SeaDawg

Hi Steve & Tali! Congrats! We know you'll have a great time with your new Oliver! It's going to look so sweet behind that new green Jeep! Looking forward to seeing your pix... Sherry & Paul

Hi, Frances, Welcome to the forum. This topic gets a lot of discussion on all the forums.... Especially with today's fuel costs. Unfortunately, the key words "tow vehicle" don't bring much up in a search on this forum or others, because they're "too common"... Here's a link to a thread here that might be of interest to you: Are you planning to replace your Civic with a truck, or do you plan to buy an additional tow vehicle? We have a lot of uses for our half-ton Silverado beyond towing the Oliver... and it gets respectable mileage, towing or not. However, mpg is nothing like your Honda's when zipping around town. Our 2005 is a 2wd, short bed, flare side, offers a really nice ride (for a truck) and is a little smaller than the newer model Silverados. It seems like just about every maker "supersized" their pickups in the last few years... I've been doing some research, too. Here are a few more links that might be of interest to you: http://www.cars.com/go/crp/buyingGuides/Story.jsp?section=Pickup&story=pickupTowing&subject=stories&referer=&year=2005 http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/102426/article.html Unless you want the cargo ability of a truck, you may find a little nicer (more car-like) ride, more inside storage, and (sometimes) a little better overall mileage with some SUVs. Paul was really impressed with Chris & Cherie's Diesel Jeep Liberty when they test-towed our Oliver. We sometimes tow our Oliver with our Volvo SUV, since the truck only seats two people comfortably. Whatever you choose, I'd strongly suggest that you get a factory tow package, not just a factory hitch. Many vehicles have significantly higher tow ratings with the tow package installed, and the tow-rated transmission and additional coolers extend the life of your tow vehicle. Good luck in your search. Sherry

Our Oliver came equipped with Duro radials (DS2100, I think), 15". We have been very happy with them. If you have a preference, I'm sure Oliver can accommodate you. Next to "what's the best tow vehicle?", I think tire choices generate more buzz on the other forums than any other topic. Sherry

Thanks for the proof reading, Stuart. I edited for clarity.... Sherry

I suspect you're right, Tom. However, prompted by the Florida June sun, and this thread, I ordered a cover today from Empire. Since we're probably home for almost a month straight (a first since we got our Oliver!), it seems worthwhile to get a trailer cover. Besides, I didn't know what to get Paul for Father's day. I'll let you all know how the big van cover fits next week. It had a few good comments on other forums, and we're mostly looking for protection from the sun and bird droppings.... Sherry

Or, for those who want to avoid using fossil fuels, and don't mind using a lot of biochemical fuel to move around, here's one from a Danish group: http://www.n55.dk/MANUALS/SNAIL_SHELL_SYSTEM/SSS.html -smile- Sherry

Beautiful photo, SturartW! Thanks for posting... Sherry

Hello, Elizabeth, Got your email with recipes. Thank you very much. I'll try them out! Sherry PS... Do you have a nickname? Liz? Beth? Fewer keystrokes... but Elizabeth is OK too... my cousin always goes by Elizabeth... Sher

Thanks for the invite... Sherry

Hi, Elizabeth! Welcome to the forum. We do a little bit of campfire cooking over hardwood fires in NC on our property. There's nothing like a campfire, is there? Last time north, we used the grill or two-burner for most dinners, but did hot dogs on the fire a few times.... I have a few recipes from the old days when we did all the cooking on campfires... I'd love to see your file/ book and expand on hot dogs/stew/shore dinner/hobo pies, etc.... Thanks for the offer (Sending a pm.) Sherry PS Congrats on your new Oliver! We hope you'll love it as much as we do ours! Keep us all posted on where you're headed on your first trip.. Hope to see you on the road somewhere!!! .

Great photos! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time.... I know I've said it before, but I think one of the great joys of camping is meeting so many interesting and fun people... Thanks for sharing! Sherry

I'll have to watch for that TV show... I'd love to see it. Here's another collection of albums of some great vintage trailers.... http://vintagetrailercrazy.com/index.html At least one of these trailers has been featured in the TV show you mentioned, Geri. My favorite of this collection? Tough choice... The little yellow and white '57 Corette is so me .... love the geometric linoleum and the cracked ice dinette.... But that '55 Boles Aero Ensenada would look pretty cool next to the Oliver, too.... Sherry

Chris, The bulldog hitch, though pricier than a standard hitch, is widely used by other quality trailers, especially utility trailers carrying expensive tools and equipment. There's a wide variety of locks available specific to the bulldog. We use two locks. One is used only when detached from tow vehicle, and is a heavy duty device that goes into the receiver and then surrounds it. The second is a collar lock that goes around the neck of the hitch, used both when hitched up and as a second lock when detached. Makes it difficult for anyone to mess with your hitch when parked. Stays locked even if hitch wire is cut. I don't remember where we ordered it, but you can see it in this amazon photo: http://www.amazon.com/The-Collar%C2%AE-Trailer-Coupler-Lock/dp/B000LRNTLO Sherry

Hi, Chuck! So good to hear from you! How's California? We're still trying to figure out schedule for June... Hoping to catch up with you and Geri either in Withlacoochee or NC for after-4 paws... (We have other commitments the weekend of 4 paws...) Paul emailed the guy with the plans to make the motorized tow dolly. (I think that guy also has an ebay outlet for the plans and prewelded frame..., at significant cost plus shipping, but don't make me swear to it... we've looked at a bunch of websites this weekend for motorized systems....) Though the plans -only, build it yourself motorized dolly looks great, according to the designer it involves 14-16 hours of welding time alone, minimum(if you're in practice.... more, if not). We do have access to a welding machine, and Paul knows how, if necessary. Though it's a good looking plan, parts and materials alone are more than the EZ Tug, ready to install, without the major personal time investment, as well. If you're still out camping in the big parks out west, could you ask around about the EZ tug? We've never seen one around here.... Looking forward to catching up with you and Geri sometime in June.... Teryiaki steak, here we go!!!! Sherry

Our Oliver has a nifty little parking pad that we built beside the garage, paved in turf blocks. We have a little manual tow dolly that we use (with considerable effort) to maneuver it into place, uphill off the smooth driveway onto the rougher turf blocks (about six to eight inches higher than the drive), around a sharp corner, all the while, trying to miss the tree branches and garage overhang while pushing on the trailer.... We've been looking for something to provide some extra mechanical or 12 volt power advantage to our tow dolly and "biochemical" engines. The European remote controlled "Truma" is very cool, very expensive, and not easily available. An American product is a motorized tow dolly, the Powercaster, but it works in conjunction with the tongue jack, and doesn't seem to be a smart solution with a power tongue jack. The EZ tug (also made in USA) mounts to the tongue with a retractable wheel, and 12 volt battery power moves the trailer into place.... Plus, like the Truma mover, it's always on the trailer, so it could, in theory, be used to maneuver into tight campground sites as well.... If it works, sounds like a dream come true. Plus, it's on sale for Father's Day at Garage-toys.om for $100 off, plus a "mystery per centage" off when you place your order... Anybody have any experience with the EZ Tug, or any of the other motorized trailer movers? Thanks. Sherry

Dave & Julie, Thanks for the kind words... but the pleasure is all ours. A big part of the fun of camping and Oliver ownership is meeting so many nice people (including you two!). Camping seems to attract a lot of interesting folks, with interesting stories, and a little sense of adventure. We really enjoy our time giving tours of the Oliver, and especially enjoy our time in the state and county parks. We hope to see you both at one of them soon... Or, stop by any time you're in the neighborhood! Sherry & Paul (PS Our four-legged Oliver the cockapoo sends his greetings, too... He seemed to develop a special attachment to Julie right off the bat .... and yes, he was a member of the family long before we bought the two-wheeled Oliver. He's almost three now.... A very funny coincidence, don't you think?)

Paul and I are, coincidentally, watching a TV show on "Noodling" on PBS.... I had no idea that 1. "Noodling" has been a documented style of fishing since at least 1775 2. "Noodling" is legal in at least 4 states (conversely, I had no idea it was illegal anywhere... just that I wouldn't want to try it...) 3. "Noodling" probably originated with the Indians... I now know that: 1. Mountainborn's videos are more entertaining than PBS... IMHO 2. He and Tumbleweed are not just joking around.... it's a real sport 3. I still don't want to try noodling!!!! Sherry PS Great looking fish!

Every forum contains many threads on choosing the best tow vehicle.... This website is really interesting... Lets you choose a trailer (or enter your own specs), and look for the best tow vehicles for you.... or allows you to check your matchup in your rig... Wish we had an American equivalent! Check it out just for fun, anyway, and notice how small many of the European cars and SUVs are that are "perfect matches" for an Oliver! (At least by European standards on this website...) Sherry

Wow, Phil. That's a beautiful car!!! Sherry

Chris & Cherie, Best of luck in your newest adventure! We'll be following your progress on the blog(s). Thanks, also, Cherie, for the necklaces. We'll think of you and Chris and wonder about your latest "technomadventures" each time we look at them.... Sherry (edited to correct spelling)

Cherie and Chris, The pleasure was all ours! Stop by anytime you're in town.... The beer garden opens around the same time each day!!! (Selection changes seasonally....) Looking forward to camping with you guys when you head north, or any time..... Thanks for the technical tips... you two are both so bright and tech knowledgeable. Paull's still trying to talk me into Burning Man.... The desert just isn't my kind of place... but, who knows? Sherry & Paul

We looked at generators at wisesales.com At the time, they offered free shipping on Honda and Yamaha generators... and really good prices. We wound up buying a never used Yamaha 3000 here in Florida from someone who had bought it from, coincidentally, Wise sales, who installed a whole-house generator system. We also bought a little Honda 1000i from Northern Tools for a very good price (and at the time, they offered price match if you found it cheaper elsewhere). We use the Honda 1000i when boondocking to top off batteries once or twice a day. It won't run the AC, but we can use the furnace, inverter for computer and cell phone chargers, water pump,fans, electronic ignition on the refrigerator, etc. (And Paul watches a DVD almost every night...) The 1000i is small, very quiet, and I can pick it up with one hand. I think it weighs less than 30 pounds, seems to run forever on a gallon of gas, and it fits under the ATV in the pickup bed, which the 3000 won't. The 3000 is very heavy, but powers everything. Sorry, can't give you info on the 2000 specifically. But, I think some people on the forum have 2000 or 2400's with smaller A/c units... I'm sure they'll read and chime in. Sherry PS Wise Sales had an ebay store, too. Might try there.

We are having a graduation party next month.... Will you be available to cook???? Looks wonderful!!! Thanx for sharing. Sherry PS Geri, they're not muddy.... think tiny langostino...

Chris, Thanks for the info. I saw posts on other forums regarding the LIberty diesel. Have you taken yours into the mountains? It looks like a great vehicle. Sherry

Earthdancer has a close, daily look at both... My observations from looking at Casitas and Oliver,,, (bear in mind, we bought Oliver, not Casita) 1. Carpet and particle board... The Oliver has neither, the Casita has both in abundance. I'm not partial to either. I live in the land of allergens in Florida already and take allergy medicine daily... Carpet is hard to clean, never really dust free. Particle board expands with water, which we have in abundance, even in the Florida air.... I love being able to clean the all fiberglass and gelcoat interior of the oliver in 15-20 minutes with a portable vacuum or a soft 4" paintbrush "broom", a spray bottle of vinegar windex, and a soft cloth. (Ok, the bathroom takes a litttle longer,.. but that takes longer at home too... in the Oliver I just turn on the garden hose and use a little spray and a scrubby when we get home.... ) I admit it. I'm a neat freak. Can't help the way I was raised. I'm just thankful to own a trailer that accomodates my needs and neat freak passion. 2. Storage. .. Casita cupboards are a lot smaller... Oliver cupboards have a lot of depth and height. The "curve" on Casita ceiling is incorporated into Oliver cupboards, and then some. I still have empty overhead cupboards in the Oliver , waiting for the "big trip[". Our Oliver has three great drawers.... my friend's casita has one. Doesn't seem like a big deal, till you start making dinner.... then it is. Speaking of making dinner, no carpet next to the tiny kitchen in either means no odors lingering to remind you of yesterday's dinner.. 3,Comfort & ease.... Double hull, and we have thermo pane window option. Toasty and comffy for us, even with the overhead vents open. Lots of tankage... very helpful when boondocking. Setup? 15 minutes, less if we don't want the awning up. Those electric leveling jacks are amazing. Ditto breakdown. Shower/grey water stop valve is in the shower, where it belongs. Tank & power meters are great for us... We spend a lot of time off the grid. I could go on and on with this topic... everything is just too easy... For me, that means I spend more time doing what I like to do, and less what I have to do .... Sherry