SeaDawg

Maybe it's a different system today. Our 2008 fasteners have never felt loose. But then, we do adjust the panels at a long term campsite, and it's been on us to make sure all is good. I'm all in on that old saying, "an ounce if prevention is better than a pound of cure." (Quote from my mom, and ageless others.) Check and be confident.

We all have to fuel up. We've met nice folks at gas stops, including @Hokieman and his wife a few years back, near Ocala. its a fun experience, indeed.

I am deeply sorry for your loss, and for your brother's family.

No worries. If you're not used to looking for marine features, why would you know? Btw, the Scandvik fixtures in our trailer are entering their 16th season. Still bright and shiny, and work as original. I have no complaints.

That's awesome. I hope you enjoy your retirement as much as we have.Well deserved, and now, time to explore, and enjoy the wonders. Do everything while you can. My motto.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, @Anita Johnston.

You are experienced campers, with previous trailers, so you know the drill I know you had the dexter recall. Don't remember what else. Enjoy the 2023 season! Looking forward to your photos.

80 miles round trip is a good shake down tour. Better than driveway camping. Enjoy the trip. Hope it's at least a long weekend. Check out all the systems. (As we tell everyone with a new camper.) Every year, we usually have some small, or sometimes big, thing that doesn't work. That's the nature of rving, imo. You're close to home. Even dead tires will probably make 80 miles round trip. Check the brakes, and hopefully you've greased the hubs. If something else doesn't work, well, that's camping. That's why we carry flashlights, portable grill, etc. Have fun, and let us know how it went.

I also would be suspect of 7 year old tires. We usually replace our tires at 5 years. Get the hubs/bearings/ brakes serviced and checked. Time does take a toll on some parts, whether they move, or not.

? I think I missed something? Oh, you mean the drain holes? .got it, i gurss.

Welcome to the forum. You may have a number of questions, before, and after delivery . Ask away. Lots of folks here with answers. I'd second @Patriot's suggestion to acquaint yourself with oliver university. Invaluable.

I've used a family member's Toyota Highlander (2008) recently. Really nice ride, though much more suv than truck. The one I've driven had a 5k tow rating, but I wouldn't be confident with it beyond local , flat land camping, even with our smaller Elite. I'd probably look for something with a higher tow rating, if you want to get out of Florida/Georgia flatlands. More power equals less stress, imo. In contrast, my 2005 1500 Siverado, and my husband's 2008 ram 1500 4x4, tow the Elite like it isn't there. Both get "decent" around town and (reduced) towing mpg.

That's a really good list. When we traveled to Antarctica and Patagonia last fall, my physician suggested something similar, plus carrying a cd with my recent scans and x-rays, and recent medical history, "just in case." Thanfully, never used them, but helpful for comparison for a physician if I'd taken a(nother) tumble or had an other emergency, in his opinion. In addition, it can be important to understand your insurance coverage away from home. Emergency services in the US are usually covered, depending on your policy, but it can be an unpleasant financial surprise to get sick or injured outside the US, even in Canada. Travel health insurance is relatively cheap, and often covers flight evacuation to the USA for you and your spouse, if necessary. This is especially true if you are covered only by traditional Medicare and spend a lot of time camping in the Yukon, as we have. Not a pleasant topic, but a sometimes a necessary one to explore.

We've found Florida mosquitoes to be small , slower, and annoying, but nothing like the larger and faster Minnesota state bird... (I'm from Minnesota. )

We don't have a basement light in our 2008 elite, (no basement) but we have a closet interior light that could have caused the same issue. It's led, so I didn't fret too much about power draw, but turning off my main cabin switch solved long term problems. And, a piece of surveyor tape, reminded me to look... before closing the closet door, while camping.. Since we have a light that is mounted on the opposite cabimet wall, I just don't use it. Problem solved.

Probably important to note that Winnebago and Oliver are not the only customers of Lithionics. They've been installed over a wide range of applications, by a number of distributors. I think Winnebago was, of course, smart, but I'll wait and see what disadvantages, if any, appear. (Especially since winnebago is looking at and developing an erv) . https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a38803078/winnebago-electric-camper-van-photos-info/ I look at the acquisition as a friendly step up for both. And, with an established network, another profit center for both. Winnebago (Iowa) is an old and well respected company, and again, I'm glad to see a symbiotic partnership outside the ginormous Dometic and Lippert networks. I'm in wait and see mode. Lithionics hq is only a short drive from me, in Florida. https://winnebago.gcs-web.com/news-releases/news-release-details/winnebago-industries-acquire-premier-lithium-ion-battery

That wasn't me. It was Patriot's idea.

A very sad, and sobering, reminder to pay attention to weather conditions, and have a plan. Especially camping in tornado season. I remember the first time camping that my husband and I heard tornado sirens in the Midwest. He didn't know what they meant. I said, "grab the dog, keys, your wallet, and we're off to the bath house," a few hundred feet away. I'd scoped it out, earlier, as it was early tornado season. We were fine, but buildings and billboards flattened not far away. We had the "joy" of spending a good while with several dozen strangers and their pets in the small block structure. (I chose a shower stalls, extra stability) I sure wish these folks in the Indiana state park had heard, or heeded, the warnings. As a survivor of several direct tornafo hits, I'm extremely saddened by this loss. My condolences to their family. Please, be careful, and aware. https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2023/04/02/indiana-storms-rossville-couple-dead-at-mccormicks-creek-state-park/70072924007/

Winnebago, as I remember, was the first to use Lithionics, so a friendly partnership makes perfect sense. I'd relax on the hand-wringing, at least for now. Aquisitions happen all the time in rv component world. Me? I'm super happy lithionics was acquired by a friendly and supportive, smaller company, vs dometic or lippert.

That's an interesting idea I've not seen before. Not in the fridge, though, right? Just inside the access?

I went to their website for better photos. As you said, more like a pergola. Looks like thin, slender panels that somehow stack up when not deployed. https://xponentpower.com/ Watching the two videos on their site explained a bit. Especially the comparison video of a standard awning, and theirs, in windy conditions. The "pergola " design offers a lot more time to use in somewhat windy conditions.

If it's a small area, you can also try a plastic scraper. A hair dryer can help to soften. Goof off or 3m adhesive remover to get rid of the residue.

Years ago, our friend Chuck talked about his plans to (maybe) make window awnings from solar panels. This company is planning to go bigger, and better. A flexible solar awning that can supply 1200 watts when deployed.... Novel idea. Create shade, and use the sun to create power. Wonder how well it will hold up? https://www.rvnews.com/xponent-power-partners-to-produce-solar-awning/

We found a good deal with good sams, 15 years ago, and have used them ever since. We get credit for layup , once a year, which is nice. Check a few. We got a good deal for our boats, with progressive, this year.

No, i don'tthink so. . Tow rating on the pioneer is 1000 pounds. So, ... What we can do, is tow the Olliel,,and take the utv in the truck bed, as we've done in the past with the Rancher. At least, theoretically.