tumbleweed

Hi Northwoods!!! Could the new American Flag graphics be posted??? Sounds BEAUTIFUL! So, sounds as though Bugeyedriver and Tumblwede will lay claim to the first ever unsanctioned and unofficial Oliver caravan????? It will be properly documented!!!! Have a great trip to Oregon!!! Chuck

F Y I, the soft start kit for A/C I mentioned above to "soften" the cycling is a new topic on the Casita Forum. Chuck

Greetings Northwoods!!!! You still in CA?? Are the 2 Olivers caravaning? In Pete Marks hometown in TX and we will be caravaning about 200+ miles down to Lake Corpus Christi and we were wondering if this is the first unofficial Oliver Caravan or have you taken that High Honor already AND had it documented????? Regards, Chuck

Uh oh!!!! Naturally curly, huh??? DON'T USE MICROWAVE AND AIR CONDITIONER AT SAME TIME!!!!!!! Sorry 'bout that Cherie......... Chuck

Hi Chris n Cherie! Got the kit from US Carburation on the Web. If you can't find it, let me know. Had my local independant propane dealer do the conversion and they did a great job. Propane produces about 8-10% less power than gasoline and less as you go to high altitude 5-6000 ft+ (as does gasoline) but when ya' get that high, who needs Air Conditioning(my thought). As I haven't used it with Ollie, can't give useage but seemed economical. Would order the 9700btu AC though as the cycling is what stresses out the 2000. Had a 13,500 on Casita and it defineatly chugs. See Casita Club for into on a soft start kit that I will prob have installed. Will ONLY power Air by itself or will power all else when air off. Cherie, you can't use your haircurler when Air Conditioning ON!!!!! Feel free to ask any other questions!! regards, Chuck

Hi y'all, In Pecos TX heading to Boerne to meet up with Pete n Oscar and then on a minirally to Lake Corpus Christi then home. Sorry I'm heading the wrong way but we will have to get together there sometime. Think you'll find some good sites on line at Colorados website. Metal detector AND geocaching!!!!! Could be the start of somethin' new!!! Good travelin' my friends! An envious Chuck!!!

You got me hooked on this geocaching, now just gotta get some time to do it and learn that fancy GPS thing! See ya' at Fort Smith and hopefully BEFORE that!!! Chuck

Sherry, One of the "other" fiberglass forums had one that someone built or had plans for, might check them in archives section. Withlacochee soon?? Chuck

Hi Pete and Chris!!! Geri already has a couple of foldout panels but never used, YET! I am anxious to see Pete's set up to learn the basics and then can intelligently( at least as I can get) grill Chris n Cherie on their cool setup and plans for their Oliver. I posted a co that I had experience with before Cherie and Chris were thought of, on the 12v Air conditioning thread. The co has come back with a differant name (TurboKool) but same parts. I've converted my Honda 2000 to propane but would like to get further off the grid!!! Pete, will see you soon and hoping to meet Chris and Cherie soon. Chuck

Hi there! Back in the 80's, I had a VW Camper made in Fort Bragg CA with a fiberglass hitop and a RecAir kooler. It was a 12v swamp(evaporative) and worked quite well. This was before "shore power" You carried xtra batteries and a charger! They're back as turbokool at http://www.turbokool.com and may be the answer for you. The old model worked great in the desert but not so well in high humidity area. Hope the info helps, plse keep us posted!! Chuck

It is too bad there is not an American site like this. But it would take some of the fun out of the forums!!!!!!!!!!!!! Having driven in Europe a while back and never wanting to again, their standards are probably a lot differant than ours. Are travel trailers allowed on the Autobahn????? But the width of the Oliver would make it an excellent candidate for many of their narrow roads. Cool site, Thanks for posting!!!! Chuck

Sherry, Jugging is a lot saner than noodling and to watch teamwork, you have to see Butcherknife and Mountainborn do their jugging. They got it down to a science!!! I just stayed oughta' the way and posed with the fish. They also got me started on geocaching which I nominate for the Official Sport of Oliver Owners!! Another day and Butcherknife woulda' had me hooked on eatin' catfish too! When y'all camp with them, bring yer' appetite 'cause they can flat cook up some vittles!!!! You get a chance to meet this couple, do NOT hesitate, go directly to where they are at, as you will not meet finer folks. Chuck

And what kind of fancy laptop holder ya got to hold it in place, looks like something outta' my son-in-laws patrol car. I've seen yours and forgot to ask what kind it was. Please enlighten us!!!! Many humble thanks!!!! Chuck

On either the CasitaClub or Casitaforum, someone 'glued' a large solar panel using a 3M adhesive...and blocks to make it flat. A search there cud be of assistance to you I think. I'm VERY int in solar with no knowledge so will be following your blogs and postings closely hopeing to learn. Thanks for your battery postings! Do you think you will go to 6v ? Mountainborn has a VERY nice gen cover for his Yamaha 3000 which could be easily downsized to my Honda 2000. I have seen it and it is one of the nicest I've seen on ANY small trailer. FYI, by turning the electric tongue lift to one side (curb best IMHO) you can pick up almost an 1.5" of tongue room for your box! And believe me, every little bit counts!! Regards, Chuck

Congratulations!!!! You'll love your Oliver and the folks at the factory will take VERY good care of you. I'll be following your blog as I've already acquired a wealth of info from you! And I'm sure your ideas will be fun and interesting. Hope to see your T@B when I get back to FL. Did you get the bio diesel link I sent? Sorry to have not done the light test for you but this campground is wall to wall folks and too much outside light! Tried the reverse with inside lghts out and seems to be very slight light at threads. Chuck

Hi Chris, At Pismo Dunes, CA and 4Wheeler mag has sponsered the fellow across from me, Joel Wolfe, to show his bio/diesel systemed 45' Monaco motor home and diesel Liberty and knew you needed to see it!!!! They start on diesel and warm up then switch to filitered vegatable oil. go to. They have him out here specifically for his new Duramax (GM) design for pickups/SUV. Very clean and sophisticated system, has installed quite a few, next step is fuel stations. regards, Chuck.

Hi, I have a propane converted Honda 2000 that I have NOT used with my Oliver as yet BUT it ran all 120v stuff on Caita at same time EXCEPT the A/C. It will run the A/C ONLY but all other 120v must be off...popping popcorn AND the running A/C won't work!!! Make sure that frig is turned to LP Gas also. Also got from Wise Sales and if you mention Casitaforum they used to give free charging cord. The 2000 was bought from them as a std gasoline gen and converted later. Chuck

Having had both models of Casita, Spirit and Liberty, both deluxes I can NOT think of anything that I miss about the Casita. Plse don't get me wrong..I thoughly enjoyed my Casitas and between the 2 put over 40,000 miles on them. Chuck

A vehicle that I would have not thought would be a good 4x4 for towing is the Chevy TrailBlazer or GMC Envoy. Geri has one that she's used to pull her 17' Casita and we used recently to go to Withlacoochee River and I was impressed by it. Got 13-16 MPG and has a 4.2 liter six cylinder. Has better tow rating than my Silverado 1/2 ton 4.8 V8 by 400 #!!! Hers is the EXT so has bigger back doors and 3rd seat. Lotsa' room! So Ill throw the TrailBlazer in as a candidate for consideration! Chuck

And I just left you msg on your battery posting!!! I shud be back in FL by early June, Sea Dawg is closer to ya'll and could probably give you and earlier viewing. They shud be online in a day or two!! I'm really int in yr solar and am a total neophyte regarding it. My girlfriend is also interested for her Casita and has 2 panels....MAYBE we could do the first ever Oliver/Fiberglass/Solar Rally!!! Do you know where Withlacoochee River Park is in Dade City?We have met there before, not too sure where Melbourne FL except east side?? Chuck

Thank you for all your valuable info. Would love to see yr T@B. Currently in Pismo Beach CA, heading back to FL after Memorial Day weekend, probably via I 10. Any chance you'll be any where close??? Regards and thanks for info. Chuck

Hi gc24! Welcome to the forum. I've had 2 Casitas and love my Oliver. Mountainborn pretty well hits the nail on the head! Casita builds a very nice trailer and I got many miles of enjoyment from both; 17' Spirit and Liberty. Was about midway through my list of the modifications I was making to the Liberty when I saw the Oliver, already set up with all the bells and whistles I wanted. It's kinda' like trying to add leather and sunroof to your Chevy n seeing a Cadillac! If I can answer any Casita/Oliver questions or comparisons for you, don't hesitate to ask. Chuck

Hi and welcome to the Oliverforum. There is no shade on the door window but I use a std RV Thinsulate cover that is made to go over a std Rv door window, 16 x 21 (Ithink) Blocks out sun in summer and cold in winter and prying eyeballs always. Held on with Velcro. Regards, Chuck

Gonna' try to make this one! Hope I can make the sked work!! Chuck

Hi Steve! I believe that the WDH is more for smaller or Front Wheel Drive vehicles as its purpose is to shift tongue weight to the front. My primary tow vehicle is a V8 1/2 ton Chevy 1500 with an extra spring and my girlfriends Chevy TrailBlazer 6 cyl and neither one has shown a need for a sway bar or WDH. I believe that this is because of the sprung suspension. I have about 6,000 miles on 'Ollie' and it tows easier than my previous 2 Casitas with sway bars with the same vehicle. JMHO What are you planning for a tow vehicle???? Chuck