Mike and Carol

My technique also. I’ve contorted every way possible to try to do it from the access port. Funny to watch but never successful. Mike

Welcome and happy to hear about your upcoming Oliver! There are a lot of us that are first time trailer owners and we’ve all learned a lot in a short amount of time. What kind of camping are you most interested in? Commercial parks, National and State Parks, no parks? You’ll get lots of advice and knowledge here. Mike

John and Jodi, there are several Olivers around San Antonio and in the Hill Country. We’re just outside of Boerne. A south Texas mini rally sounds like fun. Mike

Welcome. This is a good place to learn and have your questions answered. Mike

Welcome, John. As Sherry says there are quite a few Tundra tow vehicles here that are happy with them. Your delivery date will get here before you know it! Mike

My problem with a percolator is also the timing. I guess the more you use it the more exact you become?

Keep us posted on how it performs! Mike

The grease cap was pretty dented. It still went back on okay, I replaced it when we got home. I don’t think it was properly mounted when I had my bearings repacked. Mike

I’ve always had my trailer hitched when I did this (a couple of times at Discount Tire and once at a campground when one of my grease caps came off and was rattling around). I did use the front jack for stability, but did not lift the hitch off the ball. Mike

If you have time check out Bisbee, too. It’s an eclectic little town that’s fun to explore. We also enjoyed our stay at Kartchner Caverns last month, nice little park! Mike

Since the wine is usually boxed it fits about anywhere! I need to add that to the list!!

Yes, I’ve been a ProClip user for quite a while, just not on this truck, I didn’t want my phone up on the dash. The Ram diesel has a column shifter so that eliminates some of the more popular locations for a phone or GPS. I’ve been looking at the RamHD forum, no big revelations yet! Mike

John, you have a more detailed oriented memory than I do! I forgot that we also carry a case (40 bottle Costco) of drinking water and case of big bottles for coffee, stakes and sledge hammer for the Clam, and at least 50 lbs of tools. Mike

21 gallon tank getting 13 miles/gallon gives you a range of about 270 miles. You’ll want to fill up before you get below 1/4 tank (I usually start looking to fuel up once I start getting below 1/2 tank). So, every 200 miles you’ll be looking for a gas station. If it’s windy or lots of hills expect gas mileage to decrease 3 or more miles/gallon. As far as payload goes, Carol and I combined are about 270 lbs. But we carry more than 80 lbs of stuff in the truck which is your 950 lbs. Grills, Clam, chairs, fire pit, portable table, rug, extra propane tank, Tupperware with spare parts, ladder, sometimes a generator, etc. I always say start off lean and add what you need. 950 lbs might be a good start point. You’ll know after camping a while! I think there are several owners that tow with a Tacoma. Just realize that your margin of safety is much less than a larger truck, especially in hills and mountains. Mike

I wonder if there is a Ram mount for a Ram? 😂

I looked for an F250 but they were very scarce and pricing was not very flexible. I lucked onto my Ram 2500, had all the stuff I wanted and they were willing to deal. Used prices were already up (Dec 2020) and they gave me almost what I paid for my one year old 2020 Rebel. I’ve thought about mounting it in the tray in the middle of the dash. Would require 3 holes, but they wouldn’t be very obvious when the Garmin wasn’t mounted. Thanks! Mike

Yes, you are!!

I towed with a 2012 Toyota Tacoma for 6 months and about 6,000 miles. 6,500 lb and 650 lb tongue weight limit. It towed fine. I was at or over my payload limit and I had to stop for gas every 150 miles or so. Not really a pleasant towing experience. You need to check the payload capacity for a light weight vehicle (add tongue weight -600lbs plus passenger weight plus whatever you will carry in the bed and cab that will approximate your payload). Also check the size of the fuel tank. A smaller engine tow vehicle won’t get very good mileage and that can be a factor depending on where you tow. Also, hills and mountains can be a white knuckle experience with a small tow vehicle, both uphill and downhill. Uphill you’ll be spending time in the slow lane with the big rigs and downhill becomes a safety issue as you have a 6,000 lb trailer pushing down hill and around curves. Mike

I’m downloading the latest update now. What is everyone’s preferred method for mounting their 890. The only reasonable way in my truck is the windshield suction cup. I have the Ram 12” display so there is no room in the middle of the dash. It just takes up a lot of real estate in the middle of the windshield, essentially blocking from the dash up to the rear view mirror. Mike

Dingo is a great name! Good lineage. I envy your garage situation, I hate that I have to drive 15 minutes every time I want to do anything, thank you HOA! Mike

I quit using the Andersen when I upgraded to my Ram 2500 diesel. I had used it with both half tons. I concur with everyone else, no Andersen is needed with your F350. I’ve got probably 20,000 miles towing now without the Andersen and never had even the slightest issue, it’s a very well behaved trailer! Mike

Yes, good point. I replaced my 4 AGMs with 2 Lithiums (and have a third being delivered Saturday -woo hoo!). I also plugged my vent holes that are covered with the nice chrome covers on the battery door. Now, when I wash the trailer everything stays pretty dry (staying on topic 😊). Mike

Yes. I have increased the insulation on the basement door and put insulation on the battery door so that they both now make a very tight seal. Mike

These red light cameras are prohibited by state law in Texas since June 2019. You still see them up but they are not recording. Some municipalities continued to use them past June 2019 due to contractual agreements but they should all be inactive by now. Mike

I think Oliver is aware of the dislike of the noisy current Dometic AC unit. I’m interested in this new unit and will be watching for comments. Mike