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Okay, hopefully a final update. We dropped off our camper at Oliver service on March 8th. The guys have been systematically testing probably a dozen different possibilities causing our fridge issues. We just today (5-7-19) picked up our camper! The fridge has been running for about 8 or 9 days now! It has never run more than 3 or 4 days before. The guys not only solved the fridge issues but performed several other maintenance needs as well. In picking up our trailer today it was cleaner than when we dropped it off ! (we were on our way home from winter travel out West) We are so thankful for the always extra mile approach and always high standard of quality work these guys do each day! Words alone are so inadequate to thank the guys for their commitment and high quality work! But, thanks to all!

January 5 2018 I bought my Oliver for work. I live and work from the Oliver 3 to 7 days a week. February 2018 a horrible smell develop, and I discovered a small leak from the joint at the connection next to the black tank; just a drip. Called Rich and Phil about my problem, and they said they would call me back. When they called back, Rich and Mr. Oliver where on speaker phone, and said "How can we make this right?". I said "I want this fixed with the least inconvenience for me as possible". Rich said "We can bring you an Oliver to live-in while we fix yours, or put you up in a local hotel until we can get yours back to you". I realized at that moment why I bought an Oliver. 1 year 5 months, 10 years to go. Dr. Donald C. Neal with no mechanical skills what so ever.

It's been a long wait but we finally picked up hull #414. It was produced in Dec and was in fact the last 2018 made. The delay was at our request due to the need for a hip replacement combined with winter weather; forcing us to wait till now to take advantage of our new home on wheels. Here are a couple of pics and we look beat but I think everyone does by the time they spend all day going over their units but it was well worth the wait. We camped at David Crockett State Park for three nights and then headed back to VA stopping in Christiansburg at a winery to spend the night, taking her home on Monday. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the rally and expect to learn a lot more while there. (Not sure why the one pic is turned sideways. It was that way when I imported it.) Can't find the rotate option either. Paul & Donna

Oh yeah, I did forget to mention that! The main and eyebrow circuit boards. These had been replaced several times but apparently Dometic buys these from lowest bidder. They sometimes don’t communicate correctly or are overly sensitive to incoming power etc.? There was one Dometic tech who understood the situation and was able to really think about the problem and knew that they had a set of perfectly matched boards. These seemed to work. Can’t really explain “electromagic” ! Anyway, thanks to everyone for the input along the way.

wolfdds - I know that Raspy is on the road headed to the 2019 Owner's Rally at the moment. So, he might be a bit delayed in getting back to you. Bill

Any steam train nuts here? Do you plan to go to see the newly restored Big Boy freight hauler and also this wonderful Living Legend high speed passenger locomotive? Skip ahead to 11:00 minutes if you like and watch to the end as they run it really fast. I hope to see these fine machines steaming someday, I am not sure I can make the big event in Utah. https://spike150.org https://www.up.com/heritage/steam/ John Davies Spokane WA

We have the twin beds and I bought a small ottoman (which has storage in it) to prop my legs on when I'm sitting on one of the sofas. At night we slide it down next to the night stand/drawers to keep it out of the way. This is the ottoman and I've since seen them at places like HomeGoods and Bed Bath & a Blonde: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753NXXXG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Molded FG Trailer’s interior walls fall basically into four categories. Cheap looking wood or cheaper looking faux wood (cardboard) paneling. Carpet or faux carpet (aka “rat fur”) Bare inside of the fiberglass shell. Smooth gel-coat fiberglass. What’s in your trailer...

Must be a Canadian thing for awful, dated interiors; BigFoot is the same way. Plenty of American travel trailers have uninspired or cheap looking interiors, but the Escape and BigFoot seem to have their own brand of "1980's cabin" look to them.

We also just had the DC Step-up Converter stop working which supplies power to the WiFi Ranger. Now there is a WiFi Ranger Company Technical Service Bulletin regarding the issue. The Tech Bulletin will allow you to enter your WiFi Ranger ID, found on the unit, to determine if your Step-Up Converter needs to be replaced. It also indicates that it is possible to damage the WiFi ranger if the Converter overheats. I haven't installed my new converter yet to test if mine was "toasted". As you can see in the pic the V2 is much more robust. I plan on using heavy duty velco or 3M adhesive to secure it. https://wifiranger.com/tech-bulletins [attachment file=Wifi Ranger pic 2.jpg]

I'm also thinking that there must be a positive feedback loop or "virtuous circle" accompanying this top-notch customer service: Every time the Oliver company needs to address a problem with a unit sold to a previous customer, they must be considering how to avoid some of these problems in design and construction of Ollies sold to future customers. The process must benefit the company in a few ways, one of which, of course, is avoiding the expense of addressing after-sales problems. Another is assuring continuous improvement in the quality of their product. It is a win-win situation for both the company and its customers in a number of ways. I'm thinking that other companies that avoid taking this much responsibility for after-sales problems just loose out on creating this virtuous circle.

These two options are in completely different classes. Arctic Fox: higher maintenance (orders of magnitude higher) but more comfortable. Easily accommodates a family of four. Built in genny, 2.5x the fresh water capacity, at least 3x the interior space, etc. More of a residential experience. Too big for a decent number of public campsites (National Forest/National Park/State Park) Ollie: half the weight, half the frontal profile, more maneuverable. Will fit in almost all public campsites. Comfortable for a couple. More of a minimalist / "real camping" experience (it's still not real camping though ;) )

Of course you know that you don't have to be owners (yet) in order to attend. You sure could get a great head start on knowing about your new Oliver at the Rally and you'd have some fun while doing it too. Bill

Geronimo John: Thanks for doing that: it's much better to have it all on one page. I've received some comments pointing out a missing check valve. It's minor. but once corrected, I'll send the amended diagram to you.

Sniff! Won't be Oliver owners til June. Everyone be safe and see you all soon someday. Have a great time!

UPDATE 4/15/2019 The Andersen Hitch company has once again designed a new inner cone for the ball housing. This new cone is supposed to resolve the grinding/binding issue that has been occurring for some owners. The new design does require that the ball assembly be shipped to Andersen for installation of the new cone as well as the new collar on top that was designed to keep the cone in place. Any customer with questions regarding this new design or how they can get their current Andersen Ball assembly modified should contact Andersen Hitch at 800-635-6106.

I've been a Good Sam Club member for almost 20 years mainly for the discount they give at Good Sam related commercial campgrounds. After being stiffed by AAA two times I switched to Good Sam's roadside assistance about six years ago. Of course, since the switch, I've not had to use them. However, any time I've had a question they have been quick to respond. The question as to are these extended warranties worth it depends on a bunch of factors. Most analyses that I've ever read claim that if you can afford to self insure you will be better off in the long run. However, if you are THAT person that happens to have a run of bad luck and happen to have purchased one of these insurance policies, you will sing their praises all day long. In the immortal words of Dirty Harry, "You've got to ask yourself a question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well do you ….?" Bill

Good sam has been good to us on towing insurance. It's pretty cheap. Probably give it a fly on a new trailer. Sherry

I've used these in the past with good success, but I have always thought that they look plain stupid, flopping and swaying and wiggling as you drive along. They do seem to stop a lot of debris, so you can probably live with stupid. They are rather hard to clean, and they will eventually get very nasty looking. A pressure washer is about the only way to get most of the muck off, and it is awkward. Be aware that any flap system has to be low to the ground to be effective. Unfortunately, when you venture off pavement, those low hanging flaps _may_ also kick up big rooster tails of rocks on poorly maintained roads, if they contact the gravel. An advantage of the curtain style guards is that they remain high off of the gravel at all times. John Davies Spokane WA

I put the Towtectors on our van. https://www.realtruck.com/towtector-aluminum-mud-flaps/R183268P1999Y722MA.html So far they have worked great, but I haven't been to Alaska either (yet). We have traveled many miles on gravel roads with no chips. More time on the road will tell as we're just getting going with our new Ollie. But these got very good reviews. It is important that the bottom of the skirt has the proper 3" to 4" clearance from the road for the best effect. Dave

Flyrod, saw your photos and they are great. Made me want to be there.