Moonlight Mile

Thank you! I did click the link on the Amazon one above and unfortunately (?) it says at the top (I have put my exact truck year/make/model into the “garage” feature in Amazon) it says in bold at the top that the one in the link will NOT “fit” my particular TV. It doesn’t get into “why the heck not.” So it could be “wrong.” (Wait, things “wrong” on Amazon? Say it ain’t so!) I texted my sales guy at Ram trucks. He sent an Amazon link too. To a Reese model — which says “rated to 7500 lbs.” But he said that would work. Then again, though he owns a Ram 1500 himself, I doubt he is towing an Elite 1, and I don’t think he jotted down that this was my plan at any point during the purchase of the truck I got. He did clarify that yes, the Elite 1 will come with the chains, and that my truck comes with the brake light controller etc. etc. Adding a screen cap of the actual sticker showing what “tow-related features” the truck has. (Well, was gonna, and it won’t let me; I will post a new reply post or something in this thread in a minute and see if it lets me do that.)

I am dealing with a sick dog and a lotta stress right now, but hoping I have time later to try to understand (google) really simple basic info with PICS showing how travel trailers hookup to MY specific tow vehicle. Then throw in the things OTT is NOT supplying me on delivery day (chains? lock? etc.) and I am quite baffled again at this moment. Sleep will help. Thanks all for trying to help. It's just a little like Greek to me, even the lingo, I have to learn it all to begin to understand and I learn better in person so I hope the OTT delivery day person will physically, actually SHOW me how to hook things up and that they will let me know what to bring that they are not providing.

I have a couple months to figure this all out, and buy the right thing. Posted reply elsewhere in this thread re what my sales rep says about the height pf the ball. I have to figure all this out and without having the stuff in front of me with hands-on instruction this is sorta Greek to me at this point. Thank you so much for help!

Mike, in case I mis-posted this in the wrong place — the sales rep at OTT just emailed me today and says “The ball hitch should be 23-25 inches to the ground from the top of the ball.”

Bill, to update here . . . I asked and he replied: “The ball hitch should be 23-25 inches to the ground from the top of the ball.” This means nothing to me right now; I am a hands-on visual person at least when it comes to stuff like this!

I love Evernote and have not been using it lately and this is a FANTASTIC app and idea for using it. FWIW, I also use SimpleNote (and add tags for easy searches, you can also pin notes etc). Nice simple interface. Great idea for use of Evernote, and I gotta get with it!

Hey all, spoke with OTT folks today. They said it is NO problem to delete the Anderson hitch, of course. They discussed the situation among themselves and also provided an "FYI" link about this topic, I haven't read it yet (busy, busy and all). But here it is. I think I'm keeping my basket. Because it's part of the package and I just don't see it as a big deal (pun intended). Even if I just keep firewood in it, or dog toys in a burlap sack, or road kill (hahah), or whatever. Have asked the OTT people the question posed above and will let you know what they say (re: typical tongue weight of Elite 1). My isn't this exciting? I get a truck and ask tons of questions and end up asking the OTT people to ASPLAIN to all of us some more things. It's like I have a gift for making things complicated. Yeah, I put that on my resume, usually, too. Heh. 😉

Aww, thanks Susan. I am a "writer" (among other things) but I don't write fiction. I tend to do whacked out "humor" -- which is of course super subjective. Very nice of you to say!

The waiting! The AWFUL waiting! Boy do I hear THAT. Excited for you though. MAY! YAY!

Thanks RB! As of now I am indeed gonna skip the Anderson and get/keep the basket since it comes with a package I want anyway. Firewood storage? Sure! I might just take you up on the Mid TN ping; I had fam in TN ages ago, and I like the state and its people a lot generally. Meanwhile, if you know of any great campgrounds (great being subjective, I realize, but for me it means "peaceful" whether a hookup-ready site or boondocking area) in TN, please DM me, love to hear of any you recommend from personal experience. Will update the info I got from OTT this morning in a new post in this thread, FYI.

YES. Updated below as to all my options so you guys can see a clearer picture.

OK let me update. I looked over my 'Build Sheet' as it currently stands. Yes, they added the ANDERSON ($799). But the BASKET comes as part of the "Outdoor Pro Package" which includes, in addition to the "Aluminum Storage Basket," the following: Front and Rear Propane Quick Connects Rear Bumper Receiver Additional 30 AMP Convenience Connection ------ Not sure I can do away with "the basket" and still get the other stuff (which sounds useful) because the basket is part of the "package" addon. I will ask. ---- My other options/addons on the build sheet are: AC Easy Start; Hypervent Condensation Prevention Matting Water Heater Option: Truma AquaGo Comfort Tankless Water Heater with Electric Antifreeze Kit Power Package Option: Solar Pro Package for Legacy Elite - Two 6V AGM Batteries, 230 Watt Solar Panels with Charge Controller, 2000 Watt Inverter. Electronics Pro Package Option for Legacy Elite: 4G Cell Phone Booster, WiFi Booster, Electronic KeyPad Door Handle, Backup Camera. And lastly, the "Shower Track Package Option."

Thank you so much for this. I am really going to be asking some serious WHY WHY WHY questions of the OTT people on the phone in the morning. I am going to quote directly from some of these posts (no names, but the content and opinions and experience) and ask WHY I am being sort of pushed into 1) the Anderson and 2) the basket. I hate to be suspicious, but I am starting to really wonder what the deal is, ya know? Maybe I need to make it CLEARER to the mgr at OTT that my Tow Vehicle is a Ram 1500 Rebel 4x4 and show them the pics of the door stickers I posted here? I really will get some answers. And I will post what they say -- and WHY. Thanks you guys. I hate feeling so ignorant and don't want to get things I do NOT need and which could actually make my experience WORSE in any way. I want to be well-outfitted, prepared, SAFE, of course. But not over-sold and carrying things I do NOT NEED. Gah.

I am getting the solar option, BUT . . . I have no real concept of how much energy I will use or need, and tend to want to be over-prepped (stockpiled! ha!) rather than under, especially since I "plan" to be taking the Ollie around TN immediately after delivery at Hohenwald (to test stuff out and get the hang of things), and then . . . I dunno yet, that's the "adventure" part . . . . head for SD perhaps. Unless there is a blizzard. Snort. Then, of course, I will stay slightly further south, but I don't want to be anywhere hot (love pines and cold, even snow, as I've said), and don't know if I will be in campgrounds (if there are reservations available, and I find a few I like and in that case I don't want to be moving every day or even every three days, necessarily). That's as far out as I have a plan. Hoping to establish domicile in SD (CPA loves the idea, saves me a ton) regardless, unless, like I said, there is ferocious winter and the Ollie and I just cannot handle it (Feb? March?). I may be the most n00by-ish n00b this forum has ever seen. HAHA! But, I "have a dream" and I am FLEXIBLE, even so. November is here, and I have Nov and Dec to really start paying attention and researching this stuff, making some reservations, etc. Prior to this, I was really way too busy with Life 101 stuff to sit down and gather up all the great info I have received from everyone and sort through it and PLAN a PLAN for Jan 31 2021 --> Then again, this is about adventure for me and my dog. I am at a point where I have to "get busy livin' or get busy dyin'" (fave line from Shawshank Redemption), and I am a survivor and will try to enjoy EVERY day once I get that Ollie in TN. No matter where I end up -- freezing cold campgrounds in TN, trying boondocking sites (in TN?), or wandering on up to SD to set up "domicile" stuff (I am really going to go for it and be FT, and there is NO going back once I leave where I am now. Don't want to. Won't. Onward! Thanks for the links! Bookmarking now. I definitely want something good and secure for the Ram and "stuff" that will be stowed in it. I still have to figure out how much "stuff" I can even take. "Everything must go" when you go FT, I think. Not sure even how many clothes, shoes, etc. I can fit in an Elite 1 and the Ram. Without overloading and all. Goodwill is a regular stop these days. 🙂

I will report back here with the answers I get from OTT sales mgr (whom I hope to speak with). 🙂

I am gonna call in the AM and gently inquire as to the push for the Anderson. I may gently go around the rep and ask for a manager and tell mgr experienced forum people are wondering why the push as well. No names of course. Just gathering intel. Baffling discrepancy. Thanks so much for your kind words and support!

WOW! That is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you Bill! I am already just in shock most of the time. I cannot BELIEVE it. Any of it. What a long haul of a few rough years, etc. This is some kinda cool miracle. THANK YOU.

Thanks to all for EVERYTHING. Someone said they wanted to know if I had taken possession of the new (2021) Ram 1500 4x4 Hemi Rebel with the tow package included. I do have it. First new vehicle in about 20 years. So much cool tech. I do web dev, among other things, but man, this is automotive, not web, and this is blowing my mind. I had no clue car tech was this advanced. (Ah, so many things "can" go wrong. 27 computer modules or something.) But, it has heads-up display, it's badass looking, I LOVE the height of it and have NO trouble getting in and out, and I love the power of the V8 (which I was used to), and the nav and the even disembodied voice coming at me. I like that it makes tacos and shoots them out the glove box at me on voice command. (Well, it seems like it could.) All of it. So much to learn. For those just joining us, I'll be towing an Elite 1 (late Jan deliv) and this is my Tow Vehicle. There are many like it but this one is mine. I am attaching a pic of it parked next to my nabe's SUV, which my Rebel looks like it could eat -- as a snack. Snarf! Here is the door sticker for your Truck Nerdz. And I could not be more excited. I love this thing! LOVE IT. Married it and had its babies LOVE IT. My dog LOVES it. Dogs and trucks, trucks and dogs. YAAAAAAHHHS. The sales guy at OTT is still telling me to get the Anderson. I am calling tomorrow to discuss this further while there is still time. FYI. Also shopping for a generator that will fit in Ollie "basket" option (or in whatever one buys to cover the back of a Ram 1500 Rebel securely) and which has a propane option. Still so much to learn, obviously. Overwhelming at times, but thank you all again!

I already have almost all that you listed! Dog person and all! Great list, and thank you!

I am a newbie to RVs (does it show?) and excited beyond all belief. Going to go FT w dog. That’s it. You probably see me asking lame qs all over here even though I don’t get the Ollie Elite I til late Jan. Yes, dead of winter. Got a new tow vehicle and all (tomorrow!) and ya’ll have been SUPER patient and kind with me. MUCH appreciated. So, my “plan” is to pick up Ollie in late Jan and hang around Hohenwald a week (or more?) after pickup/delivery. With dawg. Learning. Campgrounds? Nearby Ollie factory, til I feel comfortable towing, operating, doing whatever I need to do to be safe and enjoy it all. No big hurry to “get” anywhere, although I am moving to establish “domicile” etc. — looking at SD. Yeah, I know. Cold. Winter. So yes it will be in the dead of winter and I have no idea what that’s like in TN during “pickup Ollie day” or after. Wherever we may roam. What basic stuff that does not come with my Ollie would I need? Tire chains? A parka? A space heater? MREs? Heh. Hoses? Stuff to keep Ollie from freezing up? A snow shovel? Generator? Which? What “basic toolbox” would I want to have? My sense of humor is weird, I know. But if there are things ya’ll know of that I can order in advance while I have a real mailing address, in Nov and Dec, and most of Jan, let me know. I’m not actually crazy. Just wanna be as prepared as I can. For winter roaming in a new Ollie with muh dawg. Thanks all. Oh. And feel free to message me.

Also looking at Commodore for the night before I pick up in late Jan. Very helpful info here. Thanks to all! I have a black Lab and apparently the Commodore allows dogs. I know I’m early on all this, but I’m a newbie to RVs and going FT on the adventure, just me and doggo. Trying to plan where to stay in the area of the Ollie delivery place maybe a week or more til I’m sure I got it down, so to speak. Thanks!

That really sums it up, right there! I am very fortunate, and VERY grateful all this is happening. Been through a buncha years o’ sheer hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. No lie. So excited. Still have tons of questions and no time to read much right now. Apologies in advance for asking stuff that is probably already answered and easily Googled. I am a web nerd (one of many hats), but damn there is a LOT to read up on and learn and I’m trying not to “overthink” but that too is one of my charms. Ha. Thanks again to ALL. I really hope to attend a meet up. Or run into some of you - well, not literally - after I am out there FT. Especially any of you Ollie folks who FT!

Dude I am picking it up Thursday! I am so excited I think I’ll jump a row of school buses in it first. LOL