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This wasn't mentioned in the walkthrough but make sure you use UNLEADED FUEL ONLY when you gas up your Ollie! 🤔😁

We were camping west of Kansas City one evening next to a lake and made the mistake of leaving the interior lights on with the curb side porch lights on while opening the door. After opening the door, hundreds of Gnats came in Ollie covering part of Ollie's interior wall & ceiling. Took a while to kill the Gnats. Next time we went outside that evening we turned on the street side porch light with the curb side porch lights off to attract the Gnats to the street side of Ollie with all of the interior lights turned off. Did not have Gnat issues when using that strategy opening the door. 🙂

I have been following this thread closely... We have the Dometic Penguin. I am a bit disappointed.... I have been checking the A/C regularly..... So far not a single Penguin.

Our Elite II doesn’t specify fuel type, so I’ve been using diesel for better mileage. Still haven’t found the DEF tank though. 🙂

I always top off the Outlaw Oliver whenever I stop for diesel in the Silverado. Crap, now I wonder where all that unleaded gasoline has been going...

I only have a few months and about 1500 miles with a hanging shower head, so for me it’s just an excuse to use another noodle. Mossey

Good for you guys on being caring "foster parents". However - once they are out of the nest I'd be making sure that the nursery is closed. A cover like Patriot has will do that job nicely. Bill

We purchased a lightweight 6X9 indoor/outdoor carpet to use at home for $19.99 at Costco, it's been on sale for as low as $16. Debbie wanted to try it in Ollie. We purchased another roll for Ollie and cut out three pieces for use over Ollie's Vinyl floor. Had use anti skid rug material under the carpet to keep from slipping. Will see how it works out!

Selling our beloved Oliver recently was a bittersweet experience. We had six wonderful years of great camping experiences with our cherished Ollie. I enjoy photography, and I have taken a lot of pictures of our Ollie in beautiful locations. I went through my photos and selected the best to share here. I then asked myself how to present these photos. By chronological order, or maybe by geographical location? I looked through the EXIF data for the photos and looked at the time when the photos were taken. I noticed that nearly all of the photos were taken in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening, the Golden Hour of photography. So I decided to present these photos based on the time of day. In the Best Possible Light. Morning photos 6:31 AM July 19, 2019 Deer Creek State Park, near Midway, UT 6:32 AM May 7, 2018 Oliver Rally Lake Guntersville State Park, Guntersville, AL 6:43 AM May 4, 2019 Jalama Beach County Park, near Lompoc, CA 6:53 AM April 5, 2018 Valley of the Gods BLM land, near Bluff, UT This is not a campground, but open BLM land and camping is free. No water, no toilets no picnic tables. Just gorgeous country, and lots of privacy. This is the most spectacular campsite we had in our travels. 6:54 AM June 3, 2020 Lake Jordanelle State Park, near Park City, UT 7:18 AM May 19, 2017 Kodachrome Basin State Park, near Cannonville, UT I distinctly remember taking this photo. It was very cold the night before, and hard to get out of my bed to take this picture. I had sized up the location the previous night and knew that this would look good in the morning light. 7:49 AM March 20, 2019 Goose Island BLM Campground, near Moab, UT We had a great campsite right on the Colorado River. BLM campgrounds are primitive, with a fire pit, a picnic table, and pit toilets. 8:21 AM Sept 17, 2017 Rain Forest Campground, Lake Quinault, WA Afternoon 3:04 PM April 5, 2018 Valley of the Gods BLM land, near Bluff, UT 3:21 AM April 6, 2018 Gouldings Campground, near Monument Valley, UT 5:34 PM August 30, 2019 Rush No More Campground, near Sturgis, SD This was part of the Inyan Fiberglass Rally. 5:44 PM August 25, 2019 Horsehead Campground Angostura Recreation Area, near Hot Springs, SD This was part of the Inyan Fiberglass Rally. Evening 6:09 PM April 15, 2017 Upper Big Bend BLM Campground, near Moab, UT This was a small campground, with a really small spot to put the trailer. I was still new to maneuvering the trailer, but I was able to back Ollie into place. A bigger trailer would not have worked. 6:29 PM April 4, 2018 Valley of the Gods BLM land, near Bluff, UT 6:31 PM April 28, 2018 Piney Campground, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, near Dover, TN 6:37 PM September 7, 2017 Whitby Island, WA We were on our way to Olympic National Park with my sister and her husband and their Casita, when we “driveway camped” at a family friend’s place. 6:38 PM September 21, 2016 Rivers Trail of Tears State Park, near Cape Girardeau, MO We picked up our trailer on September 20, 2016, and spent that night near Hohenwald, TN. This was our first night on our own, at a campsite overlooking the Mississippi River. 6:42 PM October 15, 2020 Castle Valley, UT We were camped with our friends and their Airstream on their land near Castle Valley, UT. 7:04 PM April 9, 2022 Watchman Campground, Zion National Park, UT This is special to us, as this was our last trip with Ollie. 7:17 PM April 4, 2018 Valley of the Gods BLM land, near Bluff, UT My favorite Ollie picture. 7:34 PM May 18, 2017 Kodachrome Basin State Park, near Cannonville, UT 7:40 PM April 13, 2017 Upper Big Bend BLM Campground, near Moab, UT 7:42 PM May 3, 2019 Jalama Beach County Park, near Lompoc, CA 7:58 PM March 28, 2019 Goose Island BLM Campground, near Moab, UT Our propane firepit right on the Colorado River. 8:07 PM September 10, 2017 Hobuck Beach Park Campground, Neah Bay, WA 8:40 PM May 18, 2017 Kodachrome Basin State Park, near Cannonville, UT This was our first time using our propane firepit. 9:09 PM May 20, 2017 Kodachrome Basin State Park, near Cannonville, UT I hope you enjoy these photos, and that you enjoy camping in your Oliver. -- David

Which is one of the reasons that you "settle" the entire transaction at your bank and have them verify that "bank check" prior to signing the title. However, the wire transfer is still the fastest, simplest and easiest way for settlement. Bill

A majority of folks today didn't even realize you could get leaded fuel back then.

Sure am glad about that - given the "camo green" color of the pool noodle I'm sure you could miss it.😁

I hate bugs and they love me. I have only met a few people in my life (my dad being one of them) where bugs will pick on them instead of me. One of the first things I did was replace all the screens with no see um screens, but inevitably bugs still get in through the open door, etc. I chased them around with a fly swatter, had zapper lights (that attract lots more bugs!) and various other methods all mentioned - as well as some that could probably have made America's Funniest Videos. One thing I noticed (after wiping up hundreds of splats) is that they tend to fly straight up to the bright white ceiling, so I put some sticky pads up on the ceiling and viola - I don't get attacked by bugs in the cabin anymore and I don't have to chase them around. I just replaced mine prior to our last trip, so these are still pretty "clean":

@John E Davies, I used plastic retainer clips for a while but the vhb tape on them didn't hold for very long on the shiny, waxed gelcoat. I've also been using a noodle for about a year now! I do want to put on some semi-permanent clips eventually - for looks, functionality and convenience. I have to find some decent stainless clips and I'll try 3M 4000 adhesive/sealant. Either way, "Secure the shower hose" has always been on our pre-departure checklist. 🙂

The hatch I used was 14" x 24" and fit perfectly width-wise as the inside cutout required was 13". I also had to enlarge the height of the opening and removed a few inches from the bottom (protected area I was cutting with masking tape) just as @mossemidid.

we traveled an hour away and while we were at the camp site I kept hearing baby birds. sure enough a day later I figured out they were in the AC unit! we felt sorry for them and packed up and went home. when we got back sure enough the parents picked up right where they left off feeding the hungry babies. I can't believe they survived the trip.... what an ordeal!

Just wondering what are the correct way to transfer the money when purchasing a high dollar item like a trailer, or a automobile, etc. I know for myself I have always wanted cash, but at the cost of things today. I doubt if your going to get someone to showup with $40-$50-$60,000 plus dollars in cash, not too smart of a thing to do. I've heard to correct way is to have the money transferred to your bank and when the transaction clears ( X # of days ) then you release the said vehicle to the buyer. I guess if they have to holdup in a motel for a couple of days then that's what they have to do. Now I can see there are other variations of ways to do this, but what is the correct way to do this transfer of ownership that protects both the buyer and the seller. Does the buyer have any recourse cancelling the transaction after the money clears and they have taken possession of said item. Do you need to make sure they have insurance on the trailer, or I would think that's not for the seller to worry about. What do you say on this, thanks, trainman

I have seen forged bank checks. If I were the seller, I would not accept a cashier's check in exchange for my trailer. I would insist on wired funds. And, I would release the trailer to the buyer only after receiving confirmation from my bank that the wired funds were actually in my account. I would determine the amount of the wire transfer fees in advance, then add those fees to the agreed sale price.

In theory that works, in regular practice it is a complete fail. You have to connect the ball and coupler and latch them first, because sometimes it is impossible to get the pivoting side lever closed enough for the collar to slide forward into the locked position. If you do it your way, and the side won't close, you would have to remove the whale tail and chains, pull forward, reverse again, and start all over. It is a whole lot easier doing the maneuvering if you don't have the whaletail and chains hanging off the truck. 😉 If there were a regular style coupler with a rear locking mechanism, that would be more likely to work smoothly. The Bulldog is a stout part, but it has a very unusual design. This type might work: John Davies Spokane WA

When we sold our fifth wheel we discussed this with the buyers. They paid a deposit with a personal check and we waited until that cleared before the next step. In the meantime, I checked them out online to verify what I could with public records: their names, address, employers, etc. Once their deposit cleared we agreed on the balance via cashier's check. There were 2 complications. One, they needed a title and bill of sale to take to their (other state) DMV to register the trailer so they could tow it from our property. Two, they were concerned about their risks if we took the check and didn't give them the title while we waited for the check to clear (what if we took their cash and refused to give them the trailer). The compromise (which I understand isn't perfect): they gave us the cashier's check and we gave them the title and a bill of sale. But... the trailer remained locked on our property with a Fort Knox hitch lock for the next week while we went to the bank and cleared their check and they went to their DMV. They returned the next week with a plate and registration and we had the money in the bank before they drove off with the trailer. We figured as long as we had possession ("9/10 of the law"), any disputes could be worked out legally if there was a problem.

Great question! 🙂 These are sticky on both sides and I did take the backing off and stick them up there thinking no way they'd come down. However, they did start to come loose on the corners over time - nothing sticks great to the shiny waxed Ollie interior for long! That's why I use the white tape on the corners - to keep them from coming loose. So far so good.

I've always insisted on a "bank to bank wire transfer of funds". These wire transfers can be and should be completed on the same day. I meet with the buyer at my bank and ask the tellers to confirm that the funds are in my account. We then have the North Carolina title transfer completed and notarized by a notary at the bank. I also always give the buyer a bill of sale. A "bank check" may also be used but the seller should always ask the tellers to confirm that the funds are indeed available and secured at the bank that issued the check prior to signing the title. Bill

When we purchased Ollie, our bank wired the money from my account to the seller's bank account. It's a secure way to send money and for the seller to receive payment, too. If someone does not like the idea of giving their bank account to a buyer, you can also set up a one time use Bank account, too.

This is not in my 2015 LE2 operators manual, but you're right! 😁

Wow! That's some serious sticky pad coverage. At first I thought that you were trying to compete with Foy & Mirna for some kind of acoustic panels for enhanced decor of the ceiling.😆 Ever have one of those pads come loose during the night?

they are good at hiding.

dewdev: I use the cover when we park our Ollie here at home never when camping or traveling.

Here - for those who have the Dometic Penguin. So far mine has lasted two years and is still holding up well. -David

Referring back to the OP, I couldn't agree more. I am of the persuasion one cannot have enough tow vehicle, well within reason but like @Trainman have all too often seen people with poorly setup outfits from undersized tow vehicles to the actual hitching of the trailer, ie nose pointing extremely down or vice versa back down nose up. I would also bet dollars to donuts a large percentage of people towing campers are completely unaware of their towing/load capacity with and without weight distribution hitches. Regardless it never ceases to amaze me how people want to utilize the least amount of tow vehicle they can get away with for their respective camper vs a safely adequate or even overkill tow vehicle. Several years ago on the Fiberglass RV forum this same subject came up which resulted in somewhat heated debates at times. Apparently there is a Canadian company who regularly outfits small TV's with larger trailers claiming if done correctly the smaller TV is much safer and had videos to illustrate their POV. One video illustrated a Mini Cooper pulling an Airstream and not the Basecamp model either, I'm not making this up. A couple of years later my wife and I were camping down below Moab on some BLM land close to another couple with Tacoma pulling a 25 Flying Cloud Airstream, again I'm not making this up. They were full timers to boot, although this was their first year at it. Very nice people, we enjoyed chatting with them but have often thought of them and their setup wondering if anything has changed. At one point in the conversation the lady said they tend to do 45 mph while traveling. Curiously the fellow made a somewhat bold statement claiming Tacoma's were all superior to Tundras. Odd even to this day Tacoma's still have drum brakes (the last time I checked) on their rear wheels vs disc brakes. Part II of towing is also being able to stop, sometimes in emergency situations. In an effort to be polite we made no response or comments. Perhaps this begs the question though, should there be more stringent traffic or DOT laws that govern and police towing safety guidelines? It certainly appears to be that way with commercial transportation. Thanks

We don’t use that space at all for storage - things pop out the minute you hit the road. Here’s our solution. Shampoo/soap, conditioner, lotion and sunscreen. All at the ready

Hi Paula, We just left Murfreesboro, TN this morning. CGI finished our trailer and truck yesterday. The guys said it comes with a 2 year guarantee. Everything past the 2 years depends on how you take care of it, i.e. covered, stored inside, how you wash it, if you use their "shine and shield" spray after washing. But 2 years is a guarantee. Best of luck :) John

Lee and Terry Slusher.

I had the same issue with birds--in my case, cactus wrens--building nests in my Dometic AC. I posted my upgrade to the Houghton low-profile 9.5k AC elsewhere on this forum, but I forgot to mention that among the benefits--much quieter, no need for shore power or generator, lower power usage--is that its smaller exterior openings should prevent nest building.

I should probably use a torque wrench too but I just use one of those extendable lug nut tools. Usually they are tight, but occasionally a few need some tightening. I don’t carry my torque wrench when camping. I’ll get it out when we get home and see if my brute force method is close to the standard. The important thing is to check them before each trip and occasionally during long trips.

My '71 Chevelle had this. There was slot for the cap that held the plate bracket open. Gas theft was high back then and you didn't want to grab my plate in the wrong place!