BackofBeyond

I didn't think yours were that old, perhaps I was wrong. The Ford system is certainly interesting.

I used Preston RV anti freeze - Wal-Mart - less than $3 - It claims -100 degree protection. Two gallons did the EII. Followed the instructions off the Oliver site. Have done same for three years - easy - and not a problem to date. RB

Yes! Thanks. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

With the progressive unit, and all the checks it does on the incoming power, there are also a few issues that arise due to its level of protection. One we are all aware of is the grounded neutral needed for many gen sets, another is under/over voltage protection. I have an older, larger generator on the farm, I use for various activities. The Oliver will not run on this unit due to high voltage - its just over the cutoff of the Progressive. I have also been at a few sites where the voltage was at the low end - and under load - cycled the AC unit. I have not run into a variable cycle/hertz issue - but if a place ran off of a larger generator it could happen - I'm referring to a RV park out in the middle of the Yukon. Due to cautious nature of the folks on this forum, and their many suggestions to keep problems at bay , I do a few things - many in the RV world probably don't. Frankly - my worry is about the power at campgrounds - you can never assume it is correct - I have found some really bad situations at a few RV parks - and as GAP mentioned - you can move sites if there is an issue. Additionally - water pressure should also be something you check and regulate. I don' t know the lower and upper limit of the progressive unit - you can refer to your manual - newer models may be different.

Hmmm, I am sure, somewhere, at some point, there has been a nefarious human lurking around in an RV park - and maybe even in a remote boondocking site. but in my 45 years of camping - from tent to Oliver, all over this country - I haven't found them yet. A few rude, obnoxious, or just out of it - but never any that were anything I worried about. Now there was this bear in Yellowstone who didn't like tents, and a large Moose - who was just - well big. A very smart and strong racoon gave us fits on a rainy night in Ark many years ago - the only marked bandit I can remember. Jim O has it right - wildlife are probably the the real worry. As has been stated - the vast majority of RVer's are friendly people - and getting to know the other campers is part of the culture - well for us anyways. Some of the best people I know - I met while enjoying the outdoors - camping. If you want solitude - it s there for the taking, and if you want to be left alone - its really easy. Probably should not come too far south if your one to be warry/shy of strangers - we say hi to everyone, will make eye contact, and generally just be nice - to strangers. ????? As or security issues - I'm usually on point at fuel fills, in town for supplies, and when around non campers. Perhaps at rest-stops - I have seen some really strange stuff at 3 am in a west Texas rest stop = off -I ???? well you pick one. Relax - the other rv dudes - they left the city for the same reason as you! The bad guys are behind you - doing their thing in a more target rich environment. Good luck. RB

Find something else to worry about - I have to mentally reset every time - If I reversed the action - I'd still have to adjust. Oh look- there's squirrel. Wait, no...

My thoughts - 1. You should verify the incoming voltage. At each campground, and at home. Not knowing this makes it really hard to problem solve. I use a simple circuit tester - Sperry Instruments GFI6302 GFCI Outlet / Receptacle Tester, Standard 120V AC Outlets, 7 Visual Indication / Wiring Legend, Home & Professional Use, Yellow & Black - Multi Testers - Amazon.com is an example of one does everything you need. Plug it into the pedestal before you hook up. Use a 30 amp adapter. 2. My protector has a delay - about 20-30 sec - as it goes through its test procedure - before systems are put on the verified single phase, neutral correct, 120+/- volts 3. What are the read out values from the progressive remote? 4. Was this the first time you used the trailer since replacement? 5. Any feedback on what went wrong with the initial unit? Good luck. RB

JD, I saw this yesterday - somewhere on the net - I spent time trying to ascertain the construction methods - the companies web site is not real informative. Didn't have any solar options, well really any options I could see. I would guess the exterior and interior skins provide the shear strength fore/aft, and such. Must be using glue/adhesive to attach the panels. I would also guess the interior parts are secured into the aluminum frame. It is an visually appealing thing.

The RAM trucks are getting good press - I'm not up to speed on their powertrains, but seems the interior comforts and such are very well refined. I may stop and look at a few - one of theses days... The new TRX certainly has the HP.

You use them on the side needing height. They work very well. However if you need more than 4 to 5 inches - yeah I guess a mountain of blocks would do it. RB

Well - In our experience - its fairly easy to go about (in an RV) the US under Covid - just follow common sense and the guidelines. 2021 looks like a better environment. Closures are usually posted on most of the reservation websites, boondocking is very social distanced. Utah is virtually one giant campground. NM a little more controlled, Texas - lots of place to chose. Campendium is your friend. Enjoy! RB

Easy peasy - just get a: https://www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1TPE7311X9O4X&dchild=1&keywords=wattmeter+and+power+analyzer&qid=1605918730&sprefix=wattmeter%2Cautomotive%2C170&sr=8-2 You will know everything you need for plug in stuff. Don't worry about power factor. Well - unless its a really big motor or inductive resistance. In that case 30 amps ain't doin it anyways. For the big stuff - its usually got a labeled power draw - but if you must, https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Wattage

All you absolutely need is payment. Leveling thingies: https://www.amazon.com/Leveler-Andersen-Minutes-Levelers-Leveling/dp/B01LYQ1Z8S I use these - they are very good for the $$ If your going the Anderson hitch - don't worry - Oliver will set it up for you. Otherwise A 2'"ball - on a 2" receiver with the appropriate drop or rise to set the top of the ball at about 23-25 " from the surface. I would wait until I've spent a few nights and locations before I purchased much more. RB

Boondocking, and remote FS campgrounds usually have wildlife nearby, So, how about some wildlife - these were in the area of our camp, in the camp, or on the entrance access. the Bison were somewhat intimidating - leaving the campsite, we had to wait for the herd to move on - they had no concern for the big white thing next to them. Free range cattle drives too!

We are bad planners, well not bad, we just don't. We know stop / start and where we are headed - and make it up as we go. Start looking for place to stay usually in the afternoon, if on a "lets get there" leg. That is where the apps come in - other than long term stays - that's what we do - Two months in AK - had two hard dates, with rez, and it was great. I will admit this last summer was much tougher - people left home and went to nature- boondocking made the process much easier. RB

A few thoughts - Many organized campgrounds - FS, Corps, BLM, have zero hook -ups, perhaps a water tap somewhere, and a vault toilet - not really any different then boondocking on a bluff in Dinosaur national Monument. In these instances, the Oliver - with solar, full H20, propane, and the Natures Head - we are good for a long time. And at full comfort - if at decent temps - not hot hot. Additionally, stopping in rest stops, Wally Worlds. Cracker Barrel, Sam's, or travel center's also becomes very doable in the well equipped Ollie. In all our time - never had an issue - other than road noise. There is something to be said about a nice hot shower, a stiff drink, and a comfortable bed - all in the rear parking lot of said establishments. You do not need to unhook - have an issue - just go - we rarely do anything but find a level spot when in a parking lot - off the beaten path - well ok, we do set up - few trouble makers are willing to go that far out - not a target rich environment. Perhaps a bear or some such - but to date no issue there - well once in a tent in Yellowstone... And as for locations - there are many phone apps, net sites to point you in the direction. Do a search of this forum - RB

Ken, Nice selection, I really like old the old iron. Having been a cyclist since my early youth, the memories are plentiful. However, I sold the last of what I had a few years back - the road had gotten way to dangerous and my body was not up to the off road stuff I loved to ride. Cell phones are the biggest danger out there.... Moto Guzzi - mot many around - and not hard to identify - few people have any experience with them - I love them. Don't remember the last time I saw one on the road. By the way - if you are ever near Birmingham - any enthusiast - must take time to tour the Barber Motorsports Museum https://www.barbermuseum.org/ simply fantastic. Ken - I am envious - always wanted a BSA - esp. the M50

My actual experience - with shore power or generator - the AC cools Ollie in 100 degree, high humidity, conditions. But I do not like camping in such situations, thus we head to elevation, or cooler tamps if possible. I would think 120 is ok also, but why?????? Just kidding . Shade from the sun - awnings help in my experience. Afternoon western rays really heat the unit up - once Ollie is cooled down, the AC doesn't work that hard to keep a temp. However - the AC is LOUD. Once you get past this, its fine..... RB

After reviewing the options, but not knowing the costs of each, I would select the Solar Pro package. If for some reason Oliver was gonna throw in free lead acid batteries, well then , great, but I doubt they are gonna do that. It appears Oliver has decide to stick to their option packages, eliminate the build complexity of customer custom requests and the like. As they increase production rates, this makes sense, After using an Ollie with a similar set up, I am satisfied with the performance, and upgrading down the road is less hassle due to a good portion of the wiring (and work) and such already installed. As the lithium technologies are improving at a rapid pace, by the time my AGM's need replacing I believe the options will be similarly wider. As for the inverter - I have found it does come in handy once and awhile - the added cost was not much in the total. From what I've seen, I don't like the current Li set up, and the AC claims are a overhyped. The cost of this option is also prohibitive, given the actual performance claims. Besides, living with Ollie for a good while will also indicate your real world needs, and you can modify from there. I'd hate to go all in, only to find out I didn't need - this or that. Good luck. Happy selections. RB

All good goals - and if the few closed groups I belong to on the other site somehow migrated to the MWE space - I would follow - but that is not in the cards. The monopolistic tactics of the big social media is problematic enough, I regard the damage they are doing to be a much larger problem. Had the despots of history had a FB, Alphabet, a twit or two in the bag - most of the free world - as we know it today- would not be. course that is just my opinion. Knot - ha - to get of the topic any farther, the efforts of the new upstarts to challenge is a good one - and thanks for bringing them to the forefront. Exactly !! RB

My poor MTB, it gets treated like a mongrel dog - dirty, muddy, and cleaned only when I do maintenance, or its so muddy I can't stand it. The roadie, just a little better treatment, but then its on the road. I primarily put the road bike under wraps cause its more valuable overall. As for inside the Oliver - my only reason for not - is bikes would take up too much room, access to stuff would be very restrictive. We us the Oliver a lot between stops, and along the way.... The Oliver is so easy clean. A little mud and such would not be that big a deal for the floor, the other areas, upholstery I would worry about.

I don't see the value. Another place to look?? Really. I agree Farcebook needs competition, but I would rather the FB group all come to this platform, I won't go into the FB, Google, and other platforms, but as has been stated - you are the product, at least here, we have some semblance of service - from a customer perspective. I appreciate the effort - I don't need another place to scan - Me - no MeWe. Update - I changed my mind - checked out and joined MEWE - out of curiosity and being fed up with FB.

78 - sunny today = rain next few days - fall will be back come weeks end. 70 days, mid 40 nights - until turkey day - it always turns about that time.......

I always empty and clean our Composter - regardless -when we know the next use will be long off. I would not think about leaving it "engaged" during long term storage. But to answer the question - I can't see how cold temps would do anything but slow/stop the composting process. In retrospect - I don't know if the curtain track was worth the cost. I have found suction cup attachments work very well in the Oliver - I use them in conjunction with the curtain tracks to keep the shower curtain where I want. RB

I have never seen a road bike transported in this manner. As you said - all MTB. Patriot - exactly - simple fork mount - works very well. KISS. Thanks for the pic. I carry my MTB's outside, the Felt roadie - under the camper top.