KarenLukens
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Posts posted by KarenLukens
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The only thing about the swap outs is that they usually only put 3.5 gallons in, they don’t fill them up. And that’s where their profit comes in. .
“With safety being our number one priority, the chemical properties of propane restrict us to only fill our tanks to 80% capacity. Our main concern is the variable expansion ratio of the liquid within the container over a temperature rise. By not filling to 100%, a vapor space is created within the container. This allows room for liquid expansion, should it occur, and allows vaporization of the liquid propane to occur unimpeded.” Isn’t this fairly normal practice? John Davies Spokane WA
Basically it has nothing to do with that, a 20lb tank is rated to hold 20lbs, but that's not the point... An exchange will cost $18 to $26 per tank depending on location. Propane is $1.75 where I live, so if it costs $2 bucks a gallon on average and you buy your 80%, at $2 bucks a gallon, or 4 gallons, that's going to cost you $8 bucks. An exchange will cost you double that wherever you go, and then, you're still getting a tank that sometimes is less then half full. So, you want to feel the weight of the tanks in the cage because you will see a big difference between them. Some will be at 3.5 but others will have from 2 to 5 gallons in them depending on who was filling them and what was going on at the time. Plus it may say on the cage that you are paying let's say $3.35 a gallon, but it doesn't say in large print that you're not even getting 5 gallons.
Here's a good article - http://www.elivermore.com/propane.htm
And another - http://www.poynter.org/2009/how-much-propane-is-really-in-your-20-pound-grill-tank/96618/
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I wanted to let everyone know that we are working with a rubber manufacturer and having them perform test for us, as we do not have the means to do this internally. We want to make sure that we resolve the black streak issue but not at the expense of creating a new problem. The concern with the white neoprene gaskets is that they will yellow over time especially if it is not rated for exterior use. We also have to make sure that it is rated at an IP66 rating and ensure that it won’t leak. The quickest and easiest method would be to put some type of clearcoat protection over the gasket but how long will this last and how often would it have to be re-applied. We want to do our due diligence to find the best solution for our customers and not just a quick fix that might create other issues.
Like this one, it has good reviews for a spray
https://smile.amazon.com/Spray-High-Gloss-Clearcoat-Aerosol/dp/B0043B7UQY/ref=zg_bs_15709871_1?<span style="line-height: 1.5;">_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VMETQ5NKZRXKCTBNS2FF</span>
Or this would be a great brush on - https://smile.amazon.com/KBS-Coatings-8304-DiamondFinish-Clear/dp/B00DMIE20Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1487366586&sr=8-1&keywords=diamond+finish+clear+coat
I don't know why this tablet won't link the 2nd... :) I did try a couple times...
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Being a complete newby I have another question. What is your advise on getting the 30lb propane tanks? IN my never rv’ed mind I was thinking it would be easier to get refills for the 20lb tank and not has much strain on my back. I’ve even thought of carrying an extra tank for reserve. Thank you!
Easy in many ways to refill a 20 pounder, which is the “standard ” size. You can even swap out your empty bottle for a filled one at many places like Home Depot. Be aware it will not look brand new. http://www.homedepot.com/p/AMERIGAS-Propane-Tank-Exchange-204S/202317242 It is a great idea to carry a spare one for reserve ONLY IF you have a place to secure it properly outside the TV or trailer. The open bed of a pickup would be acceptable, if it can’t move. Inside a sealed compartment or vehicle is strictly forbidden. I ordered the 30 pounders and I don’t care about the other aspects and I don’t want to deal with an extra one. I just want a lot of built-in gas. If Oliver would start using marine diesel fired appliances, then we could carry a five gallons of the stuff very safely and it would last for months…. Oh well. Maybe in 2027… John Davies Spokane WA
The only thing about the swap outs is that they usually only put 3.5 gallons in, they don't fill them up. And that's where their profit comes in. Really watch out and pick a good looking tank when swapping out because some of them are trashed, where others are new. It's a good way to swap out an old tank of yours though and I've turned in a couple of old tanks this way also. They will even take the old style rusty one's with the internal threads for a swap.
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I've probably got 6 of the 20's sitting around and they are easier to carry but we went with the 30lb upgrade for the resale value. If it gets to the point that you can't lift the 30's then converting down to 20's is simple, where converting up will take some parts usually. We always carried an extra 20 before the Olli, now we don't need it and also had both extra propane ports added front and rear.
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Reed & Karen, Congratulations on your new Ollie!!!!!! Really like the colors! Hopefully meet y’all camping in the near future!!!
We will definitely meet in the future, we will be heading back through Arizona in a few weeks... Or so... :)
I gotta say, we've been drawing quite the crowd already here in Frankfurt? Just outside of Nashville. 2 more couples are headed to Hohenwald now after seeing ours and talking to us. We've been boondocking for 2 days with hardly any draw on the batteries. This solar sure beats the Solar Suitcase that I used on the Casita. It fully charged itself just after day break :)
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Like Canoe12 said, it came with a 20' Camco Revolution Sewer Hose Kit, it's designed to be left on. I hooked it up, capped it, and there it will stay. Still though, you should double check the connections before opening the valves. I dumped yesterday at Fall Hollow before we left and it's a good system. I did add a 5" clear piece to the end right before the 90° that drops into the dumping tank, for those days when we do a thorough wash out.
https://smile.amazon.com/Camco-39572-Clear-Sewer-Adapter/dp/B00192KZQ2/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1487362030&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=6"+clear+camco+sewer+hose
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Wild huh Dave? IF OTT had taken seriously way back the first say 2 reported problems this would have been over almost before it started. Far fewer 2016-17 models would have been produced ala black gaskets. But…. that was then and this is NOW. We are NOW as of Tuesday the next in the queue for pickup. Of course (unless he is not at work) we will find out the progress or lack thereof. I feel sure as Buzzy’s inference was… it is not like wine that ages well. Now it is becoming vinegar (isn’t there a Bible story about that?) Excuse me non-believers… <ducking see our profile> But NOW according to Jason is not the time. They are now getting samples from another supplier. Where this process is in is anyone’s guess. ————————————————— A PM (not really needs to stay that way) on Wednesday netted this between myself and Jason at J’s request to inquire:
Jason, so will the new white/clear silicon gaskets be installed in our Oliver Hull 196 by before Tuesday 21st at 10 AM? We really don’t want the black seals from the get go. A “permanent” solution no leaks, no silicon daps etc? P….We are working with a rubber materials company on some different materials but I don’t think we will have any of them here by then. Also we will need to test them to know which one will work. We very may get the new gaskets and after testing find that some of them leave black streaks. We will have to test to find what will work to ensure that they keep dust and water out but also do not leave black streaks.
Why using are you using black? Or are you? Black will streak because of the carbon content. You really need to go with white or clear silicon composition. Please advise.The manufacturer of the light only offers black. Their stance is that there is nothing wrong with the gasket so we are taking matters into our own hands to get some different gaskets made to find a solution.
Forget black. Bad memories don’t you think? Remember we are just 4 hours away and could be first for retrofit Black obviously left a bad taste in the effected TT Owners. According to the thread people have located white. Not to mention the white would add to the streamlined shape. Check the thread.————————————————— Sooo as of 02/15 this is where we are folks. Again we know that Oliver can solve this…. Mabe, the BC Rocket Scientist says so. J agrees this will take sometime to test and make sure they have a “permanent solution” system-wide. This may turn out to be a case-by-case basis. Shirley? we are talking silicon gaskets non-black that are guaranteed not to leak the life time of our cherished Olivers. For instance we may be the most fortunate because we live only 4 hours away and certainly would enjoy (if we had to) coming to the factory for the proven solution retrofit. Now folks like the gent that says he is too old to climb up on a ladder and is far, far away this is another ballgame. As of Tues our dear Oliver, Smokey will be in the elements for at least 1 month until we get our spot in indoor storage. Anyone ever see the Charter commercial? Does it rain in Ohio? <grin> Not only does this take on so many fun (OK not fun) (Houston we had a problem) metaphors is reality. YEP we have had a very wet winter and probably will have our typical wet Spring here in TN. For again some perspective from the Guidebook for all humanity from our loving Triune: Search Results Showing 1 – 3 of 3 search results for ” mountains sea ” http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?s=bibles&q=mountains+sea&t=esv&c=all Let’s keep this in perspective. Yeah, it’s far from ideal, it should never have happened given especially the high price of our Elites but it did. This will work out to all of our advantages in the end by the grace of patience and providence. But… shall I say… “rain falls” http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?s=bibles&q=rain+falls+&t=esv&c=all Or as my dearest now Saint Mother-in-law said, “What is it worth?” Patience is a virtue and the hardest part about loving. This will all work out the way it was meant to… trust in God. ~P
Sometimes you really do take things a little to far...
It's not rocket science here, I talked to Jason today and they are experimenting with new gaskets. Really all it takes is a little clear coat to seal it and that's what I told him that I would do if I feel the need. The new lights are great looking compared to the old ones, but I'm sure they would put the old lights on yours if you asked... This really isn't the big deal that some of you have made it out to be.
But I'm kicking back on this thread anyway because it's pretty pointless now. Oliver knows about it, so give them the time to do their job. Stop with the jabs and let it go...
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Very nice Karen and Reed! Wow! Congratulations!
Have you named your Oliver yet? There are some very clever selections out there people have named theirs.Thank you for sharing the photos. This increases our desire to see ours next week. Blessings and enjoy! Life is short!~J, P, and M Edit/edition: P.S. everyone. Matt has been improving our forums. I have been in his seat before. I certainly understand. Posting is verrrryyyy slow so be patient but we now have an improvement the server software is now catching duplicate posts. How do I know about this new feature??? I wasn’t patient and resubmitted. Live an learn! So be patient! ~ P
We named her " The Little Nugget" and that's why we had the gold pin striping put in because it looks like some of my gold that comes out of our old family gold mine.
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Very cool, congratulations. I have 3 more months to go. Why do you think the furnace could not keep up with an OAT of 22 degrees? That sounds very wrong from past reports. How much air did you have venting in? Was the furnace short cycling, or was it running full bore the whole time? Did you get a Natures Head? If so please post pics. I need to know how the vent works. Thank you. John Davies Spokane WA
Basically we're in the learning process and 65° was good enough. It was just yesterday that I discovered that when the vents are turned, that they can be opened more or closed. It did run the full time. We had the vent under the bed closed so there was only one open in the main room. I opened the second one tonight under the bed and it made a huge difference. We like it cool when we sleep, so most likely I'll be closing it back off. The thermostat can run both the heater and the heat strip up top if needed, but I kept the top one off.
We have the regular toilet and the only thing that I can say about the new bathroom with the vanity is, if we had known, we would have just gotten a corner sink like in the older Casita. The vanity takes up most of the leg room in the bathroom, making it really hard to maneuver in when trying to shower or use the toilet. It was definitely made for a small woman who wanted a vanity. The old corner sink was perfect and both Oliver and Casita have started building the bathrooms for the little people who need the extra vanity... Hehe
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That white hose looks like a piece of drinking water garden hose. It also appears to have a little crimp at the tee. Please tell me that it is something else. A potable water hose would not make the water hazardous in any way, but it wouldn’t be the best choice for a long term fixed installation. Maybe it is a specialty hot water hose of some kind? I have seen pics of that kind of hose used for a temporary bypass like this:
Wouldn’t a stainless braided one be more reliable? Please educate me. John Davies Spokane WA The white hose is the comfort models recirculation hose. When you switch it from Eco to Comfort, it recirculates the water through that white hose, keeping that water at 113°f. We were talking about the difference between the Comfort and the Comfort Plus in another Truma thread. I'm thinking that I can remove that white hose and run pex up to the shower and then Tee it into the hot water line so it will recirculate the entire hot water line to the shower. But now after showering, the water really doesn't cool down with the Truma heater, so I need more time to decide if I need to try it. We hooked up to city water last night and this was the first time that we've been able to take unlimited hot water showers in a trailer... Wow! Is all I can say, it was really nice not needing to take a 6 gallon spit bath. I've been using the 6 gallon Suburbans for decades and this was really a treat :)
As far as the stainless braided hose goes these white ones have been out for 30+ years I guess, and they actually hold up a lot better then the old braided lines at my house. I quit buying the braided lines and had forgotten about them until now :)
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You can click on the other pics... Lol, sometimes this web page isn't exactly user friendly. I loaded them all, it started out empty, then reloaded again, and now unfortunately I'm out of time...
Reed
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[attachment file=45482]
Just in time for Valentine's Day
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Then I took this photo of the Truma AquaGo inlet, outlet and recirculation line.
It was 22° last night for most of the night and Olli past the 4 season test; full of water. The Suburban heater by itself couldn't keep up but it held the temp at 65° by itself, which was great for sleeping.
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Well yea, at first people ask you questions on your YouTube videos and then you pass it on as others will answer those questions for you. I really think that you did a great job on your movies Buzzy :) If you leave them on as unlisted instead of private and turn off your channel notifications, your movies will take care of themselves and others will answer those questions for you. They will still be listed in the playlist but they won't bother you. I answer questions on mine if they are good questions but if the answers are already in the comments, then the people need to do their own work. Some people want you to do it all and those I just ignore myself. Put, "Read the Comments for more info" at the top of that section and the questions drop by around 90%. Another thing that you can do is to simply disable the comments, and that ends that problem while letting the movies be seen. Basically right now, your movies are the face of Oliver and there is nothing wrong with that. Soon I will join you with my movies also. I made a few mods today with the drill and angle grinder. The movies here will start piling up quick, once we get a good idea of what we have here :) Like you, I love helping others and making good informative videos like you have needs to be passed on. Oliver's movies will be by the manufacturer and that's OK, but movies by owners telling the truth and sharing their knowledge really helps everyone a lot more.
PM me if you would like me to help in any way
Reed & Karen Lukens
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He took down his videos from his YouTube channel and made them private also. So... It looks like he's serious about not being here and he was driven away by something...
We love you Buzzy :)
Come back soon
Reed & Karen
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I'm thinking that either just a clear coat over it will be enough or silicone. Honestly, I don't see it as an issue that I can't easily fix. It would have been nice if Oliver was ready with their fix, but they need time to research it and will have a permanent fix soon enough.
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Nothing to add that we already don't know. Oliver is being stuck with the gaskets by the manufacturer... End of story with no solution yet.
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There are three Olivers here at the Fiberglass Gathering in Quartzsite. Two of us have the new lights and both have had streaking problems since we picked up. One has the old lights and he has never had a problem. Mike
The old lights don't have the problem, but after looking at both the old Casita style and then the new, which ones do you think look best?
Then is it worth having the new lights over the old? I'll ask them tomorrow at Oliver about the white replacement gaskets. Manufacturers hate having people bring it up because they cost around 5 times more to make out of the white material. Oliver will probably end up switching the gaskets out themselves hopefully... This problem was discussed 30+ years ago when we were setting Mobile Homes and had the streaking problem with the electrical outlet gaskets. Same crappy cheap black gasket material used today was used back then because of the huge price savings over the white gasket material.
An age old nightmare has now become reoccurring... Lol.
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Actually, the simple fix is to replace them all with the white gasket material. That black has been known to bleed for decades and they've (the manufacturer) had the white material but don't use it because it's more expensive.
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Think twice on the Anderson's... They work but there are others. https://www.amazon.com/Blaylock-American-Metal-EZ-100-Wheel/dp/B000R5PMWE/ref=cm_wl_huc_item
I've seen them used them and really like them and then broke one... The Anderson worked fine on the Casita but they were still breakable plastic. The Anderson's give you 4" of lift and... Is that really enough? Look at the entire market and then decide. I'm just not sold on them for the Oliver and my 2 x 12 x 18" home made are a lot sturdier, plus they don't slide out or let the trailer roll. You need a good dead blow hammer to set the wedges under the Anderson's. I also have plywood blocks that stack. I guess after using the Anderson's for a couple years, I'm just not sure that they are what we really need for the Oliver. I'm on a tablet in Oklahoma so you will need to copy the links... Sorry... It just won't let me open the link option without closing the window....
Reed
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I can count on one hand the number of times we’ve actually used a powered or water site, in nine years. Sherry
Wow :) Now that's impressive. I'd never used hookups until I met Karen , and with the Casita we had to in bad weather to have enough battery to run her CPAP at night if we didn't have the battery charged enough. We've used hook ups a lot now and the 4 battery/ solar system is the main reason we upgraded to Olli :) Today is the day that we leave California to start out for Hohenwald and the Pineapple Express from the Philippines is hammering down :)
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I carry two - 25's wrapped up with bungee balls, then I use the bungee balls to strap my filter to the water supply. I also carry an 18" piece of 1" clear vinyl poly tubing that fits perfectly over the National Forest campground faucets because those faucets will spray water in every direction and that length fits into my 8 gallon portable. Seems like water is around 150 yards from most of the better camping sites in National Parks.
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/cleartubing.html
This 6' piece went with the trailer but it's cheap and available at any hardware store.
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It always seems like when I'm working on something that an angle grinder would have been nice to have. When we picked up our Casita, the bumper had a rough edge where you put the sewer hose and could easily slice a hand if left that way, so out came the grinder. For smoothing edges, rounding off sharp corners, removing some splatter spots from welding... And then you get to your gate and there's your lock on the ground... And the Forest Service has accidently locked you out of either you or a friends place... Out comes the angle grinder, throw on a cut off wheel and take a link out of the chain so that you can drive the FS lock over to them so that they can unlock it and then it can be put back in the right way... That's happened so many times out here, some people with a Forest Service key just don't pay attention to where their locks fit into the system. And it's used by Fire Fighters, Sheriffs, emergency vehicles, etc. and the gate wouldn't be there if the Forest Service hadn't required it... I finally just started carrying an angle grinder because it's the handiest tool for doing any metal work in the field. A stripped bolt can be shaped and saved in an emergency in the field. Rounding off another campers trailer hitch and helping others remove shards of metal that have cut someone is where it comes into play mostly. I've used it so many times now that it has it's home under the seat of the car. The 24" pipe wrench I've used many times at Rallies to change out and repair rusted tow balls for others and it simply sits under the seat, ready to use anytime you just can't find that other wrench or if you need one for back up. It is kind of funny seeing that 24" pipe wrench on a little 6-32 nut... but it works plus it can be used to straighten out the steel bumpers when you've backed into a pole or you found that piece of rebar holding the cement parking bumper has come up out of the ground and is now part of your car... Then that sharp piece of metal on the nut from a stripped thread is there and out comes the grinder again... Like Steve, I don't carry a welder... most of the time. When I see people broke down or in an accident, I'm the guy that pulls over and does what he can to help, where so many just drive by not wanting to get involved. I grew up a Fireman's son and became one when I turned 18 :)
Obviously I was joking on the Sierra Blaster but for taking that one troublesome rock out of someones driveway, I've ended up using it for road work in driveways many times. Friends always ask me to bring it if needed and it is 100% legal because the charges are small and self contained and it's been approved for use without a license by the ATF. There always seems to be that one rock in peoples driveways that sticks up... And after digging down 4 feet and the rock becomes a huge boulder that has no end and keeps growing, shaving 3" to 6" off of the top takes that bump out of the driveway.
So John, you said, "the info is neither constructive nor applicable to the thread in any way that I can see…. what exactly was your point?" The point is... I'm usually helping others and prepared to do what it takes :)
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Basically #1 is always an Angle Grinder - https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DWE402-2-Inch-11-Amp-Grinder/dp/B00RVZ7DNO/ref=sr_1_3?s=power-hand-tools&ie=UTF8&qid=1486267373&sr=1-3&keywords=Angle+Grinder
And the list grows from there... ½" drill & bits, ½" Impact Wrench & 2 full sets of Sockets, 24"pipe wrench, 2 - 8", 12", 16", & 1 - 24" Crescent Wrench... 2' Bubble Level, Grease Gun, Sierra Blaster, Gold Cube Trommel, Metal Detectors, Gold pans, & tons more... But I will be making videos of everything soon enough once I get my basement or tool crib in order. I love being able to build things or do projects or just go gold panning when camping and I have a ton of friends scattered all over that do the same :)
Sierra Blaster
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Hi Hap :) Yes, we love that area as well and are planning to go back. Also, if you need work done on your trailer, Little House Customs on Arizona is about 45 minutes away from Sedona also. Konrad worked on our trailer while we were there and he installed one of his custom shelves in our Casita. He may have the awnings and who knows what, you need to call at least a month ahead. We're heading to LHC in Texas on the way home for awnings and some other misc mods for our new Olli. Larry's going to take measurements and check out the Oliver and then see what other mods he can come up with for everyone. Here's what we're picking up or having done - awnings, fridge hinge and button cover, screen door bar, another surge protector, 4 or 5 overhead cabinet shelves, and some vertical shelves, spice racks, etc on that stuff for Karen. Then maybe if it works - the fold down counter, blue step covers, maybe a hepvo under the sink, maybe a battery cut off if it will work on our 4 battery system, 12vdc digital voltmeter, connector storage bracket, maybe the breakaway tether... basically whatever they have time for and for him to see it and get set up for doing Ollie Mods as well is one of our main reasons for going. Larry is booked out 3 months in advance but we got lucky and filled in a cancelation spot. Konrad is booked out also but worth a call. He can pack bearings and everything also :)
Reed
https://littlehousecustoms.com/
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Wouldn’t a stainless braided one be more reliable? 
Please educate me. John Davies Spokane WA 
Hull #200 in service
in Delivery Day Photos
Posted
Karen & I spent the night at Walmart in Franklin, TN. an outskirt of Nashville. She spent the day and night shopping and setting up the inside of our Little Nugget, the way she wants it for now. We had to leave most of the decorations at home, but she got a good start today
Then this is what's above my head on my side of the bed. The helping hand grip makes it really easy to get up or swing over to the side fast if you need to get up quick or just to stretch. I think that they are strong enough to do pull ups with, pretty amazing.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B004HIGWLW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=DVETVI1ZF5E8&coliid=I2VZL330KGFRNZ
The reading light, 12 volt and USB plug ins come in handy while boondocking.