Be Prepared when Off the Grid... Tent Campers already know what is Important

[BoondockingAirstream]

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.  🙂

 

Edited March 27 by BoondockingAirstream
Tent Camping added

[jd1923]

Great pictures! Ya gotta bring more water! Besides the small OTT Fresh Tank, we have 35 gallons in the truck bed: Norwesco 35 gal. Horizontal Leg Tank at Tractor Supply Co.

Fill up at home with enough water for boondocking 7-8 days, 1-2 more if conservative. Lot of areas in the NF and BLM where you can legally let a little grey go at a time.

I special ordered tank straps which work great, and we have a canvas cover (not yet installed in the picture). Always a full case of bottled spring drinking water, and a couple of gallons for coffee. Not running out of good food or adult beverages either! 

[DaveAndBecky_NorthernMI]

File this under the "you never know category." We are currently in Catalina State Park in Arizona. Park host came by today to inform us that the wash was running and the road out and in from the park is closed until further notice. Some folks went for it and left. We took it as a sign and are waiting it out , comfy and cozy with plenty of food and water.🤓

[routlaw]

We come from a backpacking and tenting background so tend to travel relatively light but do carry extra fresh drinking water and use the holding tanks sparingly. Seems like we always over pack for food too. You just never know what might develop

[MAX Burner]

We really enjoy Catalina SP, @DaveAndBecky_NorthernMI - beautiful area!

[BoondockingAirstream]

We have alternated our 2019 27/28 foot Airstream and the 20 foot 2019 Oliver Elite II for the last several years.  Towing either travel trailer is smooth towing 'On the Ball' behind a F350 2016 Ford Diesel.  I like the F350 Tow Vehicle best of all four wheeled rolling homes.  Towing has been a pleasure, without any issue of sway or weight control.

Lengths do matter.  There are MORE options for an Oliver Elite II to travel, set up camp, remaining attached to the F350 tow vehicle, while on the ball.  Another advantage an Oliver has is the Clearance and Michelin 16 inch tires.  I added 3 inch lift and 16 inch wheels and 16 inch Michelins to the Airstream, which was a great advantage to do when purchasing new.  The Oliver Elite II has this clearance... standard equipment.

Nancy is wiping down the Interior of the Oliver now for dust.  The most likely spots are on the floor, on the sides of the hallway carpet.  Static Electricity IS your friend with Fiber Glass.  She just came in and commented how easily the Oliver interior cooperates for a clean up.

Many Oliver owners may not realize how easily the Travel Trailer... travels.  It is the 'Go Anywhere Travel Trailer' and wind does not push the Tow Vehicle or Oliver around.

We did our Boondocking Camping with the Airstream... with a 23, a 25 and lastly a 27 foot. The 25 foot was our favorite, as the Elite II is our choice, also having Double Axles.  Necessary for go anywhere travel and four tires on the road. If a Elite II has a tire failure... the weight on the remaining tire can manage if inflated to your comfort zone.  Having more PSI in the Michelins will not Pop Rivets, nor cause cabinets within the Interior to... become loose from the Factory. An Airstream with experienced owners know where to upgrade hardware and travel with the same confidence as we have in our Oliver.

For Boondocking... the Elite II IS a go anywhere travel trailer.  A single axle, you may have the passenger walk along side when crossing a dip in the unpaved road.  Although the clearance exceeds most other Travel Trailers easily, have that extra axle is worth every dollar spent.

The only improvement made to our Oliver Elite II after just over Two Years, WITHOUT ANY UPGRADE OR IMPROVEMENTS.  Imagine that if you own an Airstream.  For Boondocking I knew where to upgrade hardware and walls on the 2019 model.  Learned mostly in the 2006 23 foot, fixed it in the 25 foot and perfected it in the 27/28 foot Airstream. Now the 2019 Oliver Elite II and the Airstream 27 foot FBQ just Rock and Roll.  (Nancy did make a fabric shower curtain to replace the factory plastic.  I like her work!

Soon we will be having to make a choice, which one of the two.  License plates, taxes and insurance have increased our costs for two travel trailers.  Enjoy your Oliver when time permits.  Eventually time takes its toll... not the our Travel Trailer... the Human Beans within.  Plan your next trip soon... time is being wasted.

 

 

[BoondockingAirstream]

Missed this photograph of the Go Anywhere Oliver!

[Mike and Carol]

3 hours ago, BoondockingAirstream said:

 Plan your next trip soon... time is being wasted.

 

Next trip is planned, Colorado and Utah, leaving in two weeks!  Adios Texas heat!!

[jd1923]

4 hours ago, BoondockingAirstream said:

Missed this photograph of the Go Anywhere Oliver!

Where is Bear Trap Ridge?

[topgun2]

While there is a Beartrap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Canton, NC - I doubt that it is the one you are asking about.

I'd guess that the pics are from the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Bill

[BoondockingAirstream]

If you like cool evenings... in the Summer... Bear Trap Ridge Trail could be a good stop.  There was another campsite on the west side, but had two trailers camped.  Several hundred feet below the road. This campsite is on the East side on the road, as you will see on the Utah DeLorme Atlas scan page 45, A5-A6.  We hiked the trail half way and turned around. Someone may want to explore the area. No cost camping!

 

IF you like to explore for unlisted, unknown campsites that MIGHT be in an area... get the DeLorme Atlas for the State.  Find one good over night spot, mark it like we do, and then look for the... next. And... next, and... so on. A true adventure into the unknown.  If a location is known to everyone... it may be busy. Fine the 'unknown' campsites... you are officially an Off the Grid Boondocker.  

This campsite I am giving to all of the potential Oliver Boondockers.  We rarely give up these sites. Get an Atlas... study it at home and go hunting.  Sometimes it works.  Sometimes... you are next to a gravel pit.  Happy campers are the BEST. Be happy, no matter.  YOU have an Oliver.