All Activity

Wow, that's the way to start out with your new Oliver! 🤠

This is my thought too as long as it being turned in the right direction as suggested. It's a brass fitting on my Oliver so not easy to break and mine is stiff but it turns.

Welcome to the family! Remember to bring a camera and a notebook to the Rally. Hopefully we will get a chance to exchange a few words there. Bill

I did take the anode back out and will install a new access hole thankyou and drained all fluids from the hot water tank.

That is great advice which I really appreciate. I was able to get the valve partway closed and I put the anode back in. I was able to get pink antifreeze to come out of all faucets hot and cold and outside shower. So all good for now. Next spring I will drill and cut a new access hole thankyou for the help

We are Alex and Kelly, the new owners (as of June '26) of Hull 1458, or as we have name it, "The Odyssey." We've been looking at Olivers for a number of years and just couldn't settle, I suspect even frustrating Jason somewhere along the line as he patiently tried to help us make up our minds a couple times. As providence would have it, Hull 1458 (which happens to be a special number for us) popped up for sale early in 2026, and we were able to work out a deal with the former owners (Art and Jill), who graciously waited for Kelly to finish teaching in May this year so we could drive cross country from Florida to Oregon, then take about three months traveling back home and taking in some amazing sites in this beautiful Country we call home (video highlights attached)... We're looking forward to the Rally at Lake Guntersville (THANKS Adam!) later this month... See you all there!! 76F86B55-CE5C-49B3-87C8-71A3C48585A7.mp4

Yes, FORCE it until it moves! First be certain of which is the correct direction to turn. Get the right hold on it with a Channel Lock pliers. You may need two tools, one to hold the valve and another to turn the handle. This is exactly what would be done if you took it somewhere for repair. In my 48 years of car repairs, I find many fail in certain repairs due to their thinking. Sometimes these kind of repairs take more time thinking it through than actually doing it. Did you try turning it seated or laying the opposite direction? Did you try it left-handed? The saying goes, "try and try again" while thinking through alternative means. Next idea, get somebody younger and stronger. I used to be able to do almost anything. Not anymore. These days if I can't do it myself, I call our son Adam the two of us together certainly WILL get 'er done! In our EII hull, OTT put the access panel about 6" OFF from the best position, go figure. I find it turns turns easier reaching through the air vent to the furnace. But you have an Elite I which is much different! Perhaps you need to add an access panel. Drill a 4" or 6" opening with a hole saw and add a marine access panel. I understand we don't like drilling into the Oliver, but keep in mind you'll need to get in there quickly twice a year! https://www.amazon.com/AOWEITOUR-Inspection-Detachable-Suitable-facilities/dp/B0CFXNMJBB/

I always have a kneeling pad and ground cover with me. They are from Mud River and were originally for the dog crates and a seat cover. Both are canvas on top and “water proof” on the bottom. Water proof is subjective. BTW, we are just 10 hull numbers apart.

Agree. For winter, I drain the hot water tank. Don’t want antifreeze in there!

I think it is not good to put antifrezee in hot water heater. Maybe stronger mind’s know more .. or give OTT a call…

Skipster - Given the relative newness of your Ollie - have you tried calling or emailing Service to see what they would recommend? Bill

My wife and I just returned from a trip out west and we encountered quite a few bugs on the trip back. We have only owned the trailer since April and wanted to see how others have handled the issue of removing bugs from the Oliver. We did not get the professional finish as we are planning to have that done next year. In the mean time, any thoughts?

thanks good idea for sure. right now I'm winterizing and can not close the valve so wondering how to go forward. six gallon regular..hopefully I won't have to put 6 gallons on antifreeze in the tank to finish winterizing the water lines

@Skipster i see you looked at my post back in August.. in the near future i might put a more beefer valve in there. Dont know if you have the truma agua or reg 6 gal .. my 6 inch hatch makes a lot easier to access that valve..good luck..

@Wandering Sagebrush I bought a kneeling pad and use it when connecting the water hose to the Olllie. It helps being down low to have correct hose alighment.

Thank you John for your king words and prayers!

In some ways this captures the aging process for us all! Hang in there Ron. Caregiving is a tough road.

Here ya go. Cheaper than touch-up paint or new caulk, and an outdoor camping experience to boot! https://a.co/d/074EF7vg I had these in my bedroom as a kid, and it was the first thing that came to mind. Not actually helpful, but they might be a distraction. 😉

how do I shut water off to hot water heater . bypass valve is not moving and I do not want to force it. actually the access is horrible. is there another valve I can close so no water gets into the hot water tank so I can winterize . a little aggravating

Recently replaced our A/C with a new unit. The Air distribution box has a smaller footprint than the old Penguin. So, I filled in with white caulk. Of course, the white caulk is not as white as Donna would like it to be. What suggestions do you have for touching up with a whiter white. Touch up Auto paint? These are small... about 1/8th inch in diameter but there are eight of them. Plus they are on the ceiling so they tend to be noticed around bedtime. Help me get a good nights sleep... Please! Scotty

Ron, Like your modifications and improvements making it possible for you and Phyllis to continue to travel and camp. We also found our Ollie to make it easier for us to travel and camp when dealing with medical issues. Debbie and I will keep you and Phyllis in our Prayers. God Bless, Bill and Debbie

Good Call. I didn't put it together until you said something. I lived in Colorado for 40+ years. Low rust, and you had to take extra care with rubber revitalizers a few times a year.on the cars. In Arizona I'm sure it's much worse. In Oregon rust is a big problem. My Dexter Axles tubes started rusting in 9 months. When I put the Alcans on, I sanded down the Axles, put a rust inhibiter on, Primed and painted. I finished by coating the tubes and backing plates with Cosmoline, In Oregon we rarely see the sun for 8 months of the year with very high-cold humidity and I don't see weather checking, but I had rubber softening on 12 year old tiers on a truck I bought.

My thanks to all who replied! I suspect I’m going to be in the Eley fold before long.

God bless you Ron, and your beautiful wife Phyllis! (awesome last picture!) My wife Chris, her Mom had Alzheimer’s for her last many years, so to a point we understand. Being the primary caregiver is very tough though and you’re doing it proudly! Great work on your mods, btw! The Oliver is a superb special care vehicle! We stayed in it for several days recently to be closer to the hospital when I had surgery. Everything is within arm’s reach and having a good clean bathroom is important. I was more comfortable than being home. We wish you some good times together in your baby Ollie! Our friends had a big picnic last Saturday. Chris wasn’t feeling well that morning, so I joked “Should we bring the Oliver?” Prayers for both of you, from our special Oliver Community! 🤗

I haven’t posted for some time but felt I should share a couple of things I’ve done since my last post. I’ve shared that I’m a caregiver, but now full time, for my wife who’s now in late stage Alzheimer’s. Our 2022 Elite I makes it possible for travel still, otherwise it would just be impossible. Since she can’t help in anyway getting prepared and on trips, I’m always looking for ways to make it easier on us. Her mobility has also worsened and though having our toilet with us is a must, it has proved more difficult for her with this loss of mobility. I installed handles and new raised seats on our home toilets at the recommendation of an occupational therapist. Today I installed LianJindun Toilet Safety Rails around the Ollie Toilet. I had us do a test sit down and I could not believe how much easier it was for her and me too. Never thought I could be so excited about toilet rails, but with this disease, you learn to appreciate those little victories. After seeing more notes on the Forum about Lagun table use, I installed one so that she can remain in bed each morning and have her breakfast as mornings are generally difficult. It also provides great counter and prep space and we can both use it. I had new mattresses made last fall by Southern Mattress Co in Rocky Mount NC and they are just like the ones on our beds at home. They split them so I can use them as a full bed or as we do now a single across the back for her an one on the side for me. The Lagun allows us to just leave them in place an use as couches. In the photos, it shows it used with the full bed and the single bed across the back while by girl has her breakfast. Again, the mattresses are from this Forum. I also built from scrap lumber a prototype “loading and storage cart”. Almost all gear I carry on trips that I load into my Subaru Ascent fits on the cart. I wheel it out to load and when back home unload and push it back in. I also purchased a great dolly/cart from DOD that I use for anything else, protecting the old back. This sure has speeded up loading and unloading and made it so much easier. Sadly, I had to cancel our Rally reservations a few months ago as it has just become increasingly difficult for us to take part in the activities. I will miss it. I hope everyone there has a great time. Regards, Ron