SeaDawg

I understand that Furrion makes an rv induction cooktop about the same size as gas. Hmmm

No "custom orders". But, you can always ask. The 2023 that Oliver brought to this year's Owner's Rally had a compressor fridge in it. So, that now just might be an option That's great news, @topgun2. Did the demo 2023 still have the fridge vents cut out? We replaced our 3way with a compressor fridge a few years ago. At the same time, we took out the microwave and built a big storage cabinet in its place. I'm very happy with both improvements. (We sealed the fridge vents with heavy plastic sheeting, insulation, and duct tape. ) we still have a gas cooktop, which I like, but carry an induction burner. Please do ask when you go on your tour. While you're there, see if there's a twin bed model in the offing for the Elite, with the redesign. We've had ours since 2008, so we're in our 15th season. Though smaller than the II, it has (almost) all the same features, and I consider the smaller size to be a bonus, for many of the reasons @John E Davies already outlined.

That's great, and I'd love to know specs, too. We have 400+ watts, fixed, on our 2008. (Bifacial panels, installed by us )

It's really helpful if you complete year and hull number in your profile, and signature. Our 2008 has a couple switches to turn off the pump. One by the door. Your pump may need a prime.

I realize that sounds harsh, but it was, for us. Over our many trips, we've driven most of the Alaska named highways,,and we'd do most of them with our 4x4 truck, and our elite. Unless you're really tall, the elite is lighter, narrower, and easier to maneuver. We've not taken our elite to Alaska, as we routinely deliver motorhomes. We fly home. That begs another question. Its often still snowing or snowbound, along the route in early may. Snow can start in September. Getting 5 months would require patience, and alternate travel plans. 7 would be tough to do. My cousin lives summers in Cantwell, in a dry cabin she built when she was in her twenties. She grew up there It's spectacular. But, I'd plan on getting out by mid September, latest. Unless you ferry to the "tropics " of Juneau, an ferry out, as we have done. Still, the Yukon and bc can be uncooperative on the way home. And, you'll have a hard time finding open campgrounds in bc or the Yukon. We've camped in closed campgrounds in the Yukon many times. Not a huge deal, if you're self contained, and self sufficient. The only services in most are free firewood and pit toilets, anyway. Keep toilet paper in your pocket.

The Dalton highway to Prudhoe is one highway I would avoid with any trailer. Even my sturdy elite. Unless it were an exceptionally dry year. We've driven it as far as the arctic circle entry campground. And, the road really, really stunk. Seriously bad. Much of it "used to be" paved, but now crews go out, chew up the damaged asphalt, and throw it back down. In rainy weather (as we encountered, even though we had a good forecast) it was absolutely miserable. Some people got stuck, though we didn't, thank goodness. We could barely see for many miles, as mud threw up against the windshield, and no wiper fluid left. Motorcyclists got dumped in the wet mud, and looked like creatures of the black lagoon. The carwash to get our camper clean, in fairbanks, was lengthy, and expensive. I'd drive it again, in a 4wd vehicle, all the way to Prudhoe. But nix a trailer. Leave the trailer in Fairbanks, book accommodations (sparse and spartan) and see something most people have never seen. Its incredibly beautiful in the Tundra. And, weirdly beautiful. We saw a number of moose along and on the road, and other critters to dodge. We were in a 2wd smaller motorhome. We thought about camping at the arctic circle cg, but the mosquitoes were very, very thick, even early season. We talked, and turned around there, and went back to Fox. I'd do it again, but in a 4wd truck, no trailer. Definitely not another motorhome. And not towing, either. Return trip, we were talking to the construction guys manning the signs at the treacherous hill up and down. Still raining. A big rig carrying heavy equipment came up behind us. I suggested to my husband that he move over and let him pass. We did. The big rig dug in deep, squished the trail, and we followed him back (1/2 mile behind) to the highway toward fairbanks. It was great, not being the trailblazer. Trip back to Fox, behind the heavy rig, was a little more than half the time of the trip out, following his or her tracks. It was great.

Did you use 3m vhb tape?

Pee alone still stinks, if left to sit for a period of time. It is what it is. If you do this mod, I'd add some water every use, maybe some sugar. . More water, before dumping.

This has been discussed a number of times, but I've yet to hear of anyone who has done it. Separret waterless toilet offers a drain line conversion, unlike nature's head. I don't "think" it would be terribly difficult to adapt, but I'm not very familiar with the nature's head.

@Chukarhunter, @John E Davies, and @topgun2, thanks to all of you for putting these ideas onto words that all of us can read and understand. With the proliferation of electron hungry appliances, and summer season, ac use, and very full campgrounds, we'll probably see more folks with similar issues. What I'd do, would be to turn off the ac, get the water hot, and turn othe water heater to gas. Minimal gas to maintain temperature, in summer. Then, put the ac back on. The ac and electric water heater are the biggest consumers in summer. Our compressor fridge draws very little, but I wouldn't want to run all three at the same time. (Can't anyway, as our Girard heater uses gas only, but you get my point.) As campgrounds fill, fewer electrons to go round. From our experience, many campgrounds have puny wiring. Just wait til people start plugging in and charging lithium batteries in trucks and trailers. It will only get worse, imo.

Hang in there, you two. Our friends in Minnesota have original trojans in their 2009. I know, it's incredible. But it can happen.

We toured Kennecott several years ago, and it really was a fascinating day. The gravel road out to Mccarthy from Chitina can be pretty rough (it's the old railroad bed), with most places wide enough for two vehicles. The state has spent a lot of money improving it, it's still gravel, but it's a very pretty drive. I wouldn't necessarily recommend taking an Oliver out there. Allow two hours for the 60 mile drive from Chitina to McCarthy. We took a shuttle from Chitina, and had a fun and scenic ride in a 15 passenger van to Mccarthy. (You can leave your trailer at the Wrangell View tiny rv park, and drive the tow vehicle out, as an alternative. No gas in Mccarthy, so make sure you have enough when you leave Chitina.) There's a big gravel parking lot by the footbridge in Mccarthy. No cars beyond the footbridge. We walked the 5 miles out to kennicott from tiny McCarthy, and took the $5 shuttle back from kennicott. Walking around town was interesting, and the mill tour was a real adventure. Going up and down ladders and walking around the old building with a small backpack was possible, but I'd take an even smaller one, if there's ever a next time. There are lodges in both Mccarthy and Kennicott, if you want to do the glacier walk or some other activities, and spend a couple days there. Kennicott lodge is definitely more swank, and even more expensive... We were there late May or early June, just after most facilities opened, 7 or 8 years ago. I'd definitely go again. One note: there's not a lot available in Chitina, Mccarthy, or Kennicott. Mostly gift shops, food trucks, and the lodges. So, make sure you have what you need when you go. We camped at a pullout beside one of the bridges coming into Chitina for two nights, and it was actually quite pleasant, and pretty quiet. And, free. Edit to add a link to mill tour info: https://www.steliasguides.com/trips/kennecott-mill-town-tour/

Btw, the northern energy gas station in tok has a free carwash. Most likely needed. 3 Bears food store, not far from the visitor center, is pretty good, for Alaska. There's a nice state campground just before the bridge, going south. We've stayed there a few times. Tok river. Further south, moon lake is lovely, but you need to have everything with you. Nothing available.

Have a great time. The 50 miles of the Richardson highway, up to Valdez, is our very favorite highway. Try to catch the tide change at tirnagain arm. Its amazing. Which way are you going? And, where?

I was disappointed as well, when I heard they discontinued the option . Many of us do not use microwaves. Take heart. Live with the microwave, as we did,,and delete and convert later, to storage

@Landrover, that's really kind. And, thank you. I'm camping in North Carolina, and my daughter reports zip for poor weather a few miles from our home. The Weather Channel does like drama, right?? Another time, I may take you up on that. So very kind of you, if there's room for our small ollie in your drive.

Me, too. Always looking for new practical tools. I sometimes miss pizza when camped. Yours looks just amazing.

Thanks. Our home is in the "path. " It's way too early for big storms. Hopefully, a bit of wind, and some significant rain. We rarely worry til late August, unless we're sailing. Different story, there. My daughter says not even raining at her house. Grateful.

It's summer, and of course , we travel with our little dog. We don't leave her alone unless we've looked at the weather report, and we won't be gone for more than four hours. I've seen some great reviews on marcell. Has anyone here used marcell?

To clarify, my scenario: 15 years ago, we bought a property for camping, way out in the sticks, in western North carolina. At that time, we had tmobile only. We had to get in the truck and drive several miles to a country church parking lot where we could pick up enough signal to call our daughter. A few months in, bought a separate Verizon cheap flip phone and cheap plan, and, immediately, had capability. It was a safety game changer. We've kept that two plan service concept going. Mine usually works where his doesn't, and vice versa. Unless no towers anywhere, like parts of the Yukon.

With the growing proliferation of 5g signal I'm wondering if a less expensive 5g modem /hotspot with an advanced Qualcomm chip that combines signals , and a decent antenna, wouldn't suit your needs, for less. But, I'm no expert, as I continue to look at alternatives, for us. We spend a lot of time in rural, mountainous western North Carolina. My Verizon phone gives me internet most of the time, and it's enough for our needs. I turn on the hotspot, and my husband uses his tablet from my phone. In Canada, we're vice versa. His tmobile phone works better in most places. Neither worked in remote spaces in the Yukon, but our last trip there was several years ago, pre covid. Where do you plan to camp? (Regions) we've found at least limited cell service east of the Mississippi in many remote locations. I don't camp much in the west, but even two different services can be spotty or nonexistent, way out there. You might want to read through some of the info on technomadia's mobile internet access website. Chris and Cheri test all kinds of gear, and offer honest and useful analyses. One thing is pretty certain. Whatever tech you buy today, will become a tech relic in a year or two. 5g will be a super game changer, imo.

It's the second photo that really sparked the little green envy goblin. Beautiful location to make a homemade pizza!

I'm envious of your pizza oven. From the looks of your pizza, guess you are loving it?

You're making me hungry! I'll bet your trailer smells wonderful after baking fresh bread. What time is lunch? 😆

Did you order from Amazon? Can't you return the ones that don't fit? As an aside, window screening is often too small for fridge vents. Id look for somewhat larger mesh.