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Dave and Cindy

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Everything posted by Dave and Cindy

  1. Thanks, I could not find anything when I did a search. Appreciate your response,
  2. My little fan that Oliver installed to aid in moving air out of the compartment stopped after five years. So I ordered a new one and when I began to install it found out that the fan is getting no power. I have no idea where those wires may go and to what fuse - any suggestions would be appreciated.
  3. Certainly your call on the usage of your trailer. We have had zero issues with big rigs, most of the dirt and grime come from gravel roads or construction areas. We have had a lot of both n the 9000 miles we have traveled to this point. But the rocks are mostly from our own truck as far as I can see. We drive slow when we need to and the Oliver has held up more than well under the trip, as least so far. You do have to exercise caution over the various rough roads and frost heaves but, for us, we simply love the scenery, vistas, mountains and wildlife we are seeing nearly every day. Grizzly bears, caribou, moose (four today near Anchorage), lynx, wolf, a host of birds I have never seen before, sea life everywhere and more. We have met some fascinating people and some of the history here is unique with its Russian heritage. Well worth any aggravation or future repairs in our opinion.
  4. We were not sure what to do to protect the front of our Oliver on the Alaska journey. We looked into large mud flaps, but they would not fit, spray protection that turned out to be discontinued and more lasting but expensive solutions. We settled on yoga mats. Two $12 mats from Walmart and some non-residue duct tape and a little cutting produced a mat that we wondered if it would work and how long it would last. Well, it worked very well, lots of cuts and indentations on the mats. It also lasted - so far - for nearly 4000 miles and it is still intact. We have traveled miles on dirt and gravel roads as well as the Alcan and they still are working. So we are pretty pleased. The mats do not clean very well but we get the surface dirt off ok. An inexpensive solution to the rocks along the Alcan and well beyond. Total investment about $30. Daily posts at www.twolanetouring.com
  5. Camping Spot: Friend’s Barn Talk about unique. Because of the forecast for storms and hail our friends had us back into a barn. How cool is this. Appreciated as well when a strong storm rocked the night. Near Dickinson, ND.
  6. Camping Spot: Devil’s Tower National Monument No reservations here but no issues for us arriving about 3 in the afternoon with lots of sites to choose from. We had one in loop A and from our door had an unobstructed view of the Tower. No power or water on site, restrooms on both loops. You are in a perfect place to explore the Tower. We did three trails one in the evening and two in the AM. Really special location. Loved it and only $10.
  7. Camping Spot: Badlands National Park This is a campground in a super location that needed a bit more thought. It is essentially small loop roads that you park on the side of the road where it is “slightly” wider. When two RV’s are across from each other it is tight. Because of the rain, some sites were under water. Rest rooms were old but well kept. A few sites have electric, no water at any site. Each site had a nice picnic table with a bit of shelter. We paid about $13 a night, certainly worth the price and really nice to be in the park for early morning and late evening easy access. They take reservations but otherwise first come first serve.
  8. The kangaroos are a clever advertising hook.
  9. Camping Spot: KOA at Hot Springs, SD This was a good stop. We had full hook ups and most amazingly, the WIFI was strong and worked very well. After four nights of being off-grid it was good to get fully charged, fully empty and replenished with water. We were in site 17, a fairly level pull through site. The owner was on site and working which often means a better experience. Staff was very friendly and everything seemed to work well. KOA is not perfect but it seems more consistently good than the random private campgrounds which go from poor third world country appeal to polished resorts. We pay about the same or a bit more for the KOA. They provide points toward a free night which helps. It is also the best reservation system - it is one easy call. No photo of this one today. We have been without WIFI for three days and I need to get more photos loaded. I do have a daily post of the trip, including lots of camping at www.twolanetouring.com
  10. Camping Spot: Harvest Host at Valiant Vineyard in Vermillion, SD. Our second Harvest Host camping site was also nice. We were at the Valiant Vineyards Winery in Vermillion, SD, Had a wine tasting with Adrianne that was free and settled on a rhubarb variety. We were set up on a secondary parking area behind a line of grape vines. We were the only ones on site, so we ran our generator a bit to charge the computers and run the microwave to heat our dinner. Otherwise a very quiet spot. Left early in the AM. HH scores again.
  11. Camping Spot Night two of our Alaska Trek was in a friend’s driveway with great food, always an excellent choice when traveling. Night three was at our first Harvest Host’s stop. We were in Hudson, Iowa at the Hansen Dairy. This is a same family owned 155 year old farm starting their seventh generation of owners. Wow. Beautiful spot and even better people. We enjoyed a peaceful night next to a small pond & ate wonderful ice cream fresh from the dairy. We also bought milk and cheese curds that my wife pronounced “delicious.” The site had showers in the tour building available. Nice, hot, longer shower! In the morning we took a neat tour of the dairy. All in all an amazing stop making Harvest Hosts a great investment.
  12. First night on the way to Alaska was at Cabela's in Lexington KY on Wednesday night. It is easy access from I-75 and very close to I-64. Large parking lot and we were told park anywhere. There are a few dedicated sites on the east side of the building but we did not want to use up one of those large sites. They have a pay dump station. It was quiet with 5 others in the lot. There are a multitude of restaurants on the other side of the interstate, maybe 1/2 mile away. We left in the morning about 8. Very good stop.
  13. We leave for Alaska in the morning. I'll try to post campgrounds en route as we have service. Also post more each day on our site.
  14. Sorry, I had no idea, never had, saw or used one before. Thanks for the help.
  15. No smells of any kind. We used it successfully one time, first week, to make coffee, then it would not do that any longer. Then over the next couple of months it would charge camera batteries. The following spring it would just screech, nothing else. Asked two RV places, Oliver and a local shop, they said it would not work if the battery was too low. Knew that- but no help from either. Installed new batteries year two, still screeching when it was turned on. Now, of course, nothing. I do think that a new inverter is a choice but next year I am going to install Battleborn batteries and will wait until I hear their recommendation. Inverter, for us, was a total waste of money.
  16. None of those suggestions have worked. The switch does not turn on when held for a longer time, removing and reattaching the plug nor holding the "on" button of the unit does anything. I cannot see any fuse or circuit breaker in the panel that has any control over the inverter either. Any thoughts on a next step? Thanks for the assistance. Dave
  17. WOW, what service! Thanks for all the advice. I will head out to the storage area tonight and try them in some order. After I secure the rogue red wire. We will be leaving May 29th, with some stops in Northern Nebraska (two parks) Southwest SD, (five parks) friends in ND and then on to Banff and Jasper. First Alaska stop is Haines. Fly to Sitka and Glacier Bay, then on to Wrangle-St. Elias before Denali on 7/15. Then to Kenai. Have a few dates planned but not a lot. If you are heading that way - hope to meet you sometime. I post a photo or two everyday, feature campgrounds (or overnights) and restaurants as well. At www.twolanetouring.com Thanks again to all of you. Dave
  18. Our inverter does not turn on when we push the button to start it. When I looked inside there is a red wire from the backside of the switch that is not connected to anything. If this is the issue, could someone tell me where to connect it? If it is just there to confuse the not-to-mechanical folks like me, any other suggestions as to why it will not turn on, no light on the switch and no power from inverter, would be greatly appreciated. We are on our way as of Wednesday to Alaska for an extended trip and would love to have this working. Thanks. Dave
  19. Horseneck State Park, Westport, MA This was a nice spot overlooking the ocean. We were in row two and there are no electric or water hookups. We used our generator for the first time to make coffee in the morning. Not the reason we have it but a nice perk. (Please note the hard earned pun!) The park was about $30 for the night. There were a lot of spaces but it was also pretty full - lots of fishermen. It was convenient for visiting New Bedford Whaling Historic site. The park is between RI and Cape Cod. The pretty sunset a bonus.
  20. Good information, appreciate it all. I replaced the trailer side and cleaned the truck side. It is factory but it has been on there for 12 years, so it needed it. Everything actually works. All things, among thousands more, I did not know.
  21. Our time frame is to leave May 29, we plan a stop at two NPS sites in Northern Nebraska, the five S/W South Dakota Parks, Devils Tower and on to Dickenson to visits some friends, across MT on route 2 and a week in Banff and Jasper. We will arrive in Haines about the 19th or 20th of June, we fly from Haines to Sitka on 6/23-25 then on to Valdez and Wrangle about 7/4. We are unscheduled then until three nights in Denali on 7/15-18 at Teklanika (sp) we head then to the Kenai and a trip to Katmai to see bears. We are unscheduled until 8/9 when we head to Seward, then back to Homer then back to Denali until 8/23. The plan then is to stay until weather suggests it is time to leave and head to Vancouver, then Washington, Idaho parks and back to NC. We also hope to fly to Barrow for a day, Glacier Bay and Lake Clark. Planning on at least 9 NP units in AK and may try a couple more if we can figure it out. Any of that match any of your plans?
  22. Thanks for all the advice and good information. I appreciate the response. Off today to replace the plug.
  23. Super, thanks, that fixed the light problem (and thanks for the terminology). My last question is this something that is ok to just thoroughly clean or should I replace this part. Also, when I put it back together can I seal it with a gel that I can break loose but that ought to keep out dirt and water?
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