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As for the bubbles - over time the sun and heat will get most - mine did anyways. The other - JD covered it - if you have voltage feeding the controller and it stops there - bad connections or bad unit. One is Oliver's bad, the other - Zamp. I'd call but you don't want me..... I am beginning to believe a "pre-owned" unit is the cats meow. Time tested and heat/cold cycled..... I look forward to your satisfaction on the situation. RB

yes KM. Just depends on the vibe. We gonna call ya'll in a few to check in....

The morning coffee view. Persimmon CG.

Hello fellow travelers!! New year-New Day- Where did Ollie stay today -we are winging it - almost all flipping trip. As the Memphis I 40 bridge has traffic a little slow - we left a day earlier and went by way of West Helena Arkansas, Never been here before -so -why not - And then up to our next stop, and a few more - on the way to Park AZ. So a few strokes on Rec.gov and we snagged a great spot on Enid Lake Mississippi. Persimmon Hill CG is another wonderful COE facility with a geezer pass $12. Spot 50 - on the end of the point - overlooking the lake. Well kept and many miles of park roads to ride/walk. Well worth the time if you are in the area. I hope many will contribute to this 2021 Summer posting. I am going to try to keep it going - depending on the digital domain availability. Verizon that is ------- Our loosely made plans - are to traverse the heartland - I-40 until we hit the in-laws home at 7500 ft' - stay awhile then head out - to ????. And where are you my fine fiber glassed friends? To steal from the Who - Where are you, where where - tell me- where are you- because I really want to know.... On the road again, RB,CB and the Dog. And to edit - fuel prices went up in AL, and down in Mississippi. Interesting - must be the tax base.

One of the few times diesel was an advantage - same last week - no unleaded - plenty of low Sulphur diesel. Heading out this morning - with fuel prices on average 80 cents higher than last year. Oh well - gonna have fun no matter what.. RB

And

Nice. Be sure to take the Long way home. RB

My grommets barely made it home. I could replace them every trip - they must have legs. Woks fine without them - don't fret Mike. But I understand the need - no I don't I was lying. RB

Wow. just wow.

Interesting thoughts and opinions on the Truck - can you really call it a truck, or even transportation. . Or is it just a mobile energy storage platform that also morphs into something that will get you to the store and back. Or are we seeing an entire industry evolve in such a way that in a short generation, personal transportation will go the way of the hand held phone. It is not just a 4 wheeled transporter - it also slices, dices, chops, cubes, mixes, cooks and serves whatever one desires. It even has its own like button on the screen. It looks like a truck, but it is so much more - I can hear the marketers now. Funny thing is - as I was driving home this morning - I was thinking about how I would like to find an older - say 1957 or so - truck. Simple 4 wheels, inline 6, Manual on the column. Simplicity. I do not need the vast majority of the info and doodles and dawdles the modern vehicles have to offer up. Just a gas gauge, oil pressure, speedometer. I am good. I must be a member of a dying breed - I enjoy driving, the feel of the road, the interaction between the mechanical and the pavement - the curves , the undulations of the road. I do not look fondly at driverless anything. It is all so antiseptic, so bland, unexciting. Technology does not always move us forward - "Look - I went to the wally world, never even looked at the road - but I got to like all my stuff on the FB" Woo-Hoo. Right. Luddite I am not. I just like what I like. I have way to much information at my beck and call, I don't need a vehicle to give me more. My simple GMC gives me a bunch of information - more than I care about - I tire at canceling them all - yes I know - shut up - I don't need you - the damn tone deaf voice of the info system- to tell me to check the rear seats - just because . Enough. Have fun all, I am going on a road trip, Asphalt, dirt, trees, rocks, some moving water. No gizmo driven, digital production, zillion lines of code, illuminating on the latest big screen - all to put me there. I prefer to be - there. Topgun - where's that rod - I need to get to that stream - just back of beyond. RB Oh - cool truck, sort of....

Troubleshooting over the digital domain is very Iffy. I like risk so I will have a shot. To number 1 - Yes - I don't find it all that big a deal - but I understand. 2/3. I would guess there may be a leak or broken something - causing the slow fill - as it leaks into the bottom of the trailer. Thus the intermittent on/off of the pump - loosing pressure. Is it the check valve - hard to tell from here. Were it me - I would remove all the hatches - open everything, have a flashlight handy - maybe an extra set of eyes. Make sure the valves are set for normal operation - hook up to public water - turn on hose and observe - run all faucets, toilet etc - observe. And go from there. If one or more faucets don't flow correctly - attack each individually. With the foreign matter in the lines it will be a chore to get it all out. Try to be systematic. Water will go where the hole is - The valves are hard to see - but do your best. Next - if all seems ok -move to the pump system. However - a leak will show under both systems. Next - make sure you have water in the tank - disconnect the city water - run the pump- observe see what is happening. Make sure you have cleaned out the filter just ahead of the pump. It will have something in it - it just will. If the pump continues to chirp/cycle - you most likely have a leak - but could have an issue with the pressure switch- or air in the lines. A few raps on the pump helped solve mine - never faltered again. If there is trash in the system - run it a bunch to flush - Also reset valves for boondocking fill - and follow directions - why - just make sure all works as designed - and nothing has come loos or broken. Then return to normal configuration. While you are at it - Under any water source - make sure the outside shower is off - turn it on, cycle both valves. If it was leaking or slightly open. close securely - and go back to pressurizing the system and observe. hope I wasn't too remedial - good luck. For my money - there is a leak somewhere - the pump cycle on off is the tell. Guaranteed or your money back.😀 RB

I made sure I read your post correctly. Twice. Well you had a fourth choice : Stay at campgrounds with toilet facilities, use facilities along the way - tow the Ollie - stay in motel/hotel - I'm sure many do this - we did for 40 plus years. I am empathetic to the cause and feel for you and the inconvenience, but really. Yeah I get it - Stick it to the manufacturer - tell the world. That is what it says to me. Well the axle didn't come loose - or worse - a tire fell off - now that was a trip killer. I will leave it there - I'm not sure how people make it across the country without a personal RV toilet - but somehow it happens. As for me - your complaint is noted - somewhat deafly. Why - because I see it too often - as I have actually attempted to help people in these kind of cases - but I have learned my lesson. I'm sure the wrath will come down. Worse has happened. I should just let it go - but that is a trip killer. I wish you well. RB

To all our new/future Oliver owners - If you have not taken the time to review all of the Oliver produced videos - please do so. They do a good job of explaining most of the systems and some componentry installed in your Oliver. You may save yourself some aggravation, time, and embarrassment. If you are an old hat at the Oliver scene, and haven't done so - join the club. Me, being the type A I am - usually just delve into whatever is at hand - so NO - I had not viewed most of them. My bad. I must admit - even after 3 years of use - I learned a thing or two after watching all of them listed on the Oliver site. Jeesh will I ever learn!! Thank you Oliver - a cut above. RB Directions, what directions.... Who needs instructions, No we are not lost, No I didn't look at the manual - why? Yes !!

Craig: Impressive - Documentation is very well done. What do you estimate the conversion will cost in total. Any reason why your AGM's were so short lived? RB

WOW - you are going make this hurt. Will round up and estimate high : Truck: Bikes -1 26 Tools - 40 Clam and mats 50 Miscellaneous 70 Chairs/tables 35 Gen set / fuel 56 Full ARB 70 Webber 10 Kayak and gear 60 Water bottled 20 Water bulk 100 Cap 250 Bed mat/box 100 People 320 Dog 85 # 1616 payload - including fuel and DEF ( 350 = full tank and DEF) Not including the trailer hitch weight ~ 600 =/- so you could say ~ 2200 for payload total in truck Trailer ~5800 last Cat scale Probably closer to 6300 with full H2O and 2 month trip load. Full 2 - 30 lbs. propane, 2 bikes, rear rack. food/clothes/kitchen sink Truck was approx 7200 half tank, empty bed, So Payload =1616, trailer = 6300, truck = 7000 After a big breakfast just round up max 15,000 pounds at start. (note - water is not full, bulk water not full until AZ) This represents our most likely heaviest total load - I would guess the week or less trips one could subtract 1K. RB

Yes - most all are really good Trucks now a days. As for the Ram - I was just picking a fight - I actually have warmed up to the new look. as for the rest - its all about the same really. My father in law - once a staunch Ford man, and decidedly anti "Dodge "has purchased two Ram's in the last few years. I poke him about it regularly - Although I think they are nice trucks, it is fun to rib him. 🥰 RB

Welcome - ask away - don't be shy. We certainly are not. RB

Wow, $130K. I got a truck and an Oliver for a little less. I do like the grey. But as its a Dodge - a Chrysler, a Ram - well I'll pass. RB

By the way - will be running around your back yard in mid to late June. Shout out when you see us..... we will be in the white Oliver. rb

That and my dog - a very short list.

Very true! Not dissing the product nor the need in many situations. I hated messing with the thing- for the short time I needed it. For me the answer to the Anderson was a more robust TV. I do not miss it. RB

HI, glad to have you on the forum. With the purchase of the E II with the options you describe - minimalism kind of goes out the window. You will discover - over time - just loosely putting stuff in the Oliver - will not work in the long run. You will develop systems for storing the "stuff" you find you need/want. It will be more than you believe - at this time. You will not need a generator if you don't plan to run the AC -much (if at all) - or you don't do a lot of boondocking. In the 3 years we have enjoyed Ollie - this is the first year we will have a gen set along - due to our desire to avoid the crowds at the more established camp areas. And it is really only due to a desire to run the AC when we are trekking across the mid west in 100 degree temps, and not hooked to shore power. You will have to discover what your preferences will be over time. As to the TV - your main inquiry - - As others have replied, you will be fine at the onset - and over time - depending on where your RV travels take you - may find you need - more payload, more power (Torque), more room, and a more planted feel while pulling on the interstates and in the mountains. The 3.5 is a good powerplant, and the Ford a good vehicle - but it will be asked to perform at the upper reaches of its design intent - on anything considered "grade challenging" . Comfort - and how tiring it can be - will also begin to play into the equation. I must admit I wasn't aware of this until I went from a similar vehicle to my current 2500 GMC. Worlds difference at the end of a 600 - 800 mile day. By the way - as good as the 2014 powerplant is - it is worlds less than the current crop of engines - all manufactures have made great improvements in power, efficiency, and features. Boggles the mind. Ford is now building a truck that is more power generator than vehicle..... well sort of😁 The Oliver It is a great start for your journey. And it is a Journey - both in destinations, experiences, and equipment. Here is a thought experiment - Pile into a heap all your stuff you take on the first trip - take a picture. After 5-6 trips do it again - compare. Good luck. I failed at minimalism - I am attempting to reform - but failing ...... Have fun RB

Sir Overland: Not to far - I have mine on order - Advanced Small Modular Reactors - INL Waiting for 1/100 scale. RB

UPDATE: After completing what must be the 4th pass through at greasing the chassis I learned a few things: 1. The 90 degree coupler is worth the cost - really helps - esp with the wheels not removed, even with the wheels removed, You can actually do a good job with just the rear removed. Got all 9 on each side.............. 2. Taking weight off the assembly (wheels off) seems to allow for better grease penatration. As a little more grease oozes out once its back to normal. 3. My brakes look great - didn't measure them but to the untrained eye - maybe 3/4 life left - lets say 1/2 for safety sake. 18K miles. When we return - it will bearing repack time - will really take a close look at the stoppers at that point. Don't forget to at minimum to visually check the bolts/nuts/connections down and around there. I put a wrench on them last time - all were good. And did I mention - for some reason - this is harder than it once was - can't figure out why though..... RB (did you catch it 😆)