BackofBeyond

As a professional tent camper - semi retired - we continually refined our process. The Oliver simply made it much easier to leave at a moment's notice and was so much more home like. Having parted ways with Ollie - I remain comfortable in the tent/backpacker mode. My SO, not so much. As I usually cannot/don't desire to leave home without her --- the answer is obvious............ Oliver camping is like home - but with different views

Jim, You have discovered just the trick. My Dometic was just as yours - after much frustration I found holding the button "in" until it "latched" on to be the answer. The thing worked flawlessly ever since. Still, Dometic sucks as a supplier. RB

I will add to the sage advice given - look at your truck's payload rating posted on the truck b pillar (may be on the door). That will be one of your limiting factors. WDH required to be legal and safe - my guess after a few long trips you will be looking for more TV. Enjoy.

I used this - but then - it was around before Ollie...

Plenty of great first-hand advice on the Natures Head system. In our three years of experience with the composting system we were glad we chose it over the regular system. However, we were often off grid, not in places with dump facilities. I don't think it takes any more work to maintain than the regular dumping of the black water tank - and driving past the other campers in the dump line is kind of liberating.... However, if we were going to stay in one place for an extended time - say a winter at a full-service site- or regularly stayed in such sites, I would choose the regular black water system. That would be the decision point. Otherwise - composting. Happy trails. RB

I will add to the elasticity verbiage - perhaps the Covid effects on our RV experience centered around time elasticity. The shoulder seasons have always been our best times for discovery, avoiding the "on" season crowd. As my SO enjoys her professional life way past normal retirement - time is not as elastic as it could be -a little more rigid than I prefer. I'm also finding my physical "elasticity" waning with each cycle around the sun. Ahh such is life. RB

Oliver fans, soon to be, new and experienced: Although my last post seemed more dire towards the RV experience than I had intended, Covid crowds and such, our target camp spot was usually somewhere off the beaten track, not the KOA ( or similar) experience, and JD's comments reflect his cautious nature towards protecting his Oliver from the elements and what mother nature can throw at you. I always heeded JD's cautiousness when I headed down an unknown path with our EII in tow. I however, am, perhaps, a little more adventurous, when it came to taking our Ollie off road. I have driven down more than a few paths- sans Ollie - just to make sure I could get in and out with the twin axle Ollie EII. MUD - well that is something I avoided - all bets are off when its a slippery slope slough through the back roads. The EII does "ok" off road - mild off road - but take your time - and know your limits. As has been noted - the twin Ollie is not really designed for this. I have many pics of our (former) Ollie in great places - off the beaten path. And the amount of back country available for boon docking in the west is enormous. And for the eastern located folks - mind blowing....in comparison. I must say there is something to be said for the Ollie EII size - one can park the thing - given good parking skills- almost anywhere. And there is something to be said for the creature comforts of the Ollie - parked on the outcrop of a plateau, somewhere down an old forest road. Overall our Oliver was one of the best - if not the best- rigs for comfortable, variable location, self supported camping - reliable and solid. In our experience - the Ollie sits somewhere in the middle of the continuum between tenting - and the full blown big park only Bus RV. I must admit - as prices for the newer rigs rise - it becomes a little harder to justify given our decades of exploration. And the gist of my post - Adventure after leaving the nest - home- I found myself (we) missing a little more of the backcountry we once enjoyed when we we more mobile - off road. When we return to the "RV" world, it may be with an older single axle Ollie - prepped with a few mods to handle the more off road paths I avoided before. One persons Adventure is another's - well you can fill in your definition. Sometimes I felt a little less, simpler - less like home, was what I needed, less Oliver- less work to seek our adventure. The future - we shall see - but the Oliver experience is the example of what one should seek in mobile adventure platforms - certainly a great company, product, and fan base. In closing - the world is your Oyster, and the Ollie is a great companion in your discovery of the the pearls to be found in the outdoors and in the outback of nature. Go a little farther - back of beyond- as Ed Abby would say, find your special spot. We will see you down the road - dusty and a little the worse for wear, but down the road alas. RB, CB, and Harley.

If you have the solar set up you should have the external two prong port - not sure what the new units use, and any decent smaller array with a controller will do the job. Amazon has many choices. But I'm sure someone will chime in with details.

Topgun2 is spot on, a 100 w or smaller array will do the trick - pulling out the AGM's is a lot of work. RB

Hi All, Like the OP, our normal method of planning for a long trip, was to head in the general direction of desire, and wing it. For years (decades?) We have done multi month trips this way and had a great time. From TN to the tips of Alaska, all around the west, and in-between, we just went and had a great time. And this all changed in 2020/2021. Even with decent planning, our travels were just not as enjoyable heading into 2021. Other than some closures and new rules, Covid issues just didn't affect our travels in 2020 - we went everywhere we planned - mostly. However, to be frank, 2021 was not enjoyable - everywhere we went, even in the back areas, was just too busy". Trash everywhere, wilderness areas ripped apart for firewood, loud obnoxious people, and campgrounds - both full service and not - abused. OK - too many people..... The luster had gone - we had enough - Oliver got a new home, as we decided to do other things - which required staying closer to home for a year or so. How long will the glut last - your guess is as good as mine. When our project finishes up, I'll look around - perhaps we will hit the road a little - who knows. Until then - I wish the Oliverites good fortune. Have fun, be safe, RB

My experience towing an EII all around the US confirms the 3/4 ton class is as Mike says - towing heaven. Many do tow with less and have a fine time. Now - as we have moved on from Ollie - I am considering downsizing my 2018 GMC duramax 2500 4x4. It is simply more truck than I need right now. And yes - used truck prices are insane - some going for more than a new similar unit. The KBB trade in on my truck is higher than I would have thought, so I may pull the trigger when the "new" truck arrives. There are no trucks I favor within several hundred miles of our home. The new truck price is lower than similar used. Insane. But one is on the lot the other -"in transit" Were I to choose all over again - the 3/4 ton is what I would choose. GM has a new gas engine - I would consider. Below is my former Ollie and the TV. Good luck in your search

Or - pitch a tent at the old ollie sales site. Better to explore the wilds of TN...

It will be no issue on my next Ollie - My front logo will be a montage of bug splatter...

I cleaned my fresh water tank as best I could - filled it with filtered water most of the time - and we drank from it sporadically. I am sure there were times we had almost as much bottled water squirreled away in Ollie as was in the tank.

We had the compost for three years - generally liked it, and had no issues. Were I to choose today - I would have to really think about it. As was mentioned - judicious water use would even out the choice. I believe I would go with the normal toilet - next time. RB

Add up the RV's, motorcycles, boats, and associated hardware and soon your talking real money. Please don't mention the added $$ spent "improving" -- that makes it look really stupid. There was this one race bike, well... never mind. But - in almost every case -I would do it all over again. Our Oliver experience was certainly one of the better value plays overall. I never really tallied the costs and time/labor ( I'm not a fan of Horror moves) - but after 3 years of great experiences, and resale to a wonderful couple - we felt like it was a bargain. Of course my daily farm/daily driver is the former TV GMC 2500 - to replace it - well although it will bring almost what I paid - there is nothing to replace it with - have you looked lately - wow. - that and I really like driving the beast. Few if any have passed wishing they had left more $$ unspent..... Die young - as late as possible. Have fun Oliverites. RB A former Oliver caretaker.

Another Yeomans tale from an ingenious Oliver owner. Great effort. The downside - Oliver has yet to execute a manufacturing process that reduces variation to very small percentages . This is just one more tale of failure. This is not a communication error in an inverter, Nor is it a solar charge optimization issue. it is a connect the part A to part B failure. Not simple, but every day stuff in modern manufacturing. At $70K plus for a rolling boat - Olive has work to do, RB Former Happy Oliver Owner.

Sometimes you just don't have the right tool. The standard floor plan- sleep two adults and a small child n rear- the dinette - the other. Otherwise any Rube Goldberg you devise will be more work than you will want. The Oliver - in my experience - will more than keep up with anything you can throw at it. We have done many 1000K days, stopped in a wally world, or other - and "camped" with all the comfort of home. A truck with a properly set up topper worked for us with the kids - the boys loved sleeping in their own place. When in the wilds - a tent was their choice of home. Your issue is not the Oliver - its the request to make it something its not - a 4 person sleeper - with the kitchen dinette area open most of the time - rainy days- ha. Wish you well. RB

This should be required viewing for any question related to the ? - will my TV handle the EII. A very good primer - RB

If I was in your shoes - and I really liked my Taco, I would go the EI route. No doubt about it. Now if I was to upgrade the TV - still go the smaller O". However, if I was going to need room for 2 the decision would become more of a challenge. RB

I had to laugh at this - a friend had a problem with his Xantrex - I was trying to help - and standing on your head with a light to get the serial number -was something I remember. Xantrex was very good to work with in this case - and eventually sent a replacement. have nothing but praise based upon my experience.

Who wanted to see the paperwork - didn't realize there were pet cops out there. Never heard of this before - guess I'm aware now. RB

Yes you can program to use the speakers - our 2018 was set to do so - I can not remember the process and alas we no longer have Ollie to use as reference. The instruction manual had the details. Good Luck. RB Formerly of #359

A wonderful couple arrived this morning to pick up their new to them Ollie #359. I'll let them introduce themselves when they are ready. Our time with Ollie was one filled with fun times, interesting places, and great new friends. I remembered what I went through during our orientation at our Ollie purchase - and lamented upon the stories shared here on the forum relating to things some didn't fully understand after the orientation and struggled with at the campground for the fist time. I did not want the new Oliver owners to go through a less than through purchase. So this was not the ordinary person to person sale - my goal was to share as much and many learnings as I could - fully explaining the systems, features, and quarks of Ollie ownership. The new owners left about 5 hours later - with a video history of the entire "orientation". I feel comfortable knowing Ollie is in good hands - and more importantly - the folks are set up to enjoy Oliver with reduced stress and concern. Tally Ho!! I know the Oliver family will take good care of them- and heartily welcome them when the time is right. To the future, RB Minus the Oliver.....

Very telling - actually. Seems AS was more interested in making $$ than building a competitive RV. Surely AS has the capital, manufacturing capability and engineering support to build the unit - but not the intestinal fortitude to make it happen.