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Those Ranger Tugs are cool and stunningly pretty in real life. That R27 is not exactly easy to tow..... I actually did go to the boat show after all. There were four boats that interested me, one was an R23, it would actually pull OK behind my Land Cruiser if I never went to Colorado with it.... FYI.... One R23 = two Olivers. One R27 = three to four Olivers. $$$$$! Plus, if you keep it in the water, figure about 10% of its cost per year to maintain it correctly, including fuel, insurance, haul outs, annual bottom paint and slip rental, this is if you pay to have it serviced professionally. Keep it on a trailer, stored inside, the cost is WAY less, and you don’t need the bottom paint. But if you tow it, you need to protect the bow and forward facing glass from rock and bug damage and figure in the cost of fixing chips in the gel coat, which is a PITA. Holy cow, why did I ever start thinking about boats again....? I thought I learned my lesson 30 years ago. I do have a canoe.... I need to replace loose rivets in the gunnels. That is the extent of the work it needs.... John Davies Spokane WA

A few weeks ago at the international builders show, we found the perfect tow vehicle for those who wish to take their trailers where no man has gone before.... Also equipped to defend yourself and passengers from an impending zombie apocalypse, or alien invasion, all from the safety and comfort of the truck cabin... ???? Sherry

I decided to install the 2 5/16" coupler on Ollie as others have done. This isn't necessary for my gross weight but I have several other trailers with the larger ball and it's more convenient. Also. there is no question that the larger ball will be plenty strong enough. Interesting that the strength of the two couplers looks nearly the same, even though they are rated way different. Both the same steel channel piece and just a larger ball socket. I am always having trouble stepping over the tongue on Ollie and getting hung up on the handle that opes it. Not anymore, I hope. Also, the strain is so high at the bolts, that it had actually began to elongate the holes in the coupler a bit from the shearing force. There are two grade 8 bolts that pinch the piece against the aluminum tongue. The holes through the tongue are larger and have inserts to take the compression load, but the nuts bottomed at the end of the threads before getting to full pinching force. The fix was to simply add another washer under the nuts.

It has been noticed that some images are missing sometimes in threads. This is generally caused from users embedding images from a third-party image host like photobucket and then somehow the images are removed from the host. You can see an example here.... http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/dexter-single-axle-suspension-kit-legacy-elite/ Keep in mind that if you delete an account from an image host or remove an image, it will also remove the image (or post an image not found) anywhere you have embedded it. Just wanted everyone to be aware. Thanks!

I wonder if that first Oliver in the picture belongs for a Coloradoan? Bronco colors.... We pick up in June and I look forward to connecting with other Colorado owners. I’ll be placing our final order details in the next few weeks. After reading all the posts, I’m upgrading to the Truma!

We are camped in Monument Lake Campground at Big Cypress National Preserve, and were traveling EB and spotted a Oliver Heading WB this morning (1/30). Just wondering who it was. Stan

It's been cooler then I expected for being this far south. We spend some time at Gambles Rodgers S.P. at Flagler Beach, and it was windy, cloudy and cold. And that was the start of our issues. We got a parking ticket ($35.00) because we parked where the guy from the restaurant told us to park. Then we got our dates mixed up and left a day early, so we got down here a day early, but there were a lot of spaces open, even the one we reserved. Seen a couple of gators along the edge of the lake, but Gunner never even seen them. Next morning we head to the Visitors Center, and on the way back had a flat tire on the Durango. Shoot, you need the instructions to find the jack and tools and get the spare tire out. After the car fell off the jack, we got the spare on and finally got back on the road. Now it's 40 miles to nearest tire place to get it fixed. Go to Goodyear, wait for an hour only to have them say tire unfixable due to nail was too close to sidewall. Now they say only tire available for our car is Michlin at $280. and needs to be ordered. What the heck, this is a Goodyear store. Next stop is the dreaded Walmart. We were able to order a Hancook, same as what's on the car, but of course it will be 2-4 days to get it. I bought a $7.00 plug kit and plugged the tire just so I would have a spare in the car till I get the new tire. Carol is kind of "freakin' out" but we are doing ok, lots of birds, gators, but have not seen a panther yet. Sunday we move down the road 10 miles where we even have full hookups and showers. What a life. Beats shoveling snow. Stan

Or you could use a dry erase wall sticker! I imagine they would stick really well to the Oliver’s smooth walls. They sell them on Amazon for $10. I think they would remove easily, but you’d want to know that before affixing to the Oliver.

John, Be careful using aluminum anti-seize on stainless fasteners. Aluminum "anti-seize" turns into "seize" as the aluminum in the grease reacts with the stainless (the very thing you are trying to prevent by isolating the stainless bolts from the aluminum frame). It expands, turns to powder and locks the threads. I think this also makes the stainless bolts more likely to gall, which means they will never come apart and will have to be cut off. This is another lesson from being around a lot of boats. Copper based, or nickel based anti-seize is better. Even a good coating of Teflon pipe dope is better as it prevents water intrusion and lubricates the threads. I have also used silicon caulk. It works very well and also acts as a mild thread locker, if you need that function too.

...then I would buy one. :-) Every time somebody wishes for more diesel vehicles, CARB kills a kitten.

I thrive outside of organized campgrounds. This is one of the reasons I got my Oliver and I've towed it into places that were near the limit of my Ram and the Oliver. I know that some would be reluctant, too cautious or inexperienced to go to remote spots, and that is fine and prudent, but there is no way a 25" Airstream can get very far in without serious damage to either the wide fragile aluminum body or the underneath plumbing. Oliver's durable fiberglass body and 7' width, with no underneath plumbing, make a lot of this possible where trails are narrow and rough. If you want a fine boondocking experience try Saline Valley hot springs where you'll travel about 50 miles on a rocky and steep gravel road that is frequently washed out in the monsoon season or blocked by snow. When you get there, there are no services of any kind. Carrying enough fuel for the in and out is a serious consideration. And this is the "easy way" in. On the way in and after arriving, you'll see the advantage of LT tires, four deep cycle batteries carried directly over the axles and their power compared to one group 24 house battery, that I understand the Airstream has. I camp in "organized" campgrounds and go to rallies too. They are just another option that is also fun. Olivers have a very comfortable, but simple, living arrangement, so it's interesting to talk about roughing it in the out-back, and getting there through rough terrain, but living in a luxury apartment once you arrive. I like the interior space and beautiful layout of the Airstream too, but it's an odd thing to take to the most extreme places as you seem to be doing. Especially when it has more strict limits off road and a much more fragile body. Sorry, and I don't mean to be too negative, but I find myself giggling at the thought of having to qualify, just for the chance to prove I can keep up with an Airstream on remote roads. Or to match it's abilities while boondocking. Really? I can't imagine that that would be a goal for a trip into the wild. Oliver Elite 2 models are 23.5' from ball to bumper. The body is about 18' long and 7' wide.

I have lived with a coy dog for six years. I found her living in a cave at the base of a sacred Indian mountain. She was five months old. She hung out with me while I did some landscape photography. I decided to take her with me. That night I snuck her into my motel room after buying a collar and dog food. She loves people and has been a great companion.

Thank you for sharing Sandy's story. You bared a part of your soul to complete strangers & gave us a riveting glimpse into a world very few of us would ever experience. I have so many thoughts and questions that I don't know where to begin; however, for now, in honor of Sandy & in reference to this thread: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/a-group-of-olivers/ I want to change my vote to a "Band" of Olivers. Chris

The Novakool R5810 is a 5.8cuft, which is almost the same size as the current fridge (slightly smaller). Draw from it while running is 4.4A on 12v, with a 50% duty cycle. So it should be less than 1/4 of usable battery. The interior is configured pretty much the same as the existing Dometic.