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Here's my idea as to where the tv should be located. This was competed utilizing the factory brackit that came with the Trailer. Arm tension is adjustable and will have to be tightened, I did have to buy a 1 1/2 counter grommet and paint it white to bring cabling down to tv. Marc

Hi Everybody, Tom and Karen here, checking in from the back slope of Chimney Rock State Park just outside of Hendersonville, NC. We're retired and almost retired, and have decided to take the plunge and buy our first travel trailer. The original plan was a truck camper, but we've kind of backed off of that in favor of either a new or used Oliver. Towards that end we traded our (older) Tacoma in on a new F-250 4x4, which I realize is probably serious overkill, but hey, nothing exceeds like excess! TopGun2 (callsign: Bill) was kind enough to give up most of one Thursday morning to give us the nickel tour of his Elite II, and we came away hugely impressed. While we wait for a couple of small details to iron themselves out we're debating the merits of new v. used, twin v. king, color schemes and power outlets. We also followed some advice we saw here and subscribed to the classifieds in order to try and catch that most elusive of wild creatures, the used Oliver Elite II. If anyone in our neck of the woods is considering a sale please let us know! The plan is to summer and winter in the mountains, and head out spring and fall to see America, hopefully boondocking for the most part. Hope to see y'all on the road. T&K

If you read those articles I linked to and talk to people who have these, it doesn't seem quite so alien. My wife had pretty major reservations, but she has come to accept it, if not exactly embrace the idea... ;) It truly is nastier dealing with raw sewage and the big stinky hose. If your husband is doing that job, then good for you. But if you have to do it yourself, you will soon understand that it is unpleasant at the best of times, and potentially VERY nasty if there is a spill, backed up drain, or ripped hose.... Dealing with soapy water from the grey tank is painless and odor free. Composting toilets have truly revolutionized toilets in cruising boats. They are starting to catch on in RVs. There is a steep learning curve, to get past the initial wierdness. John Davies Spokane WA

I looked carefully at my water tank and fittings today. It is possible to install a new suction fitting in the tank with a bit of creativity. This new fitting could have a pass through dip tube that angles down to get more water. I have a procedure in mind to do this if anyone is interested. The fitting itself is one issue, but the routing of the PEX to the pump is another. It looks to be fairly straightforward if done correctly. Interestingly, the tank is only about 4" deep and it looks like the pickup could be as much as 1" lower, so that would mean 25% lower in the tank which might mean 25% more of the volume available. The real fix for future trailers would be to make a top fitting with a dip tube going straight to the bottom of the tank There is plenty of room for it too. It might be possible to retrofit a top fitting if someone had the right plastic welding setup, but I don't. I'm a little concerned about screwing a new pickup fitting into the existing lower threaded opening on the tank. Those can crack. If they do, they are hard to fix.

I hate truck stops, their diesel pumps are usually nasty and flow way too fast. I think a truck stop would be at the bottom of my list to overnight, but sometimes I guess you can't be choosy. I am always amused to see pictures of Olivers parked between semis. This is one reason (of several) that we came up with the name "Mouse" for ours. John Davies Spokane WA

That may be my final solution, thanks for the suggestion. I could always attach a looong hose to it and use it as a hand held bidet ;) John Davies Spokane WA

The middle of June here in northern, Cal. and it snowed a bit today. We might wake up covered with it in the morning, though it says only a couple inches :) The view out of Goldilocks back window.

I think that I would just go back to the Tee, which should be inside the vanity, then just pull the Tee off and put a coupling straight in to the bathroom faucet. Then just blow the now empty toilet line out once and forget about it.

Looks like we both got OOPS(itis). I thought that you were talking about something that "popped up" from the top of the battery to indicated the status of the water inside. Sorry about that! Those little "windows" on mine have never been white. Thanks for the catch! Bill

Great video. Will have to check ours tomorrow. 91 in Maine and way too hot for us. Impressed by how well the Fantastic Fan works. We have not plugged into a power source since coming home from the Rally. We have gone down, rearranged cabinets, made tea, had lights and TV on, replaced screen in door, screen door guard, and cleaned, and restocked. The battery indicator usually indicates batteries are at 100%. And we are partially under an oak tree that doesn't get full sun until about noon. Rainy days are when we spent most of the time there. We even watched a movie. Never felt we were to low on power. I feel good about the system... C-paps no problem.

Chixter. As one who has owned a Casita, Oliver Legacy II, and now an Airstream 28 I can say that all three products are good in their space. We are absolutely loving the size of the AS, but there are trade offs. Primarily in maintenance. Fiberglass is impervious to corrosion and with no seams or rivets leaks are not a problem. It all boils down to lifestyle. You sound like me, enjoy the great outdoors but give me my comforts. A couple of thoughts as you consider an Airstream. Forget the factory solar option. Waste of money. The inverter they use is not sufficient to power anything more than a cell phone charger or the television. If you must have solar get it done by a good residential installer. I specified all my hardware and had SunFarm Energy in Pensacola, FL install it. Saved a bucket load of money. Having done the solar though I am not certain it was a good use of money. A 2000 WATT Honda generator running on propane will recharge your batteries a lot quicker that 500 watts of solar. The keys to boondocking are batteries. That is the weak link in most trailers. Take the money you would spend on panels and buy some Victron Lithiums. More Useable Amps, less weight, and more charge cycles. Forget the AGMs. Last but not least. Get the biggest AC unit out there. 15000 btu. Or get two if available. I hear 10% is a fairly common discount from dealers. If you can find a used one in great shape even better.

We visited Mt Rushmore but declined to stop. It was a weekend and there were vast hoards of people and the commercialized parking fee was ridiculous. The surrounding forest and scenery is very nice.. some roads are very twisty with tunnels. Be wary with your trailer. Parking for trailers at Rushmore is extremely limited. Go at an off-peak day and time. After having seen the big National Parks and Jasper, just skip the Black Hills entirely. They are an extreme disappointment in comparison. They reminded me a lot of a large gravel pit operation. I think they are best viewed en route to the West, not returning from. Wall Drug is, well Wall Drug, and you either love it or hate it. Sorry to be negative about the Dakotas, their tourism departments try really hard but there is not a lot there to work with. Eastern WY does have some very pretty scenery, it's the other side of that state that sometimes resembles the Moon. Devils Tower is on my list but I haven't made it yet. Stay safe. John Davies Spokane WA

Mike, looking good. So glad you are enjoying 64. David

Mike, Looks like a great trip!!!!!!! Like the photos, too! If you pass through eastern WY, visiting Devils Tower is nice to see. When we visited South Dakota, camped at Custer State Park. Visited Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, and Badlands. Visited while camping at Custer SP SD: Sylvan Lake SD: Badlands SD:

Hello I was asked to post a picture what we had covered the front of our Oliver with on the trip to Alaska last year. We used closed cel foam maybe 1/8 0r so thick we bought at a flea market u can probably buy it on line it is the same thing that you use as a sleeping bag cushion, being closed cell you do not get any water or dirt that can get through and rub under the foam as you travel and the wind, rain and dust will not penetrate. I cut the pattern and applied it from the belly band down and the running light around the front. I taped it on with Non-Residue duct tape and stayed on over a month through the Alaska, Yukon Territory portion of the trip just over a month long and it held up great and came off easy and cheap.This is the best picture we have taken from the Yukon River after staying in a Provincial Park across from Dawson City. Thanks Gary

Has anyone ever considered or modified their trailer to utilize MCD American Day-Night Roller Shade? Thanks

Gerri and I had the MCD shades put in our motor home that we had a few years ago. They are totally aw3some and would highly recommend them. In fact we have discussed going to McKinney Texas where they are located to see about having them put in. Several people who have Casitas have had them put in. With the price point of the Oliver Trilailer one would think that they would.be a standard.

Mike - if it is legal to do so WalMart just might have the bear spray at a price that is lower than an outfitter. Also, there are some Parks and/or places just outside the Parks that actually "rent" bear spray. Note that most sprays have a three years "life" to them and all that I've purchased over the years have an expiration date on them. So, be sure that you get spray that is "fresh". Bill

Mike - it must be that very same tatanka crossing Fishing bridge! I've got a similar shot except my wife and I were looking over the bridge rail at the fish. When we turned around there he was in that same spot with nothing between us but that little "telephone pole" guard rail.

Mike - The last campground in Yellowstone as you are headed toward Cooke City in the northeast corner of the Park is called Pebble Creek. No reservations are accepted there, they do have potable water from a old style hand pump and pit toilets. The hosts are very nice people (Ray and Darleen Rathmell from PA - tell them that Bill Jones from NC sent you and ask to see Ray's wildlife pictures). The main reason to go out that way is to see the wildlife - buffalo, antelope, deer, elk, wolves and possibly black AND Griz bear. Ray works closely with the Park Rangers and can tell you where to go to see the animal of your choice. In addition, some of the Park's nicest trout streams are near (to include Pebble Creek itself) if that is your thing and even though the road is only two lane, there is usually less traffic on it so you can get in a good ride if you have the time. If you do go out that way be sure to have enough provisions on board in that Cooke City does not really have too much to offer and the next nearest towns are either Red Lodge (to the northeast) or Cody (to the southeast). Anyway you go it is really a special place. While in Yellowstone plan to do the major tourist places either early or late in order to avoid the crowds and the traffic. Have fun! I'm jealous. Bill

Thanks for the pic. We hope to make it up that way before we retire from active retirement. Today is THE day we have been hoping for. We are out in our Ollie in an extended trip and finally in territory neither of us has visited before. Idaho is a brand new state for us. It is early morning and we all remain here through tonight before moving to Yellowstone tomorrow (more new territory). Anyway, Idaho is beautiful; and bacon is involved-Oliver, never before has a boy wanted more!