bugeyedriver

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

Robert's digital camera has been busy today . . . more pics are up on the wonder egg. Finishing touches are happening today! Go to photobucket and see: - generator / multi-function basket, sturdy aluminum! - swivel lamp with rheostat control - Robert & technicians signing in on a piece of the trailer (cargo hold cover) - dual Optima batteries & wash station, note the nice finish on the door interior - tire cover graphic - interior shots to include the thermostat controls - Solar Charge Controller up close and placement overview http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... 20Trailer/ 61 more hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -

Tom, Don't trow in the towel so easy . . . you gotta approach this a different way . . . simply go about the house belting out songs by Olivia Newton-John all day and your DW will start thinking your associating the new trailer with THAT Olivia . . . . . . Then come on up and get your Wendell Ho(l)me(s). heh, heh, heh

BuffaloBob, thanks for chairing all of those endless meetings. I know it was tough with the other 800 things you seem to do all the time. Will participants receive official certificates of attendance to hang on our walls? SeaDawg, Oscar & I look forward to next year's Dade City gathering. Sounds like a nice time.

Count Oscar & me in! Sounds like a lot of fun . . .

Congratulations are in order to SeaDawg, Earthdancer and Tumbleweed for the awesome, momentous, splendiferous, gathering described with such delicious details! Can't wait to see the pics . . . if earthdancer is producing them they will be worth the waiting. Looks like meanderthal & I will have to settle for second in the annals of Oliver rallies shucks!

rvngal, From your handle, I take it you have experience you can share with newbies to the rv world (such as myself) . . . please stay and be sure to hang around and point me in the right direction when i go astray. Best of luck in finding the right trailer for you and your DH at this time.

Tom, It would be great to meet as we each make our maiden voyage with our Olivers. I may have stuck the name Wonder Egg on my new (and first ever) RV but I'm quite sure each of us will have a wonderful experience as we receive our portable fiberglass castles. Seeing as I am such a neophyte in the RV universe, I have decided to remain near Hohenwald for two nights at the Thousand Trails/ NACO campground where tumbleweed stayed. I'll be there on the 24th & 25th. This will give me time to make all the silly mistakes I can and call Robert for help (heh, heh, heh) . . . Join me at the camp on the 25th and we'll have the first Oliver purchaser rally!! WOOOHOOO!! We can put pics on the site to PROVE IT!

I think I may be getting the hang of the picture thing, mountainborn. Now I need to try to downsize the photo for when I start posting Wonder Egg photo's next week. Anyway as you can see, Oscar is all smiles as he anticipates the arrival of our trailer . . . pickup is the 24th!

mrasoul, I live about 1.5 hrs southwest of you near Boerne, Tx. I pick up my Wonder Egg on the 24th and will bring it back home later that week. I will also be attending the Bluebonnet Casita rally in Bandera, Tx from 2-6 April. That's only another 30 miles drive from Austin The rally would be a great place for you to see about 175 Egg Campers gathered. Looks like I'll be the lone Oliver in the encampment. I'd be glad to show you the trailer and you'd have an opportunity to compare it with other fiberglass eggs. pm me if you'll be coming and I'll be sure we get in touch.

mountainborn, That's no simple mailbox contraption you've got there, its the whole dang post office! WOW, what a rig . . . looks as powerful as the generator your hauling. It is sure to get attention as you're cruising down the road. With the extra 200# strapped out on the tongue shaft, and your self proclaimed crazy, cushion tossing, back woods driving, be sure to add regular inspections of your tongue assembly looking for tiny stress cracks developing at critical points. May never develop, but better to be safe. The factory is making me an aluminum basket mount which will be immediately in front of the LP cover. It will distribute the weight over the "V" support section before the shaft of the tongue goes forward. My current concept is to have the Honda EU2000i travel in the truck bed, under the secure cover. I can use the cage to carry various supplies, as needed. At camp I'll reposition the Honda to the cage-mount and hook it to the generator quick connect. I'm also considering modifying the generator to propane and will have a propane tie-in incorporated that won't require me to open the LP cover. I'd get the Yamaha 2400 that is already propane ready but its too tall to fit under the Tacoma's bed cover.

earthdancer, I've enjoyed the lyrical sounds of the Native American Flute for many years (I have and play three different keys) Over the past two years I've delved into the Irish whistle with a concentration on the Laments and Praises of the Aires genre. (I have 4 of these) I also play several baroque recorders, but I feel they are a bit "overboard" for the quiet solitude I'll be looking for with the Wonder Egg. There's nothing like the sound of a fipple flute wafting through the silence of the great outdoors . . . At home, I've had deer stop and listen as I play, leave when I stop, and return when I resume . . . It's another whole level of communication that touches the soul and brings solace to all who hear, including me . . . I will need to learn to be cognizant of my fellow travelers in the RV world so I don't disrupt their reverie in the evenings.

The custom made front mural has arrived at the Oliver plant ! see it at: http://s262.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... 20Trailer/ "Honor the Sacred" is a canvas print by the artist Katy Hatt, of Show Low, Arizona. Her artwork may be found at . . . http://www.ebsqart.com/Artists/cmd_2735 ... tfolio.htm I was looking throughout the web for just the right picture to grace the front of the Wonder Egg when I came upon Kathy's work. I purchased one of her original 8 x 10 canvas prints and asked for her permission to have an enlarged mural made for my trailer. After explaining the recent passing of my sweetheart, Lynn, my upcoming retirement, and my desire to find solace and solitude in the great splendor of the outdoors, Kathy graciously gave permission for a one of a kind mural to be made. I placed the print on a photocopy stand and used a Nikon D40 digital camera to accurately capture the image which I then emailed to the Oliver graphics shop for creation of the mural. I feel that it will set the perfect atmosphere for my journeys.

Mountainborn, I've always noticed your knack for writing that can paint pictures and that your heart is into it . . . now I know where it comes from. What a special grandma! Earthdancer, You may dance gently on Mother Earth, but your photography shouts strongly about the spirit that dwells within. I LOVE your pictures, thanks for linking us to them! Meanderthal, your handle is one of the cleverest ones I've seen in a long time . . . after you've meandered throughout these lands in your Oliver I'm sure we'll all be enthralled with your true story of what it means to you!

OK Tom, I'll go first: BUGEYEDRIVER - No, I do not travel the highways for hours and hours on end, hyped up on way too much coffee, attempting to reach a distant destination . . . I drive a 1959 English roadster called a "Bugeye" because the headlights are permanently positioned in the UP position. They're called "Frogeye" in England. I've had it 20 years and it is great therapy to drive . . . top down, low to the earth, wind in your face, bugs in your teeth from the constant grinning, smelling all the fragrances of the new spring growth . . . Beats the the heck out of hiring a therapist. OK folks, its time for you to step on up to the bar and tell your story . . .