BackofBeyond

I/we are very comfortable in our EII. Pretty much use the bed as my comfort spot. We have not been stuck inside much due to weather - but we have spent 8 weeks living out of Ollie and never had a complaint. The versatility of how and where you can camp - makes up for any other inconveniences. As for any other RV and a comparison - perhaps a little more space would be good - but honestly - I would still use the same areas - and the space wouldn't really matter. I am not a fan of the dinette area - but that is just me - my spouse is fine with it. We are outside people - rain/shine/or otherwise. Good tiding in your search. RB

As I made my way about this morning - about 3 in 4 stations were empty - diesel was available. I believe - we will be fine in a few days- as most have a full tank.......

Thanks - I pretty much stay with non fiction - but every now and then a good spy thriller gets my attention. RB

Interesting times - but not something we - US citizens - have not been warned about - in many information channels . The electrical grid has been on the hit list, and similarly, delivery systems for multiple other goods are in jeopardy. Terrorist attacks (actual physical damage) to just a few key areas of two pipelines and you could shutdown a large part of the country. Do similar to a few key bridges - and NYC will be out of key goods within a few days. Our supply chain is one of the best in the world - however -it is highly vulnerable to nefarious actions. It is inconvenient that many of us have had to alter our plans for leisure activity. When large parts of the country go without for a few days - inconvenience will be a fond memory. A month from now - the country will be back to its normal stupor - and we will still be in the target zone - with little action towards thwarting the bad guys. We want to blame panic buying - but it is just human nature. I'm sure - fuel will be unavailable around here tomorrow. The local businesses were filling every tank, vessel, and vehicle available. They can't get people to fill open positions - but the one I talked to - commented - we can do something about keeping our stuff moving...... I laughed out loud as a highly placed fed official lashed out at the citizens - as she was about to leave in her gov supplied transportation. Ok - everybody take care - 😖 RB

Ok for now - but hoarding will deplete the supply very soon...... Seems Mid TN - eastward and south east are the areas affected.

I just put diesel in my truck - the store manager was worried they would be empty of "gas" by days end. Seems diesel is ok - for now..... This is around Winchester/Tullahoma TN. Lets hope its cleared up in a week or so......... RB

E-24 now open.

I have found COE campgrounds on average to be some of the best. The closings must be affected by area - we stayed at several last summer, this spring, and have one lined up in the next trip west. As for reservations - it is an interesting phenom - as last years overwhelming new crop of RVer's inundated the forests, campgrounds, and any place they could stuff their RV - many places have - in response - closed to the public, restricted access, changes from FCFS - to rez, and raised rates. It really tic's me off - as a good many of these usurper's who left trash, human waste, and destruction in their wake - will most likely not return years down the line - yet will have ruined the situation for those that follow. Our plan for this summer - use the Ollie boondocking features to go where we can - Covid shutdowns/restrictions and new campers be damned. It worked last year - and we are better armed for this year. Yea Haw. RB

The roof has no problem supporting my lard behind. I try to spread out the load have used pads before, but mostly just kind of lean out onto the roof, and also kneel where needed. Sure Top gun, bring it over - oh wait I may not be here..... I'll leave the materials out - just in case. Roof panels are NO problem. I have never regretted the roof panels or the solar set up. And now that I i have the smaller gen set - bring it on - seems most of this summers trips will be hook up free anyways. JD - is that a speck of dirt I see on that roof? Nah, probably just the skid marks of some bug that though it could hang..... no chance on that surface. RB

When I wash the Oliver - usually 2- 4 times a year about half the time I do a full wash top to bottom - I hate it - have to get out the ladders - and brush with extension - crawl around up in the air - I am getting cranky as I see more birthdays...... but I hate waxing even more - it is an RV after all - why do I feel the need to have it shine like a concourse level collectable. Yes you guessed right - I just washed Ollie and am about half way through the wax job.🤕 RB

Fargoman - the modification to remove the installed regulator and replace with a quick disconnect is simple to do and well worth the time and effort. The grill works just fine - heats up as designed. I would rate the use of the Oliver quick disconnect and the modified Webber as one of the my most used accessories. Wind will have an effect on the grills ability to heat up - so placement is something to think about. Good luck Happy trails RB

I know several out there use the smaller portable grills - usually on the Ollie propane system. As I have found Oliver Owners to be a crowd that keeps their stuff neat, tidy, and clean - I though I'd post this - my particular thing is keeping the Webber clean. I am sure many do this - but I line the interior with aluminum foil . About once a year - I replace it. We cook with the grill almost every day we are out in the Oliver, usually some kind of marinade on the meat - leaving a mess - the liner Makes clean up very easy. RB

Portable Generator Bonding Plug | Camping World Amazon.com: Southwire Company LLC 44400 Surge Guard Generator Neutral: Automotive Are two places to purchase online - or you can make one yourself - your own "dummy" plug - Take a simple male receptacle - from HD or wherever - bond the ground (green) to the neutral (white/silver/larger spade) together with a copper wire. leave the positive spade empty (usually the smaller of the two and/or darker colored) see here RV Electricity – Generator neutral bonding basics - RV Travel you are welcome Imelda. RB

Doesn't work for us - Harley too often heads to the pond - blue sky's and he will come to the door WET..... Chesapeake's seem to be as much duck as they are canine.....

When BOB has time to look at the forum and post needless comments - all in the name of elucidation - and boredom. I moved Ollie out from its protective covering to do some trip readiness - Given the weather - I Suppose I could wash Ollie - rinsing is much easier and water conscious. Gonna make some lemonade - RB

Last fall I observed similar - most were sold awaiting pick-up, the rest - service related. It is all a matter of perspective - I get a kick out of the Oliver business model - they get paid upfront for most -if not all of the material and process costs, and have a very elastic pricing scheme. They raise prices, the wait list grows..... material planning - Covid excepted - is simple. Every manufacturer would love the model. As for units on site - a place I once worked built 1000 + units a day, shipped that on most days, and worked to a finished, but not shipped float of less than 20 - very hard to do. Now - I also did some work for another Asian manufacturer - who ended up with 18,000 units on site - not shippable - it was an amazing experience. Oliver with 20 or so, ha. RB

and the last for today - one for the current cultural wars, and one for just cause.

Simple - unencumbered. One of the few new ish country artists I enjoy. RB

Overland's rabbit hole is too deep for me, but keeps one on the lookout. Cam Cole - now I'm sure I saw him, or a facsimile - in St Louise one time, just outside the stadium during a Blues festival . Or perhaps it was the overload of libations clouding my view. RB

Interesting - to say the least. TN - just pay your tax, get the tag - go have fun. RB

Quick review on the Westinghouse: I must admit - the appearance and build quality look really good. Product documentation is great - much better than what passes for most directions/manual these days. The unit comes with oil, a cool screw in funnel, a screw driver for removing the access panel, and a spark plug removal tool. I added the oil, a half tank of premium non ethanol fuel - started first pull !! It is decently quiet - don't have a meter - but from my Honda 2000 experiences - it is in the ball park. Started the Westi - connected to Ollie - of course PMS had to be switched off - no grounding plug - yet - the jet engine- air conditioner- started as normal - no issues. It has soft start installed. The lil Westi - runs at full tilt under this load - but not bad - I'll take it. For $426 out the door - seems like a good deal - if it lasts as well as it looks. Edit - Works fine also with the new dummy neutral plug - EMS/PMS is happy. On efficiency mode it is quiet . Almost makes up for Lowes poor service. And if you register it online - they say you will get a spiffy soft cover for the gen set - delivered to your home - free - free they say! I am in high anticipation - waiting by the mail box. RB No Sun, no worries..... and to add to the addendums - (note to self - repair the ext cord you stole the male end off of)

So, I ordered the gen set - and it is a decent price - and it appears to be a good unit - will test it today. But Lowes was/is so incompetent - they couldn't figure out how to find it.... after I obtained the tracking number - from them - to them- and informed them that they had it - and was in their store - I got the duh duh duh - and finally someone went and found it -. I had been in regular contact with them on the delivery - to them. After I informed them - by phone - they sent me a email - informing me to pick up my order. Seems any kind of acceptable service is now a days - exceptional - . SO - soap box - removed. Lets see how well it powers the jet engine on the roof. RB

I do not want to find out 😱 And I have been in some doozy hail storms - but bad enough to chip fiberglass - well I can wait...

It is approaching that time - I'll spend more time cleaning the grill and front end of the truck - than the other 3/4 of the vehicle. Ollie becomes a bug magnet - FF be darned. It is a bugs life... RB

Bugs, ivy, things in nature - don't compare to the real threat - Humans! watch your 6 - they cannot be trusted to behave in any rational manner. A bull moose is preferable. RB Non human in training.