bugeyedriver

It's pretty cool when you get a Christmas Card from the Oliver Family when you purchased a wonderful travel trailer from them almost 8 years ago! The Ollie family is a fine place to be, indeed!

http://www.USCAmpgrounds.info 13,000 public campgrounds - entire US and Canada This is my go-to site for finding great camping locations. It has an interactive map to help find all public campgrounds from City, to County, to State or Province, to Federal with easily displayed information and access to what amenities are available, phone number, lat/long, reviews, campground website, directions, etc.

Regarding your cable, what length do you use? Would a chain also work? I don't know how much clearance there is over the top of the axle, (or through the hole on the wheel) for a heavy (16mm) hardened chain to loop over.... Dave Dave, I just went and found the thickest safety cable I could find and it wound up being plenty long. My trailer is a high lift version with the leaf springs mounted above the axle and there is plenty of room or thick cable to pass over the axle and under the trailer chassis. My cable has loops on the end which I am able to fit through the large holes in my wheels from Discount Tire which I purchased when I went to 16" wheels. If you have small holes in the wheel, your issue will be finding something that will fit through the holes. Pete

Regarding your cable, what length do you use? Would a chain also work? I don't know how much clearance there is over the top of the axle, (or through the hole on the wheel) for a heavy (16mm) hardened chain to loop over.... Dave Dave, I just went and found the thickest safety cable I could find and it wound up being plenty long. My trailer is a high lift version with the leaf springs mounted above the axle and there is plenty of room or thick cable to pass over the axle and under the trailer chassis. My cable has loops on the end which I am able to fit through the large holes in my wheels from Discount Tire which I purchased when I went to 16" wheels. If you have small holes in the wheel, your issue will be finding something that will fit through the holes. Pete

I had a 12V outlet installed inside one of the overhead cabinets and the SPOT Trace is plugged into that with a 12V/USB connector. The cord to the Trace is long enough to reach up and wedge it between the shells where it is not likely to be found, or you could simply lay it in the back of the cabinet and cover it with numerous, miscellaneous items. The Trace is also programmed to send my trailers' location to family and friends which gives them peace of mind when I head out on a long wander across the country. About the hitch bolts . . . I wonder if there is a way to fabricate a collar of some sort which could clamp over them and be secured with a strong lock. Hmmmmmm . . .

While off in the tules, I use a lock on the Bulldog and also run a large, hardened cable lock through a hole in my wheel, over the axle, and out through another wheel hole. Then I put the baddest looking hardened key lock to the ends of the cable. I also have a GPS locating device hidden between the shells and connected to the 12V battery system (with backup batteries internally) that will enable me to track the trailer's location on my computer or cell phone. https://www.findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=128 A very determined crook will still get the trailer, but I figure that is what insurance is for.

I forgot about the toaster I carry that rides nicely wedged behind the galley faucet handles and rests against a small bottle of EVOO and my salt & pepper grinders to its left, up against the wall containing the microwave oven.

Linda, You're gonna LOVE your Ollie. December pickup...what a great Christmas present. After 7+ years and 99,000 miles of wonderful wondering in my Ollie, I've "graduated" to nice paper plates. For me, it's all about relaxing, not washing dishes. (also saves water while boon docking) Initially, I had the full Correlle thing going and duplicated just about every kitchen gadget I have in my home. (My wife was a gourmet cook and we enjoyed creativity in the kitchen. I thought I'd replicate that on the road...HA...That lasted about a year) Now I travel with two crockpots, a rice cooker, and four different sized/types of pans. I also take an induction cooktop stove and a portable oven by NuWave. (They work just like the infomercial says) Another way to ease cleanup when using one of my two crockpots is to use a crockpot liner. (Who even knew those things existed?) Simply put leftovers in a storage container and toss the liner out. I keep a nice set of knives attached to a strong, faux-wood magnetic holder (from Williams - Sonoma) which is attached to the galley wall with industrial strength two sided tape. They ride there on the wall and do not fall off during travel. Plastic glasses, but a nice ceramic coffee mug. I use a utensil organizer in one of the drawers, but no cubbyhole containers in the overhead storage. I do have a "system" of where I put things so they are always within a few inches of where they were originally placed. (Jumbled perhaps, but findable) I keep a white plastic dishpan in the sink which is where my Britta filter pitcher and Keurig coffer maker ride down the road. Any precious items such as computers or instruments ride safely on the bed for travel and they go to the front dinette seat at nighttime. Have fun figuring out your plan. Expect it to morph into something different as your lifestyle on the road becomes more clearly defined. Pete

Kenny & Kay, Welcome to the Ollie clan of the fiberglass family. After the Casita SD it won't take too long for you to adjust to all that extra space and get used to the echo as your voice bounces back from that wall waaaaaaaay over there. Safe travels . . . Pete

Awwwww go ahead and just take one check along . . . just in case . . . life is unpredictable and full of surprises around the corner . . . especially as viewed from your Ollie!!!!

Do you have any secondary confirmation of the 10.8V reading, such as a 12v plug-in in reader or such? If the voltage really is that low it is NOT good and may have hurt your batteries. . Normal operation should not take them below 12.2v, which is about 50 percent. With my single 160w panel, I never need plug ins if I don't require A/C running. Sounds like the batteries are not charging. Scubrx has a similar system to you and should be able to help you troubleshoot the system. Good luck. Let us know what your final outcome is . . .

OK Steve & Larry, I figured I handed you an easy target with this one.. Shame on me. I actually borrowed the red nail polish from one of my neighbors, and she wears it very nicely, thank you very much. Now Larry, about your camo fingernail polish . . . .

A visual reminder of your electric switch being turned "ON" is easy to make. Take some red fingernail polish and paint one side of the small latch that closes the door to the water heater. Whenever your switch is turned "ON" have the bright red side of the latch facing out. I've used this method for years and it cues my mind to be aware of the switch's position.

Over the last several years, there have been two or three Ollies at the Casita Bluebonnet Rally, which is held in Bandera, TX during April. I think last year we actually had four in attendance when Larry and Betty Harmon brought a 23 footer to show. I've found the Casitans to be a very open and welcoming group of people to all fiberglass sojourners. Look at the fiberglass rv.com site for upcoming rally's and just head on out and enjoy the company. As Ollie production continues, we'll keep bumping into more of us out there on the road.

My Elite sits up very high with the high lift option, 16 inch wheels and light truck tires, so it catches a bit more wind than if It was a lower slung model. My mileage varies from 13.5 to 15.5 based on terrain and weather conditions, following the Tacoma manual, not using the overdrive gear while towing, doing 60MPH. Once I had a huge tailwind and flat terrain, used O/D and watched the RPM like a hawk to ensure it did not "hunt" and got a rousing 19 MPG, another time, I lead-footed it from Wyoming to Kansas at 75MPH and watched the mileage drop to 11.5 (cost me an extra $85 in gas expense also) Basically, I no longer follow the MPG. It is what it is and whatever that is, I intend to get out there and have fun . . .

I've seen some pics of double awning Ollies, so they're out there. Shading the sunny side of my trailer really helps maintain the interior temps at a nice, comfortable place while boondocking (unless its not ridiculously hot outside). Right now, I'm in southern New Brunswick. The sun is warm the air is cool. With the awning out, the south side of the trailer shaded, and the air vent on the interior of the Wonder Egg is perfect. I've only the single awning, but think temp management with a double awning system would be grand. I'd say go for it! Hmmmmmmmm . . . (thoughts for a possible trip to the factory for another awning installation)

Be sure to have an accurate height measurement in the rear of the battery compartment. In my older Elite, the compartment is taller in the front than it is in the back.

Dave, Having the panel up and running all the time works well for me. It gathers power traveling down the road, as well as when in camp. I prefer the "leave alone and forget it" mode. Pointing and angling a panel directly at the sun is most efficient right after it is pointed, but several hours later, when the sun has moved across the sky it loses efficiency as well. I do have the ability to angle the panel left or right but have not found the need to in 7 years. I don't want to be babysitting the panel all day, I don't want it to "walk away" when I'm gone, I don't want to fiddle with where to put it while I go down the road, I think most extension cords for it are of limited length and I don't want to fiddle with a very long one. My current campsite in Maine gets full sun for about 6 hours of the day. (it collects energy whenever the sun is above the horizon and has 6 hours of non shaded overhead) I've been there going on five nights now and have not needed the generator. This morning I powered up the 2000W inverter and used 110 voltage to make toast for breakfast. Works for me! Pete

Hi Dave, Can't help ya with the Trojans, but I can offer an alternative. My current battery setup in The Wonder Egg is a pair of Lifeline GPL-27T Deep Cycle RV batteries, http://www.lifelinebatteries.com/rvflyer.php?id=2, which provide me with 200 AH of power for use. I've been out boondocking a lot this summer and unless my campsite is deep in the woods for and extended period, or in partial shade but with heavy overcast for days, the generator is never needed. My single 160W panel, which is mounted on top of the trailer, has me up to 14.4V by late morning if there is full sun available. (longer, of course, with shaded sun) I experience only a .2V drop overnight while running the furnace with the outside temps in the mid 40s.They are pricey, but the five year warranty makes me feel better about the cost involved. I went with 12V units so I would still have a capable 12V system running if one battery fails. Overall I am very happy with their performance. They fit just fine in my Legacy Elite battery compartment. Pete

Mike & Carol, Hi neighbors and welcome to the forum. I have The Wonder Egg, Ollie # 14, and am just down the road from you, in Fair Oaks. (Actually I'm up in Maine at this very moment, enjoying the cool weather for the summer) After you get your Oliver in the neighborhood, we'll have to get together for some mini-rallies. Woohooooo Pete

Well said, Larry. The Ollie is a perfect RV for boondocking . . . Put on a good solar package, and with its water and propane capacity, why you can just boondock your little heart plumb silly.

Oscar's comfort is an important consideration for me. He has no undercoat, so cold is not good for him and I must put a small doggie coat on him whenever I wear a jacket. His snout is rather short, so he does not get the evaporative cooling his long-nosed cousins might get as they pant, so I need to protect him from too much cold or heat. (i.e. He's a sissy) As far as staying warm in the trailer there is zero problem. The propane furnace is more than up to the task in all weather conditions we have found ourselves in . . . including a wind chill of 6 below zero for two days. He did, however, look at me like I was crazy when I said "Oscar, come on, lets go out and go potty" Normally, down to 25 degrees, a small ceramic cube heater does the trick nicely. We have camped in southern Texas at 100 degrees and as long as I have electrical connections, the air conditioner will still be able to freeze us out unless I adjust the thermostat. (this is with a small, 9200 BTU A/C) I will boondock in the heat if I only need the generator on for a few short hours during the hottest time of the day to run the A/C. Otherwise I look for an electrical hookup someplace to use the A/C for longer periods. !n other words, NO PROBLEM . . . go for it. ps when we into on the Casita Southern Utah Tour, ZION was no problem during that time of year.

Greetings from Canada, where I'm enjoying meeting some northern relatives and staying out of the bad Texas weather for the summer. That is the sort of camping I've done the last seven years and 90,000 miles. Here are some of the things on my trailer that really facilitate that lifestyle. Solar Power . . . go for the most they'll give you Quality batteries . . . I now use 2 Lifeline GPL 27T military grade batteries with 100 AH each for a total of 200 AH 2000 W inverter . . . great for the Keurig coffee maker in the morning Double Step . . . helps with my high lift, 16" tires and Michelin light truck tires, especially on uneven terrain Porcelain toilet . . . comfort where it counts Furnace Cell phone amplifier . . . enables me to communicate when I'm far from civilization 45' retractable power cable on an electric wheel . . . makes setting up camp and tearing down camp easy (not sure if this is still offered on the elite) Extra 12 volt and 110 outlets . . . not costly and verrry handy when you need them Two 300W Xtreme heaters mounted between the shells in the rear, sides to facilitate warming the air between the shells and protecting plumbing items when I'm plugged into power One nice thing about the new Elite is the whisper quiet furnace mounted between the shells. This also enables you to have more drawer space in the galley. The convenience of the electric cable reel could cause you to have the furnace inside and cost you one or two drawers of storage. It's a tradeoff to be considered, though. I don't personally have a problem with the sound of the furnace at night. It's something I no longer pay attention to at night. I also like having a personalized picture on the front of The Wonder Egg. They can take your digital picture to the graphic department and have it magically appear on your trailer. The only option I bought that I have not used yet is the extra hookup for electricity that would enable me to have my generator hooked up for a quick emergency backup for power failure. You're at that fun, imaginative time where you can dream of cool options for your new rolling pleasure home. ENJOY!

Pam, When folks ask me where my favorite campground has been, I tell them about Jedediah Smith State Park and the giant redwoods. it really is difficult to put into words, what it is like walking close to those living sentinels who have stood still while time has marched on, they, being constant, and man, skittering about during our brief span on earth. What a small world it is, that you guys were so close as Oscar the Smiley Dog and I marveled at the redwoods in your neighborhood. You live in a magical place. Pete

Wandering around the countryside, you never know what may be around the next turn. When I see something that really catches my eye, I enjoy stopping in and doing a bit of exploring. That's one of the pleasures of being on this side of retirement. While exploring the countryside in my Egg Trailer around the Finger Lakes region of New York, my attention was drawn to a lot full of vintage trailers. Old, worn shells, with stories to tell. I thought I'd stop in and listen. This is what I discovered . . . http://peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.ca/2015/05/fletchers-trailer-sales-service-inc.html