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When we were growing up in the south, "PoP" was expensive so we mostly drank “Sun” ice tea. My mom made it very diluted so us kiddos could drink all we wanted. It kept us hydrated and was effectively a low caffeine low sugar beverage. When camping, she would make it in advance and put it into cleaned out 1.75L bourbon bottles (without labels). They were heavy glass so they kept the tea cold in the cooler and also poured really easy as they had a handle too! During the summer of 1968 (I was 16 years old at the time), we were on the Tchefuncte River camping and water skiing. The retired couple that was camped next to us seemed really nice. But as the day passed, they became quite agitated with us. We could not figure out why. Each time the ski boat returned we would run over to the camp table and guzzle about a pint of weak tea in our Red Solo cups. When the bottle was empty, Mom would bring out another one from the "Ice Chest". Each time, the retired couple would get even madder. Then a State Trooper showed up at our camp site. I had just finished water skiing and ran past the officer and poured and downed about a pint of our weak tea. The officer asked if he could have some, and I poured him a pint into a Red Solo cup. He tasted it and then loudly said "Wow, this is really good". The retired couple were at this point pointing at the officer and us and were now cursing about how shameful it was "In broad daylight". The Officer ignored them and we talked for a few minutes about water skiing on the Tchefuncte river with its alligators and poisonous water moccasins. After several minutes, he went over to the couple and suggested that maybe they should just mind their own business as drinking weak tea was just fine. The look on the retired couple's faces was worth a million dollars. Those folks were packed and gone in about 60 seconds.

My wife and I were camping at a state park in SC. The park allowed a couple to park a very beat up looking van in a site, several sites away from us, no big deal. The roof and the inside of the van was loaded with 2x4s and plastic tarps. For the next 2hrs of hammering and nailing of 2x4s then stapling tarps everywhere. It was just a matter of time. They just finished the shanty when the park ranger arrived and told them to leave. It took another hour for them to take everything apart. It wasn’t obnoxious, it’s was the funniest fireside entertainment we’ve seen at a campground.

Well ok, I have one - is a tent camping -pre Ollie. Back in the day - when I did a lot of WW kayaking, my wife, myself, and a another couple, had arraigned to stay the night in a local outfitters "campgrounds" really just a bath house and area for customers needing a place to pitch a tent. We weren't customers - just friends of the owner. We had set up, and had finished dinner - enjoying some adult beverages and a little music - we were the only ones around. Well in rolls a group of college guys - fresh of the river - and obviously ready to party. We turned down the music - and thusly a couple of the guys came over and assured us they would behave themselves and not bother us with a rowdy, noisy night. Fine guys - thanks. Well the opposite happened - it was a drunken - loud - frat boy - filled night - we just endured and they all passed out eventually. We were up at the crack of dawn - and my buddy and I could see the passed out bodies - in and around - where the boys had set up camp. So we figured payback was in order. The speakers came out - Led Zeppelin was blasting out at appropriate levels - and our wives - a little more pissed than us guys - walked through the place banging pans.... trying to be as loud and obnoxious as they were the previous night. A whiff of bacon and eggs seemed to really get to a few of them - seems their stomachs were not well. As we rolled out of the place - several looked at us and just shook their head - pay back accomplished. Youth is wasted on the young. RB

We store Beacon in our barn that was completed last spring before we even fully considered purchasing an RV. The barn has a few nice features including a full seasonal bathroom, an outdoor shower on the first floor, and a small efficiency apartment on the back half on the 2nd floor. The apartment has a nice view of our beach and newly constructed beach pavilion. One additional nice item is, I set up our hose so I can have hot water to wash the cars and now the Oliver. Friday is wash day for the Ollie as we are finally starting to get some warm weather. I do not have 30 amp outlet in the barn yet. I am looking for some advice, currently I have Beacon plugged in to a standard outlet using the 30 amp cord with an adapter at the wall socket to keep the 4 AGM batteries charged. Is this ok? Should I unplug the Ollie occasionally? I would appreciate some feedback on this. Thanks and stay healthy and safe!!

If you own any, check the part number ASAP so you can not be killed by a failed one dropping your Ollie on your head.... “due to worn tooling at the factory, the pawl that engages with the toothed height-adjustable part of the stand doesn't do so sufficiently to reliably lock it in place. A bump or a knock could cause the pawl to disengage, dropping the vehicle suddenly.” https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/harbor-freight-recall-jackstands-collapse/ My son has a set that are recalled. I have one HF set and it is OK. John Davies Spokane WA

Sorry for being unclear Bill. Both the tire and wheel were completely destroyed. On Sunday, I had Firestone remove the spare that I had just put on the ground. I had them put a full sized tire on the spare rim/wheel. I made it to Louisiana that night with no spare and the next morning, I went to Tire Discount, bought a spare wheel and mounted my old but useable spare tire. The mounting bracket at the rear is unique and the new (Discount Tire Store brand) will not fit. I will buy 2 new wheels and 1 new tire. One because I purchased a very good Firestone tire when all of this occurred. Overland- Going to meet with Oliver this month so I will inquire. Thanks for the advice Bottom line, I now feel that even when you experience a major tire catastrophic blowout as I did, and you are forced to proceed onward to the next exit on your bare metal rim, it can be safely done. I have inspected my hull, no damage, only to my pride.

So very true! I try to be polite, but at times I will just say come back in half an hour.... If somebody smokes me out and leaves their site with a fire burning, I will go dump a gallon of water on it. Morons....! Maybe a gallon of gas would be more appropriate, while they are next to it. 🤨 Squeaking, worn out trailer suspensions, popping and banging in the middle of the night drive me nuts. That is my worst complaint. I love the relative silence of a well lubed Ollie. If you don’t extend the jacks and don’t unhitch, you can sneak out in the early morning without too much extra noise and mayhem. John Davies Spokane WA

Funny article. Funny because there is some truth there. We’ve mostly had good neighbors but have had bad ones too. Other annoying things are folks that want to talk while you’re backing into your site or while you are going through your set up or breakdown routine or when you are dumping. Also, neighbors who build a smoky fire when the breeze brings the smoke into our site, then they leave to go do something. Being a good camper has a lot to do with being considerate of others. Mike

Super nice setup. I have a 30amp plug outlet and leave my Ollie plugged in 24/7 your battery’s should never overcharge with the elec system in the Ollie, even plugged in with Just a extension cord.

Thanks a lot for this, I have a set that I need to return.