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Tom & Cheryl - Actually, Bruce and Cheryl Norton (fellow Oliver owners) demonstrated Duragloss products for me at last year's Owner's Rally. Cheryl is the one that recommended using that mixture. Using a microfiber cloth you spray this mixture on, wipe with one side of the cloth and then give the area another wipe with the other side and you are done. No streaks - just sparkle! I've used so many different "wax" products in my life that all the claims of "easy", "best ever", "no streaks", "like new", etc. have created so many callouses that just leave me numb. But, when someone actually shows you - on your Oliver - how this stuff works, it is difficult to not become interested. No, neither the Norton's nor myself get a penny or anything else from Duragloss for saying these things. Bill

While I have a "junk" drawer, there are items that I wanted to store in the nightstand but would get lost if just tossed into that large drawer. So, I took measurements of the existing nightstand drawer and went on a search for a "tray" that I could place on the top of the sides. I did go to various "office supply" stores looking for a tray that had "rails" already built in but I simply could not find what I was looking for and the only "tray" that I could find that was about the right size to fit between the sides of the existing drawer was available at Target. I cut two lengths of aluminum 1/2 inch angle and bolted these to the sides of the tray. It now rides nicely on top to the sides of the nightstand drawer and still allows easy access to the main area of the drawer below. After a season of use, I did cut off part of the tray - about 2 inches - so as to allow easier access to the main drawer below. This shorter tray is also easier to remove from the drawer making the two "finger" holes that I drilled in the front of the tray redundant. Bill

Go to your profile, click the gear to the right and scroll to the bottom.

Overland Great advise thanks for giving an easy way to access the different tools. I especially liked the divider for the center console on the f150. Mine is now just a pole of junk and I don’t even know what’s in there. Now I will have it better organized.

I also believe there is a Ford recall that will reprogram this condition. It was listed on here somewhere, and a friend had it done to his. His trailer problem was solved and he had a SOB (some other brand). Maybe something like hydraulic over electric.

Photography is one my passions, and it is what I do when I get there. @backofbeyond asks what kind of gear. I travel with a big Canon digital SLR and a compact Sony RX-100. Both take great pictures, as do most of the modern digital cameras. If you spend more money you will probably get a faster lens, a more sensitive sensor, and probably a faster processer. I love my Canon 6D because of how responsive it is; it responds quickly. A faster lens will allow you to take low light pictures without a flash, and the results are much more pleasing without a flash. Ignoring the price range of the camera, my one suggestion is to consider whether to take pictures with the default setting for JPG file format, or the RAW format. If you take pictures and then print or share them, then you are fine with JPG pictures. However, if you enjoy "post processing," which involves transferring the files to a computer to that you can crop the photos, and adjust the brightness, contrast and white balance, then you should shoot in RAW. RAW files are 5 to 8 times larger than JPG files, but that means the photo has that much more information about the light and the colors, and that information is available for you to use at the computer. When you shoot in JPEG the camera’s internal software will take the information off the sensor and quickly process it before saving it. Some color is lost as is some of the resolution; the camera is throwing away 80-90% of the photo information in order to make the file smaller. With JPG, the camera decides how the picture should look; with RAW, you make that decision at the computer. RAW pictures are especially good in low light situation. This is an interior shot of a cathedral in Orvieto, Italy. No flash, and it is pretty dark. After processing of the RAW file on the computer: This picture of Lake Guntersville was taken at last year's Oliver Rally. After cropping, straightening, and adjusting the color, this picture really "pops." Last year in Oaxaca, Mexico, we became friends with a couple from London. He is a retired professional photographer, and he told me he never crops or adjusts his pictures. Clearly, he is a better photographer than I am. Cropping is critical for me. This is a picture I took while on a safari in Kenya. It was nearing sunset, and I had to act quickly to get even this shot. The camera in the foreground ruins the picture. After cropping, I think it is one of my best pictures. Summary. Any camera will be give you more control over your pictures than a phone. If you want to do post processing on a computer, be sure to shoot in RAW.

Congrats CMDMOM, You will enjoy the Ollie Perhaps we will see you this summer in CO. Wow, any slicker than the Rejex I put on my Ollie and it would almost be invisible. I will try it after I use up all my rejex RB

Celia - While there ae many good waxes on the market, I believe that you will hear the most about either 3M products and/or a wax called Rejex. I used Rejex until a year ago when I tried Duragloss products. I use a 4 to one mix of their product 923 (4 parts) and 952 (1 part) on everything inside the Oliver. Yes, this includes the counters, mirrors and fiberglass. I simply can't say enough good things about it. On the exterior I use Duragloss product number 501 (Marine & RV Polish & Cleaner). Duragloss lasts as long as Rejex but is easier to apply and remove and leaves a "slicker" finish - in my opinion. Bill edit: John is correct - an enclosed storage facility certainly is much easier and one should be sure to only cover a clean surface. The CalMark cover has three straps that go all around the Oliver plus a "rope" in the hem that allows one to tighten the cover around the bottom. I've never had any of these straps loosen while in storage - but, I do check on them every 6 weeks or so just in case.

Congratulations on your new Elite! I was lucky and found one on the Forum, new but pre-owned, a long story. I saw one while out fishing last September and just fell in love with it. Didn't even consider the Elite II for several reasons; one - the $$$, two -its only me, 3- bought a Tacoma and didn't want to purchase anything beefier (may regret it having to go over the continental divide as many times as I do). As far as a cover, I think I am going choose to have it stored inside, but the one made in California looks really nice. It is expensive keeping it inside but overall I think it is better for the camper and worth it in the long run.

My biggest gripe with a cover is dirt. If your trailer is dirty you can’t use the cover without trapping a layer of abrasive grit between the shiny gelcoat and a moving cloth cover. In winter you often cannot wash your trailer before covering it. If you drag the inside of your cover on the ground, it gets dirty. Cleaning the cover itself is very difficult. Installing is only slightly difficult but you have to periodically check it to make sure it is OK and the straps are secure. Taking a wet one off is very unpleasant. Folding a wet or dirty one is a PITA. You can’t just crumple a wet one up into a bag and store it for the summer or it will mildew. So you need a flat area to lay it out to dry, and that exposes it to even more dirt. If you have solar, the corners of the panel are sharp and very likely to abrade holes in a cover, especially if the area is windy. I had another trailer long ago and tried a cover one winter and scrapped that idea. I figured out how to put it onto a fence to pressure wash it, and then when it was nearly dry it blew off into the dirt. Bad words ensued! Too many downsides and few upsides.... If you can afford the covered storage and ESPECIALLY if you can plug in your shore power cord, go for it. You will not regret it. Out of weather makes it so much easier on the trailer and you. If you can get a unit that is fully enclosed with a lockable door, so much the better. No thief will go after what he doesn’t see. He will head for the ones left by themselves outside.... My ideal approach if I had to keep mine outdoors: keep the trailer as clean as practical, park it where it will receive some direct sunlight, tilt the solar panel to 30 degrees so snow will slide off, remove heavy snow from the roof periodically , plug it in, and always coat it with a good protective film like Rejex at least annually. John Davies Spokane WA

You definitely do not need a gun at Big Bend. That's silly. The hairpin going into Chisos is tight, but doable. The hiking there is the best, but the camping is better out in the park. If you're at all adventurous with your trailer, there are plenty of backcountry sites that you can get to with a 2WD and your Oliver. You might check with the backcountry office when you arrive to see what's available and if you want, scout them out with just your truck before committing. We usually go right after Christmas, when there are people camped outside the office to get spots, but when you're there you should have a good choice. Generally the roads are bumpy but if you stay off the designated 4x4 trails, then no problem - just some long drives to get to some of them. Last time there, we camped at the gravel pit - not great scenery, but you're right on the Rio Grande. Our favorite spots are along Pine Canyon and Glen Springs road. A handful of spots there are far enough in to feel secluded yet don't take half an hour plus to get back to the main road. Pay attention to your gas while you drive around. It's a big park so don't let yourself get too low. There's a good roadside BBQ spot in Terlingua if you get tired of camp food. Boquillas entry is open again, if you want to take your passport. There's really not much to do there but eat some average TexMex, but it's a poor town and they appreciate the patronage. If you've got a telescope, it's worth packing it - the night sky is pitch black in the backcountry.

What a fabulous check list! Thank you for sharing.