John and Debbie

We picked up on a Monday. That worked well for us. I agree to pick up early in the week. John

I second what Mike wrote. We're able to see around the trailer with just our stock mirrors on our Ford Expedition. It tracks in the same area as the tow vehicle, so it's easy to tow and we're not concerned with where the trailer wheels are. John

Bill, we have 20 year old sleeping bags. They don't look elegant like some pictures I have seen here. We talk about getting more into this century, but it's already nearly 1/4 way done, so why rush things. John

I tried sleeping with my head at the rear, but after one night, I decided that I like my head by the kitchen as there's more room for my shoulders. My wife sleeps with her head at the rear. John

We ordered on January 28, 2022 and were given November 7, 2022 as our delivery date. No delay at all. That year they had booked all the production slots by the end of January. They are good at keeping to the scheduled delivery date. Try to pick up on a Monday or Tuesday, spend two nights at OTT campground, then another two or three nights nearby. David Crockett State Park is nearby. Best wishes on a smooth delivery. John

"You also might want to review the "proper" way to "open" your propane tanks" Bill, I am not aware of any proper way to open the tanks. I do turn on the tank valve and depress the gas stop about five times. I do select the tank with the lever instead of using automatic. I then check gas flow at the stove before turning on the heater. Anything I am missing? John

Jason, my guess is that there are more forces put on an attached bike rack that starts about 7 feet from the center of the rear axle of a travel trailer. I am not an engineer, but just thinking through the force transmitted from the tv movement at the hitch to the trailer and then 23 feet from that point to the start of the bike rack hitch point and the extra 2-2.5 feet of the bike rack, there must be some substantial forces to deal with. Best to keep the bike weight as low as possible. I remember the formula f=ma. Force equals mass times acceleration. John

I use the Yakima Stage Two, but with a 2" receiver that I got from Curt Hitches. I just removed the 1.25" from OTT and drilled new holes to attach the Curt hitch. I did use high tension stainless steel bolts and nuts to hedge my bets. When I was in Hohenwald in November, 2023, I had them do the electrical hook up as I got the optional light bar/license plate holder for the bike rack. John

I think they're designed for 30 amp service. I don't have any problems with 30 amp. What are the big power draws at the moment? John

I have it and it's worth having in my opinion. I can be in the tv and backing in and stop at the spot that's most level. We were in a deserted state park in Oregon and we checked out about 10 pull-throughs until we found the most level one. Totally worth having. John

We're hoping to get out to Joseph next year to the state park there. John

That's a lot closer than Hohenwald! I know of about four owners in the Portland area. You must be the fifth with your knowledge of the area. Wahoo! John

Bill, I wondered if I was the only one that liked to wash the car before a trip regardless of the weather forecast. Nice to know that I am not alone. John

Well said. John

And one looks like it's near Portland, Oregon. That's good news for us! John

It will be our first time there. They live north of Hobart in Rosetta, close to the river. I am looking forward to having summer in February and March.

Thanks Bill, we haven't decided yet whether we're going to the rally. I would like to go, but we will have just returned from two months in Australia just before the rally starts. Our son lives in Tasmania. Thanks for your comment. John

When I asked if I could just leave my lithium batteries plugged in 24/7 I was told it was ok. That means they are always at 100%. OTT gave me that advice. John

Bill, Do they cover some of these questions at the rally? I don't have a good grasp of the electrical systems and how to integrate a portable solar panel if I had one available. John

I was surprised too how close it was. We're in Oregon. I suppose they have to start somewhere. I wonder how they will be priced at the dealer versus at Hohenwald. John

My method too.

I have the covers on all four tires even though when stored, the curbside tires face north and never have sun on them.

My wife said no to the composting toilet. I believe 90% are bought with that option when I talked to Jason E a few weeks ago. We can always do it later, but we like the flush toilet for now. John

Welcome to the Oliver family. We just pulled #1290 through Wyoming last week. Boondocked at Evanston in 17° temperature and stayed warm. A little condensation on the windows, but very little. Never on the walls. Ours is stored outside in Oregon, plugged in with tire covers. Ours was the third to last Elite II for 2022. John

That's great advice. Thanks. I used your link and learned about the Faraday cage. John