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With all the talk lately about not being able to access all of the fresh water in the tank, I decided to make a new suction line and improve the situation. The stock line on mine will only draw water down to about 1 1/2" deep before it begins to suck air. In a 35 gallon tank that is only about 4" deep, this means about 1/3 of the water is not available, or about 11 or more gallons left in the tank. The stock pickup is on the side of the tank and cannot get all the water. So I made a top fitting that goes down and picks up the water at or below 1/4" from the bottom. When I started the installation I leveled the trailer and ran the water until it began to suck air. Mine did that at a reading of 25% on the gauge. If the front of the trailer is raised some, which I did not do, the reading would still be the same when the pump sucked air because the gauge reads right next to the pickup. You could get more water out of the tank with a raised tongue, but the gauge reading would be the same when it sucked air. After I installed the new dip tube, I continued to draw water and it began to suck some air at 6%. So, mine went from 25% (approx. 8 gallons left) down to 6% (approx 2 gallons left) when it began to get some air. Others have reported as much as 38% remaining which would be over 12 gallons. At a 6% reading I began getting aerated water, but a steady flow. Finally, the gauge went to 0% left. At that point is was about 1/2 water and 1/2 air at the faucet, but still flowing, or spitting. But even with a zero on the gauge it continued to pump out another gallon or so before I shut it off. All of this with cold only, not water drawn from the water heater. So, the volume from 6% to 0% was totally useable, probably not for a shower, but certainly for drinking. This is a prototype that works well, but it might still improve a bit with the next one. The pickup touches the bottom of the tank, but draws radially from below 1/4". It adjusts to any small differences in various tanks. It can be pulled out and cleaned easily if debris ever clogs it. All plumbing connections, where the new line ties in, are easily accessible and the existing tank fittings are not touched. The stock tank drain is retained. The area of the tank where the new fitting is installed is easily reached and the tools to do it all fit in the available space. After clearing all of this with Oliver to make sure there is no conflict with forum rules or warrantee issues with them, I can send anyone that wants to do this, a kit with the following: the pre-made dip tube fitting, a Polyethylene tank fitting, the special spin weld fitting driver, a 1 1/2" hole saw (if needed), the pinch ring tool and a PEX cutter. I'll also provide step by step directions for anyone who is interested. You'll have to have a powerful router with a 1/2" collet and a drill to drive the hole saw. Or, I can help you with a set of directions here on-line and you can assemble the parts yourself. The parts required are: (1) dip tube assembly, (1) 3/4" spin weld fitting, (6) 1/2" PEX pinch rings, 24" 1/2" PEX, (1) 1/2" PEX ball valve, (1) 1/2" PEX tee, a small container of Rectorseal 5. The only real tricky part is the spin weld. Besides the special procedure for spin welding itself, you have to make a new hole in the tank and vacuum out the chips. Here are some pictures:

Added a new blog about some of the better rv/camping apps for hand held devices. Please feel free to fill me in on your own personal favorites - Let's add to the list :)! Thank you! http://olivertraveltrailers.com/best-apps-rving-camping-2017/

It also depends on your mattress choice, I would not recommend the risers with any except the thinnest option. We have the 10 inch plush mattresses and no risers. I don't see how that size with risers could possibly be useable. I do like the great comfort but they are excessively tall IMHO. If I were going solo, I would get a six inch mattress for the curb side only, and put a riser on the street side, with conventional thin cushions for lounging. For hard core trips you could keep the cushions at home and utilize the top of that riser for lots of storage, like bottled water or bulky gear, or a dog bed. With an extra flip down access panel underneath, you could get to the electronics easily (which is not needed very often) and not have to disturb the stuff on the top two layers and then reach down though TWO access ports. An extra flip down panel would be good on the curb side, but not required if you have the thinner mattress, though it would save you from having to disturb the bedding, at the cost of having to squat or lie down to turn the valves... flipping back the ten inch mattress is more than a little awkward! Especially on the curb side with the darned fixed tv mount as it comes. With the tv gone, it is a non issue. John Davies Spokane WA

Just go to the main Forum page and type in Twin bed risers in the "search" box. There are pictures there which show that unless you have some serious height to your legs reaching the floor while sitting on these would be a bit of a challenge (I think). Bill

For those in the area, Greenbelt NP can be $8 per night, 12 miles from the White House and a metro (bus) stop at the entrance.

Normal twin beds are 39" X 75". The Oliver twin is 30" X 75". Interesting that a Queen mattress is 60" wide. We use regular twin sheets, there's a little extra to tuck in. We got twin quilts and Carol cut some width off so they would tuck in better. We also got twin foam toppers that I cut to size with a bread knife. The upper outside corners on both mattresses are curved to fit the contour of the trailer. This picture is without the 2" foam toppers and before I relocated the TV. Mike

Carbon, Taking a tour of an Ollie is a great suggestion. In preparation for your visit, you might consider viewing the attached video. When I built the video, my goal was to help prospective owners become informed consumers. For example, understanding where the mattress is made allows you to check out their website so you know which mattress choice will give you the softest or firmest support. For me, I wanted to understand if the mattress could be used on both sides. The video answers that question. When you take your tour you may not have an occasion to flip the owner's mattress to inspect the underside. LOL! Buzzy

I have the black cabinet doors. At the time, white and frosted were not available. Another way of thinking about your cabinet doors, is to consider how your selection will work with your other design choices such as, fabrics, countertops and floor options. The attached video may be of some help. Buzzy

Bill, Like yourself, my gaskets did not start bleeding until 6 month after I got home with Ollie. They were bleeding whenever they got wet. A real mess! This past April I applied Captain Tolley's. No more bleeding, even after many rainstorms. It was easy to apply as well. Highly recommend. Buzzy

geO - welcome back to the land of camping. Glad to hear that medical issues and other non-camping issues have been taken care of so that you can get back to some real living. The last time I stayed at a military RV place I was on active duty and the beach was great - uncrowded, clean, quiet. I assume that the old rule still applies that one must be either active duty or retired from active duty in order to be able to use these facilities? Just being a nice guy with a nice RV and an honorable discharge will not cut it? Bill