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We’ve got 12 months of camping left before we winterize. Will re-assess in 12 months, but will probably go for another 12 months! I think I know quite a bit about my Oliver, but since we’ve never winterized I don’t have a clue how to do that. Mike

Its getting to be that time of year when we are starting to think about winterizing the Ollie. Certainly it is easy to winterize using the port at the rear of the Ollie but an often overlooked past of the process is putting a bit of antifreeze in the other three ports - City Water, Fresh Water and Black tank flush. This is also easy if you use a hand pump - https://www.amazon.com/Horusdy-transferencia-combustible-multiuso-líquidos/dp/B075C3NNZF/ref=sr_1_7?crid=1TBR3DRPDJK7&dchild=1&keywords=liquid+transfer+pump+manual&qid=1598820277&sprefix=liquid+tran%2Caps%2C180&sr=8-7 But, these pumps come with both the intake and output hoses simply cut off at the ends. Buying a plastic fitting with one end barbed and the other end compatible with the ports on the Ollie really simplifies the entire process. Simply insert the barbed end of the fitting into the output hose on the pump, secure it with a clamp and you are ready to go. Screw the fitting onto the Ollie port, place the other end into the antifreeze, give the handle a couple of pumps and you are done with that port. Bill

For whatever reason I had never tried camping overnight at a Cracker Barrel. However, I thought that I'd try one out and was so impressed with the one in St. Joe, Missouri I stayed there on the way out to Wyoming and again on the way back. This Cracker Barrel welcomes RV'ers. The RV parking area is actually the first thing you come upon when entering the grounds. Since the front of the restaurant faces the Interstate, that means that the building is between you and the traffic noise. There is plenty of landscaping with mature trees and this also helps reduce the noise level. On one side of the property is a motel but it is the back of the motel that adjoins the Cracker Barrel and on the other side there is just woods. So, once the restaurant closes at 10pm it really is fairly quiet - no ear plugs! If you decide to try it, remember to park facing out. Not only does this make leaving in the morning easier but it also prevents you from being partially trapped if there is a delivery being made to the rear of the building. GPS: 39.774065, -94.794746 Bill

I've just returned to North Carolina from 2 months in Wyoming. One of the place I stayed was in Meeteetse. I took a look at both the upper and lower Sunshine reservoirs. The spot on the upper reservoir that JD mentions above is right by the water and has a pit toilet very near. However, it involves a drive on a dirt road of something over a mile and was very crowded when I arrived there Saturday in early July. The Lower Sunshine Reservoir is a bit closer to town, and involves driving on a dirt road for as little as a couple hundred yards. There is also a pit toilet but it is near the water while most of the camping sites are well up the hill. Since I'm told that the fishing is not as good in the Lower Reservoir it was much less crowded - in fact, there were only three campers there and that included me. Neither the upper or lower have electric or water (other than the lake. However, there is both a water supply and dump in the town of Meeteese - on your left just north of the bridge as you head out of town towards Cody.

Let me see - New Ollie, the Blue Ridge Parkway is right between Hohenwald and Raleigh, and, it is mid-October for the leaves. Of course there is also the Natchez Trace south and then over to Florida and back up. Or, there is the grand tour heading West, winding up in Quartzite in February and taking the southern route home. Choices, choices, choices! Almost a shame that the Oliver is your first camper/trailer. Perhaps you'll think that they all are like this. Bill

I was camping a few weeks ago and a Airstream owner came over to say Hi, In the conversation he said his Airstream had a bad dent in one of the panels, this quoted repair for one panel was $6000. I explained my got sideswiped on the 3rd day (yes 3 days after delivery day!!)... my repair was about $450 and MY Oliver bumper took off the cars bumper that hit us and did no damage to the Oliver's bumper (well one small cut that the factory repaired).

Dometic is the plague.

We've overnighted at a few cracker barrels, going from point a to b. It's always been a good experience. Went in for dinner or breakfast . I'm not a big fan of Cracker Barrel food, but we feel it's important to patronize those who give us a free spot. I'll remember this one. Thanks.

Great suggestion Bill, Another hand pump option from Harbor Freight - $5 with a 20% off coupon. And Super Tech RV safe anti freeze- $2.58 a gal at Wally World.

Hi Tex. We bought a 2020 Ram 1500 Longhorn ecodiesel 4x4 with air suspension and 3.92 rear axle last month in part for towing our LEII. It has been absolutely a dream. We have been all over flat Florida with it; in some cases we got 18 mpg. The Ollie has the Anderson hitch. We didn't even know we it was behind us. One word of caution. As has been pointed out on this and other forums, check the payload capacity. Each option you get on the Ram will reduce the PC. Our is only about 1200 lbs. Don't believe the salesmen either - they will quote you a base trim model with 2wd and no options. The PC for the specific vehicle will be posted inside the driver's door. Bottom line - no issues and we love it!

We purchased a RAM 1/2 ton with the "Limited' trim level three years ago. (2017 model) Very nice truck, nice interior and the newer ones look even nicer. That said, because we purchased the top of the line trim level, with all options, plus adding a bed cap/canopy, we don't have much payload capacity left and it's a real issue since you have to deduct the tongue weight from the payload capacity. Note that our payload capacity listed on the brochure is different that the sticker in the door because we have all the options like moonroof, running boards, 4x4, etc etc etc. You're probably fine with the Oliver Elite I, since your tongue weight will be less. But figure on the weight you will add to the truck, including humans. Just check those numbers on the door jam to figure it out. We're looking at upgrading to a 3/4 ton, either RAM or Ford because we need a truck canopy to cover and secure the items we take with us (recumbent trikes and accessories, Honda generator, tools, ice chest, etc.).

I have them on my truck and have been very happy with them. They seem to do the job well. The front of our Oliver is still like new. I don’t drive at high speeds on unpaved or gravel roads though like some of the more adventurous members of the Oliver family. Our driving is typically all highway driving. The only gravel roads we typically encounter are usually just the KOA campground roads which are very low speed limit. I do have mine angled slightly as John mentioned above. And I had to order the 2-1/2” hub for the Rock Tamers since my F-250 has a 2-1/2” receiver and ball mount.

Contact this outfit; Dinosaur Electronics. http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/Company_Info.htm I had a water heater board fail on another RV and these boards are so much better than the OEM. They don't make boards for all applications but it may be worth a call. You'll likely have to purchase through a re-seller; I purchased here: https://pantherrvproducts.com/ Mark

We have a 1up rack and hate to give it up. So, we are hoping it will fit between the pickup and the trailer using a dual receiver adapter. We are not getting the aluminum storage basket.

Rvtravel.com is an excellent resource for RV information. Sign up for the daily newsletter, and you may want to aalso join their Facebook page for casino camping. Lots of really good information and helpful hints . It is all free!!

I lost one of the four screws that hold the AC shroud on. I went on the Dometic site and found it, they sell them in sets of 8. I asked how to order them since there was no price or obvious way to order. I got an email a couple days later stating that they would put them in the mail to me, no charge for the screws or the shipment. Mike

The best indication - Airstream owners that have switched or long to do so..... There are salient good features of both TT, as for exterior durability - here is no comparison. One hail storm and .... Oliver for the win Interior layout - the AS is wider, the Ollie is a little narrower, floor plans - 2 with Oliver, AS I'm not sure. Push Components and other options - Olive wins hands down. Chassis, clearance, and towability - Oliver by a large margin Warranty - factory support - Oliver is world class in this segment. Cost factors, apples to apples - Oliver is the value leader. Cool factor - depends on your values...... Oliver is a great TT.

Welcome to the forum, ask away! If you have not already, watch some RV factory tour videos FIRST, to get a feel for how regular "stick and staple" trailers are made. Airstream is no different in construction, other than their VERY high maintenance aluminum shell. Everything else in an AS is standard RV issue.... Google "RV Factory Tour" Here is a good one (good in a bad way) ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWokMmlKmT8 AFTER having watched those, watch this factory Ollie tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2rnZgn7-Xg A light bulb will illuminate inside your brain and you will understand why they are very special. That will answer a whole bunch of your questions, and you will understand why it takes literally months from the beginning of the build to the half-day delivery walk through, John Davies Spokane WA

Is not Meeteetse a great find! Love that area. Fished the Greybull river. Fantastic cutthroat trout fishing. Did not get to that reservoir. Will keep it on my to do list next time up there. And of course the Cody Buffalo Bill museum is Fantastic. Wife and I spent two days going thru it and wished we had more time. The gun portion is marvelous. What a collection. Thanks for the boondocking tip.

That spot sure beats the spot i had in the Cody Walmart last summer. You can easily spend the day in that museum, we spent about 5 hours there and had to move on. I highly recommend it if you are in the area - https://centerofthewest.org/explore/buffalo-bill/