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Showing content with the highest reputation on 07/30/2018 in all areas

  1. We’ve only had a few adventures so far, but here’s a couple pictures. One is boondocking near Salida, CO. The other is my daughter reading during a rainy afternoon at Arapaho Bay CG- you can see that she has really made her little corner her own!
    3 points
  2. The optional 2000 watt onboard inverter is a great option to have if you like to get off-grid or even if you have a lengthy drive to get where you are going. The way the optional on-board inverter works is by taking battery (DC) power and converting it over to (AC) 110 power. It is tied to the campers 110 receptacles and microwave to provide power for use when a shore connection isn’t available. However, the inverter does depend on the battery power and it can only provide up to about 15 – 16 amps of power at a single time. This means that if the battery power is too low then some of the more high power consuming devices/appliances may not work properly or simply overload the inverter and cause it to shut down. There are many different appliances out on the market that range from low power consumption to high power consumption and this is important when purchasing these items for use with the inverter option. Hair dryers are a great example of an appliance that demands a lot of power, but also have a broad range of rating. They typically range from 800-1800 watts. While an 1800 watt hair dryer might be the best choice for your house, it will likely require more power than you might want in your camper, especially when running on the inverter. Another example of high power consumption is the microwave. It uses 12 amps, which is getting close to the 15-16 amp max for the inverter. Just keep this in mind when running the microwave as turning on another appliance at the same time might cause the inverter to shut down. What does the inverter need to work properly? The inverter is 100% dependent on the battery bank power, so be sure that the batteries are always charged up and ready for use if you plan to use the inverter. When purchasing the inverter option it is crucial that you also get the solar package or some form of charging solution so it can keep the batteries charged up and ready to go. The battery bank on the camper also needs to be able to hold enough power to supply the power demand from the inverter and appliances connected. The optional 6V AGM batteries can provide about 200-250 amp hours which is a substantial increase from the standard 12v batteries. The lower the battery voltage, the less likely the inverter will be able to sustain the power needs of the appliances in use. Also keep in mind that over time your batteries age and lose the ability to hold as much power as they did when they were new. This will also start to impact what you can run on the inverter as well as how long it will run on the inverter. The conversion rate from DC power to AC power is also important to know as this will change the rate at which the batteries can provide power to the inverter and the rest of the camper. If the microwave pulls 12 amps of AC power then it will use about 122 amps when using the inverter and battery bank. What this means is that it is draining your 200 useful battery bank amps rather quickly. However, most people don’t run their microwave but for short periods of time so this high power consumption shouldn’t create a problem. What might cause a problem would be running an appliance like a space heater on the inverter as you might leave it running over a longer period of time and it would eventually drain the battery bank down low enough where the inverter would shut down. The inverter is a great option to have if you think you will be camping off-grid with the solar panel package and without shore power or even if you just want to pull over for a quick break to heat up something in the microwave while traveling to your next camping destination!
    2 points
  3. We just returned from four nights at Stephen Foster Folk and Cultural Center where we had the first opportunity to use the 12 x 12 Clam room. What a pleasure. Sets up in less than two minutes, great space with the tall vertical walls, and kept all the bugs out. We camped with another family and even with seven at the picnic table it was roomy. Rain threatened one night so we picked it up and set it over one of our tenters for extra protection. This is a great addition to our camping experience.
    2 points
  4. Update: About two hours ago I ran the outdoor shower for a few seconds making sure the faucets were full out and then completely shut off before turning the faucets off again. I then turned the hose-connected faucet at the city water connection back on, went inside the Ollie and turned the pump off. I then ran some city water through the lines for a couple seconds. When I returned from both a nature hike with Bob the dog as well as a wonderful bike ride on the Hart-Montague Bike Trail, there was not yet any overflow from the fresh water tank. We shall see if this promising development maintains its good result. However, Bob and I are leaving here in a couple hours and heading to Montague, MI with the Ollie in tow. FYI: My wife Beverly is in California taking care of a grandson instead of getting into trouble with me in Michigan. Will advise.
    2 points
  5. Colorado National Monument, near Fruita CO, summer thunderstorm brewing: Upper Sunshine Reservoir, near Meeteetse WY, boondocking sunset: Reflection in a Stick and Staple RV’s back window while stuck in a traffic jam: All these were done with our iPhones. Pretty amazing quality IMHO. I no longer bother to bring our DSLR. John Davies Spokane WA
    2 points
  6. I once had a neighbor who worked for a Mobil Home Manufacture years ago and they called them, "Wobbly Boxes", now I know why. trainman
    1 point
  7. Should not be a problem. Just put a foam something down so you don't slip or scratch it.
    1 point
  8. My two cents, having just gone through this decision making process. Having proved to myself my well traveled and always reliable 2004 GMC 4x4 5.3L, 1/2 ton was marginal at towing the bigger Ollie, especially where elevation is involved, I did a lot of research (for months as I waited on my ollie) on the 3/4 ton truck market. I ruled out Ram, nothing wrong with them, I just don't like the way they look. I was strongly leaning towards a Ford Power stroke diesel, and having driven several, including a 2019, I was price shopping, looking for a used or new crew cab 4x4. ( The "used" owners as a group, all $Highly$ valued their trucks) I considered a gas engine, in GM and Ford, but the fuel economy and power characteristics, just didn't meet my objective. The gas engines rev much higher when meeting their upper HP/Torque ranges (what I would experience towing) and the gas mileage is never much better than bout 14mpg, and less than 10 when towing - as best I could determine. Despite the upfront cost of the Diesel engines and slightly higher maintenance costs, I decided on the diesel powerplant - I figured my breakeven between the two powerplants to be about 100K miles. Additionally, the better diesel fuel mileage should bridge the gap on price diff between regular unleaded and diesel. All the first hand accounts I had from current owners of each related about 14/15 towing, and up to 20 when unloaded, freeway driving. With a grain of salt, I will see where I end up. TBD As the 2019's began to arrive, the dealers in my locality began to come of the prices of the 2018's, and a GMC dealer actually had a truck just like I wanted, and, at an attractive "beginning" price. Now mind you, I drove back and forth testing this truck against the Ford, and comparing. The GMC, I felt, was much nicer, and had a quality level in the interior that was superior to the Ford, (same trim levels). Power plants were comparable, Duramax vs the Powerstoke, however the GMC had a more robust payload rating (by 300lbs), and the GVWR and max towing were about the same. Compare the actual B pillar stickers, not the brochures, as options drive actual weight ratings. The GMC rode slightly better on the road, country and multilane, and actually felt more torquey. I also preferred the looks of the GMC over the Ford. In the end I went with the GMC, as they were much more price competitive, as the Ford people were not as flexible. Now to be sure, when my SO indicated she preferred the GMC, my fate was sealed. I purchased a 2018 GMC 2500 SLT Crew cab, 4x4 with the new diesel Duramax engine with Allison 6 speed auto (the powerplant was updated in 2017, basically 95% new design) The price ended up better than I had planned, and my first 300 miles have been satisfying. There are many options out there, when properly selected most will adequately tow the Ollie, my decision was what fit my objective. Power to spare, chassis designed for heaver tow loads, engine exhaust braking, and comfortable ride characteristics and spousal approval. What I settled for -heavy duty chassis, brake systems and powerplant that are more than a match for the Ollies 7k max load, and a fairly nice ride. Once I get the Leer 100 xlt topper installed I should be good to go.... well ok, I'm sure there will be more.....
    1 point
  9. A good thing is to check CarFax for the locations the vehicle was registered in versus dates. This may give a clue as to whether it was potentially in a flood. When looking at a vehicle for one of our daughters we came across a car that was in New Orleans in 2005 (Katrina). It has also been registered to multiple owners since 2005 and the time we were looking at it. Katrina was a well known event but there have certainly been plenty of other foods since. Not a gurantee that the vehicle wasn’t “just visiting” and got flooded but one more thing to look at for clues. - Randy
    1 point
  10. It screamed at me when I test drove it. :-) A few 2019's are starting to come in so some dealers with a lot of inventory are starting to offer some good deals. It does ride a little rough on the interstate when empty but when the Ollie is hooked to it and gear is loaded it feels a lot better. It does not ride, turn, or park like our Tundra but its a big truck and when towing it is a dream and we primarily use it for a tow vehicle.
    1 point
  11. Do you ever use the outside shower? I seem to recall that if the handles are slightly open and the shower head is not depressed, then there is bleed between the two systems. I'm not positive though, its just in the back of my mind. Otherwise, isolate out the pump, if necessary disconnect and cap output line, or disconnect input side (with screen filter) and connect a long hose to it and put in sink, this is to test the back flow valve (built into the pump), they sometimes just go bad or don't close fully, it's an easy change, is probably under warranty and it doesn't matter how much you paid, they use them in a Marathon Prevost. How fast is the flow going to fresh tank, does it seem like a bypass leak (slow) or like your trying to fill it?
    1 point
  12. That log-in issue was 3 1/2 years ago. Pay attention.
    1 point
  13. Stop and have a peanut butter Whoopie Pie and an ice cold Moxie to complete the experience. We are 2 miles off the Interstate, 40 miles N of Portland if you need anything...
    1 point
  14. Going, Our 2015 Ollie Furrion speakers would work while watching a DVD played by the Furrion unit connected to TV by HDMI cable. Set TV as per following Oliver video instructions. The Furrion speakers still would not work while watching TV on antenna until I added audio cable between our TV & Furrion unit. Here's a thread and video: http://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/help-with-tv-and-sound/
    1 point
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