill the available spaces under seats. I'm surprised they no longer make them . Have you checked to see if your trailer just didn't get the bins???

Welcome to the forum, and the Oliver family of owners. You will love the trip to Alaska, whichever route you take. Garynjona are right... So much wildlife viewing on the ice fields parkway/Jasper route. The ferries are amazing, too, if you go coastal one way. I think we need to start an Alaska thread. We found so many amazing, mostly empty campgrounds on our trips I'm infatuated with the Yukon. So few people, so much wildlife, and wonderful rustic campsites. I think Yukon territory sites were $10 cad last year , roughly $7.60 us. Free firewood. We were often the only ones, or just a few others, in the campgrounds.

A big part of my fascination with the Midwest is probably my upbringing on the Minnesota farm. Seeing and hearing the corn grow, eating tomatoes and peas fresh from the plants in the huge garden.Riding the tractor with Dad, tending chickens with Mom. The amazing smell of new cut hay. Riding my pony, and the odd calf... Fording the usually shallow creek between us and nearest neighbors, chasing butterflies, finding tiger lilies and lady slippers in the woods.. The barn dad built from lumber he cut and milled himself still stands. He always told me I helped, but all I did was paint very low boards, and pull nails for him... I was six.but I sure loved being there with Dad. Life on the farm was pretty simple, but rich. We depended on each other, our family, and our neighbors. None of us had a lot, but we all had about the same...as my childhood friend Rose says, we had no idea others had more, so no big deal Those farm years, before we moved to "town", gave me a huge appreciation for life, green, and simple. I'd love to go back to those days. Easy, no. My parents worked unbelievably hard. Satisfying, certainly. And that big prairie sky... I remember laying under the oak in the pasture, watching the clouds. Imagining the rest of the world on the cloud figures. Since then, I've been lucky enough to see a lot of the world. But, you know, those cornfields are pretty darn amazing, too. Sherry

What a gorgeous photo. I, too, love the fireflies. Heading back to NC soon... Saw them last week in Mom's back yard. I miss them, too ... Sherry

And, then, there is that wonderful huge prairie sky. Like this, on my way to Moline, to fly home to Florida The sky goes on forever, as does that silver ribbon of road. I just had to watch for tractors.... Sherry

I just got back from a week in the Midwest. Basecamp, northern Missouri at Mom's house. Driving miss Daisy, we went on to Wisconsin to celebrate her birthday with her twin. I wish I had more photos. We followed the great river road ad much as practical. It's an amazing, beautiful drive. Whether the Mississippi is to your left, or your right, it's just beautiful. I can never get enough. Sherry

Love your fb photos. Wish we were there. Bosker is growing up before our eyes. On your way home, there's a campsite in nb that you should not miss. It's amazing. Looking out to Campbell, and the maelstrom, and the local ferries, and seals and wildlife. I juggled out schedule so we could stay a few days extra. Have a great trip!!!! Sherry

Well, my experience is, camping around Asheville, most of the time, you just need to open the windows, and run the fan Assuming you get above the city. Asheville is low elevation.

I saw this ingeneous table mount at a boat show several years ago. We need the table in the small dinette sometimes for cooking prep, paperwork, etc., But, I loved the Whaley's sofa... Any ideas on how to make this work with the sofa? http://www.lagunusa.com/ Sherry

Someday soon, we will have a thread on " how do I charge my ev tow on solar." Sherry

Bollinger of NY introduced their very cool, very trail ready ev this week, to coincide with the Tesla 3. The future is sneaking up on us With the massive torque and acceleration of evs, we just now have to figure out charging, In the current config, the Bollinger b1 Is a nonstarter as a TV. Time will make a difference. PS.. it looks so cool. I'd be tempted as a local 4x4 vehicle. Not as tow. We are on an exciting primetime era with evs. Battery power will increase. You can be sure if that https://electrek.co/2017/07/27/bollinger-all-electric-truck-b1/

The closing of Bornfree makes me very sad. I lived in Iowa for 8 wonderful years. My Florida company, in the 80s, bought a conversion Bornfree as a demo van for our product. Great vehicle. About vans, etc, no one has mentioned Sporstmobile, tx and ca. We saw one at the Tampa rv supershow last year. Built on the Mercedes 4,X4 chassis, kind of Spartan inside, but everything we need. It would,in my opinion, be a great tow and fun vehicle, leaving our ten year old Ollie at a safer cg ... And exploring beyond. We don't need a lot. It was, with an outdoor shower and diesel stove, no oven, a minimal solar setup, around 100 k So, as yet, we don't own one. But someday, possibly. It can tow our Oliver, and then some. And, no worries on the small roads. Don't think this would be the op,'s choice . Conversion vans do not have the pano windows. Not the big beds. . Reed, why did you not like driving the sprinter van? Which year? Sberry

Would you like one of us to remove your cell number? Have you made contact? Better for privacy reasons to exchange phone numbers through pm , in my opinion... Sherry

I'm wondering, too. Anyone know of a list of these spots? Or, should we begin one?

The west has loads of boondocking opportunities. But those of us who love the eastern half of the us can find plenty. With research. Many coe ( army corps of engineers) parks have minimal facilities, corresponding low or no fees, and amazing views. Ditto Forest service campgrounds. And state Forest sites. A few county and town sites are also off the beaten track. Do we have the rugged Western scrub/ Mesa landscape? No. But many beautiful river, dammed lake, pond , flood plain sites. It can take some research time, but even in the east, it's possible. If you get off the main roads. Sherry

Anywhere in North America you'll see part of it. Enjoy your travels. Wishing we're in Canada. Temps and humidity are unrelenting here .soooo very jealous...

There may be a leg for your awning in the boneyard. Or not. Worth asking. You never know. Sherry

Got my mouth watering. Betty is just amazing with her Dutch oven. Hope you two are having a great time on the lake. Sherry