technomadia

Doug.. patience... please! We absolutely love our new trailer and really couldn't be happier. We've just been *MEGA* busy since we picked it up. We had a major malfunction with our old Tab trailer to deal with before getting it to a consignment lot, moving everything over into the Oliver and getting our entire lives in order to hit the road full time. Not to mention, while all of this is happening - my house in Florida sold. Like I said.. busy. Life has really been a bit of a blur the past week or so, as despite what it may seem - we actually do have a life outside of the internet. As of yesterday evening, we're actually back on the road full time and getting caught up with resuming our normal technomadic lives. We enjoyed our first night actually living in our Oliver last evening, boondocked in a WalMart parking lot outside of Kansas City. Right now, we've scored some awesome free camping in Vermillion, SD - where tomorrow I will get my driver's license and switch my domicile to SD from FL. And then it's westward. Trust me, lots of reports and pictures about our new Oliver will be forthcoming in the coming weeks as we make our trek Westward towards Burning Man (we're on a very tight time table) and fully get acclimated to traveling with the Oliver. I can say, in the 24 hours that we've been on the road - we've already given two full tours to people who stopped us at rest stops and RV stores. The Oliver is attracting a lot of attention! And we're very proud and happy owners. - Cherie

Herm - The ball height they gave us was 19". Ours is not sitting level at current moment, as we need to get air shocks installed on our Jeep Liberty to compensate for the weight. Doug - I'm not sure if there is a reason why Oliver doesn't have the tanks pre-filled for us. It may be a legal/risk issue. I'm really not sure. I agree, it would be a bit more convenient that way, but it really wasn't a big deal to stop and get them filled. And if you do need to stop and pick anything up at the grocery store, the Super Walmart is right across the steet from the factory and I'm sure your tech would be more than happy to delay going to the campsite until you're ready. - Cherie

Having just picked up our Oliver last week, I thought others might appreciate a checklist of things to be prepared for on your exciting Oliver pick-up day! One of the very unique things about Oliver, aside from the trailer itself, is your pick-up experience. Unlike picking up your RV from a traditional dealership where you may be given a quick introduction to your new camper and then rushed out on the road, plan to spend a couple of hours at the factory going over your Oliver and completing the paperwork and payment - and then have Oliver help you set up at a nearby campsite for your first night of camping. After a pretty thorough introduction, the Oliver crew will help you hitch up and then walk you through your first propane fill up at a nearby station. Be sure to bring a form of payment for the propane - cash, debit and credit cards are accepted, and fill up rates are standard market rates. Next you'll follow your Oliver rep out to Natchez Trace Thousand Trails campground, about 20 minutes outside of Hohenwald, where Oliver puts you up for a night to test out everything before you head on your way home. You won't need to pay for camping for your first night, but you can extend your stay if you like. You'll be walked through a full setup of the camper with lots of opportunity to ask questions. And then, you will enjoy your first night in your camper!. This is your shakeout opportunity to test out all of the facilities of your Oliver, and report back to the factory in the morning if you find anything wrong at all so they can correct it before you hit the road. Even if you're an experienced RVer, it can be helpful to have an idea of what to expect on your pick-up day and what to prepare for. Before arriving, make sure you have the following already installed: - Appropriate tow package on your vehicle - Standard 2" ball with ~19" height from ground - Electric brake controller Your Oliver will come complete with all the hoses and electrical cords you'll need to hook-up. But there are some additional items you'll want to make sure you bring with you: - Wheel chocks - Leveling blocks (lumber pieces) - Small toolkit with general pliers, mallet and screwdrivers - just in case - RV Toliet Paper (*don't* bring your regular stuff from home) - RV Black Tank treatment (your toilet comes with a sample that will get you started. But if you want something biodegradable, it's easiest to start off with a fresh tank) - Disposable gloves for dumping your tank(s) And because the nearest stores will be a 20-30 minute drive away - packing to plan for the overnight stay will go a long way to maximizing your time in your Oliver check-out. Some ideas for your packing list: - Clothing for at least 2 nights (just in case you end up needing a second night) - Cookware to prepare your first meal(s) - Pots/pans - Spatula, spoon - Plates & utensils - Cups - Napkins - Food to cook - Don't count on your refrigerator to be cold enough for a few hours into your first night - Dish soap / sponge - Beverages - Linens for the bed(s) - Pillows - Foam mattress topper (if desired) - Towels for kitchen and bath - Toiletries - Toothbrush / toothpaste - Personal care items - Entry mat to reduce tracking of dirt into your new camper (entry way is 26.5" x 19") - Small bath mat (the bath floor is 22" x 24") - Pen and Paper for making notes - Record items you want Oliver to take a look at in the morning - Brainstorm things you want to pick up for your Oliver - Any questions you have - A DVD or two to test the A/V system with While camping, be sure to go over everything as best you can - as this is your opportunity to get things fixed before you hit the road. Be sure to check out all of the lights, monitoring systems, stove burners, water heater, fridge, microwave/oven, fans, A/C, batteries, DVD player, TV, etc. Enjoy! - Cherie

Yes.. I was totally taken by surprise! Robert totally rocks!

Cherie, Congrats on selling your house! What a week for you and Chris! Sherry Quite a week indeed! And to cap it... today is Cherie's birthday! I conspired with Robert, and he had a delicious carrot cake for Cherie waiting inside our Oliver when we arrived to pick it up on Wednesday. The folks at Oliver totally rock. Despite the glitches, they really went above and beyond to make us feel well taken care of. - Chris

You could mount an oliver on any frame and axle set up you wanted. I don't think it would be possible to mount an Oliver on any other frame. The frame is fully custom, and the fiberglass shells nestle right into it. There may be more flexibility with the axels and shocks though. - Chris

This is wonderful to read Sherry! It's been our hope that upgrading in size to an Oliver would not diminish the benefits of having an ultra small trailer. We really enjoyed setting up camp where most couldn't fit - Cherie

Actually.. I am no longer Floridian either. On Thursday, my house finally sold/closed.. and both Chris and I are officially 'full timers' without a physical home anywhere. For legal/mail purposes, we are domiciled in South Dakota. - Cherie

Oh.. and by the way. Since you can customize - it's my impression that you can leave out the stripper pole if you don't like it. And you can order the cabinet colors in a variety of colors. When we were at the factory last week, they sent off the first Oliver with cabinet covers (and fridge finish) done mirror - which looked *really* sweet. Apparently, it is likely to become a standard option. So if you want something other than smoked black plexiglass.. they can likely work with you to come up with something more of your liking. - Cherie

For us.. our choice came down between the Casita Spirit Deluxe and the Oliver Legacy Elite. The Casita having a definite more 'cheesy' 70s feel (I much prefer the shiny gel coat to carpeting on the walls, and chrome 'stripper pole' to a wood wall). The Oliver feels downright modern, open and luxurious in comparison. And actually, the bit of an industrial feel was absolutely appealing to us. Honestly, with getting to choose your own fabrics and floor tiling to make it look however you want, it doesn't feel all that much like a bathtub to us. It feels more like being in a very nicely equipped yacht/boat. We also looked at the Airstream Bambi - and quickly ruled it out for our needs. Sure, it's looks nice, but the newer models have lost a lot of their quality that Airstream was once known for (and still charging for), their features were rather low on practicality and the extra weight just didn't merit the increased cost of ownership we'd incur (ie. needing to also upgrade our tow vehicle and thus losing fuel economy). So for us, we weren't comparing to an Airstream. Oliver made the best sense for us given their willingness to custom spec things to exactly how we wanted them, the more modern feel and the higher quality build (as compared to Casita). Also, Oliver's attention to functional detail is just outstanding. Since we full time, we probably look at things a bit differently that someone looking for an excursion camper - such as storage space, window coverings, privacy, high-tech, etc. But everyone has their own style needs and their own economic abilities. What suits me, isn't going to suit everyone. - Cherie

Well... this girl did just fine without a bathroom for 7 months. Or an AC or refrigerator. How we got by? There was a small portapotti for emergencies which came in quite handy - but I adapted to using vault toilets, trees, rest stops and visiting friends of homes. And we'd treat ourselves to campgrounds with showers on occasion. And we also carried a solar shower bag for rugged rinses. Another trick? I don't shampoo my hair. Haven't shampoo'd it since last October actually. Just a bit of baking soda and an apple cider rinse every week or so. Really reduces down on the bathroom needs AND super great for my hair (my hair has *never* been healthier). My biggest problem with the Tada floor plan .. well, there were several. One is the ceiling height - they kept it at 5'9" (and Chris is 5'11'.. workable in the Tab where there was no where to walk). Also, the bed is permanent (doesn't convert to a dinette), meaning our seating capacity in the Tab of 4 would be reduced to 2. For the original poster, we're heading to the west coast this week, and should be on that side of the continent for a couple of months. So, if other Oliver viewings don't manifest, we should be able to arrange viewings as well. - Cherie

As we camped last night, out our windows last evening we could see 5 Olivers and a Casita. So we must be at the first Oliver Rally, right? Where is everyone? (Due to a small leak in our brand new Oliver, and a rain storm last night .. we opted to camp inside the factory last night. The crew at Oliver has been fantastic about making what could have been a very annoying glitch into a fun adventure!) - Cherie

Apparently, ours was the 33rd made. We just saw #32 leave out of the factory today towards Reno. And there are 3 more to be picked up next week right behind us - and several more in production. These aren't mass produced trailers. Each one is made with lots of care and attention. Which is something quite special and unique. - Cherie

Ok ok ok.. we'll post already! Our Oliver is fantastic.. although we have encountered a few glitches that will be addressed in the morning. And yes, one of those was the cell booster not working quite right at the campground, and preventing us from getting online last night. So sorry for keeping everyone in suspense.. Our first night at the campground was great, and we had planned to stay two nights anyway. Which is a good thing, as while we were spending the day in town we had a huge rainstorm which uncovered a small leak. The folks at Oliver are so wonderful and accommodating. Instead of us staying out at the campground in the rain with a leak, Robert just let us into the factory for the evening. (He did offer us a hotel room.. but we thought camping in a factory would be so much more fun.) So here we are at the first ever Oliver Ralley, and y'all ain't here. Where are you?!? Out our window we can see 5 Olivers and a Casita.. we had really hoped to see more owners here. Ok.. I gotta say. Having free reign of this huge factory all to ourselves (and a golf cart, thanks Robert!) is so freaking awesome. - Cherie (and Chris)

We are just now arriving in Hohenwald. We should be pulling up to the factory any minute now. Wireless internet is a wonderful thing... - Chris

In just a few hours we will be hitting the road to head down to Hohenwald to pick up our Oliver. They gave us our VIN and serial number today - we are the 33rd off the line. I like that. Thirty three is one of my favorite numbers. I've just updated my blog and Flickr stream with updates from our factory tour on July 16th, and some "almost finished" pictures Robert sent our way on Friday. Tonight - we will be camping in our new home! *grin* Check the blog post about the factory tour here: http://radven.livejournal.com/138515.html And the pictures from Friday: http://radven.livejournal.com/138948.html The Flickr set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/radven/set ... 655574383/ Excitedly, - Chris

Since we don't plan to be on shore power all that often, we're not too concerned for ourselves. The energy coming from our super-duper inverter will be consistent and clean energy, and will act as a surge protector in many cases. We'll probably use a power strip with surge protection built in to plug our laptops and other mobile gadgets, but nothing too massive and more for ease than anything else. - Cherie

I've always had the best results positioning the booster in a window or outside when feasible. - Cherie

There are actually multiple options for cell phone boosting. When Chris and I embarked on technomadism last year (as an internet software developer, I must have internet to make a living), I had a Verizon xv6700 as my cell phone that I used for tethering, which was a predecessor to your new PPC. (We also have an air card from Sprint.) After a couple of nights of spotty coverage, I ordered a plug in cell phone booster from 3Gstore.com that works with both devices. (Having FedEx deliver to me at a campsite was mega-fun). There's actually an antenna jack right in your PPC that is likely covered by a small rubber nob.. and this thing just pugs right in there and generally boosts a bar or two - enough to stabilize a spotty signal. This eliminates the need to have a big amplifier built into your Oliver and a lot more affordable (~$70 vs ~$800). The positive to this is that you can take your bandwidth with you anywhere.. you're not dependent upon being in range of your Oliver to get the boost. The negative is that it's not as powerful as a built in booster antenna, and you have an extra device to carry around and extra wires to contend with. Also, the boost only works for the connected device, whereas with the built in booster it amplifies all cell phone devices in the range. I've since moved on from the xv6700 to an Apple iPhone (which doesn't support tethering.. legally), but we do still use the sprint air card as our primary internet for our laptops (for now, we'll see how hard they actually enforce their new 5GB of 'unlimited' data limits). So, on our Oliver we're having the cell phone booster installed to boost the aircard and our iPhones. We'll continue to use our connected booster antenna with the air card when we're not soaking up bandwidth by the Oliver. We talked with both the manufacturer and with Pete (of the wonder egg) to get information to determine the best location of the cell phone booster, so that we can reap the benefits from both inside the Oliver and in the tow vehicle. We'll be doing extensive testing once we have our Oliver next week.. and will report back on the results. - Cherie

The sun deck is the real killer feature on the Oliver XL. It really rocks. I snagged a photo of the prototype in the parking lot, while the armed guards surrounding it were on their lunch break... - Chris

Ooo... I want my stripper pole mounted *IN* the bath tub.. you know, for foamy sudsy dancing. Might need some rubber grips on it tho. And yes, sign me up for a disco ball too!! (Ok, it highly amuses me that the factory even refers to the chrome pole as the stripper pole now... egads, what did I start?) - Cherie

Robert sent us new pictures of our Oliver very near complete.. it now includes our custom graphics on the side that an artist friend of ours created for us. (Hint: Look for the back-to-back "C"s that represent our names into the shape of a Burning Man symbol). You can also see how everything came together on top of the Oliver with the dual AM Solar 100 panels. They moved the vent fan and A/C back a bit to make room for them, and of course we deleted the satellite receiver. (There is a cell phone booster antenna in front). We're super excited to be picking up our Oliver on Wednesday! - Cherie

We got a tour of the Oliver factory a bit over a week ago, and I managed to sneak out a few spy photos from the "top secret" section of the facility. Look at the attached photos to see what we have in store for the Oliver XL, coming in 2009.... *grin* - Chris

I forgot to ask. Can deep cycle marine batteries be used interchangeably with Oliver? There is nothing particularly special about a "marine" battery other than that they tend to be sold in boat stores. You can use a pair in your Oliver just fine. Though, based on my observations, most Marine batteries tend to be hybrid starting / deep cycle batteries, and thus they have less deep cycling ability than a focused deep cycle battery. - Chris

Once we pick up our Oliver next week, we will be starting the trek towards San Francisco where we will be spending time both before and after Burning Man. If you are interested, we would be happy to show off ours once we get out there. - Chris