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We finally took Ollie on a camping trip out west and wanted to share a few photos. We visited Kodachrome Basin SP UT and it was raining, so will visit there again on our next trip. Have to say Ollie has great towing manners and very pleasant to camp in!!!!! Winslow AZ: Bryce NP: North Rim: Zion NP: Cedar Breaks NP area: Valley of Fire SP NV: Snow Canyon SP UT:

<p style="text-align: left;">October 8-13, 2018</p> Kathryn Hanna Park, Jacksonville Beach, FL

Tried the map on the website. Error message as well. Best just call the office. Webmaster-please fix.

Good info to know and glad there was no damage. BTW, I decided to order the Electric Antifreeze Kit for the Truma. Since we winter camp, it should be useful. I comes with a replacement filter element that contains a heater, and also a bung for the exhaust that prevents cold air from getting in. It's supposed to be used while traveling or overnight so you don't have to keep the gas on. Looks like a dead simple installation. I'll be interested to know how much power it pulls and if it's practical to use off batteries.

Well, having the same set-up - here is my experience. The GMC comes with a 2 1/2" receiver, but also includes the 2" reducer. You only need a 2" ball on either sized ball mount. The Oliver safety cables have overly large hooks that do not fit into the holes on the GMC tow hitch. You will need a clevis or some other intermediate attachment - as Randy has indicated. I used a weight rated carabiner type - from Tractor Supply. I have the Anderson, have towed with it several times, have towed without it - also. The Ollie tracks very well, is well balanced, and tows like it isn't there. With the 3/4 ton GMC, the Anderson is not needed. Save your $$. If you feel you want one, I'll sell you mine at a reduced price. Oliver will install it - takes about 1/2 hour - simple. If you go with a standard ball mount, your height to top of ball needs to be approximately 24.5 " for a nice level position on the Ollie. The Anderson has vertical adjustments, the Oliver tech will set it up as part of delivery -if you go that way. I am very pleased with the GMC towing performance, and how well the Ollie tows behind it. You will find yourself doing 80 mph and thinking its about 55 mph. Get yourself the front and rear Weathertech mats, some nice HD front and rear mud flaps, and your set. I also put a Leer cap on mine, looks great, provides ample additional storage, and is very handy. Pic attached- no it isn't, seems the forum is still having issues. Have a great experience.

My 2500 has a 2-1/2” receiver. If you did not go with the Anderson hitch you will need a 2-1/2” stinger or a 2” stinger and the 2” adapter (should have come with the truck). I have and use the Anderson because previous TV was 1/2 ton Tundra. I also have one of these for other trailers www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/C45900.html I have not towed the OE2 with this yet. If you went with the Anderson you just need to bring the 2” adapter for the stinger to receiver. I would also get a receiver lock for the receiver to stinger. If the attach points for the safety cables are the same as mine You may also need two clevis www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/countyline-3-4-in-x-3-in-farm-clevis?cm_vc=-10005 to hook your safety cables to the hitch (I think mine are 5/8” not 3/4” as in the link, 3/4” won’t fit through the holes on the receiver. You may also need a link to adapt the safety brake to the receiver. I can take some pictures this weekend of what I’m using if you need them. - Randy

We've ordered one. Originally we were going to find a place to store the trailer, but I've learned that I really like having the Ollie here at the house. Unfortunately our lot configuration and historical guidelines for the neighborhood don't give us much opportunity to build a structure for the Ollie. And we have tons of trees, which means lots of gunk and leaves and little access to solar anyway. I thought $720 for the cover was reasonable, considering the material and the fact that it's custom cut. I was assuming it would be over $1000, frankly - and not having to pay for storage means that over time we'll save far more than we spent on the cover. They said three weeks to delivery, which isn't bad at all. Very nice people to deal with so far.

Which is why Oliver should offer a modern electrical system like the Victron as an option - powerful yet dead simple to understand. Adding it was by far the coolest thing we did to our trailer.

Well stated, Foy. There will be problems. Whenever I’ve contacted the Oliver folks I’ve received great support. This forum is growing and has many technically knowledgeable members who are also quick to help. Being an Ollie owner is a good place to be! Mike

I've owned a CalMark cover since I got my Oliver three years ago. On previous campers I used a similar cover manufactured by a company called ADCO. Both covers are made from the same type of material and both are not inexpensive + or - $750 or so. I believe that the CalMark is slightly better due to the additional webbing material that they sew into the cover. Given that I have little choice on where I store my Ollie I certainly would not be without it and I believe that the CalMark cover has a 6 year warranty versus only 5 years for the ADCO. I know that CalMark has all the measurements for the Legacy Elite II and probably ADCO does too. Note that these covers are not light. I do put mine on (and take it off) by myself, but, it is not easy. Bill

I understand my Oliver is a complex group of systems and third-party products. That said, two things keep my tolerance in check - first, Oliver. No matter what, how many or for what reason, they have always said “Not a problem Mr. Sperring we will take care of it.” Second, this forum. The people here care for one another and truly want to help. Whether it’s an opinion or hard learned knowledge. Time and time again you all have helped me. I hope I can return the favor as my experience grows.

From reading through various things, it seems the only usual regret from those that have left was that they upgraded to a larger trailer, not actually having been prepared for the realistic size of the fiberglass trailers after being overwhelmed with the quality. Most who ended up here, had been looking at Airstreams, as there is no denying their beauty, both to look at and to look out of (all the windows), they just fail in every other aspect. In my personal opinion the quad hull design of the Oliver is what makes it a completely justified purchase, even at today's prices. I prefer the easy to clean "antiseptic" (as some have said to describe it) layout and feel of the Oliver, so many trailers still being built today give the feeling of a 70's apartment with shag carpeting and green, yellow and orange appliances.

Since I left Twist off at the Mother Ship for a bit of TLC on my way home from out West this summer, it was time to reunite and retrace a trip that my wife and I last took some 30 years ago. We arrived at the plant on Friday afternoon, October 7th at about 2:30pm not even thinking about the normal plant working hours (7am to 3pm). I simply can't say enough about both Justin and Dusten. They were just about the last people there and simply didn't hesitate to make sure that all was well prior to waving goodbye (at just about 5pm!). All the folks at Oliver have always impressed me but these guys went well above the call of duty. They even thought ahead and already had the fridge cooling down for us! After a quick trip to say hello to Anita (yes, she was still there on a late Friday afternoon) and a stocking trip to WalMart we were off the Fall Hollow to see about our reserved camping spot. Unfortunately, they were very busy - (it was Octoberfest weekend in Hohenwald) - and eventually they informed me that even though they remembered speaking with me on the phone, they had no reservation for me. While not too happy with this once again I quickly realized the beauty of the Oliver. With a little water (which Fall Hollow provided) we could camp anywhere - and, we did. The added benefit was that instead of paying Fall Hollow $35 for the night, my cost was $0. On Saturday morning, at the suggestion of Anita, we avoided Route 20 due to the traffic caused by the numerous garage sales of Octoberfest and took Claude Carroll Road off Route 412 to Route 20 (note that the normal entrance to the Natchez Trace was closed to South bound traffic due to bridge construction). Then we took a left on Route 20 a short way to the Natchez Trace and the Meriwether Lewis Monument site at mile post 385.9. Because we were relatively early there were few people there and were able to speak extensively with both of the Park Rangers on duty. We learned ten times more about Meriwether Lewis than we knew before - these two really knew their stuff. Then we were off towards The Parkway Visitor's Center, Tupelo and The Campground At Barnes Crossing. This Good Sam campground was very nice, but, if you are there on a weekend make sure to phone ahead for reservations (if you stay here, be sure to ask about the Clydesdale over in the horse pen) . Just before you get to the Parkway's Visitor's Center (assuming that you are headed south) be sure to look for the Confederate Grave Sites at mile post 269.4 That night at the suggestion of one of the Park Rangers, we drove about 2 miles from the campground to the Blue Canoe tavern. If you are VERY hungry and like burgers, try the "Smash burger". Also the sweet potato fries are excellent. On Sunday morning after church (just down the road from the Blue Canoe for Catholics) there was an IHOP for breakfast. Also note that there are all types of "chain" eateries and a mall, etc. along this short stretch of road. Then it was back on the Trace. Since the Trace was originally a trail developed by the Native Americans, it is not surprising that there are several "Mounds" to visit along the way. Bynum Mound and Village site at mile post 232.4, Pharr Mounds at mile post 286.7 and Emerald Mound at mile post 10.0 are samples. If you can only stop at one of these, make it Emerald Mound. An early stop for the evening found us at mile post 193.1 and the Jeff Busby Campground. Of the two Park Service campgrounds we stayed at, this was by far the nicest. Reasonably clean restrooms are available along with a few spigots from which you can fill your fresh water tank. There is a nice fairly short trail to hike to one of the highest points in Mississippi (603 feet). The next morning we are off to mile post 180.7 and the log cabin village of French Camp. These cabins were constructed in the 40s - the 1840's that is. At mile post 122 you will find the Tupelo-Baldcypress Swamp. Even though this swamp showed the effects of the Eastern drought, there was still water in it. Other than a fairly sizable snake skin that we saw beside the trail, there were no noticeable signs of alligators. We decided to stay at the Rocky Springs campground at mile post 54.8 for the night. Campgrounds run by the Park Service on the Trace are free. This is a good thing since they have not been maintained very well. It is advertised that these campgrounds do not have electric, water, or sewer - there are toilet facilities, but, if you look carefully near the restrooms you will find a water spigot from which you can fill your fresh water tank and then proceed to a site. As a general comment: we found that the entire Trace was in need of care. Certainly the road itself is in very good shape, however, some of the exhibits were in need of help and there was not a single trail or exhibit that was free of litter or in need of maintenance (note the bottom of the information sign for Emerald Mound above). Unfortunately, this seems to be the general state of many of our National Parks. After a nice peaceful night we drove just down the Trace to the "Sunken Trace" at mile post 41.5. A short five minute walk takes you to a short section of the original Trace that is deeply eroded. Just can't imagine hiking this back in the day without Gore-Tex rain gear, Deet, lack of an Oliver, snakes, unfriendly Indians, bandits, etc. Wanting to take a stroll around downtown Natchez, we headed to Natchez State Park for an early check-in - about 8 miles outside of the town of Natchez. This is a very nice State Park located on a fairly sizable lake. All the sites have water and electric and are on concrete pads. The restrooms/shower houses are clean, air conditioned and have plenty of hot water. It was also pleasant to have a quick lunch down by the lake prior to heading into town. All of this and a quiet night for $13 - there is some benefit for being of age. We finally found the Natchez Visitors Center - note that it is a few miles off the Natchez Trace and fairly difficult to find - be sure to ask for directions or do your research first! This is a very nice facility with very helpful people. They will be sure to help guide you towards those things that might interest you. We just wanted to take a walk around downtown and see what has happened in the past 30 years. While there are certainly some bright spots and it appears that the locals have tried to "spiff" things up, it still could use a bunch of work. However, given the nice day, we had fun strolling the pre-planned walking tour, reading the signs describing the various buildings and just generally being tourists. Even though it was a bit early 4:45pm on our way out of town we stopped at The Pig Out Inn BBQ. This is not so much of an Inn as it is a hole in the wall. The menu is fairly limited, but, if pulled pork BBQ and a beer is what you desire then make plans to stop here no matter the time of day. If you are a light eater, you might want to share that sandwich - you can always get another one. The next morning it was off to New Orleans. But, I'll write up that part later. I've only highlighted some of the places we stopped - there are many more. A fairly good quick quide is "Camping Road Trip along the Natchez Trace Parkway" by Anna Sibal and Julian Fenn. Just Google it. Bill

I transferred our tool kit from our previous Oliver Elite to our current Elite II. Rather than try to tell you what you need I'll tell you what I carry and you can make your own decision as to whether you might want to also. Misc. screwdrivers (flat and phillips) Misc. pliers, wire cutters/strippers/crimping tools, vice grips, hemostats Hammer, rubber and regular Multi-Meter A full set of metric and SAE wrenches A full set of metric and SAE sockets Two DeWalt 18V cordless tools (drill/driver and Impact) A full set of 64 drill bits The 18V batteries also fit a DeWalt Vacuum and flashlight An 18 inch long 1/2 inch drive breaker bar with a 5 inch extension bar An 18 inch long 1/2 inch drive torque wrench A dedicated 6pt socket that fits the lug nuts on the Oliver and Truck A dedicated 6pt socket that fits the anode in the water heater (mostly in case someone else needs it) A 12 volt air compressor Tire plug kit, Pressure gauge, Non-Contact Infrared Digital Thermometer (for hubs and tires) A collection or stainless steel screws, bolts, nuts and washers Extra fuses Flashlights, butane lighters Misc. crimp type wire connectors and terminals, roll of electrical tape Duct Tape, WD-40, Silicone Spray, several rolls of that green Velcro that's used to tie up plants etc. (just cut off what you need to secure cords or what-ever), scotch tape Tube of White Caulk Misc. hose fittings such as Y's and cut-off valves, extra rubber washers Two complete sets of wheel bearings, races and grease seals as well as grease in a NEW, CLEAN grease gun Jumper Cables (these will come in really handy if your converter/charger ever fails - guess how I know) 30 amp to 50 amp converter, 30 amp to 15 amp converter, 120V extension cord Clear Elbow for hooking up the sewer hose when full hookups are available or at a dump station Water purifier Misc. wooden blocks to put under our jacks Misc. bungee cords, para-cord 120V extension cord This is the bulk of what we take, it sounds like a lot of stuff now that I've written it down, but with the exception of the wheel bearings and tire plug kit, we've needed each of these at one time or another.