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Today’s the day!!! To say we are excited would be an understatement. 🤪 2-1/2 hours left until we meet Anita for our plant tour. Then time to examine the floor models and get down to business! I’m feeling positive as to whether we leave with one less check than when we arrived. 😉

A man after my own heart…

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Capri-Tools-1-2-in-Drive-1-2-in-Hex-Bit-Socket-3-0558/305590114?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_001_HAND_TOOLS-NA-Multi-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-Hand_Tools-71700000086053656-58700007291967538-92700065470082093&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dKXBhBPEiwA2bmObZv9tvRhJahr2TsT0YEj4AYoLNASzW-9qBbtR2LAw-koQHgx1ffRBBoCc3cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

In a pinch I've also used a bolt with a hex head on it that's the right size before. I clamped the bolt on the threads with a pair of vice grips or something and then you can use the bolt head as a hex wrench. 🙂

Just disregard the thread jacking that occurred mid thread

Sleeping with my peripheral neuropathy affected feet near the battery vault, I use a rechargeable USB hand warmer (aka foot warmer) to take the chill off. It's kinda like bricks placed at the foot of the bed in days past - except it stays warm all night. Charlie.

There is no need to buy an L shaped wrench, just get a square drive bit and use your 1/2' breaker bar, Oliver even includes a bar in the spares kit for the wheel nuts. Mine have never loosened, and I don't plan to buy a tool for the trailer kit for what might never happen. You can pick up a square bit like that in any auto parts store if you need it while traveling. I do have a full SAE/ Metric set of square drive bits at home. For about $40 you can have them all. These are not pro grade, but they are fine for casual use. John Davies Spokane WA

An Oliver owner on the Olive Facebook page passed on his purchase of this 1/2” hex head wrench off of Amazon. It’s used to tighten the city and fresh water fittings on the Oliver and its compact, easily storable, space saver, works perfectly. My city water fitting was loose, and not anymore. I feel like this was a little expensive for this tool and had trouble locating it anywhere else. Lowes, HD and even our local hardware had nothing in available. You may want to shop it for a cheaper price. It’s also a good time to check both your city and fresh inlet water screens. If this has already been posted, MODs please delete or link to existing post.

We opted to not rush on such a huge purchase. We did the tour and drove back home and thought over our decision for a few weeks before sending our deposit. We felt no pressure to order the day of the tour and it all worked out great. Best of luck!

Well, if you're that unsure, then you should decide later or say no. As for me, I considered an Oliver before my last rv purchase and then purchased a Lance instead. That was a wrong decision I since regretted. So now...I'm getting an Oliver, but for a whole lot more money than I would have paid 3 years ago.

Well, I explored the possibility of installing my inverter in the rear upper corner as Oliver does, but wasn’t comfortable with that location. So, after some rearranging of wiring, I managed to make a suitable area for it to be mounted below the dinette seating. It will power a dedicated outlet under the bed. I don’t plan on using it much, but as the say it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I repaired an owner's Oliver at the Rally in May with exactly that same problem. Pretty easy fix. Cause was a loose wire, in fact, exactly the same wire as in the pictures.

Great video topic Kathy - we will have a composting toilet in our Ollie and also did not want to put the paper in the toilet. I added these bags to my list of items needed for the trailer. Love your videos - so helpful and timely for us newbies! 😁

Thanks. My electrician I use for my house wants to do it for me. I am glad. Now I am crossing my fingers that there wasn't more damage done that I didn't see.

Try these if you haven’t found anyone. Mossey

My electricity "splurge" on chilly nights (above freezing) is to heat a sack of cherry pits for a few minutes in the microwave. If my tootsies start off warm, the rest of me is fine all night long! mb

Forgot this, if you buy an inReach you can also use the Earthmate app to navigate while out of cell coverage using its downloaded database, and you can pair it to the device so you can compose and send (short) text messages from the inReach using your phone or notebook’s familiar keyboard. The maps are OK, at best. Garmin Earthmate App John Davies Spokane WA

This modification, the Fridge Defend, seems like a complete no brainer. Seems like the sort of device that should be standard on all RV fridges. Thanks for your posts (here and elsewhere). It's definitely on my list for this fall.

Yeah, not much room in there. I think your idea of removing that junction box to make room would work, but you would still want to aim the blower to get air flowing up the left side as that's where your cooling absorber coils are. If the blower blew air straight up into the boiler I think it would be defeating the purpose of the boiler a bit. Also, the fan temperature sensor goes on the lower absorber coil and it's even obscured! wow.

Great suggestion, necessity is the mother of invention! 😊 👍🏻👍🏻

This is not a difficult job especially with the newer style wire connections. Your only real issue is going to be that cable between the switch and EMS, the one with the burnt white wire. If there isn’t enough extra slack to be able to cut back the damaged wire, a new section of cable will be required. At this point, electrician level skills will be necessary. I’d recommend an rv service first, mobile if possible. A residential electrician can't be as flexible when it comes to small jobs and might not be willing to tackle something out of their norm. Maybe you have a knowledgeable RVer close by?

That’s it!!! 😊👍🏻 Ha…I have been guilty as well.

did the whale tail get flipped 360 degrees when it was removed, resulting in the chains getting twisted and thus effectively shortened? Easy to check. Are the links in the chain aligned in a smooth, straight path or are the links twisted?

The main take away I got from your story is that you were paying attention to what was going on around you, formed and acted on a contingency plan. Without having done so, things would have worked out differently. Perhaps with a much poorer outcome. No doubt, your former military training and good common sense played a big part here.

The base price for my 2021 Elite 2 was $57,500, ordered September 2020. I made a list of the LE2 base prices that folks have posted in this thread. 2017 $48,500 2018 $54,100 2019 $53,900 2020 $55,000 2021 $57,500 2022 $65,000 2023 $73,500 Unfortunately, you cannot use these base prices alone to do a cost increase analysis. As John D pointed out, there were many popular optional features in previous models, that were included in the base price as standard in subsequent years. If you wanted to do a good analysis, you’d have to dissect the build sheet on all model years and factor it into the cost. I’m happy with my decision to buy an Oliver.

You need to run the furnace, especially if it will get below freezing, because that is how the tanks and plumbing are warmed. You are overly optimistic about the performance of your solar panels, don’t count on much charging if it is cloudy or you are under trees. They simply don’t do much in those conditions. So you need to RATION electricity, and use propane whenever possible, for the fridge and heating, unless you are in bright sunlight most of the day. The tow vehicle will not charge those lithium batteries, Oliver leaves that wire disconnected. So you will have to use a generator if the sun is not enough, and use a portable solar panel on sunny days if you are parked in shade. Or plug into shore power a couple of times per week. My wife sleeps under regular sheets and blankets, I sleep in a summer (35 degree) poly mummy bag in lightweight jammies. We both adjust the coverage as the trailer cools down to the set temp of 60 degrees. When I am solo I let it get to 50. If plugged into shore power I set a box heater to that temp, and the furnace to two degrees below it. If the box heater is unable to keep up, the furnace will kick on as needed. I crack one rear window an inch, and open the bathroom roof vent half way, for a little cross ventilation, with the bath door open. The big ceiling vent stays closed. I would not use an electric blanket, you cannot tuck it in around the mattress or it will overheat, and it will end up on the floor a dozen times each night if you don’t. This is for the Twin beds, it might work OK for the single big mattress. John Davies Spokane WA

There is an automatic transfer switch that selects which outside power inlet gets directed to the EMS input. It should be a black lunchbox mounted in the same general area as the EMS and power distribution panel. There will be one cable coming in it from each of the two inlets and a third connecting it to the EMS. I would suggest removing the top cover and having a look at the wiring inside. Start troubleshooting from this point before assuming the problem is with the EMS.

After all these years of hiking and camping in places where bears are common, I've seen lots of damaged garbage cans and coolers and many other things that proved bears were around, but I had never actually seen one. Boy, did that change in a hurry at Lake Powhatan campground in Asheville, NC a few days ago! I had one leg out of the trailer headed to pick up my hat that I had left on the table next to my bike when I saw one!! I had my iPhone in hand and snapped a shot while stepping quickly back inside with a heart rate that was probably looking like I had just finished a marathon. 🙂 But wait, the story doesn't end there. I'm peeking at the bear through my door window (I have the Zarcor you can see through) and here comes two cubs right behind her. I stick my arm back out the door and snap this picture: Wow. Even though mama isn't very large by bear standards, I'd not want to get between her and the cute cubs. I had just gotten done riding my bike and I had my bear spray on my belt as I always do when hiking or riding in bear country. I did not have either on me stepping out of the trailer thinking I was grabbing my hat and coming right back in. Lesson learned!

Weather radios work OK, but only if you can receive the signal. I have one for at home, but many of the places I visit have no radio reception, for example, almost any mountain valley away from a town, and much of the NW Pacific Coast. If your phone isn’t working out West, it is very unlikely that your weather radio will work. Just like a cell signal, a NOAA weather radio is short range (40 miles max) and “line of sight” only. https://www.weather.gov/cae/reception.html Satellite communicators work as long as the unit can “see” some of the sky. If there isn’t a satellite in view, it tries again. Usually the message goes out in one to three minutes. My inReach works well through the roof of the Ollie, from its charging cradle. Plus I can send routine messages to family so they know where I am and that I am still healthy and safe. And of course, it goes on hikes or bike rides too. https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/outdoor/favorite-inreach-stories/ John Davies Spokane WA

iPhone can do just about everything all that extra added equipment in the trailer that you pay for can do. How do I know this, because I have no added equipment that is offered by Oliver and for some reason with the iPhone and a Hot Spot we are pretty much always connected to whatever we need and want. Some many not know but you can actually go to your tow vehicle and with Sirius on your iPhone and get just about everything to keep you safe and informed. I guess AppleCarPlay in your tow vehicle has just about for me done away with all the options that are offered in the trailer. I'm sure many have a different opinion on this, remember we all do what works for us. trainman

We have several weather apps on our iPhones that keep us up to date. AM and FM stations also provide local weather. When we’re boondocking without cell service non of that helps. I did install a SiriusXM receiver in the trailer that plays through the Furrion. I haven’t checked to see if I can get local weather, but I can get news, sports and music anywhere. We were at a city campground in Leavenworth, Kansas for a family reunion a few years ago. It is right on the Missouri River. Lots of rain in the area and north of Kansas. The river was rising and I expected a problem. We came “home” from a family event one night and I decided to hook up to the truck, put away chairs and disconnect power. At 2:30am the Leavenworth police drove through the campsite, lights a-blaze, and loudspeaker blaring to evacuate immediately. We were the first out within 15 minutes. The campground was under water a couple of hours later before the sun came up. It was a bit unnerving, but we had been paying attention to the weather and weather reports. Mike

I carry my 2-meter handset with me. NOAA broadcast local weather reports in the 162.xxx MHz range. Since I already have the radio and a license why not? Plus it broadcast too, which could come in handy. Although a license from the FCC is required for broadcasting they make exceptions for emergency use.

We carry two cell phones, two different services, to improve the odds. Turn on location after you arrive, and weather alerts on your phones. You'll get the alerts for the local area. If you camp a lot without cell service, get a satellite service. Or, camp in/ near town, in tornado country. You'll hear the sirens if there's a warning. Four or five years ago, we camped outside KCMO, in a town or county campground. We'd just finished dinner, when the sirens started. My husband asked me what that meant . (I grew up in the Midwest, he didn't. ) I told him to grab the phones, chargers, wallets and keys, and the dog, and head to the bath house. Tornado warning siren. So, we spent the next few hours in the cg bath house, in a shower stall (extra structure, safer spot) with 30 or 40 other people in the structure, and their pets. Til the all clear sounded. We had no touchdown in our cg, but a few miles down the road, lots of stuff flattened. Another time, outside Lanesboro MN, in a tiny county cg, the sheriff came by to warn us. Told us we could go to the jail for shelter. 😄 We gathered the same items, and the dog, and sat in the truck, listening to the radio. Eventually, storm passed, we went back to bed. Left the phone on, though. Most (not all) organized campgrounds in the Midwest have a storm shelter. If not, the bath house is usually concrete block, and safest spot. If not that, you're stuck leaving/running away, hopefully in the right direction (🤪😒🤨), or lay down in a ditch when you hear the freight train sound coming... Sky (usually) turns kind of a pale pea green when a tornado approaches (daytime.) Kind of rosy peach with an approaching hailstorm. The birds stop singing, and everything gets deadly quiet. Then... the freight train sound.. Get that radio. When I was a kid, we had two homes, in two different states, destroyed by tornadoes. And, I've been in several others, since, and outrun a few. We didn't have weather radios then, but, luckily, we had my mom. She could read the weather like no weatherman ever could. Insure the Ollie. When the weatherman, or my mom, says seek shelter, do it. And know where it is, ahead of time.

The OP should do this too. Here is a map of the coverage. https://www.weather.gov/media/nwr/NWR_Propagation.pdf Here is a description of the weather radio service, a service provided by NOAA. https://www.weather.gov/nwr/ Here is a description of NOAA as a whole. https://www.weather.gov Most of the time I just use my cell phone for a weather report, but other times I use the weather radio, my shortwave receiver, or my 2M handheld, all are pretuned to the NOAA frequencies. The NOAA is the primary source of weather information in the country and is broadcast everywhere. Local forecasts are included.

I recently purchased an emergency weather radio for an upcoming trip to Theodore Roosevelt NP. I am totally ignorant about weather in the upper Midwest, so it seemed like a sensible solution. I am very concerned about tornadoes and this is small enough for the tow vehicle and the Ollie. We have a different one in the house that we have grown accustomed to relying upon. The alert function might not wake me, but Krunch sleeps with one eye and both ears open, so I’m good. Mossey

In our observation the new 2023 freezer is really small maybe 1/4 the size our Norcold freezer and that’s being generous at best. The refrigerator compartment is two thirds the size of the Norcold. My bride even pointed the smaller size as she does an amazing job packing our cold items for extended trips. We thought we could maybe get one large bag of frozen blueberries in there. 🫐😅 We are very happy with our Norcold so far especially it’s size.

Agreed Mike, we were both pretty shocked at how tiny the freezer space was when we saw it at the rally. We did like the new Truma AC and learned it will be a while before Oliver does a retrofit IF they decide to do them at all.

It may take a while, but looking for a 2 next! 👍

Best fuel prices I have seen in our area lately, photo taken today, Newton, NC:

Totally agree.

I like the fittings. But one came off in my hand while setting up in the dark one evening. And most Allen wrench sets don’t have the 1/2 inch size. I tightened mine up and put a tool in my box to tighten them up should it happen again. I’d rather have a tool and not need it than need it and not have it.

Thanks for this info Bill! I was not aware these came apart. Guess I will need to carry a bolt now on top of everything else. :-)

$1.85 in Wawa, Ontario! A liter. 🤯

The hull mold was altered when they switched to Norcold. I borrowed your image and stacked it above my image. Pretty sad, eh? John Davies Spokane WA

I would be thrilled for a 4 in front. Kinda sucks being here on the Left coast