bugeyedriver

Springtime in Texas . . . time to stop & smell the flowers. Earthdancer, something you said about making u-turns to go back and get a "can't pass it up" picture took hold of me today as I was returning to home from Inks Lake State Park. I Just HAD to do it ... ps BuffaloBob, If I could reach deep enough into the grinning car's mouth to grab its tongue, I could tell you.

Inks Lake State Park photos are up at http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com Note the alternate use for the generator basket . . . firewood!

Lisa & Chuck, If all you "twosomes" would stop doing the cha-cha and having pillow fights in the walkway you wouldn't be knocking those buttons. Oscar & I have no trouble at all.

Oscar & I shall be enjoying the great Texas outdoors at the Inks Lake State Park on the Colorado River in Burnet, TX 19-21 Apr. Come August 1st, we will be permanent retirees and shall really hit the road! So far we plan to learn how to fly fish with some friends in Colorado late September and will be at the Matagorda Madness rally in December. Lots of dates to fill in in between those two! Wherever we go - you'll find us on the blog - chillin'

Tom wins the humor award!!!!!!!!!!!

(1) We understand from the Oliver brochure that we received at an RV show that the Oliver comes with three 110-volt outlets and one 12-volt outlet. Is 110-volt current supplied to the 110-volt outlets at all times or just when the trailer is hooked up to shore power or to a generator? From what I understand, this would require a built-in current inverter to provide 110-volt AC from the 12-volt DC of the batteries. Does the Oliver come with an inverter? If not, have you added one, in order to use the 110-volt outlets? If you desire additional points for power, Oliver will accommodate. I have five 110v ac outlets (4 inside, 1 outside) and five 12v dc outlets (4 inside, 1 outside) Without shore power connected to the trailer you will only have dc power available from the battery(s) unless you opted for the add-on inverter, which will then power up your 110 outlets. I use the Coleman 2000w Power Inverter which turns battery 12v into 120v ac. Just because you have ac available, don’t think it’s an endless pit of power . . . the percentage of the drain on the batteries depends on the overall energy storage capacity of the battery selection you made. Also, initial start load may be higher than running load and you inverter will shut off if you exceed its capabilities. Multiply: AMPS X 120 (AC voltage) = WATTS Your battery pack can be replenished through solar power, from your TV’s alternator as you move along down the road, from a portable generator, or from plugging into shore power. (2) Does the Sound and Video package (LCD TV, DVD/CD player, AM/FM radio, etc.) run on 110-volt AC or on 12-volt DC? 12v dc (3) Additional 12-volt outlets are available as an option. Would you find that useful? I added one near the galley for my coffee maker, one under the small dinette, and one in the main walkway just before the full sized bed on the passenger side. They are not that expensive an add-on and the convenience factor is well worth it. (4) Does the "convection oven/microwave" described in the Oliver brochure require shore power or generator power? If so, how many watts does it draw? Does convection operation require more power than microwave itself? If so, how much? An correctly sized generator or shore power will be required unless you've got one heckuva humongous battery/inverter setup. They call it a Microwave Oven & Grill – It will brown your food as you microwave it, or you can grill thinner slices of meat such as steaks, chops, kebabs, sausage, pieces of chicken or sandwiches. (Not useful for a whole chicken or the Thanksgiving Turkey!) Manual says Microwave/Grill output power is 1000w. Doesn’t show consumption – you may not be able to simultaneously run you’re a/C and this at the same time without shore power or one very stout generator. (5) Similarly, the 13.5 KBTU A/C unit would seem to require quite a lot of power to start. Have you run it with a generator? In particular, have you used the Yamaha EF2400iS successfully? Don’t know, I downsized my A/C unit to the Coleman 9200 btu unit. I uses 900-1100 watts for cooling and max cooling draws 8.0 amps. I run it easily with my Honda 2000w generator. Given the insulation of the Oliver and the relatively small cubic feet to cool I believe it will be up to the task. “Doing the numbers” I will not try the A/C and microwave at the same time without shore power. If I need to use the microwave, I’ll power down the A/C for those few minutes . . . (6) I understand that a "generator quick connect" may be available for the Oliver as an option. Can you tell me what that is and what the advantage would be in having one? The quick connect is a connection on the tongue where you can keep a power cord going from your generator . . . it is pre-wired into the trailers electrical system with all of the safety bells & whistles in place. If shore power quits, simply hit the start button on your generator and your powered up without the having to move cables in the rain or the middle of the night. LP Gas System: (7) I understand that 30-pound LP tanks and regulators are available as an upgrade. That sounds like it would allow one to go for quite a while longer without having to get a refill. Would there be any downside? The reason I ask that is that sometimes I have found that something that seems like it could only be for the better may present problems that would not be considered until they actually show up. Downside – heavier to lift to take for refilling / more weight on the tongue (mine is still very respectable for my TV) / you lose a small bit of empty space you might have used to place hoses & such. Upside – more flexibility for boondocking - the equivalent of adding a third 20 lb bottle! more time between refills to work on you upper body strength to get ready for the refill lift . . . (8) I understand that there is a "gas line quick connect" available as an option. Can you tell me what this is and what the advantage would be in having one? It runs from the trailer’s propane tanks to the rear bumper and is accessible on the street side by folding down the bumper. With the right hose connection from your grill you can connect directly to your on board propane source . . . gives you lotsa gas and precludes you from having to purchase and lug extra propane tanks for grilling. Phew! I see Mountainborn just posted his answers. I'll send this one anyway and let his response do the last two about towing . . . Steve, feel free to call me tonight if this has spurred on additional questions. CarolAnn . . . As I was getting ready to enter this new world of Rving, I went to the local big-box book store and picked up “Rving Basics” by Bill & Jan Moeller ISBN 0-07-042779-8. I have found it most useful – it covers systems / towing / campsites & hookups / and a myriad of other things. I take it with me for reference.

Steve, I pm'd you my phone #s. Give me a call & I'd be glad to answer those for you. Pete

Here in the Texas Hill Country we have many dramatic dips in the roads that go through low water crossings of dry creeks. The gauges in these dips are to numerous to count already. I thought I'd better not add any more so I opted for the 15" Wheels, 4" lift, and upgraded 4-shock suspension. So far so good . . .

Ok, perhaps the power to weight ratio isn't optimum, but it made the car happy! For more on this odd-couple, go to: http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com

Well . . . there I was, waiting for Robert to gas up his car down the block and up pulls this SUV with the window rolled down and this exuberant woman assertively says "Sir, would you like to sell your OLIVER?" I initially thought . . . wait a minute! These YAHOOS are 1/2 mile from the Oliver Plant in Hohenwald, TN with Virginia license plates, they know what an Oliver is and have the audacity to ask to buy mine in a WW parking lot!? I did mention something about the recency of my purchase (meaning it's MINE and you can't have it) Before I could say "GO GIT YER OWN" Karen broke into a huge grin and said "Pete, its US, the Whaleys!" Hardeeharhar, well played Karen & Tom

Well I done went and did it . . . I got me one of them blogs! Actually, my sweet daughter-in-law, Thais, provided much assistance and encouragement to get it going (gotta LOVE her! ) Check it out and feel free to comment at: http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com/

CarolAnn, It was a pleasure showing you the "Wonder Egg". Don't worry about the name thing . . . its the curse of having two first names. I was in 4th grade with a Mark Peters and the teacher never did keep us straight. (Besides, after the "son" gaff it serves me right!) Don't worry about remembering all of the specific items I have in the Wonder Egg. Ask Robert Partee to send you a brochure with listing of the standard and optional items in the Legacy Elite. You'll find the lists extensive. Scope out the forums looking at mods people have made and if it is something you'd like that is not already available, ask Robert if they could do it for you . . . you'll likely hear "Why SURE, CarolAnn!" It may ratchet up the price but if you intend to full time you might as well make the castle just like you want it. Search out the best digital image you can, that you would want as your theme while rambling across this great country, and email it to Robert. He'll get it to his graphics shop and make you just the perfect mural. To me, CarolAnn, you appeared to be anything BUT a "clutsy female". You appeared to be someone with savvy and determination to move off in a new and exciting direction. I wish you the best of luck and perhaps our paths will cross again at another rally and you can proudly show me your new Oliver!

I will tomorrow when the LCRA office is open . . .

Phil, It was great meeting you & Denise at the Bluebonnet. I look forward t our future camp fire camping throughout the years. The rally was everything I thought it would be . . . friendly, open folks enjoying the outdoor and greeting all who passed by with invitations to sit and share good times. Oscar was thrilled to meet so many short 4 legged "people" and was in bu_ _ sniffing heaven! (Its a DOG thing!)

One nice looking rig . . . Camping on the Natches Trail, compliments of Oliver Travel Trailers, Inc. "Honor the Sacred" by Kathy Hatt Eggzactly Perfect One Happy Trailer One Happy Camper! Bugeyedriver & Meanderthal . . . Its a RALLY!!!

Chuck, Jerry and his cat-mobile have been by and his owners give you their warmest regards. Sometimes Jerry sits inside and other times he rides on top and seems to point out the direction to go! Jerry & Oscar get along well also . . .

OK, it's been a while since I looked at these responses, but let's try again -- 1. Does shortening the tongue put more weight on the hitch ball than lengthening? 2. Does shortening the tongue reduce the tendency to sway? I would want to keep my tongue weight as low as possible with the least tendency to sway -- so would the tongue be in or out? Towing, weights, sway and all the physics associated with that stuff just makes my hair hurt!!! Greetings to all from the Texas Hll Country where I'm nestled amidst about 150 friendly Casita owners at the Texas Bluebonnet Rally! I believe I can provide a definitive answer to this . . . There's a guy here with the device Mountainborn mentioned for getting an accurate tongue weight. Currently, my tongue is on the middle of three settings due to the added aluminum box I asked to be fabricated to accommodate my Honda 2000 generator. it is strapped down with two ratchet straps and secured with two lockstraps. Gas is full, I guess its about an additional 75 lbs of weight hanging out in front of the leveling jack. Trailer is loaded for travel and Oscaar is sleeping peacefully on the bed over the axle. Fresh water = 50% / Grey = 50% / Yucky = 29%. Tongue weight = 400 lb. After moving the tongue OUT to the final position tongue weight = 380 lb. Proof positive that extending the tongue lessens tongue weight. Don't ask for the nuclear physics behind how it works, I just read the numbers! SSSSSOOOOOOOOO . . . tongue out = less tongue weight. I understand about 10% of the trailer weight should be on the tongue and that if you get it TOO light you "may" encounter stability problems. Tongue extended also provides an easier back up experience for some because it is less likely to over-correct when changing directions. ps I am lovin' life LARGE in my new trailer

Sherry, A strong, aromatic brew of java in the morning is one of those pleasures of life I enjoy most. My 12v 4 cup drip Cuisenart is rated at 200w. I'm not sure I'll get this right, but I'll give it a go . . . Amps = watts/volts Amps = 200/12 Amps = 16.6 (I'm figuring this is an hour's worth in value) Brew time = 3 minutes, or 1/20 of an hour 16.6/20 = .83 amps draw for one delicious cup of "wake-me-up" Well worth the value in my book, and besides, the solar panel will replace the energy! (If there are any real EE majors out there that note a problem in the calculations, feel free to set the record straight) Time to go get another cup of coffee . . .

Sacsun, My thoughts and prayers are with you and the other loved ones of your friend who has departed to another place. I found the Oliver purchasing experience to be unbelievable. They heard my desires and fulfilled each one in my trailer. (Whereas Airstream basically said take it or leave it) While getting the Wonder Egg, I toured the Oliver Technologies plant (long time business of the Oliver family, before the trailer operation) and saw the dedication to excellence that was apparent in each and every process they have. I asked some probing questions about the company and what impressed me the most was the dedication Oliver has to its employees welfare. In a part of the country where benefits are few, they provide a excellent family health care package and a 100% matched 401K for their workers. They even put monies into the accounts of those who don't put in for themselves. I know the price for the Oliver exceeds other Eggs out there. But not only do we get superior quality and best bang-for-the-buck, we support a wholesome company that really cares about its employees . . . it don't get much better than that!

I used the TomTom 720 for my pick up of the Wonder Egg. I found it to be very accurate. While I was at the NACO campsite for the shakedown it even had the itty bitty campsite roads on the data base. On the way home to San Antonio, I stayed near Texarcana, TX about 7 miles into the woods on a lake and even old overgown two-track trails showed on the display. It also has an update feature to se through the web. Unfortunately, my days were VERY long in miles and hours driven and they occured on the Interstate system. (Ptuey!) I'm looking forward to finding the secondies and thirdsies roads for my upcoming wanderings. Just be sure to wipe off the telltale suction ring from your windshield to keep frisky fingers outta yer TV.

Sacsun, As Earthdancer stated, they will put an a/c or 12v outlet literally anywhere your heart desires. In the Wonder Egg, there is the standard two outlet a/c connection below the closet entrance, another in the dinette area, against the place your right leg calf may touch while sitting in the front seat, another mounted on the ceiling under the cabinet and above the stove top, and another mounted under the cabinet right behind the speaker that's next to the flat screen. Each of these has an outlet wthat works off shore power, and the other works off the batteries that are charged from the solar unit. For 12v, I have one next to the dinette a/c outlet, another on side of the storage area immediately behind the dinette and in just in front of where the fiberglass spacer for the bed lays and another just above where the bed is on the side of the galley. Meanderhal and his DW came in this afternoon and had their checklist tour by Robert. Each of us found very minor items needing correction and the Oliver team went above & beyond to fix items on the spot. I highly encourage buyers to stay local briefly and do a shakedown cruise here at the Thousand Trails NACO campsite . . . very nice! (First night is paid by Oliver) Sorry no pics are up yet . . . but I will get around to it . . . I promise! Thanks for being the great cheering crowd you've been during the birth.

Good morning world . . . life is gooood as i look out the windows and see the sun glittering off the lake surface through the beautiful and barren winter forest. Coffee pot is on with my 12v Cuisenart 4 cupper and the brew is strong. It doesn't get much better than this . . . Yesterday was a long day, cause I asked Oliver to put on yet another upgrade and they said "Why SURE Pete!" (you really have to love these people) I added a converter that will enable me to use power stored in the batteries to run 110v ac as desired. Now each of my numerous electrical outlets has one recepticle to run off shore power and the other off the battery which will be recharged from the solar panel. More flexibility built in to the Wonder Egg. Arrived at the capmsite after sunset and did a quicjk hookup to city water & electric. Spent the next several hours setting up house as I enjoyed the first DVD in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Nice crisp picture on the flat screen and great surround sound from the 4 speakers. Temp was in the high 20s overnight here on the Natches Trail, and, as I figured (when I was warm & cozy in bed) the hose delivering city water froze outside. No problem, i simply opened the tap in the bathroom which ran with a trickle, but after a few minutes there was full pressure as the in-line ice melted from the new flow. Next time I'll be sure to put some in the holding tank which is protected from freezing. Source of heat overnight was a tiny thermostat controlled electric heater. Saved on propane, quiet, and very adequate to the task. Cell pone booster works on AT&T and Verison but not on Sprint, cause they've ceeded thus territory to the others and there is zippo-nada signal out there for the amplifier to boost on Sprint. Yet . . . my Spriint air-data apparently works just fine! Well, that's it for now . . . having fun getting into the swing of things. More later with pics . . .

Geri, Pete here . . . just Pete . . . Oscar is in Texas on this initial pickup and maiden voyage enjoying the company of the children in the family he's with. The kids really missed him since I've not been traveling for work with my busted elbow in the healing mode and they have not seen him for months. It also allows me to fully concentrate on the trailer and the ins and outs of this new experience. I sure do miss him. I'm sitting at the General Cafe, across from the Lewis County administrative building. The coffee has been just right and the cup is continually refilled. Egg / sausage / biscuits & gravy filled the spot and the conversation around the room swirls with local flavor. MMMMMMM MMMMMMMMM GOOOOOOOOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!! 65 minutes

Sherry, I arrived at Hohenwald (High Forest - an apt name) yesterday evening and drove by the Oliver plant. Kind of felt like an expectant new dad outside the maternity ward. Checked in to the Goodenough Inn and ate at the Rio Colorado to compare the Mexican food to San Antonio . . . (go figure ) Breakfast soon at the General Cafe . . . looking forward to copious amounts of strong coffee. No sprint service on the phone but I can connect with my air-data card. Woohoo! 195 minutes left, but who's counting?

Sherry, The tire cover graphic is a bit "over the top" on the wacko side, but the whole purpose is so when drivers come upon Oscar & me from the rear it gets their attention and perhaps puts a bit of a smile on their face as they go along down the road. I asked for it to be tilted so it might appear to be looking at them as they pass on by . . .as if I'll be passing anyone - HA