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Just so you know, I thought Grace was spectacular in Conan The Destroyer! Mossey

I contacted Garmin and they said that the RV 890 $100 discount is a short term promotion they are putting on for the holidays. They said there is no plan to discontinue the 890 for a new model.

A "proper" guest brings their own chair and some extra adult beverages.😁

Few know that Snowball is known as the Lonely Disco in the right circles (that circle consisting of my wife and me, but we're accepting membership applications). And I know that there's not a single Grace Jones fan on the forum apart from me, but I've posted before about how much I like Sonos gear as a replacement for Oliver's speakers, and thought some of you might like to hear what they sound like. Or it, this is actually just the Sonos Move playing, which you can see on the ground at the first of the video. Helps that the playa is basically a 10 mile wide soundboard, but that sort of makes up for this being recorded through an iPhone microphone.

Another point about the 890: If you are thinking about a rearview camera or want an additional camera without adding yet another screen to your tow vehicle's cockpit then you can get the Garmin (or compatible) BC-35 camera. However, there are two "catches" with this camera: 1. The resolution is not very good. That doesn't specifically bother me in that I really don't need to read the license plate of the guy behind me. It is good enough to see that kid or tree or rock or cars/trucks when changing lanes. But, it certainly is not as sharp as the Furion. Then again, the BC-35 is about $150 and fairly easy to install. 2. Speaking of install - the camera is hard wired to the WiFi sending unit. And, this sending unit is not considered to be water proof. So, if you are going to mount the camera on the rear of the Ollie - what do you do with the WiFi sending unit? Sure, place it in the attic right under the camera that is on the outside. But, with the distance from there to the tow vehicle cockpit plus the amount of "stuff" (like the foil faced insulation inside the Oliver) the transmission of the WiFi signal is not strong. So, even though Garmin says that an extension cable is not available for the sending unit to camera connection, there is ONE that will work. Unfortunately, I found out that you can only use one six and a half foot extension cable due to the voltage drop caused by using more. In turn, this means that I could only extend the WiFi sending unit from the attic to the front kitchen cabinet. The good news is that this was enough to allow the 890 to receive the camera signal. Note that the extension cable's male end is just a tad too big for the female end of the Garmin - a little very light sanding of the exterior of the extension cable solved this problem. Bill

Working on it. Getting the fire to flicker with the music is the really hard part.

I'd say that the newer ones (890 in my case) are easier to use. The 8 inch screen is very helpful since I often travel (RV wise) alone. But, a friend of mine who has an 890 has told me that his navigator finds the 890 very easy to pull off its magnetic mount to search for "next exit" info or campground info or where to eat info. All of these are accessible via "apps" and really do not get in the way of the "normal" GPS function. The traffic information on the 890 works better than my older Garmin (via the cord which I really didn't find to all that "bulky"). If I have found an "issue" with the newer Garmin it would be that there have been occasions when the Garmin alerts me to traffic congestion some 30 miles ahead but it is "cleared" by the time I get there. I guess I'd rather have that kind of warning than only giving me a couple of minutes or no warning at all, but ... I don't know the answer that. I've only used the weather function when I've been stopped - at a camp or at a gas station - and have not had the need to zoom in or out in that I'm usually only interested in what the weather will be tomorrow or for the next couple of days. The portrait mode is super for looking way on down the road. But, I usually use the 890 in landscape mode because I can zoom in or out when needed and with the 8 inch screen there is usually enough room to see far enough ahead. Last Holiday season when the 890 was fairly new to the market, Garmin also discounted it - I think it was a discount similar to the $100 for this year. Also, other Garmin devices have been discounted from time to time without any hint of a new model coming out. Honestly - I have not used voice commands very often. Perhaps its because I've tended to avoid ANY of these because I've found them to be frustrating and temperamental at best. Still a technology that needs improvement in what can be a noisy environment. Finally, I do have an "emergency" cellphone that I always have "on" while in the truck - it is how Ford dials 911 for you in the event of an accident if nothing else. Depending on cell coverage out West is a bit problematic in that you can never be "certain" when you will have coverage and when you wouldn't. Downloading maps ahead of time both takes time and planning and memory in the phone that (generally) I don't have - my cellphone is a cheapie since it doesn't take a $1000 phone to dial 911. Bill

In our current fifth wheel we had room enough to amass a small collection of camp chairs. Straight back, reclining, footrest, even rocker. Now that we're getting an Ollie we need to consolidate. Just bought these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0831G9TKK?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details . They can recline and the footrest is removable, so they seem to cover the bases. The plan is to carry 2 of these, plus my well-loved first camp chair from 1999 - just because I'm curious how long it can keep going, and it gives us a spare or visitor seat. Time will tell if these new chairs are as tough.

A proper gentleman also needs a tufted leather ottoman and side table for drink, cigar, etc. Glamping is a thing!

In addition to the suggestions above, you might think about something to break up the ceiling. We added these acoustical panels, which provide a bit of relief to the endless fiberglass and of course deaden the sound a little as well -

Both of those mods look more difficult than they really are. I think a novice could do them both with a little patience and care, plus the right tools. But please ask Oliver to make them for you. One day, they'll get tired of telling people no. If you're really going to do some cooking, then you'll want that sink, too. That one is definitely in the advanced category though.

I have an older Garmin RV gps, I quickly disabled all those functions and just use it as a regular nav unit. The Garmin RV functions are frustrating and irritating beyond belief, but actual navigation usability and up to date maps are a big plus.. I think that anyone relying on a phone app that requires cellular data will not be happy for long out west where it often fails, or in major parts of Canada where that simply doesn’t work at all. My 2013 Land Cruiser has a built in nav, I hardly ever use it because it is awkward and super expensive to update, requiring a dealer visit. If I had a truck with Carplay, I would stream GAIA to it….. John Davies Spokane WA

Those of you who have owned an Oliver for many years may remember me. I owned an Elite II for 4 years. Replaced it with a Conqueror which was a big mistake. Sold the Conqueror after owning it for less than a year and ordered a Kimberley from Australia. Covid-19, supply chain issues and shipping delays caused me to be without a camper for almost a year and a half. Finally, the T3 arrived and is being checked out and made ready for me by the distributor in Ohio. Here are some photos. It’s a rugged off-road camper with lots of luxury. Technology is amazing: over 900 watts of solar, 600 amp hours of lithium batteries, four wheel disk brakes, indoor and outdoor kitchen, tons of storage inside and out, etc. I plan to pick it up in a couple of weeks and will do a short trip to North Carolina as a shakedown cruise. Leaving mid-January for a lengthy trip West.

If they've had enough beverages they might forget the chair!

Grace Jones has an amazing voice (and range), an amazing look, and she should be featured in the aarp mag. At 73, she shames people half her age. Disco queen, sure. But so much more. Who else got Andy Warhol as a host for her baby shower?

I think she got an award for that performance. Probably glared at the judges until they gave it to her. I'll stick with her music.

Thank you kindly. I wanted to do a different backsplash that had a bit of color, but my wife wanted to keep it all grey tones. I just sent Foy an email, though, so perhaps I'll be able to warm up the interior a bit next year. And then I can say that we need to change the backsplash to tie together the wood and the grey. I'm sneaky like that.

I'd apply for membership but you simply have got to get the lights on the Snowball and the light over those mountains to be changing color and intensity with the back beat of the music! 🤣

I successfully use my phone without cell coverage as a navigation device via GAIA GPS while riding my adventure motorcycle in unconnected parts of the country. You can download the maps onto your phone and use the gps within the phone to navigate. You can also download rudimentary maps from Google Maps for the same purpose and I have had good luck with that as well. I also use a Garmin XT on the bike which is awesome. Bottom line: If you’re traveling in non-cell areas you can still get great utilization from your phone’s GPS, it just takes a bit of planning. Google Maps download: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1 GAIA GPS: https://www.gaiagps.com/

Google Maps does allow you to download the map data for use where cellular service is unavailable. Of course, that only works if you anticipate the problem...

That’s the way they do it. I have it set for the top half to be CarPlay and the bottom half for media. Sometimes I wish I could use the whole screen for CarPlay but can’t. I can use the whole screen for media, factory GPS (worthless) or any other native Ram function. It’s easy enough to switch the bottom half from media to controls, apps, cameras, etc with just one touch, so that is nice.

Probably, but a proper gentleman should have a tufted chair to sit upon. I wonder if they make one in leather.

I use CarPlay in my truck as well. On the Ram 12” screen half is dedicated to CarPlay. Like Overland, the map on the screen is different than what is on the phone, so I agree that it probably wouldn’t make a difference if the image came from an iPhone or an iPad mini. The display on your iPad is a lot better than the phone! Mike

I use CarPlay in my truck. If I understand what you're asking, I don't think that carplaying from the iPhone vs iPad would make any difference at all to what you see on your vehicle's screen. The display isn't mirrored, but reconfigured for your car. On my truck, I see much more map than on the phone itself. That's not to say that you'll get all the info and options that you have on your iPad, but the same would likely be true even if carplaying from that iPad. All that would depend of course on how the developer designed the app, what they decide to show you, etc.

Here's a comfy looking one. https://www.backcountry.com/stoic-sequoias-club-large-chair

Great overnight at David Crockett. Love our new “ get away “ ! will have lots of questions I am sure so thank you in advance !

Welcome Kirk -- I'm also a relatively new member here on the forum. I've been working with Oliver sales people for over a year and finally 'got in line' last summer, with an Ollie on order for spring 2022 delivery. This forum is full of great people with great questions and great answers! I learn something every time I log on.

LIVE TRAFFIC AND WEATHER When paired with the Garmin Drive app on a compatible smartphone, live traffic helps you avoid delays and find detours. Also, view detailed weather forecasts, current conditions, animated radar and more. How well does this work? My old 660(?) requires a wired computer connection (not a portable device) to update maps and the traffic info requires a special bulky “antenna cable”. I paid $5 for the optional weather display (transmitted by the Garmin phone app) and was dismayed to see that it is a still image and only functions at a scale of 20+miles. That is totally useless for searching out thunderstorm cells in front of you…. Does the weather radar OVERLAY the current map and route, and can you zoom way in? I would buy a new one just for these features, and the ability to view in portrait mode would be nice. Oh yeah, and a functional voice command system would be great, mine is at best 50% accurate at recognizing words. At least it gets the country right, when we went up into BC last August it did say “What city in ….. Canada?” I have found that my “Garmin Gertie” is not the brightest kid on the block. FYI, in the past when a Garmin device becomes heavily discounted everywhere, it usually means a new model is close to being announced. You might want to hold off so that you have the latest technology. Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA

Thanks everyone for your input! Nice to know options that could work 🙂

Note that the 890 is on sale at $100 off at TechnoRV. It may be on sale elsewhere too. Bill

I also carry an older Garmin that I keep up to date for occasional use out west. We rely on the CarPlay display of Apple Maps or Google maps and sometimes Waze. The GPS in my Ram and Audi were out of date the day I drove them off the lot. Why pay the dealer for updates, use that cash for a new Garmin. Mike

Also check out the Overlander. These Garmin units are far more resource rich and user friendly than the GPS that came in my 2021 F150.

I saw this on the Facebook group today We have so many great landscape photos posted here. Hope some of you will submit a photo or two.

Richard - I've actually got two of the Garmin GPS devices with the latest being the 890. These are in addition to GPS being in each of our vehicles as they came from the factory and a cellphone GPS. Out of all of the above I prefer and rely on the 890 the most. Yes, I still carry and refer to paper maps but for "on the fly" directions plus all of the additional information that this unit provides, I find it hard to believe that I'll ever be without one in the future. On this Forum some time ago, I detailed a situation where my Garmin GPS was telling me to "take the next exit" and I thought that I knew better. About a half mile further down the road the traffic came to a stop and it was then that I realized what the Garmin was trying to tell me. As you mention, the 890 includes several "apps" that I've also used to find campgrounds, places to eat and things to do all of which can be used without cell service. I HIGHLY recommend both Garmin and the 890. Bill

Hi John, Seems like this original post went off in a fun direction but I wanted to throw my two cents in regarding the original question, and I'm looking at it from a different direction. The Oliver LEII is expensive, no question about it. It took me three years of delay before I finally laid down the money. The delay was to get confident that it was worth the money. I told myself that I could very easily get a Jayco for half the cost and be done with the whole matter. But, I was working hard at my job, saving my money, and continuing to look at other companies. When the time came to order, I went with the options I wanted (including the Lithium Pro) and tried to ignore the price. The way I figured it, I'd already decided to get one of the most expensive trailers on the market and didn't want to have any regrets down the road. So, if you want the Lithium Pro, go for it. I love my setup and it's worked very well.

So, are you ordering real leather cushions? At home, where humidity is controlled, we have leather sofas. On the boat, ultraleather in the main salon, crypton commercial fabric in the bunks, like the trailer. In the trailer, synthetic, tightly woven commercial fabric with crypton coating (anti-mildew, water/stain resistant) 14 years, and looking great. I may have to repair a few stitches, and one ykk zipper, this year I wouldn't do leather, or any natural fabric, in a trailer or boat, personally. @ScubaRx, I think, has real leather in the small dinette, and dogs. Maybe he'll chime in.

Invert a paper cup or bowl over the top of the 1/4” ball valve outboard from the Natures Head toilet. Otherwise you will poke yer eye out! Seriously, it comes out with a lot of force and will end up in your face. Don’t think “Hmmm, no worries, I will just crack it open a little” - that makes it WAY worse. Go ahead, ask me how I know😳 John Davies Spokane WA

Being a retired engineer that worked at public wastewater treatment facilities, I would not dump either coconut cor or the peat moss from the Nature's Head Toilet into your home toilet. If you have a compost pile at home, after the Nature's Head compost has had its time to compost, add it to that pile. The pee bottle can be emptied into the home toilet with no problem. I would suggest you go to the Oliver University forum and read the Nature's Head Compost Toilet Manual. Some of the answers to your questions can be found there.

I was born in Florida a long time ago and I have never seen of a June bug that I am aware of. We do have Lovebugs the arrive in May and again in September that will leave a windshield looking like that though. The Lovebug has been in Florida since the 1940's, but really became a nuisance in the early 70's as I remember it. Mossey And this is how they usually look after "hooking up"😍

I do not disagree that genuine Timken bearings are probably the best and when my original bearings have seen the end of their useful life I will replace them with Timkens. However, shortly after I purchased my Ollie I wanted a "set" of all the parts that I would need in the event of bearing failure while I was out traveling. In my experience, trouble always seems to happen when I'm out in the middle of nowhere! And, even though the bearing parts for our Dexter axles are fairly "common" I wanted to make sure that I had the parts on hand in the event that whatever little town, gas station, repair shop, auto supply store, etc. were "sold out" or "never heard of those before". Certainly the sets I bought are "Made in China" but to get me back on the road until I get home - I don't care.

How about we just add some links to some of those threads?

Congrats from Hull 802. We launched on 5/14, also overnighted at David Crockett and camped our way back to CT. We had no major issues, but came up with lots of questions. You can expect a call from Oliver in 2-3 weeks to check on your delivery, but don't wait to post questions on the forum. Lots of good knowledge available from the fine folks here. I learned a lot just by reading posts. Enjoy.

John, while we were parked at Glacier last week and then this week at Grand Teton we had the same thing happen several times. A four year old trailer, covered with bugs, mud, dust, etc... “Is it new?”. ?

Parked outside the Clark Fork Pantry, a stunning bakery and cafe in the teeny town of Clark Fork Idaho, way up in the Panhandle, next to the gorgeous Clark Fork River. Truck and trailer are filthy, but we have been asked twice on this thousand mile trip if the trailer is new..... I don't quite know what to make of that. John Davies Spokane WA

Certainly I feel your pain. When one reads the story about the Outlaw Oliver and the "custom" work that was done there (and elsewhere) and compares that to what appears to be the current situation, I'm sure that it can be a bit frustrating. Even what appear to be fairly simple requests are met with the same response - "no". However, it seems to me that this looks like a case of "be careful of what you ask for". We, as a group, clamored for better quality and subjected the Company to a fair amount of abuse/criticism (justified or not) over these types of issues. Then, when the Company decides to concentrate on quality by limiting the number of deviations from the norm (custom work), once again we find ourselves in the position of not liking the result. Hopefully, one day, the Company will once again find itself in a position where they can accept custom work. I believe that I have a better, more comfortable and enjoyable camper because of the suggestions of the owners that came before me. But, in the final analysis, I'd rather have a quality unit that I can then modify and or customize later than a lesser built unit with a bunch of bells and whistles. Bill p.s. cool logo!