SeaDawg

Like our tf130, I think the new isotherm is the same capacity. The National Lunas have some users and fans here. Big size for true interior capacity, probably due to extra insulation. If I turned my 130 liter truckfridge on its back, it would be about the same size as a 90 liter nl, I think. Maybe, mine would even be a bit smaller. If I had the retro to do over, and a thicker wallet at the time, we might have chosen drawers. Like the nl chests, but easier to use. Overall, I have no complaints. The danfoss/secop compressors are very efficient, in all these units.

2 way dc compressor is isotherm 2 way style. Very efficient in dc. But, still uses (in our truckfrudge, also made by indel) 60 to 70 ah per day. I don't know about high heat issues with our indel but truckfridge (almost identical to the isotherm, but less insulation, and not coast guard approved), as we avoid temps above the 90s. DC danfoss/secop compressor fridges have been used for decades in the marine environment. No propane, no worries about leveling (impossible underway in our sailboat). Widely used in rvs and caravans in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Very reliable, and consistent at altitude. The isotherm Oliver is installing is tried and true, around the world. Three weak points, imo. 60 to 70 ah, daily. The freezer door hinges are just plastic pins, and can break if you allow too much frost / ice buildup in the tiny freezer. I broke ours, and it was almost $100 to replace, if I remember correctly, with shipping. (Isotherm door, direct replacement. I did it myself, easy peasy.) Third weak point is the door handle. Not a huge deal, as it stays closed underway quite well, but it operates on just a little triangular spring bit that has popped out on me a few times. Easy to put it back in, but disconcerting the first time. I've had norcold and dometic 3 ways, and I have to say, the dc compressor fridge is one of my very favorite fridges, and one of my favorite upgrades to our 15 year old Oliver. Cools down very quickly. Slightly more capacity than the norcold or dometic. Quiet. Reliable. No lights on a panel during the night. Oh, and an led light inside. Con: we have limited battery capacity in our little Elite ( 2 x 105 ah agms), and we boondock most of the time, no ac hookup. So, it does require attention to solar. Way worth it to me, but not something I had to worry about with the 3ways on gas. Those had other issues to worry about, as you mentioned above, plus altitude with propane (though we rarely camp too high, so not a big deal for us. ) We did the swap ourselves, several years ago. The hardest part was getting the very awkward and bigger 3way out. Most technical, capping the gas line. If you're not qualified, getting help.

One of our camping friends sent us this today.

Is this everything? Should we change the title to sold?

You will have to join Facebook to see it. There is no other contact info in the linked ad,,except Facebook. Sorry. It's an Elite1, by the way. I know a lot of folks aren't fb fans, but you can lock or close your account after you look around.

Well, you have a friend in Ely, with indoor storage for the Ollie. That's awesome. Since he lives there, he knows the typical weather (cold to brutally cold in January) so that's awesome, too . Guaranteed beautiful photos if you get there, and survive the trip. You'll obviously need great tech clothing, and super sleeping bags, if you'recamping without heat/fire. Hat's off . A number of hardy individuals do this every Minnesota winter. Take a bunch of photos, and share, later. (We don't expect sharing in the bwca. Gps phone/emergency signal recommended. ) Take extra fuel and meds in case of a storm leaving you stranded for a bit, and have fun . I know it's your cup of tea, not mine, but I do envy your experience. I learned to hate tent camping with snow, in much milder temps. I have my fingers crossed for good weather for you.

I hope it will also include more photos of your adorable grandkids. Made my day!

Love the tug/barge on the river at sunset photo. Reminds me of camping on the Mississippi. Thanks for sharing the memories. Glad you had a great first season.

Pretty much the same as the ikea skubb we've used for 15 years, except that ikea has little fabric skubb drawers that we use for underwear, t shirts, etc. I won't add another link, as I've added it several times before . if you have an ikea store nearby, its a great resource. Or, order online. Back to the original topic, the op had a great idea . I think we'll look at it!

In cold months , we have a place for boots inside the door. Two pair of boots fit on the mat, under the closet door, and stay relatively warm for the morning. (In mild weather, the boots stay outside, or in the truck bed ) I change out wool socks for yoga socks overnight if temps are mild. If not, change to lighter weight smartwool socks. I hate cold feet.

If you do manage the back country ski trip in the boundary waters, I'll look forward to your photos. This will undoubtedly be your biggest challenge, towing, and I have zero recommendations. Maybe someone else can help . My brother and friends did this in spring, tent camping. Several times. I have no idea on access, and plowing, in winter. Everything depends on the year, for sure, but my family rarely went north of Bemidji, after deer hunting season. Northern Minnesota winters can be brutal. We get the Canadian fronts, and in Southern Minnesota, the ice storms. I moved to Florida a long time ago, and rarely go back in the beautiful winter. Too many memories of canceled reservations because of weather . Ps. winds across the plains can be ferocious, along with snows. Plan to stay put, at a rest area, if the winds kick up, across the Dakotas. Winter is beautiful in Minnesota, on good days. It's also super cold, and unpredictable. Snow bands, and ice bands, can be small, like 50 to 100 miles. I love my native state, but rarely go there in winter. Viking blood, and a sense of reason. Read O E Rolvaags "Giants in the Earth". This is what my ancestral family dealt with. We joke about the pineapple belt. It's just cold, snowing, and often icey, in winter . Were it me, I'd drop south from Denver.

@GAP, we only camp in Minnesota in shoulder seasons and summer, but I know that many state parks are open for winter camping. (Some primitive, some electric only, no water, for sure.) Sometimes flush toilets in the visitor center of bigger parks, but no dump station, nor water at sites. Some places vault toilets in winter, others, you're likely on your own. How far south in Minnesota are you looking? I94, or i90? Do you include cross country skiing or snow shoeing in your trips? Lots of great trails, from what my friends tell me. Especially around Lanesboro/Harmony/ Spring Valley bluff country, where the glaciers didn't scrape the landscape clean. I know there's a state park near Mankato that's open for camping in winter, and I have friends who have a home on one of the Kato lakes. I suspect they'd check it out for you, if I asked. When will you be in Minnesota? You must know it can be super cold in January. It's already been sub zero at night up by my brother outside Brainerd, for a night or two. January can be really, really cold, like highs around zero, lows 30 or 40 below. Depends on the year. February often brought ice storms when I lived there. Not as cold, but bitter, and crappy driving. March was unpredictable. However, if you can stay put, Minnesota plows work magic. I can reach out to Minnesota friends, or you can explore the mn state parks website, for camping. Some dnr parks also. As for highway info, mn 511 app is pretty good. @Minnesota Oli, and a few other hardy Vikings, could probably give you better info. I learned to ski near Minneapolis, at Buck Hill. Ditto, took my daughter (Florida girl) up there to learn to snowboard, from my parents' home on owatonna. It's not a great run, pretty much straight down, pretty much view of the interstate... cross country is more interesting. My hat's off to you. I gave away my skis and boots years ago.

You're a much better photographer than I am. Looks like you had an amazing season,and took full advantage of the summer.

We saw a northern lite truck camper on the way today. If we were truck camper folks, that would def be my choice

Yes, the vid is 2 years old, but very informative.

I'm thinking, as this year draws swiftly to a close, a capsule of this year's adventures. We've had an awesome year, with and without our little Elite. We took the hull plaque to Chile/Patagonia and Antarctica, since we couldn't take the trailer. I hope you have had awesome adventures as well. 2022 in ten pix, for us . A pic of our last camp, this week, in wnc, rounds out the year, as we began and ended the year in the beauty of North Carolina.

$2.59 regular at Costco, Pooler (Savannah) Georgia, this morning.

Very close to $5 everywhere along i95, southeast. Hard to understand the difference

Glad no one was hurt . Great that you shared the warning.

Many people buy a lot of ","stuff " that they will never need. Please be careful of purchasing . . Look out for your camping style . We need very little . Others need more. I'd advise big purchases after pickup imo

We still have the original standard cushions in our elite. We use a 2 inch memory foam topper. (3rd version) 15 years later, we are happy,,and sleep very well.

$2.79 at Costco, Pooler Georgia, yesterday. $2 79 at Costco, Spartanburg, SC, yesterday . Over $3 everywhere else nearby in nc,,outside asheville.

Great price! So many places don't allow woodfires,, but do allow lp fire rings. Thanks.

40 years, we have stowed mattresses and cushions on their sides, or indoors, for our boat . Choose, as you will .

I know you followed protocol. And, stayed a good long time. If the gas leak was strong, it would have set off the propane alarm. Some things show up later, after trailering for awhile . Unfortunately, that's you. Oliver will take care of you. I know that to be true