Hull #200 in service, pt2

[KarenLukens]

We're in North Carolina now and we've had the chance finally to do some arranging of the trailer and repacking the car. Without the trailer, this is how the car looks right now.

 

 

You can see that it is lower in the back without the trailer even hooked up, I will take another picture in a couple of days on a flat surface this time with everything hooked up and running. This car has done a lot of towing in the last couple of years that we've owned it and it always appears low in the back, that's normal. I expect any mid size vehicle to drop a couple inches when a trailer is hooked up. Like stated before, my head lights are perfect, it tows perfect, has no sway, and total control. So what you think you are seeing is simply a fully loaded car even before the trailer is hooked up. Everything that we don't need in the trailer, but needed for the 2300 mile trip to pick it up, is still in the car. I have maybe 50lbs of gear in the trunk of the trailer and that's it...

 

On another note, it didn't say that the tongue had been changed to solid, when we bought it. We found out here just before picking it up, from you guys on the forum, that the adjustable tongue was no longer a standard option and having the adjustable tongue to me was a big selling point because I knew that I would be lengthening it for this car. So yea... That was a big let down, having it advertised in the description and pamphlets that were sent to us, but it's something that I can deal with after we get home and have everything packed the way we like it. I can extend it myself if needed in our shop, but not on the road... The options are endless and a reinforced weight distribution hitch is always another option, but it tows much more smooth then our Casita did, and the brake system is dialed in perfectly. The dual axles really make a huge difference in the towing stability and I will be crossing rivers with this trailer being pulled by this car, just like we did with our Casita.

[Try2Relax]

Reed, you mention the older style tongue setup that extended and being disappointed that you couldn't do that, by ordering that basket I'm pretty sure you did. Looking at your hitched picture, there is NO way I have that much distance from my front jack to the bulldog, so basically you got the extension without the ability to retract it. I don't know if mine would even be able to extend that long, I think it's only 6 inches.

 

As for how the MB sits, when you look at the fact that it is all hitch weight, without WDH my 1/2 ton sags more.

 

HEY OVERLAND - if your unsure about the whole pickup truck thing, maybe you should look into a Porsche Cayenne S Turbo I've read good reviews towing over 6500lbs in the boat world.

[KarenLukens]

Reed, you mention the older style tongue setup that extended and being disappointed that you couldn’t do that, by ordering that basket I’m pretty sure you did. Looking at your hitched picture, there is NO way I have that much distance from my front jack to the bulldog, so basically you got the extension without the ability to retract it. I don’t know if mine would even be able to extend that long, I think it’s only 6 inches. As for how the MB sits, when you look at the fact that it is all hitch weight, without WDH my 1/2 ton sags more. HEY OVERLAND – if your unsure about the whole pickup truck thing, maybe you should look into a Porsche Cayenne S Turbo I’ve read good reviews towing over 6500lbs in the boat world.

 

That could be, but another 3" would have been nice to a point but not really needed I guess... Either way, it's not bottomed out as hibeam suggested... 2" is acceptable. I haven't been to any scales yet to get the actual tongue weight, it looked the same when towing our Casita. Over all both trailers have their differences, both tow fine, but the Oliver does tow smoother with the dual axles and I do like that it sits 3" higher at the tongue. The steps on the Casita were it's one main problem because they were so low to the ground. Every other time that we would go out, they would get bent. It was an easy fix with my porta-power, but still that extra 3" of heigth and the way that the Oliver has the steps tucked up inside, made buying this trailer my #1 choice.

 

 

 

 

[KarenLukens]

We made it from Georgia, thru Alabama, and into Mississippi yesterday and met up with ScubaRx and his wife. We all went out and had a great dinner last night and then today, out came my grinder from under the seat and Steve and I made a mount for our rear view camera. It works great and now Karen has her cup holder back all to herself :)

 

 

I know some of you guys were laughing when I said that I had brought my grinder, but today was the 3rd time that we've used it on a simple mod. The first was to smooth a rough edge on the step, the second was to round the edge all the way down the sewer slinky hideaway and open the sides up a bit more, and then again today :) I've only used the drill once so far and that was to drill out the hole in the latch on the bulldog hitch because it was made to small for a standard sized hitch lock. So... To me, these simple tools are really important being I'm on a 4600 mile round trip from our house to the Oliver factory.

 

Our Lil' Nugget is really becoming a home :)

 

 

[Raspy]

Hey Reed,

 

If you are considering an Anderson WD hitch I might be able to fix you up. An Anderson came with mine but I'm not going to use it (Ram 3500 tow vehicle). I could bring it to Bullards Beach in July or swing by your place on one of our commutes from Gardnerville to Redwood City.

 

John

[KarenLukens]

Hey Reed, If you are considering an Anderson WD hitch I might be able to fix you up. An Anderson came with mine but I’m not going to use it (Ram 3500 tow vehicle). I could bring it to Bullards Beach in July or swing by your place on one of our commutes from Gardnerville to Redwood City. John

No  thanks Raspy, the Anderson doesn't work with my car. And after driving 2400 miles with the Oliver, it tows perfectly even at 75mph, which is what we did today getting to Albuquerque tonight. We're going to slam the miles to Needles tomorrow and get it registered. Then we're free and heading back east to meet up with some more friends and members from here. Either way you guys are welcome to stop by or head down to our spot on the Yuba River.

[KarenLukens]

We made it to California yesterday and got our Lil' Nugget registered and it's a real good feeling, having everything legal again. Yesterday was the last day for us to get here while still being under the temporary registration from Oliver, so today marks the 31st day that we've been owners :)

 

We pulled into the Needles KOA last night to make Karen happy. Why would we need hook ups? Well it's going to be 97° here today and she wants to use the air conditioner today while we ralax finally after leaving Charleston, South Carolina, on the east coast March 7th... That was a lot of driving, but that's California anyway :) They had to physically see the trailer and now we have our permanent plate for her.

 

So we're finally taking a day off, kinda.

 

I ended up buying 4 sets of quick disconnects for the water system, and that coupled with the Rhinoflex hose that we leave installed on the sewer, makes hooking up a breeze.

 

 

Karen uses the app called, "sanidumps" to search for free dump stations, and we found this nice little park off Route 66 yesterday morning with a free dump station. The app shows you both the free and the pay dumps in an area up to 50 miles away, so it's an extremely useful app to have when boondocking like we usually do.

 

I feel retired again today after all that driving :)

 

Reed

[KarenLukens]

Actually this is the first day that I really do feel retired... It's been 5 years plus but there was so much going on. Today we are sitting here with a registered trailer that we love living in, and we will soon be full timing in it for fun. The house is safe, the kids are gone, heck the grandkids take care of themselves more or less, and this is it... Today is the day that I finally feel retired :)

 

It's a good complete feeling.

 

 

The awning went out for the first time today and it really sealed my feelings about this Lil' Nugget.

 

What a great day it has been. One month of ownership and our baby has already completely crossed the USA. We added the rest of the States that we've visited back into the map, but this pic is simply where our Lil' Nugget has been in the last month until today...

[Try2Relax]

Congratulations, on finally being/feeling retired, I'm sure it is a well deserved time. I can't wait for when the "journey" is the trip, we're still a long way off.

[KarenLukens]

All set up, completely for the first time.

 

[ScubaRx]

Don't forget to add Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina to your Avatar Map.

[KarenLukens]

Don’t forget to add Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina to your Avatar Map.

We talked about it today :) Coming soon!

[KarenLukens]

As time passes at just over a month now, we have found that some clear coat on the stove knobs might help the paint last a bit longer.

 

 

Then I still haven't covered that little green light at night yet, it sure makes a great reflection. Counting the dots instead of sheep some nights :)

 

[geO]

Congratulations Reed on feeling free!

[Mike and Carol]

Congrats on being retired and feeling retired!  We retired the end of August and spent almost all of Sept and Oct on the road.  It's a great feeling to be able to make your schedule whatever you want it to be.  Your pictures are great, keep em coming!  Mike

[KarenLukens]

Thanks Y'all :)

 

I never thought that day would come when I actually knew that I was retired. It was definitely an eye opening experience. We took I40 back into Arizona today with no rush and no real schedule, so I just drove 72mph because it's comfortable :)

 

We're boondocking in the desert at 4600' above Kingman on BLM land, with good times ahead :)

 

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[J-Rhett]

Actually this is the first day that I really do feel retired… It’s been 5 years plus but there was so much going on. Today we are sitting here with a registered trailer that we love living in, and we will soon be full timing in it for fun. The house is safe, the kids are gone, heck the grandkids take care of themselves more or less, and this is it… Today is the day that I finally feel retired

 

It’s a good complete feeling.

 

That is a great feeling! I remember that same feeling back in 2003. Glad you two made in back to California without any trouble. I'm brand new at this Travel Trailer camping so I've gotten many ideas from you. Dory and I hope to meet you out on the trail sometime.

[SeaDawg]

Welcome to the every day is Saturday club. Use it well is just puffing in the wind advice for you two. So happy for you.

 

Keep track of your mileage. Pretty sure you are setting a record on longest maiden voyage without touching home base.

 

Happy camping, safe travels, and (continue to) have a great time.

 

Sherry

[topgun2]

Be careful!  Be very careful!  Retirement is not all that it is made up to be.  I'm guessing that you have not yet considered the STRESS.  Just think about this for a moment - when you worked you knew exactly what you were going to do each and every day.  You knew where you were going to go, what you were going to wear, who you would see and meet and probably just about what you would eat.

 

Now, each day is met with a bunch of decisions.  It just one decision after another.  Constantly, decision, decision, decision - never ending!  Stress, stress, stress!  What time do I get up, what time do I take a nap, what do I eat, when do I eat, what do I wear, where do I go, what do I do, where did I put my beer?  All must be answered (or not) - it simply is almost too much to think about.  However, those of us that have taken this "retirement path" must learn to adjust and simply force ourselves to live with all this stress so that others can go on with their happy working lives (and paying into those "entitlements" that were so hard earned) without having to endure this "pain" we suffer.

 

Welcome to the "STRESS" club!

 

 

 

Bill

[KarenLukens]

What day is it???

 

I think it's Spring time... :)

[ScubaRx]

Those of a certain age will remember

and his aversion to work.

[STEVEnBETTY]

Wow, that sure dates you!!!

 

[KarenLukens]

Next, we'll all be diggin taters

 

 

 

[bugeyedriver]

Yeah, this retirement thing ain't all that great. We don't get anymore vacations! Waaa Waaa Waaa...

[STEVEnBETTY]

I'm relatively new to this retirement thing, i have to keep my eye on you more "experienced" retirees, make sure I get it right!