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Is it permissible on this forum to offer up our driveway for a couple of overnight stays to fellow Oliver owners who might be traveling through our area? We are contemplating being hosts on Boondockers Welcome but haven’t committed yet. We have a large driveway with 30 amp rv receptacle and water, and live 2 miles from an awesome beach.

Showed Debbie your photo and did not give details, she thought it looked like a body, too. Thought about Chevy, too:

My husband enjoys a campfire cigar occasionally. I have no idea what kind. My beloved fil enjoyed them on our sailing trips, back in the day. I just tried to stay upwind. I don't think his choices were very "aromatic." If we ever share a campfire, I'll tell you a long story about a tropical storm, a small airport, innumerable flies, and almost landing on a coral reef that didn't show on the (hand drawn) charts. Plus, hunting down cigars on a very primitive village off the coast of Honduras. And, bread. It's a very long , but funny story. Years after Tommy (my fil) passed, we'd still find little cigar stubs hidden on fence post joints, corners of the garage, etc. Thank you for the memories. He was my pal, and a great guy.

Many of us (including me) left Airstream for Oliver superiority.

From what I understand there is a lot to complain about with all of the Airstreams too. On more than one occasion we have had AS owners come to us asking about the Oliver and also with a laundry list as long as your arm on the issues they have had with their AS. Base Camp excluded I do like the look and design of the AS trailers though, especially the interiors.

I concur on John Davies comments about the 1-UP Bike racks, we have one. All other racks on the market look like toys compared to the 1-Up. There really isn't any comparison IMHO. Very heavy duty and also a bit heavy too but works well, easy to use. Very well engineered.

Thanks for the manuals, I figured out why I could not download them, you have to type YES in the "I agree to terms" box. I was just clicking it. I have to say their web design is very old fashioned and beyond horrible. Way too many "click here for more info" links, stuff is scattered to hell and back, and far too many colors - colored fonts, colored diagram wires, yellow highlights, purple comments, blue subtitles. Yikes. What if a buyer is color blind? Or wants a hard paper copy of the wiring made from a black and white printer? Too bad I guess. Maybe I will have Staples print them in color for my records. The technical content is extremely detailed and seems to be very complete, that is a big plus.... if you can find it. The inside circulating fans - how are they powered, do you have to drill a hole through the back and feed their wires there? Thanks. John Davies Spokane WA

Cigars. I’m a non-smoker. However, I have smoked a cigar on special occasions. I worked with a guy a few decades ago that was much older than me and very old school. When invited to dinner at his house (we lived in Belgium at the time, mid 1990s) after desert it was cognac and cigars. We both retired to San Antonio and we’ve had dinner a couple of times years ago while his health was good and the evening ended with cognac and cigars. Good memories. Mike

No way, that's a body.

Wasn't it hard to focus on email, with that view? So amazing, especially before noon, from the pisgah inn.

Looks suspicious to me! We'll be at Mt. Pisgah later in July. We really enjoyed it last year. Had to walk across the road to the chairs behind the Mt. Pisgah Inn to check our email... Did some great hikes and also rented a canoe from Lazy Otter Outfitters in Mills River.

I just happened to stumble upon this...was not aware of fridge fires? https://www.arprv.com/products.php#why-arp Anyone have any experience/info on this system?

That’s what I’ve heard too, which is why I asked the question. I have no first hand experience with the composting toilet so I really don’t know. With the regular toilet no shower curtain is not a big deal and, as Sherry said, the bathroom stays quite clean without! Mike

Chris, welcome to the forum and good luck in your RV search. Elites pop up for sale from time to time so maybe your timing will be right. We’re big Napa Valley fans and have visited many wineries along Hwy 29. I envy your knowledge of and experience in the premier wine region in the US! Mike

Thank You, responses and it is decided.

My old norcold (2008) had one. All our dometics had one. Check your manual. Most 3ways have a drip tube. My compressor fridge does not have one. It has a drip tray, that needs to be occasionally emptied.

Based on https://www.arprv.com/rv-fix-fridge-circulation-fan.php I don't even know if my Norcold has a drip tube, will need to double check later.

In our 2008, (and in yours) a shower curtain makes the shower area smaller. Just something to think about. And, shower curtains are something else to clean. We designed our home for zero shower curtains, no curbs, no glass doors. The shower actually helps clean the bathroom. Squeegee and microfiber, just like home. We have the traditional toilet. If we had the nature's head, I'd probably drop a yard lawn bag over it, and call it done. Keep the bag . Dry it outside.

Thanks for feedback Mike. We are getting the regular porcelain toilet. Steve

I never even look at their prices. I have seen a lot of complaints on airforums, on the base camp. I'm super glad about our 2008 decision. And, we still enjoy our 2008 elite. Hull is great. Frame is great. We just update as we wish. 15 seasons in, best trailer, ever. It's a bit heavy, but so easy to tow. Do I wish we had a queen bed? Sure. I do. I'm looking forward to the redesign , coming soon.

I looked around at Yakima's website and did not see anything, you should email them to make sure a travel trailer is included in that general RV approval statement. I do know that SOME Yakima products like my Rocket Box are not rated for "off-road' and the warranty terms specifically say that that is anything rougher than a smooth graded gravel road. So potholed forest roads are "off-road". 😉 Reopening that receiver worm can anyway: it makes no sense at all to a normal person to buy an $850 (!!!) bike rack with less than desirable features, as a compromise, simply because it will fit the small Ollie receiver. It makes far more sense to spend less for a wonderful 1-Up Super Duty Double rack ($665 shipped in silver) and simply change the receiver so that it works. It is a far better rack than any Yakima, and debatably better than the other good e-bike rated racks like the Kuat. The 1-Up is designed and sold here in the USA, has individual spare parts available, stellar customer service, and it can be added to with more bike trays or a cargo tray. But only two bike trays for off-road, max 75 pounds per bike. This too small receiver issue is so VERY frustrating, ain't it? It makes you want to storm into the Oliver headquarters and give somebody a good shaking 😉 John Davies Spokane WA

I normally don't smoke, but my brother was visiting and he had a some cigars so we smoked one each, Cuban Cohiba, it was good!

OK, so when my wife asks me where the "burning old socks" smell is coming from, I'll have an answer.

Everything is done from the outside unless you opt for the defrost/air circulation fans mounted inside the refrigerator on the ceiling.

John, Following your findings and installation as well. Very interested in this product but your insight will be particularly helpful as you are the latest test case and you'll certainly find "better" ways to do it. That's just the "John Davies" touch we've come to expect.

Here you go. General_Install_Guide_v5.x.pdf ARP_User-Guide_v5.x.pdf Troubleshooting_Guide_v5.x.pdf Ancillary_Graphical_User_Instructions_v5.x.pdf I like this idea. Please keep us posted if you end up doing this. Did you purchase a kit with defrost blowers as well?

I’ve secured something to our rooftop of our Toyota Sequoia. It is an essential for us. What do you see in my rooftop Rorschach Test? it isn’t a body, believe it or not… it is a Clam Quickset Pavilion shelter. We’ll be at Mt. Pisgah campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway from 7/1-7/10.

I ordered a full kit just now. I am having no luck downloading the installation manual. Could someone here try it? https://www.arprv.com/arp-manual.php#arpmanuals Could someone here message me and include a copy of theirs? I did email the seller about this issue. Here is a GREAT video showing what is going on inside the boiler, and why it will fail if overheated too many times. I knew in theory what is happening, but the details were nowhere in my mind... here is a screen capture, the link is below the pic: https://www.arprv.com/video/dometic-and-norcold-agree/Why-dometic-and-norcold-fridge-fail-web.m4v I am not happy with the idea of leaving the control/ display box outside, maybe it could go in the overhead cabinet directly above the microwave? Thanks, John Davies Spokane WA

For sometime, my wife and I have been unhappy with sleeping on the cushions that come standard with Elite Travel Trailers, not to be confused with the larger Elite II, standard with mattresses. I purchased a single sized foam mattress but this too was unwieldy, not fitting either bed well. I had talked to other Oliver owners and was referred to Southern Mattress located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. I contacted them and they indeed confirmed they would custom make a mattress for my Oliver Elite. My conundrum was how I could configure the mattress to access the components and storage areas under the seats. A full sized mattress would be just too much to lift and hold in place as I pulled out storage items, much less to try to work on a component (electrical, hydraulics, water, etc.). As I explained this to my wife telling her I wanted to split the mattress in half, she pointed out it would be very uncomfortable, sliding down in the crack. She said " split it where the bench ends, 1/3 and 2/3s. The crack will be at your knees and you will not feel it". I contacted Southern Mattress and they agreed to cut it where ever I wanted it cut. I traveled to Rocky Mount, North Carolina and found this to be a family owned company. I arrived in late afternoon and the owner took me to his home. There, we hooked up my trailer with electrical and water on a pad next to his home. The next morning I pulled my trailer to the factory and they began to make my mattress. With each step, they asked me to approve the work, include changes I wanted made, etc. they measured the trailer, made the pattern and asked if I wanted extra room to be able to put bed linens on the mattress. The pattern was a good fit for the 2/3 - 1/3 combination. In short, I was very pleased with the mattress. I selected a 5" firm foam with another layer of soft memory foam. That night, I had the best sleep ever in my Oliver Elite. I also had a mattress made for the smaller dinette/bed. I used the single sized foam mattress that I had purchased earlier in the year. Southern Mattress did not object to this. Again, they cut the foam to the 1/3-2/3 combination. Each matress was covered in a premium quality quilted cover, fire retardant and straps sewn in to make moving easy. The mattress was double sewn all the way around to reinforce the straps. By noon, I was on the road, headed home. That night, I slept for the first time very comfortably on my new custom-made mattress. It now slides over easily and stores on top of the other matress while I access the storage and component areas. If you are interested in a quality mattress, custom made, they now have patterns for both the Elite and the Elite II. They can custom make you a mattress and ship to you. They do not press the mattress in a roll. Rather they box the mattress and ship it to you. Southern Matress Company 1812 Cokey Road Rocky Mount , North Carolina. 800-227-8701 Below are pictures of my mattresses in my Oliver Elite. Coy

It's perfectly permissible, and very kind of you. Others have done the same. Please do not post personal details, just a general area,and let people pm you. Then, you can exchange emails, phone numbers, etc. You don't want your address picked up on the www. One of my favorite "campsites" ever was the driveway of Aussie friends we met in the Blue Mountains of NSW, who knew we were taking the ferry to Tasmania in a few weeks. Their home was not far from the Tasmania ferry landing. We brought snacks, beer, and, in the morning coffee. We stopped again on the way out of Tasmania, and brought a few small gifts, had coffee, and moved on to Hobart. We're still in touch several times a year. They are truly treasured friends. We have hoped to host them in our home, but Covid had placed many restrictions on the Aussies, particularly. When my grand nephew was in first grade, they did the "Flat Stanley" thing. We mailed his flat Stanley to Tasmania, and Kevin and Jen took a photo of flat Stanley in Stanley, Tasmania. 😀 It was a big hit with our grand nephew's first grade friends, and Flat Stanley's airfare was quite reasonable, as he fit in an envelope. 😅

You’re exactly right. Doesn’t matter what heat source is selected. Protects system when past the absorption refrigerator level requirements. Again, I installed it for peace of mind extra level of safety. Worth the cost in my opinion. If, in the future, when the frig needs replacement, I’ll will suck it up and pay for a 12v compressor refrigerator. Apparently with the Elite I, the shower wall has to be removed in order to remove and replace refrigerator. I’ll happily pay Oliver to do it. Not something I want to attempt myself.

I'd be interest in your research: It would seem to me (and I'm certainly no mechanical engineer) the function of the refrigeration process which causes heat to build up in the refrigerant during the cooling process , occurs regardless of which energy source you're using to drive it. (otherwise, no cold air). The ARP product apparently protects the system by shutting it down before it gets to a critical temperature which will cause catastrophic damage to the hardware. Most issues apparently are caused by the gases and liquids within the system requiring the units to be fairly level so liquid levels can remain within operating design parameters. (This is my understanding anyway.) If there is something I'm missing, would love to learn more about it. Thanks

Just returned from a trip up to the Seely-Swan River Valley and Flathead Valley here in Montana. Had a great trip, no problem getting campsites without RSVP's but each campground did fill up all but one night. We Kayaked 4 of the local lakes, rode our bikes on a 28 mile loop within Flathead Valley and did a few hikes in the area the most grueling being up to Strawberry Lake in the Flathead NF, steep switchbacks would be an understatement. Below are a few iPhone snapshots from the trip. Thanks for looking. Campsite at Harpers Lake Kayaking on Harpers Lake Hike to Morrell Falls kayaking Holland Lake View of Swan Lake Kayaking Swan Lake at the National Wildlife Refugee Strawberry Lake, Flathead NF Kayaking Echo Lake, Swan Range in the background

Dog Canyon campground, Guadalupe NP. 60 miles South of Carlsbad, NM, just barely over the border into Texas. Only 4 RV sites. No hookups but potable water and flush toilets nearby. The 4 RV sites are close together but the hiking, scenery and wildlife are wonderful and the peacefulness is great. I have been there three times now and two times was the ONLY camper in the whole campground for several days. A bit out of the way but worth it. https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/dog_canyon_campground.htm

I would really like to see some Oliver specific installation pics! Where did you attach the fans? I have always been worried about fire, it is more common when hooked up to 120 VAC, so I rarely use it for fridge operation. Even when plugged into shore power. But I worry, anyway. The fridge manual says it should be thoroughly inspected professionally ANNUALLY, which obviously nobody does. Especially since that requires its complete removal (most of the critical parts are completely inaccessible from the outside of the hull). I would love a compressor fridge but would l hate the extreme power usage😤 and I would also have to add another lithium battery to my two Battle Borns. OTH if there are a bunch more fans running with this mod, that is going to use more watts😳. I would think better of the Fridge Defend site if their grammar and spelling were not so bad, and if it did not seem so over-the-top “the sky is falling” in regard to fires. Thanks for more info on your Ollie mod. I would love some details. John Davies Spokane WA

Sounds Like Cigars and Cognac at the Next Oliver Rally! Can't wait.

I'll have to admit, I smoked a few "puros" in Spain, as a college kid. After dinner, pretty much as a challenge. Glad I didn't turn green....though I felt my stomach revolting. The memories are great. Thanks, guys, for the thread and responses .

@Kirk Peterson, I hope we get to share that campfire. And, you and Paul can enjoy those cigars. 😃

Don’t be afraid of getting a little rough with it, using your foot, while standing back. Give the coupler or the tongue a sideways kick. There is a fair bit of left to right play where the Andersen plugs into your receiver, and the tongue jack leg itself has a little also, depending on how far it is extended….If that doesn't do it, try moving the truck a little front to back. Sometimes you have to be meaner than the hitch😬 John Davies Spokane WA

Took the Tundra for the recall and the dealer needed less than an hour to perform recall work. 🙂 Been experimenting using cruise control while towing Ollie with over 10,000 miles on the Tundra’s odometer after this trip. Tundra’s on board MPG is accurate and was used for two test using cruise control. Both test were over 300 miles each on interstates. 2WD 3.5L 10 speed Tundra with street tires on Ollie & Tundra. TV tire pressures 40 PSI and Ollie’s tire pressures 50 PSI. LE2 Ollie’s weight between 4900 to 4950 pounds with empty grey and black water tanks. Rig weight is around 10,900 pounds. Check Rig & TV/Ollie weights periodically with CAT scales. Set cruise at 63MPH yielding 61MPH GPS speed. Tow haul mode used with 7th gear. Engine speed was 2150 RPM. During the test while climbing a 5% grade reduced speed to 55MPH and dropped down to 6th gear. One way test from Crossville TN (TN plateau area) to Denver NC yielded 15.8 MPG. Round trip from Crossville TN to Howenwald TN and back to Crossville yielded 15.5 MPG. Should see better MPG in the flat lands, will see.

To your point Ralph while we were recently having service done on our 2020 and one of the sales reps mentioned to us that a new 2023 pretty much loaded would top out at an eye popping $107k 😳 …wow is all I could think. I am not sure I am seeing that kind of discretionary spending for an Oliver, but hey if they can sell them at that price well good for Oliver and great for owners as far as resale goes. I think of what we paid in June of 2020 with a significant discount in writing, I am very happy we purchased when we did. The days of any discount are rear view mirror images long gone. Oliver was producing 2-3 units a week we learned during our last service visit. It will be interesting to see what future sales look like. -Patriot

Well, there are people like us who literally use the ac once a year, if that. Sometimes, just to test it. I would prefer to keep the price difference in my pocket, if possible. We did install a very quiet houghton in place of the 2008 dometic (roaring) dinosaur, a few years back. In retrospect, we would have been fine with a $100 vent and fan, but I do enjoy the quiet ac in the driveway, setting up for the season. The slimmer houghton still allows us to adjust our now much larger 200 watt solar panels. Main reason for changing up our ac. We rarely camp with hookups, and carry only a Honda 1000, so we have not used our ac much ... We tend to move when temps rise, rain is coming, etc. (I don't mind snow. Actually, we enjoy it, if it melts in a day or two. 😁 We Just avoid heat when we can. Trailers have wheels, for a reason.)

I’m just surprised they are still offering the Dometic. Unless you rarely use AC, no reason to go with Dometic and it will impact resale by whatever the upgrade cost ultimately becomes. I bet by the 2024 run all Truma components will be the standard, hot water, furnace and AC. Once you get over $80-90k, the demographic would suggest the add-on is just a rounding error for discretionary income. Look what Airstreams sell for with much higher volume. The market is there for only 300 trailers a year.

I was thinking the same thing when I saw the pic of the roof rack and its load on the Toyota, if I were the police I might stop you just to see what's going on. trainman

Shades of Chevy Chase? 1980s vacation?

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!