bugeyedriver

DCKiefer, Good question. I picked up the Wonder Egg on march 27th and happen to know its #14 in "birth order" with the last 6 numbers of the VIN being 305014 . . . so I use Hull # 014 in my signature. Logic would make yours the 28th off the line. I imagine this general "rule" would work for the first 99, then something else will occur in the VIN sequence. I'd imagine next year's 21 footers will have a different VIN makeup. I think its GREAT being in on the start of a quality product that's made to last a lifetime!!!

Mountainborn said: "Any ideas on how to secure panels sitting 50 feet away from the Ollie ?" Shoot, Mountainborn! All ya need to do is put up a small poster next to your solar panel with your picture of the Camo-Wearing Masked Chain-Saw Killer and a note saying "This solar panel is protected by a high velocity bullet, aimed by a long range sniper scope, gyro stabilized, on a boat so far away you can't see it sucker . . . go ahead, MAKE my day!!!" If you do go with the portable panel idea, be sure to check with Astrocaster about his super-deluxe mounting system where you can easily point it at a any location in the sky. Its the best I've seen.

The earth SMILES as Earthdancer is 39 . . . (again) , Pete Woof woof arf woof arf woof woof arf! , Oscar

Herm, I'm sure when you come up with a name it'll be perfect! I've only used my heat strips three times. No problems noted yet. When I'm connected to shore power, I usually use a very small ceramic style heater that sits on the floor. It works great. I only use the furnace when I'm away from shore power like tonight in the Redwood Forest.

Herm, Welcome to the family! Your trailer and graphics look great. I've got the Polar Cub 9200 matched with a 46lb Honda 2000 watt generator. They work great together. I've been camping in south Texas during the summer at 104 degrees outside and had to turn up the temp so I wouldn't freeze Oscar. With the wall mounted thermostat, I can place the A/C on cool, heat or fan only and place the fan on low / high ON or low / high AUTO. Haven't figured out how to make it walk the dog yet, but I'm still reading the manual. Congrats on your trailer - have you named it yet?

DougI, I've got th Polar Cub 9200 and initially was concerned about the sound. After speaking to other seasoned RV'rs I discovered that it is not much different in sound level from theirs in other small trailers. I guess it'd be hard not to hear a compressor cycling on only 5 feet from your ears, no matter what A/C you had. Anyway . . . after a couple nights, my brain totally tuned it out and I find the gentle hummmmmm to be soothing instead of attention getting. Not concerned with it at all right now as I'm traveling in the greater northwest at this time. I find the propane heater makes a sudden sound when it comes on, but the brain has attenuated to that as well.

Looking good Mountainborn! I'd go with #2 and just barely change it up by "slightly" rounding the very top of the driver's side corner but still maintaining a straight line down towards the bottom. I fear the dome on #3 might fall off! Very cool idea . . . (now, if you could also incorporate a boat, some jugs, and a HUGE catfish)

The 3900 lb total weight is the combination of the 3560 lbs on the axle and 340 on the tongue.The wonder egg is an Elite without the King-Dome but with two 30 lb propane tanks, a 100W solar system, Cell phone signal amplifier, upgraded suspension, 15 inch wheels, and an aluminum generator rack on the tongue. (the 340 lb tongue weight is without the generator) There are various other additions that do not add any appreciable weight ie: ham radio cable, extra 12v outlets, etc. I weighed the Wonder Egg to confirm adequate safety margins for my rig. I am very satisfied with my current set up of Wonder Egg & Tacoma 4 door w/ factory towing package.. The Combined Gross weight of the loaded truck and trailer was 8400 lbs, well under my Tacoma's 11000+ lb capability. MPG has been averaging around 17 @ 60 mph.

Greetings from Gunnison Colorado, where the rainbow and brown trout are eager to hop on your fly line! As I set out on this 5 - 7 week trip, I stopped by some official scales and had the Wonder Egg weighed. It was fully loaded with clothing, food, books, etc and the fresh water tank was at full capacity. Total egg weight was 3900 lbs. Well under the axle capacity of 5200 lbs and my Tacoma's 6500 lb towing capability.

Sherry & Paul, Your solar set-up looks simply awesome! I think you are the only Oliver with both the King Dome & Solar . . . looking very much like a George-Jetson vehicle. I think you should rename it "The Space Egg" Have fun "solaring"

Helo Mark, Welcome to the forum! If you've perused the forum, you likely saw my postings about the solar system I chose for the Wonder Egg. At the time I was looking for solar, I was not well versed on the topic. (I believe Technomadia [Chris] is the most technically savvy around these parts.) I used the resources of the internet to get informed and decided to go with a complete package from AM solar, Inc. I selected the 100 watt system that can be found at: http://www.amsolar.com/sunrunner100-22.html. My theory was to go with a ready proven system that had been on the market already. Since then, Oliver travel Trailers has worked with the AM Solar folks and they have combined two 100W panels into a small package which several new Oliver owners have opted for on their trailers. Technomadia's are side-by-side centered on the top and I think Seadawg is about to get two connected long-wise to the right side of the trailer's hump. It will overhang the awning housing a few inches but will not interfere with its operation. This configuration can be done with the King-Dome in place. Right now the brackets allow for either left/right tilt or for/aft tilt. But if it was reeeallly necessary I bet the Oliver wizards could do whatever magic you'd prefer. As you know, you won't be running the a/c or microwave effectively only powering the batteries with solar. I've kept my Fantastic Vent running a month, in Texas, with only solar power charging the batteries. It runs them down a bit at night, but by the end of the day, they are back up to 14.7 Volts, ready for the darkness. While panels on long extension cords may let you park in the shade and get maximum power, the simplicity of the system permanently mounted works for me so far. even while in a shady spot or under cloudy conditions i am charging the batteries a small bit at a time. With the 100W panel, i get 5 to 6 amps per hour loaded into the batteries on a sunny day under full exposure with no tilt in use. Good luck on your quest for a trailer, if you chose Oliver, you'll surely be one HAPPY CAMPER!

After being in the drought in Texas, Oscar thought the two days of rain and wind were something to behold! He liked it so much, we thought we'e chase the moisture as it slides up into the Carolinas. (Gluttons for punishment) We're in McRae, Ga at a great state park heading up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Yesiree, I'm getting used to this.

BuffaloBob, Robert, Friend . . . I understand your needs to concentrate on your primary job, helping Oliver Travel Trailers deliver a world class, modern, efficient trailer for a lifetime of use to its customers. There aren't 35 hours in a day and you can only be one place at a time. You are invaluable to the company and shall help it succeed. Don't worry about the forum. The enthusiastic bunch of moderators you've put in place shall keep it informative, light, and a fun place for people to spend time with and learn about this wonderful new fiberglass marvel. Happy trails . . . Pete

V6 2008 Tacoma 2WD - 6500lb tow rating - 17.5 mpg towing (@ 55-60mph, level terrain) I selected 2WD to save weight and improve mileage - don't plan on much back country / off road activity (or climbing up a steeeeep mountain to watch the sunrise . . . )

DougI, Can't answer for Technomadia's time as he blasted throughout the factory floor that night on a golf cart, but I can say the accommodations out on the Trace are wonderful, with water and electricity provided. You won't need any black water flush until you're further along on your adventure, anyway.

DougI, I understand your thoughts on the propane, but as I recall from the delivery of my Wonder Egg, Oliver is not technically set up for the storage / OSHA requirements / Tennessee propane service permits / etc. They have been busy concentrating on the production process of the "Worlds Finest Fiberglass RV" (IMHO ) They also find it instructive for a portion of us who have not dealt with the propane tanks to get a practical example of the fill process. It goes along with their philosophy of a great shake-down overnighter with on the Natchez Trace. Actually, the time involved to accomplish the fill is about 10-15 minutes and does not detract from the pick up experience. They are starting to run an electrical hookup the the delivery trailers in order to enable the refrigerator to cool down by pick up time. This enables customers to load their food items directly, without worries about temperatures.

DougI, So you're getting solar too . . . great! I see you said "panels" - does that mean you'll be a 200 watter like Technomadia? ( I am sooo jealous ) One thing to consider on your XM radio is the potential of high voltage of the A/C unit messing up your radio's signal. I don't know that it would, but if the wiring is not shielded well, it could pose a problem if run near the A/C's motor. You should have plenty of room up front of the trailer with a clear view of the heavens that would enable you to run the cable away from any electrical interference. I know you don't want another hole, but am confident that if the factory does the installation, you'll have no problems. Just a thought . . .

Herm, Maintaining the appearance of our Ollies is important to all of us . . . good question. I think "to FLAP or not to FLAP" depends on your tow vehicle's presence of mud guards and the roads you are likely to encounter. I know Mountainborn and Butchterknife do some serious boondocking in the hinterlands and, as such, are more likely than not to encounter dirt and gravel roads. His Wrangler does not have any mud guards of its own, so adding the semi-trailer like flaps is a good thing for him at times.. In my case and experience, I tow with a Tacoma that already has some factory installed mud guards and the 2500 miles of traveling I've put on the Wonder Egg were on paved roads. (Except for about a 5 mile gravel road) So far I am ding free. Next week, Oscar & I shall head out on about a 4000 mile adventure which will predominantly be on paved roads. I'll check along the way and let you know if I see any problems. I'm hopeful that all will go well . . .

jam49, Now all you have to do is figure out how to survive between now and the time you pick up your wonderful new Ollie! Hang in there, you'll make it! I am sure it will be well worth waiting for and you will be soooooo happy! DougI, The furnace does have a "bit" of noise when it comes on . . . nothing you would not become attuned to over time though. If you will not be in the deep low temps for a long time, you may do well with a small electric heater plugged into your A/C near the closet and pointing towards the bed area. It worked great for me the first two nights on the Natchez Trace at 25 degrees each night. Not a sauna, but nice & cozy under the covers.

Alex, As I approached retirement and yearned for the open road, I too seriously explored the wonders of the Airstream Bambi. Then I discovered the Oliver and my comparative studies between the two began in earnest. What I discerned was a legacy company riding along on its former glory which was not responsive to its customers unique requests vs the Oliver family which has been in business for decades and was beginning to produce a new product line with superior quality and extreme customer satisfaction as a central theme. One company who's quality control was loosing its luster and another company wanting to put out a product that would meet or exceed expectations at every turn. Airstream would not even dream of wiring my trailer for solar, putting in a cell phone signal amplifier, moving the license plate to accommodate a "smiley face" of make a custom mural for the front, and wiring the trailer for ham radio, whereas Oliver had only one response to each and every request . . . "Why SURE, Pete!" I don't have a pole barn but I do live in a gated community across from the country club and I park the Wonder Egg proudly on my property, for all to see, and have given many tours for my interested neighbors who are very impressed with the Oliver quality and customer requested modifications. I find time working at the galley with the stove or sink is minimal. If I get into a complex meal requiring lots of chopping or mixing, I use the dinette table and a "toe hold' space is not required. I have no doubt if you'd like to change up some of the interior wall or ceiling "feel" it would be simple enough to put on a quality accent application of your choosing similar to how they made the mural for the front of my trailer. Good luck on the quest for your trailer. Whatever decision you make, may it give you many years of joy!

It's official . . . Time for a big road trip! Feel free to follow Oscar & I on the blog as we strike out on our adventure!

DougI, Oscar & I are looking forward to Matagorda and meeting lots of new friends. See you there! If not before . . .

Chris & Cherie, I know that today is going to be a very special and exciting time as you check out the Uber-Oliver at the factory and head out with your new home following close behind. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!

We're heading out to your neck of the woods today! We'll be at Mustang Island State Park tonight & Saturday night. Come on out!

Oscar's not afraid of no alligators or HURRICANES! Check out: http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com/