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BoondockingAirstream

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Everything posted by BoondockingAirstream

  1. We have camped 'under the stars' when mountain exploring. We have camped 'with a North Face Igloo' Tent, when living out of the back of our 4x4 vehicle. We took those Tent Camping experiences for decades and bought our first into a Travel Trailer in 2006, a 23 foot Airstream. A 25 foot Airstream in 2014. Back into the North Face Igloo Tent in 2018. A 27/28 foot Airstream in 2019 and added a used 2019 Oliver Elite II in 2021. There were logical reasoning for our choices. Important lessons learned from experiences beginning in 2006... and lessons of 'buying right and selling right' in the process since then. We have a purpose for our 'madness'. I have a sense of curious exploring, as does my wife. A Geologist who dreams of treasure over the next mountain and a wife who is a Financial Wizard who runs the 'numbers' through her head like a computer... and we both share Common Sense. To our way of thinking, that is. There is a point to this logical, step by step approach. Many post two sentences and may be exhausted in the process. Time limits my imagination as I type and when we plan a trip. Which we do not Plan Anything in advance, other than direction. Which can change when weather changes, or new information alters what we had expected. #1: Water. You run out of fuel, OK. You run out of food, OK. You run out of luck, not OK for those two examples. But WATER you can survive. Now YOU are being asked to add 'what is important'. We Off the Grid Boondock. We plan a week, but take supplies for two, three or more weeks. We are frugal Tent Camper Hikers that moved into Travel Trailer Home on Wheels. Is this New Topic dead on arrival? Are MOST Travel Trailer owners casual RV Park campers? It appears that is true. Although YOUR Oliver is capable for remote camping and survival for weeks while finding help in any location. Can YOU help adding suggestions? We are Western Campers and WATER is always been an issue since explorers reached the Deserts. There are NO Wrong Suggestions. Sometimes having a battery operated Philips Screw Driver and Lath Screw saves... the day. 🙂
  2. I have several THOUSAND USGS Maps in my Geological 'library'. If you want to find 'good rocks' you have to know where to find them... theory. My wife and I enjoy what we call 'The Hunt'. We like looking for interesting rocks, minerals, fossils and even find items that hunter's lose while hunting. Easter Egg Hunter's syndrome. The hunt in the Wilderness never is a one day experience. I can even identify what we find... Cedar Breaks, Utah is 10,200 feet elevation. I said 7,800 feet... wrong. Go through Cedar City, Utah and about half way through town you will find the turn to the East to Cedar Breaks. When it is Hot in Cedar City... you will not be camped at Cedar Breaks. Geological Maps are also great to find obscure camp sites, but what was being mined or weathering out afterwards. Great exercise, as well. Your lungs at 10,200 feet improve your ability when down to your elevation at home. Really...
  3. Where else? Not far from where Retired Travel Trailers go.... the Black Hills of South Dakota. The more places you travel in your Oliver, the more 'Wonders' of Mother Nature and Human Nature can be seen in person.
  4. National Forest Campsites are very convenient and in more remote areas, empty. Read the Sign First, maybe Two Times... then Proceed with Caution. Photos: Caribou National Forest, Utah and Gold Panning options in Colorado. Do you have any signs to offer, or ignore them and invite Black Bear into your campsite after Sunset... leaving food on the Forest Service Picnic table? Did you know that in order to cut hanging branches in the National Forest that would drag onto your Travel Trailer sides or roof top, you need to have a Class in Operating a Chain Saw, before using one at any of the National Forest Campsites. Although legally, we have several long handled Trimmers, sharpened at home to make it easier to widen road width and access... for everyone. Many remote roads have become overgrown with brush along the sides of the road. Trees may fall onto the Forest Service Road... locals drive around or over the tree. We stop and pull the downed pine tree Off the Road, so we do not have to drive around half of the road. Sometimes we have to use our imagination... HOW... not having to use our long handle axe in the back of the tow vehicle. We have Two Shovels. A His and Hers. Filling large pot holes in the compact dirt road is a hobby. When full of water... necessary. Camp Host(s) at remote sites in Wyoming get Propane provided for Free to keep an eye of campers coming in and out of the area they are watching. I heard some get some financial incentives and pick the camping site you like the most. You get a sign : Camp Host. You also can post: 'Bears-Secure Food' signs to post. Wyoming and Montana campers may become part of nature's food source if Frying Bacon and not expecting company... sooner than later. Really... There must be some Oliver trailer owners that have pushed the boundaries of Popular Camp Sites with Signs and took the less traveled road gone into areas where Bear Signs are nailed to trees for those who do not carry a Side Arm... to make noise, when needed the most. Yellowstone Park is the ONLY place I have seen Human Beans chasing Grizzly Bear to shoot... photographs with children and flip flops. Spring is coming and you better get ready to scout out some better camping spots in 2024. Before the Signs Appear. 🙂
  5. When an Oliver Elite is retired... I am not sure what I will be able to do with ours. The Oliver may outlive both of us and a lucky buyer can make use of it for another decade or more. Then they pass it onto someone else. I like the thought... but an Airstream owner in Cortez, Colorado, retired the trailer, and put it to use. There was a smaller Airstream in the back lot, as well, for staging at Rodeos and Parades. It was stolen several years ago I heard. A stolen 'Silver Bean' will be difficult to pass it off with obvious current... modifications. The sign on the Stolen 'Silver Bean' was great for a 'F350 Silver Bean' opportunity photo. See it over the cab? Geez, get with it. Those without a Sense of Humor are bound to be bored and spend too much time torquing lug nuts. Anyone with an Oliver Elite having a new purpose?
  6. One important fact of using a map to determine where to set your trailer. Sink Holes... east of Cedar City, Utah camped at he Cedar Breaks over 7800 feet elevation. As a geologist I recognized the Sink Holes immediately. Some thought they were from Volcanic activity. Some thought Meteorite Craters. They fill with snow in the Winter and in the Spring they appear to be small ponds... then disappear downstream to Navajo Lake that ground water fills for boating. In the summer... Navajo Lake... evaporates as all Sink Holes drain into this low area. Visit Cedar Breaks sometime. Lots of camping spots to discover. But... when you see pine trees leaning and large circular holes swallowing trees... it could be you, your tow vehicle or Oliver sinking into a huge sink hole next. Timing... today or hundreds of years later... who knows. Great camping and look for Agate to the north of the road into the area, among the ravines about 3/4 mile to the left of the pine trees in the first photograph. Sink holes do have some pluses... and avoid the minuses. Bring a back page or 5 gallon bucket. There are unlimited agates... today... and in a century... a sink hole make bury it all.
  7. The 'business' selling Hitches to Vehicle Owners to Tow a Travel Trailer is very profitable. If you need it, or not. With a heavier Tow Vehicle, a Weight Distribution Hitch may be of no value and just not needed. It is NECESSARY for undersized tow vehicles, connected to a heavy travel trailer... of any brand. It may be UNNECESSARY for an oversized tow vehicle to use Weight Distribution to Control Sway of the Travel Trailer. I found, a bit too late, that I did not need the Weight Distribution to prevent Sway Control or leveling Trailer to Tow Vehicle. I tow our 27/28 foot Airstream, 7800# unloaded, 'On the Ball' with our F350. No sagging rear end, No sway. I tow our Oliver Elite II, 7000#, with the F350 On the Ball. We then know how to load our tow vehicle and trailer, as well. You want to add a lot of weight to the rear end of your travel trailer... reconsider there may be consequences. Sway is one. The Airstream Forums have worked with this... compromise... of Tow Vehicle versus Airstream length versus Sway Control that requires Weight Distribution. You probably should know why, as this is suppose to be a short observation learned by experience. The Oliver Elite II travels very well behind our F350 Diesel 4x4... always and On the Ball. I am speaking for our Double Axle Elite II. I do not tow a single axle Oliver. Are there other Oliver Elite II owners towing... On the Ball? What is your experienced response. Are there any Oliver Elite I or II owners with Positive or Negative experiences. Most owners want to use their daily driver to tow, I understand. I am a western cow paddy kicker and use to trying something, by testing step by step, so I do not 'step into it' and make a mess of things. (I am not an engineer, physics professor or sell travel trailers or hitches. Safety is important to you and others. Experiment in areas where you can test your Ball to Trailer Coupler height and weight onto the Ball.) Do not experiment with my explaining my experiences, until you are comfortable with alternatives and comfortable with the initial risk of towing on the ball. Our experiences towing was with a 2006 Toyota 4.7L engine Tundra 4x4, and was borderline towing the 2006 23 foot Foot Airstream, as the rear end was down no matter how much weight distribution I applied... and never tried towing on the ball... because of that. The Tundra was a 1/2 ton in comparison to 3/4 and 1 ton options. I add a photograph from an Off the Grid towing on the ball. I have been towing ON the Ball since 2016, any conditions of wind, rain, highway speeds, road grade down a mountin or up a mountain, passing 18 wheelers... not one issue. Towing on the Interstates, paved, unpaved or Off the Grid roads... Six Years of seasonal towing without one negative to report. What might your experiences been?
  8. A couple of 'Retirement Homes' for travel trailers that needed a rest. Sometimes even Boats need to find that special place. Wyoming, Montana and Nevada.
  9. I admit to being spoiled living in the Western USA with Federal Public Lands everywhere, it seems. Especially where we like to visit and camp. Settlers in the 19th Century needed lower elevations with water. Dry areas without available water, good soil or long Winters and short growing Seasons were not ideal homestead properties. Good for those of us who enjoy exploring, rock hunting, wild life exposure, fishing, hiking and just sitting outside with few others within eye sight. First and the BEST option: DeLorme Atlas of the State you would like to visit, or know more about a State you may want to go further into the Public Domain. BLM, National Forest, National Grasslands and all other possibilities at your flipping through the pages of an Atlas of choice. The year of the Atlas does not matter. Most of the roads off the paved roads have been there since the Oregon Trail, Logging and Mining. Ranchers dropping livestock off for Summer grazing. Fall Hunting Season is a big business for small western remote communities. The local Forest Service maintains the main unpaved roads and when money permits... the side roads and fence for grazing leases for cattle. I pulled out Arizona and scanned the important details. Also on the back of the Atlas, you find an area you may want to Explore... the map page number is at your finger tips. We carry those Atlases that we may be near or going to. You never know. Also mark the camping spots on the map, so we can return. On the return... we can then expand our travel on the, often, very good Forest Service roads. The Oliver has high clearance and 16 inch tires. If your Tow Vehicle had 2wd you may be limited on... some... but not many side roads. If you have 4x4 there is almost unlimited options in some areas. Arizona has lots of people living in the Forests... and I just pulled it out as it was handy. But... there are places in the mountains, but expect lots of locals on the weekends and holidays. What questions do you have? Someone may be able to help you. What about the Midwest and Eastern States? Any advice as to general references. Saddle up your Oliver Elite and hitch your multiple Horse Power Tow Vehicle and get with it.
  10. Whistle while you work.... and I will not finish the rest of that tune we whistled as kids in the 1960's, as Army Brats in Germany. When fossil hunting the Badlands of Nebraska... if something nice was discovered washing out of the white gumbo... I would whistle as my rock pick worked around it to wrap and stick into my slung over my shoulder pack. My wife knew I found something when I was whistling a tune. "Yesterday" by the Beatles was always popular for me to carry a tune. Now our Blue Heelers respond to a whistle with a pattern that suits ME. Not them. They have no sense of a good tune, but from a distance a whistle could mean: Food is now being served for Man or Beast. We are packing up the camp and leaving. Where are you? Over here, I found something interesting. Gold Panning... dig a deeper hole and whistle "Working in a Coal Mine..." I know of no Travel Trailer whistling tunes. Maybe someone can walk and whistle at the same time. It is a good skill set...
  11. Our 23 foot Airstream had a 50 watt Solar from the Factory. We added a portable 100 watt Panel and connected it to the batteries and had a plug to keep the + and - properly installed, and could plug the Solar Panel into the exterior connection and remove when breaking camp. Our 25 foot Airstream had NO Solar, but the battery box had a connection to wire Solar onto the two AGM Batteries. Had one 100 watt Costco $100 panel and then purchased a second, just in case they quit selling panels. We sold the trailer and gave the new owner the one panel. Our 27 foot Airstream has 200 watts factory installed Solar and we thought we may need a portable, but with the extra 100 watt portable panel in use, we were NOT draining the 200 watt power providing plenty of Solar Charging for our Off the Grid Boondocking minimal power needs. Vent fans, lighting, radio, furnace fan... and this model had Propane, 12 volt Solar and Power hookups for 120volt if needed. Best optimal combination for us. The Oliver has the two Solar Panels on the Roof from the factory and provides plenty of 12 volt power for us. I kept one used Costco 100 watt panel, just in case and purchase another and left it in the carton, unopened. Never know what the future may provide us a need. Cheap insurance. Our 2019 27/28 foot Airstream and 2019 Oliver Elite II have plenty of Solar for Boondockers like us and our three Blue Heelers. The four 6 volt batteries that were in the Oliver provide more than we every could use. The Airstream has the two AGM 12 volt batteries and work just fine with Roof top Solar and have not needed an extra panel for either trailer. When camped at elevation it gets cool to cold at night. We orientate the trailer TO SUNRISE... and the Solar Panel. At elevation the Sun is HOT and the AIR is Cool. I am not a electrician, but the instructions were written so a Neanderthal could understand. Any Human Bean should have no problem. Just know the + and - are... important. I suspect that few Airstream or Oliver owners really care about Boondocking Needs... but we do and if this helps one Oliver owner... it was worth the time to make this up as I type. Now some photographs I found useful for you to understand you can use a small gauge good wiring many feet from the trailer. When the shade and sunlight move... you move the panel. Gives me... goosebumps. Sort of. 🙂
  12. We used Two 100 Watt Costco Solar Panels that they sell new in the box for just under $100. I bought three. Two to use and one as a spare. Each panel comes with instructions and wiring. The Airstream had an external connection for Solar on the Battery Box that holds the two 12 volt AGM Interstate Batteries that now can be purchased, also at Costco. I am not an electrician. I am not a Solar Installer for a Travel Trailer lot. You connect the + to the + side of the battery and the - to the - of the battery with the +/- of the Solar Panel. Diode is yellow when Charging and Green when batteries are charged. I could run a long thin pair of wires to place the Solar Panel against a milk crate with some rocks added, and move it with the Sun. Then I bought a second panel added it and charged faster. I sold the 25 foot Airstream and gave them one panel and now have Solar on the Roof of the Oliver and the Airstream. Easier for sure... but the Costco panels I have two left and if I need them in the future... repeat what I did previously. My rooftop Solar Panels provide us with all the 12 volt power we need. If they do not keep up with our simple needs for minimal power... add a panel, lean it against a Milk Crate and back in business. If anyone is curious I will try to find some photographs of our Portable Solar System for $100 and double it for $200. Better than the Honda that came with the Oliver that we never use. No Air Conditioning or TV while Off the Grid Boondocking. If you NEED Air Conditioning and Television... look into an expensive Generator that needs to be hauled around with gasoline. Been doing our own Solar since 2006. I am a Neanderthal, but common sense and two thin wires was MAGIC to ME. You may want to explain how you managed to ADD portable Solar for the price of a roll of wire and some wire connectors and go Human Bean. Like me.
  13. Towing an Oliver into the unknown for the first time may be the BEST CHOICE for those tired of crowded RV Parks. Much like taking swimming lessons at five years old. Fear becomes... comfort and confidence in your ability to adapt to any situation. I did not drown. A minority of Travel Trailer owners and RV's... take the least traveled roads towards the unknown. We call it exploring. Gradually going further on unpaved mountain roads and gaining confidence in the experience. Also 'testing the construction' of your Oliver or any other Travel Trailer. Many Airstream owners would never imagine an Airstream off the road. They would be surprised what is possible, if prepared. Most are not prepared. They lack confidence in themselves and the ability of their trailer not to drag or catch branches of low hanging pine. Eyesight is necessary, as well. As Spring arrives in the Rocky Mountains, we are ready. Pushing further into the Frontier for travel trailer experiences. Not concerned about Television reception, or being able to run the Air Conditioning. We need neither at elevation. Possibly the furnace at 10,000 feet in July. As you increase elevation from 1,200 feet to 5,000, your body will adapt to 7,000 and 8,000 feet of thin air, as your lungs and body adjust. One step at a time and then more steps to find your body is improving with time... a shock to some. We easily go from 1,500 feet elevation to 8,500 feet without headaches or discomfort. We walk our Blue Heelers every day at home and intend to maintain our lifestyle of actually using our Travel Trailer, which needs no R V Park hookups... on purpose. It is our intent to use either the 27 foot Airstream or the Oliver Elite II as often as we can. If, at 90+ years, possibly slowing down a bit into a more... casual experience, closer to a civilized independent life style, whatever that may be. I add some signs we have encountered the last few years. At worst, you disconnect the trailer and drive into the unknown. Once confident that this is not a problem for us... we hook up and go forward. Some day an Oliver owner will offer to take some other travel trailer owners into the 'unknown' of Off the Grid Boondocking. Most travel trailer owners will not make the choice, due to not being comfortable in the remote experience of 'what do I do now"? It thins out those who are cannot do anything outside their comfort zone. We have our own reasons to explore and find success in what we do. Returning home is to sit back and plan our next adventure. It is a gift becoming... old and experienced. Try it some time. Life is too short to have tried nothing, and succeeded. Signs are meant to put fear into the unexperienced.
  14. (1) None, nothing... after two years of Off the Grid Boondocking and a third year begins next month. Zipidee Do Dah Wonderful! Our 2019 27 foot Airstream took some upgrading of hardware and additional brackets to toughen the Interior. It has sat in the RV Garage since the pruchase nearly three years ago of the Oliver Elite II. The Oliver Elite II has ALL the Upgrades, from the Factory by the original owner purchase. Upgrades, as Solar, four 6 volt Batteries and accessories that would work for Boondockers and RV Parkers. We enjoy both our 2019 Airstream, we upgraded over time... TO the 2019 Factory 'STANDARD' Build Benefits of our Oliver Elite II. I considered selling the Airstream, but it is solid and upgraded to compete with the Oliver. With three Blue Heelers, two pups and a 17 year old, they have their special spots and we lay their 'binky' once set up to camp. What do My Wife, Myself or any of the Heelers dislike about the Oliver? Nothing. The Truma Aqua Go never worked... but we never used the Dometic hot water to Shower in the 2019 Airstream, as well. And the Dometic works. Boondockers benefit from the Tent Camping lessons learned over decades. If YOU are thinking about an Off the Grid Boondocking travel trailer... new or used... we used 2019 technology as our Airstream. We spend most of our time in either trailer... cooking and sleeping. Otherwise outside and sitting on lawn chairs and ahhhhhhhh enjoying the fresh air and views. But... if you buy used... make sure the Truma works. We didn't. Next time... if ever, we will. Some photographs of Western USA Mountain camping. Unlimited, Off the Grid and you pick a spot and it is yours. 🙂
  15. What ifs... When away from home and towing, you may need to repair something that requires tools. I carry lots of tools to fix the mechanical travel problems that can happen when least expected. The further off the road, the more important it is to be prepared... for anything with a variety of tools. If you have a wheel bearing go bad while traveling, an Oliver Elite and the Oliver Elite II have different options. A double axle can travel slowly with three tires on the ground. A single axle, not. If your tire pressures were minimal, the one tire with a good wheel bearing, would require a higher PSI to carry the load by itself on that side. A double axle travel trailer has options a single axle travel trailer do not. Flat tire. What PSI do you maintain when traveling? Do you check your spare tire pressure when beginning a trip. Are you a high PSI or a low PSI traveler with the idea of one is better for the Oliver? There is a check list of essentials like Propane Tanks topped off, water tank flushed and fresh, battery condition, tire pressures. Have you checked the bolts that attach the Leaf Springs? If your Tow Vehicle battery dies while Off the Grid, do you have some idea of how to find a solution with what you have? These are some What Ifs. Those who are RV Park campers and travel busy roads are less likely to be stranded without cell service or potential help. Those who travel Remote Locations and camp Off the Grid do not have those luxuries of the Urban Camper and RV Parks. Long handled Clippers. Shovel or two. Plastic Buckets. Two Wheel or Four Wheel Drive Tow Vehicle. Are your Maps adequate for the area you plan to explore? Have lots of experience Backing UP and Out of a bad spot in the road? Some prepare and learn from previous mistakes. Being prepared for the What Ifs that others have had occur. If nothing happens to yourself for an entire lifetime, no problem. Once you are stuck in a muddy stretch of road... without a shovel or two... and have no backing out of a situation experience... good luck. Start your... list. Take photographs for the memories of figuring it out yourself. The 'Tooth Fairy' was not real, either. Nor Big Foot. Boy Scouts "Be Prepared" was smart and wise. The 'What If' situations can occur anywhere, any time and when least prepared. Anyone who is confused about any of this, you are just fine doing what you are doing. Great. Those travel trailer owners, like ourselves that go to places to get peace and quiet in remote locations need to be prepared. Human Beans are not on the top of the Food Chain in the Rocky Mountains and prefer to be at a Parking Lot at Costco. We can do either, if necessary. You can as well.
  16. We have experienced and overcome the normal over thinking of: What ifs... Camping... never a What If. Tent Camping... never a What If. Airstream and Oliver Elite II ahhhh some Camping... never a What If. Towing on paved roads, there are more obstacles on the road, in the road and unpredictable drivers along side you, in back of you, or in front of you to worry about... than the 'What Ifs' when Boondocking. The BIGGEST 'What if...' for the Off the Grid Boondocker, in my Neanderthal consideration are.... Trees and Tree Branches. What might your 'What if 'experiences be? How did you work it out to prevent the 'What if'? Were you able to make changes in your OTG or easy Boondocking decisions to gain confidence. Much like a young child learning to swim a few classes at the swimming pool fixes that fear. Same with the First Boondocking experience just outside of a town, then two miles then out in Nowhere USA. State DeLorme Atlases have more 'NO WHERES' on the pages, than Ranches, Towns and Cities. Most of the Western USA is empty... but with lots of passable roads... to somewhere interesting. There is no End of the Road... just Detours. Or turn around and follow the road you found the end, to return. Sheep on the Road East of Cedar City, Utah. Tires in Nevada. Road markings at a Service Station. Nowhere in the distance. A ' baby horny toad' moved off the trail.
  17. Interesting other 'Former Airstream Owners' that found the Oliver Elites as excellent choices. Both are heavy travel trailers and ride firmly 'attached to the road' and very stable owing in all kinds of conditions. I was going to sell our 27/28 foot 2019 Airstream, after the first year testing out the 2019 Oliver Elite II. But just could not do it after making it a very reliable Off the Grid Airstream. 🙂 After 'tweaking' the 2019 Airstream with added hardware and improved the interior pop rivet issues with Lath Screws... it was solid. Interior cabinets had been attached to the walls with unreliable screws and few brackets. After improving the interior, I could not let it go after making the Airstream Off the Grid upgraded. Also upgraded to 16 inch wheels and Michelins. The Oliver... has much less to upgrade to be an 'Off the Grid' upgraded. Fewer screws to manage on hinges and hardware to secure cabinets. Less is best... Not much to go wrong as far as cabinets. Even the appliances have been cooperative. The Truma hot water system was not repairable after purchase and removed it. Probably going to find a simpler system and not concerned with 'instant hot water' when Boondocking. A folding table, a pot of hot water off the propane stove... and maybe jump into a river... makes you feel.... ahhhhh some. Yep. The plug to the electrical outlet of the Refrigerator had dropped out and found that once we put the Oliver on home power and did not work. Pulled the drawer out and saw the plug not plugged into the outlet. The Truma had three service receipts, two I have in my folder for repair and obviously was not replaced or repaired. My mistake not doing a 100% top to bottom inspection. You may want to remember this if you plan to buy a Travel Trailer out of Warranty. My only complaint. After owning three Airstreams, the third was easy to upgrade with better brackets and hardware from coming apart. On or Off the paved roads. Each Airstream was modified from the 2006 Airstream. The Oliver worked out so well for us, it is now our 'Special Purpose Boondocking Travel Trailer'. The manufacturing and marine hardware make the Oliver the #1 Choice for anyone who camps out and needs a reliable 'Home on Wheels'. The Airstream in comparison uses similar hardware that your home uses for hinges, and fabricated cabinets that are mounted inside with screws. The Oliver 'build' leaves little to vibrate loose, when being used, compared to the majority of other Travel Trailers. I would not hesitate to call the Oliver much easier to go from paved to unpaved camping locations. Fewer parts to come loose. I am a Geologist who is always 'looking for interesting' places to explore. Wife and Heelers enjoy the open spaces, mountains to wander among and come home satisfied with our choice of trailers and know which is best for the NEXT Adventure. 🙂 I also Tow on the Ball with the a 2016 F350 Diesel 4x4 without worry or sway. Same with the Airstream, towing on the ball without needing Weight Distribution or Sway Control. A smooth ride and never regret experimenting with towing options. The Airstream or Oliver Elite are easy to sell when the time arrives. We plan to keep both and am confident that the Oliver and Airstream will manage to provide everything we expected from a Travel Trailer while Boondocking.
  18. It has been two years ago that Nancy and I purchased a used 2019 Elite II. The Oliver is a perfect Boondocking Off or RV Park travel trailer. The 27 Foot 2019 Airstream has been parked in the RV Garage, since the purchase of the Oliver. Many would notice immediately the Oliver has much less room than an Airstream. That is True. Although, what the Oliver may lack in length and also a bit narrower than an Airstream... the Oliver has EVERYTHING the Airstream has and a stronger frame. The Oliver Elite II is narrower than an Airstream by 12 inches. The Airstream, for more clearance OTG, I had installed a 3 inch lift and upgraded the 15 inch tires/wheels to 16 inch Michelin LT tires and Wheels... just what the Oliver came with from the factory as stock. The Oliver has the SAME clearance as the Airstream with 3" lift and upgrade to 16 inch Tires. So, both our Airstream and Olive Elite II both can handle Off the Grid travel. Six lugs... and those Michelin E Rated tires... take you everywhere without fear... so far. The Oliver, with the shorter length advantage, can travel easily on Off the Grid Forest Service Roads and Two Rut Trails. Our Airstream can travel the same roads... but only 80% of those roads the Oliver can easily travel. New Mexico and Wyoming photographs. The rear bumper limits the Airstream on uneven roads. The Oliver... no problem. Having Oliver factory Two Solar Panels and the Four Six Volt Batteries... we have had NO 12 volt problems. The Propane Components operate very well at all elevations we have traveled in the Rocky Mountains. Ten Thousand Feet.... no problem. Parked out side with Solar Charging... ready to go when we feel like loading up and hit the road. Yaaa Hooo.... I include some photos of OTG Boondocking travel... to replace the Airstream examples. We use a Folding Ramp for us and the three Blue Heelers to enter and leave the trailer easily. It folds up and we use it when refueling the Tow Vehicle on the back seat and the Heelers can walk down and go up easily. Just a FYI. If you are an Off the Grid Boondocker with an Oliver Elite II having 12 volt Solar, Propane, Electric, Battery Appliances... you are 100% ready to disconnect from RV Parks are travel the Wilds of the Western USA this Season. Our three Blue Heelers have their pillows set that they find comfortable and anxious to spend the night in comfort. The 2019 Airstream and 2019 Olive Elite II have the appliances we need for Off the Grid. With the ALL Electric model Airstreams being produced today... the 2019 Oliver is as modern as we need. Our Homes On Wheels. 🙂
  19. This was the End of the Road for the bicycles. You begin and you end. Same with Junkyards of trailers and tow vehicles. The End of the Road. Junkyards are littered with Wrong Turns, Mistaken Road for a Tree and other Human Bean confusion.
  20. You cannot get LOST on the Prairie, only confused. "Where am I" is not what the family wants to hear. They are already terrified. OK? North is where it always has been. Same with the other directions. Find Landmarks and know what direction they are from where you are presently. Have whoever is following the map follow the road. You will also see it on the Tow Vehicles GPS... sometimes. Your clearance is better than most of ALL AIrstreams. We have a 3 inch lift to make up for the low clearances. It is the Length that gets you into trouble. Dragging the rear... is for tired hikers and for low clearance trailers. Olivers... you will have to work at dragging the bumper. Travel in twos. Safety in good company, Too much company, three or more... too many different likes and dislikes. You cannot fly fish in the desert. You cannot swim in the Yellowstone River... unless you want to drown in Montana. Those kinds of others... Have company that likes to do what you are doing. We have not found anyone... once and we never see them again. 🙂 It is hard to describe. OK? Planning? Nope. Not at all. We do not know where we will be going or getting lost at. RV Parks for those owners who like RV Parks and tourism. We have our trailer to Explore and create an Adventure, if we planned or did not plan to discover unknown 'ends of the road'. Next time going in the Rocky Mountains region. No Plans. Plenty of DeLorme Atlases. Food, Water, a couple good hats in the event one blows off the cliff, and comfortable sandals, shoes or boots. I climb with my sturdy Sandals for decades. My mountain boots had their purpose...now they hold the floor down in the closet. Not inspired, yet? That tells me you are not interested. That is good for your safety and comfort. This is not for everyone. Maybe less than 15% of trailer owners. Crowds? Only if you are giving away Free Flathead Cherry Pie along the Yellowstone River... I am only showing you those photos to discourage some from trying this. If you saw only the 'End of the Trail 'photographs... I would have to find a small place to camp, as everyone and their ATVs and idling Generators... it is NOT the End of the Road. It is the Bye Bye beginning. You can do this. Well, maybe after a few mistakes, but the best is out there for everyone. Take a deep breath... if you coughed... maybe the dust will not do you well.
  21. I have the second half with the top of page 55. The post shows one name... and there are three other trail names as many used parts of one trail and then departed to Utah, California or Oregon. We do this area often, but not enough to know everything. That is for you to do... and post.
  22. Maps are very useful. Books about areas you would like to explore can be more interesting, IF you have the Map. An example: Report upon the Reconnaissance of Northwestern Wyoming including Yellowstone National Park made in the Summer of 1873 by William A. Jones Zzzzzzz Please read the one part of a page of text before dozing off. You will begin to catch onto WHY we like maps and books... well, I do. Nancy has no choice. 🙂 Some of those involved, since this was a Military operation. General P. H. Sheridan. General W. T. Sherman. Officials of the War Department and other now, historical figures. This book is 331 pages and has over 50 drawn maps of Routes that Indian Guides brought this group into the Yellowstone. Well known by local Indians, but a mystery to many that heard about the area... but not going in the area with all of the Indians known to Summer Camp. What does this have to do with OLIVER Trailers? A Lot. You can get a REAL Boondocking Adventure by finding a modern Reprint of this book on the Internet. My original printed in 1875 by the Government Printing Office was made of the cheapest paper for text and worse for the thinner than a postage stamp foldout map routes to get into the Yellowstone on trails, created by Cheyenne and Sioux Indians, among others. Rather people were afraid... to go into Yellowstone. This one page of text at the mid section appears to be in Idaho Territory. I did not want to spoil everything by using landmarks given and leave it up to you. The Western USA, especially Wyoming has had Trappers and Wagon Trains passing through since the early 19th Century. When you get to Oregon Buttes... on a Wyoming Map... there are Cutoffs... short cuts that were used after the earlier routes. YOU can find them. They are marked. Setup the Oliver at a campsite and follow the two rut Jeep trails. You are living history. Much like Little Big Man... Dustin Hoffman... "Living Indian". Is this... easy? Of course it is NOT Easy. If it was easy, I would not be telling you. The Adventure begins at the time you lock the door to your Home. The rest is up to you, your choices of maps and inexpensive books written the original explorers from the 1830's to Wyoming Statehood in 1890. I no longer give out the locations we camp, as there are Websites that now take the information, and offer it on their sites to everyone to see. Just this one time, I am pointing you to the State of Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, Utah and Idaho are among the most explored by the US Government in the 1860's to 1890's. With maps, but you have to find these books. If I could find them... anyone can. We expect to see some Olivers out west. We are the ones with the two Blue Heelers. (The text page does not transfer well. It is on page 54 'Indian Trails'. We will see once I post this.)
  23. Wyoming had few paved roads in the 1920's. When a Tow Vehicle broke down... it was left in the Red Desert. If you ran out of gasoline, you could hire one or two horses to pull you into the closest town. You often camped in a tent along side these early roads. We have found some of these early campsites in Central Nevada and they would leave bottles and cans as a 'gift to those' who own an Oliver and live in luxury beyond... these Pioneers autos and homes! Enjoy and to to places you have been afraid of visiting or exploring. These people did it... and only a few had to walk. Some were pushed into ravines to keep erosion from doing any more damage. Great for parts if you knew what kind of vehicle it may have been. This one obviously did not... start. We tried. It had wooden door frames. These early roads were Wagon Trails, Cattle Trails or two rut roads to Yellowstone. Wagons were either pushed into Ravines, or burned. Vehicles abandoned were scavenged for parts for years.
  24. We will be taking our 2019 Oliver II out this Spring. Our first year experimenting... with Getting TO the FINDING End of the Road... Oliver Style. I spent two days using nearly a half of a bottle of Rejex Polymer to get DINGO the Oliver II ready to find the Beginning of the Road to get to the End of the Road. But return home, unlike some of those trailers that just did not make it back. Where are your photographs of the END? Maybe just the beginning and then turned around... End?
  25. In the Black Hills of South Dakota... Bicycles can be peddled only so far and the trail DEAD ENDS. 🙂 In Wyoming, if used or not, these Trailers have reached the End of the Road. In Wyoming individuals tend to be located at the End of the Road. Some are being lived within. ...and in the Rocky Mountains... the End of the Road is protected from getting there. So Sad 😞 .
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