Mike and Carol

A growing source of Boondocking or Dry Camping (no hookups) is Harvest Hosts. The past couple of years we’ve camped at about a dozen HH locations, mostly wineries and farms. Sometimes you’re in a parking lot, sometimes just a field and sometimes out in the middle of the vineyard. We enjoyed camping at Amber Falls winery just outside of Hohenwald. We’ve camped next to a barn on a farm where we had chickens and horses all around. We’ve never had any hookups, although a winery in PA offered a 20a electrical hookup which we didn’t need or take advantage of. This is at Leyden Farm Vineyards and Winery in RI. Great spot and nice facilities. We enjoyed a glass of wine (or two) on their patio overlooking the vineyards.

I figure if someone wants in my trailer a decent crowbar will do the trick. Why mess around with trying to figure out which key is right? Brute force is quick and effective. Not something I spend much time worrying about. Mike

Really great pictures. Makes me want to pack up and go!

When we ordered our batteries Battle Born included a PD4045LICSV, just like Steve mentions above. It’s similar to the older PD4045 except that it includes a lithium switch which the older model didn’t.

We use Progressive which is who does RV insurance for USAA.

When we ordered in 2015 the prowatt 2000 was an option, which we got. I just replaced it a few months ago with the same thing, as much as we use it I could not see the higher cost of the Freedom. Our inverter is off 98% of the time. Sometimes I use it on the road for a quick cup of coffee from our coffee maker and Carol uses it to blow dry sometimes. We have a Progressive Dynamics charger. I had to upgrade it when I replaced the old AGMs with Lithium’s. Mike

Coy (@hardrock) towed his Elite I with an older Tundra for probably 5 years or so before he got his F150. He seemed satisfied with it. Mike

Good idea to use it for the beds. Those edges can be a little sharp.

The dual shades help. When the sun is beating down on the windows there is still heat coming from the windows even with the shade down. An awning would provide shade at the windows reducing radiated heat coming in the trailer. We’ve spent a lot of time in AZ and UT and the sun can heat things up even with the shade down. Mike

Congrats and welcome! Looks great. To add a signature click on your screen name in the upper right corner of the screen. Then, click on “account settings”. You’ll see “signature” which is where you need to add any signature information. Mike

We just went with the curbside awning (old manual Fiama). The only reason I can see getting one on the other side is to block the sun coming in those windows. We’ve never sat out on the other side. Mike

Welcome and congrats on your upcoming Oliver. Good advice from LongStride. Plan a few days at pick up to check things out before leaving the Hohenwald area. We’ve had almost 6 years of fun traveling all over this great country in our Oliver. Mike

Welcome Vic and Wanda! New to Oliver but seasoned RV’ers so we’ll be anxious to hear about your travels. We’re bluegrass fans, too! Mike

I towed our LE 2 with a 2016 Ram 1500 5.7L for 3+ years with no problem. Replaced it with a 2020 Ram Rebel, same engine for another year. Mileage towing was anywhere from 11 to 15 depending on terrain. The 5.7L does need to wind up a bit on steep or long inclines. It’s a comfortable truck. Mike

Great news and great pictures! Glad it’s going so well, enjoy your journey home. Hope to meet you out on the road somewhere! Mike

We’ve enjoyed our Ram 2500. Mileage is better than either of the 1500’s we towed with. Mike

My fan has worked well since pick up in the spring of ‘16. Earlier this year the gears that open and close the top disintegrated. It was a fairly straight forward job to replace them. I looked at my circuit board but didn’t do anything to it. It’s been through all kinds of weather. I might take another look at it when we get home from this trip. Mike

Camping at Deer Lick Creek COE just outside of Tuscaloosa. Just one other camper in our loop, probably a dozen sites around us empty. Hot and humid but quiet!

You’re old, like me! I graduated from Leavenworth HS (1972) and West Point (1976). Football. My dad got his masters from MSU in ‘63. I was in 2nd and 3rd grades in Starkville.

I wish someone would figure out how to put in a larger black tank or increase the size of the current one. There’s not a lot of room in that area and I don’t think a flat tank (like the fresh and gray) would work well as a black tank.

We’ll be south of Tupelo. We’re in Tuscaloosa now and leave in the morning going through Starkville west into Arkansas. Need to get home for some appointments. Last time we were through Tupelo a couple years ago you guys were out camping…. Go figure! We stayed at Trace State Park with the lakes that had no water.

The small black tank is our limiting factor if we’re away from any facilities. Usually you’ll have a vault toilet in most dry campgrounds, but if you’re “out there” then you won’t. We’re not big on digging holes and squatting so we use our trailer. I wish Oliver had put in a larger black tank. We carry our drinking water. Mike

Here’s a couple of reverse Ollie sightings… We’re on our way home from Maine and have been PM-ed twice about being spotted on the road. One in Tennessee and one in Virginia. Maybe we’ll get another one this week as we drive across AL, MS, AR and TX! Mike

The frame with shade can be replaced. It is all a single unit. No need to do anything to the window.

Welcome to the group. Lots of fun ahead! Mike