dougi

Okay, I got this fixed! I purchased some 1/4 inch (shaft) by one inch long lag screws (these have robust threads that hold to the fiberglass wall very well) and drilled out the rivet remnants that remained in the fiberglass wall, using progressively larger diameter drill bits until they came out. Then I enlarged the two holes in the bracket to 1/4 inch diameter, using progressively larger diameter drill bits, so the lag screws would slip through the holes. Then I took a 7/16 inch socket and attached the bracket to the fiberglass wall using a socket wrench on the two lag screw heads. The lag screws got plenty of purchase on the fiberglass wall, and I don't expect the bracket to come loose ever again. I left the other bracket alone, thinking perhaps it would never come loose. If it does, I'll fix it the same way as I fixed the other bracket. When these brackets come loose, our street side tables can't be used so I suggest you prepare yourself in case one of your brackets comes loose while you are a long trip.

One of the two bracket (the rear one) that serves as a support for the street side dining table has come completely loose and dropped to the floor of the trailer. On my trailer these brackets are attached to the interior fiberglass shell (the wall) with rivets. First, only one of the two rivets broke, so I ran a small(#4 or #5 I think) screw through the rivets but it was not long enough to gain adequate purchase on the fiberglass shell. I will try to find longer screws to run through the rivets and hope that holds the brackets to the wall. Has anyone else had this problem?

Larry, thanks a million for your guidance. I got my heal light and crawled under the trailer and I could see the star wheels through the slots. I turned them like you said (I turned the teeth upward on the wheel with a down pull on my break adjustment tool) and finally got the wheels to lock up. Then I backed off by reversing the rotation of the star (teeth down) wheel so the wheel would turn about one rotation when I spun the wheels by hand. All I needed was the confidence that I was turning in the right direction. You gave me that and I got it done. I owe you one. Thanks again for your guidance. The teeth on those star wheels are pretty short. If anyone wants to do this I recommend a head lamp and recommend you crawl under the trailer so you can see the star wheel through the small slot so you can see when you are turning it and when you aren't. If you'll do that, I think you will not have any problems. You will need a break adjustment tool (very inexpensive) because a screwdriver does not have the proper bend in the shank to access the star wheel through the slot. There is not much room in front of the slot with which to work. I don't think you can do it with a screw driver, even a short one.

I just tried to adjust my breaks by rotating the star wheel to make the brakes lock up, then back off (reverse) that rotation until the wheel rotates about one half to one rotation when spun firmly by hand. I have done this before with other vehicles and have had no problem accomplishing the task. With the Oliver, I can't get the star wheel to lock the wheels. I have forgotten which way the break adjustment tool handle should be pushed (up or down) in order to lock the wheels (tighten the star wheel). I tried both ways but I could not lock the wheel by adjusting the star wheel, which I can't see but can only feel with the break adjustment tool. I couldn't even get any resistance whatsoever on the trailer wheel as I turned the star wheel, no matter which way I turned it. Any help would be appreciated, especially if you can tell me which way to push the handle of the break adjustment tool in order to tighten the breaks against the drums and stop tire rotation by hand. Would the direction be the same for both sides of the trailer? I only worked with the curb side wheel, about half an hour, before I gave up and came here to get some guidance. I seemed to be getting rotating on the star wheel with my adjustment tool, but I could never get any sense of whether or not I was loosening or tightening the thing. My wheels and tires rotate freely when spun, so I know I know the star wheel needs tightening in order to get the proper breaking action. As I was turning the star wheel (at least I think I was turning it, but since I can't see the thing, I can't be positive I was) I could never get a good feel as to where exactly it is located within the slot on the interior bottom side of the wheel. It seemed as if there may be two star wheels behind that slot, one forward and one aft, but that would make no sense. I tried my break adjusting tool in all locations within the slot and I felt fairly certain I was getting star wheel rotation in both directions, in my attempt to tighten the star wheel and lock the wheel to hand rotation.

This is bad news for us because we rely heavily on these discounts for our RV trips. We seek out Federal lands campsites in order to reduce our camping fees compared to other camp site alternatives. Hopefully, the discounts will not be reduced to 10%, but to something closer to the current 50% discount. In recent years, the 50% discount has been removed entirely from the electricity charge, which is reasonable, especially for a 50 amp RV that uses a lot of electricity. What we need to do is express our opinions and encourage the discount to remain at or near the current 50%. We camp in very small RV's and pay the same rates as the huge RV's that require far more real estate and power to accommodate. Maybe some smaller camp sites, without hookups, could remain available at low cost for campers like ours that are under 20 feet.

I'm sorry Robert and Oliver Technologies have parted ways. Robert treated us very well and he will be missed. Good luck to him and his family, and good luck to Oliver.

Hi Doug, Is your Voyager system called the Wireless Observation System? Did the manufacturer say why they were stopping production? Jam49 Yes, that is the system we all have, as far as I know. They are discontinuing the wireless system due to insufficient demand. The demand is for the wired system in motor homes rather than the wireless system for travel trailers or fifth wheels. It is unusual for travel trailers and fifth wheels to have these systems, but common for motor homes.

I towed a 23 foot Terry Travel Trailer with a load bearing hitch with an Astro Van. These are a hassle and while they were necessary with the Terry, I find that the Oliver tows far better without them than the Terry did with them. I'm glad I don't need one, and I suspect Chris and Cherie won't either with the Tundra.

I emailed the manufacturer and they called me back today. They informed me that our Voyager wireless back up camera system (I use it as a rear view mirror when driving) is no longer in production. They can still be purchased in the marketplace but that won't be for much longer. At any rate, I will be shipping my receiver/monitor back to the manufacturer (you might want to put this in your contact list if you have a Voyager back up camera system, as installed by Oliver): ASA Electronics 2602 Marina Drive Elkhart, IN 46514 (800) 688-3135 Extention 528 for technical support ( I spoke to Ron)

I have used solar panels for many years, first as portable units that could be moved about in order to catch the sun, then with the Oliver, permanently mounted on the roof. After using solar both ways, I can state that I strongly prefer the panels mounted on the roof in a horizontal manner. The primary benefit of solar panels to us is to charge our batteries from about 80% charged to 100% charged. The charging of the batteries for the final 20% is a slow process and not well suited for generator recharging, as is the charging from 50% charged (never discharge your batteries beyond 50% of their capacity) to 80% charged, which we can accomplish in less than 2 hours of running our generator. It would take an additional 6 to 8 hours of running the generators to charge the batteries from 80% to 100% charged. That's a very inefficient use of generator power and fuel, but a very efficient use of solar. Another big plus for roof mounted solar panels is that you are charging your batteries while you are on the road, driving or parked. This is impossible with panels that are not mounted on your roof. It is very easy to start the generators in the morning and charge our batteries up to 80% full, then cut em off and let the solar panels take over from there and bring them up to full charge during the remainder of the day. Actually, we have to use the generators only about every second or third day, for about 2 hours, with the solar panels mounted on the roof. If it were very cold and we ran the furnace all night long, we might have to use the generators every day, but that is a rare situation we have never encountered. We did not go for the king dome simply because we knew that it would a crap shoot as to whether or not it would do us any good while camping. We installed a satellite radio for quick on-the-go news and weather. It works great, and we use it in situations when even our portable dish can't be used due to blockage by trees and mountains to the south of our campsite.

We've spent the day researching bigger tow vehicles.... On the verge of getting a Tundra. That seems easier than finding a way to install a weight distributing hitch onto the enclosed tongue of the Oliver. - Chris I think the Tundra is a great choice, but you could get a diesel engine in a 3/4 ton truck for about $3 grand more and I would think your fuel mileage would be much better than the Tundra with a gas engine. As much as you tow, it might we worth the extra money. I'm sure you've already thought about this though. How about a used 3/4 ton diesel?

Yep, the fuse is in the male part of the plug that inserts into the 12V female socket of the tow vehicle. The monitor seems not to be getting any power. The unit will not turn on. The problem may be with the cord for all I know.

While on our last trip this Fall, our Voyager monitor stopped working. We had a new vehicle battery installed and I think the monitor may have been plugged into the 12V outlet when this battery change occurred, but I am not certain of that. I do know the last time it worked was prior to the battery change and the first time it wasn't working was after the battery change. The battery change may have had an impact on the monitor malfunction. I checked, and replaced, the fuse in the 12V power cord but that did not solve the problem. I don't know where to get service but I would think there is somewhere I could send the monitor and the power cord for repair service or replacement. I have looked on the internet and found nothing about repairing these units. Any suggestions from anyone? Thanks! Doug

I ran across this product and thought it might be appropriate to post a link on this thread: http://www.air-n-water.com/product/SD-652.html This is a mini dehumidifier that is small enough to place in the Oliver and it's not overly expensive. I havenot purchased one but it it is certainly appealing to me. It does require 115V AC electrical operation, so you would have to be hooked up to shore power to use it. I just ordered a couple of electric heaters for our Oliver and I'll let you know how we like them as soon as we receive and use them. Here is a link to the heater: http://www.compactappliance.com/VH101-V ... lt,pd.html These heaters have two heat settings (375 and 750 watts) and should be very quiet, based on my experience with other Vornado heaters I've owned over the years. They are tiny and will fit just about anywhere. We will place one near the entrance and the other near the rear of our trailer.

Geneva and I will attend. We are from Lexington, TX. If anyone would like to spend some time camping in the nearby Pedernales Falls State Park, either before or after the rally, please let me know. PM me or post a message here.

After talking with Robert, I learned that our tank monitor system does not have any probes in the tank. Tank liquid levels are monitored by a strip of material that is attached to the outside edge of the tank and the difference in temperature based on liquid in the tank is sensed. According to the manufacturer of these See Level II systems, inaccurate readings are the result of electronic interference along the wires going from the monitoring strips to the display. I plan to go buy their headquarters in Weatherford, Texas and get them to trouble shoot my wiring. He assures me that he can fix the problem if I come by and let him do this. I'll let you know how this comes out after I go by and get the system checked out. Doug

After turning the hand on the dial that controls the length of the furnace cycle all the way clockwise, to the shortest cycle time, the furnace is performing much better now. Thanks again for the tip. Doug

Thanks Aubrey, I just pulled our cover off and saw the dial that adjusts the cycle time of the furnace. Ours was set on the longest time possible which does not surprise me. I changed to a dramatically shorter cycle time and will see how that works out for us. It has to be better. Best regards to you, Doug

During our extended RV outing, which we are still on, we have started to use our furnace for the first time to warm our trailer. It really heats the trailer rapidly. Our problem is that the furnace cycles on and off too infrequently. It gets too cold before it cycles back on and it gets too hot before it cycles off again. Might the cycle points be adjustable? If they aren't, I suppose the only solution is for us to manually and frequently change the thermostat setting to suit our comfort zone.

Geneva and I are at the Oliver Factory in Hohenwald today where we are getting a black water flush system installed. We will leave and head north to Nashville tomorrow, then on up into Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and back to Texas by Thanksgiving. We hope to meet up with Sherry and Paul in North Carolina during the peak of the fall foliage. From there we plan to head east to the coast, then down the Eastern coast to Florida where we hope to see a space launch lift off on November 12th. We plan on staying primarily at national forest, national park and Corp of Engineer campgrounds along the way. Happy trails to all. Doug

Hello to All, Geneva and I have cancelled our RV trip out West this summer due to unexpected cost we incurred and high gas prices. Hopefully, we will go somewhere this fall, if fuel prices fall, perhaps to the North Carolina area and then down the East Coast a bit. We have cancelled our Verizon internet service in order to save money, so I don't get an opportunity to post on the forum very often. We hope everyone has safe and fun travels this summer. Hope to see you on the road soon. Doug

Steve, that sounds great. We have never been to Sacramento and I'm sure there are some things to see and do there. We certainly could come by and visit with you at home and then go camping/fishing/sight seeing from there. However, it is probably too early to make any definite plans at this time. We may find ourselves in a location where it would be better to just meet you at the campground, but we would prefer to visit Sacramento and will try to plan our travels accordingly, so as to make that happen. I have put your number in my cell phone and we will be in touch. I'll give you a call when we get back from Albuquerque in early May just to touch base. If we need to talk earlier than that, just let me know. I will have my computer with me on the Albuquerque trip and will be watching the Oliver forum from time to time. This will be a good shake down trip for Geneva and I, helping to prepare us for the longer trip out West to your area of the country. We will be dry camping mostly on this trip in order to conserve money and test our systems (batteries, Xantrex battery charger, Honda generator, and solar panels, 12V water pump, propane water heating, etc.). However, our dry camping will be limited to about 4 consecutive days on this trip. When we take our trip out West, we may be dry camping for longer periods of time. I am still looking for a more convenient way to tilt our two 100 watt solar panels that are on top of our Oliver, but will likely not find it. I may end up taking our 8 foot step ladder with us on the trip out West in order to be able to tilt our solar panels. Geneva and I look forward to meeting you and your wife and visiting with you. Thanks, Doug PS: Fly fishing is fun even when you don't catch fish, so I won't be concerned with any lack of success we may experience. I'm pretty much a catch and release guy, but I have been known to keep a few and cook em. My neoprene waders have a pin hole leak as I recall, so maybe you will have a patch with you I can fix em with. Also, maybe you will have a spare reel with the appropriate line I can use. I haven't gotten any new line or leaders in over 20 years, so they may not work very well. I do have a suitable reel I will bring, but it will likely need to be restrung with new line.

Steve, Geneva's younger sister's husband is running the 5K at the Senior Olympics. Geneva's older sister will come with them and we will all enjoy being together in the San Francisco area for about a week. Geneva and I enjoy doing and seeing just about anything, but our budget is somewhat limited, so we try to avoid the large cities and the expensive restaurants and tourist attractions. We enjoy hiking, bird watching, playing cards (Geneva is a crackerjack bridge player), and I am a fly fisherman and an ultra light spin fisherman. I used to be the outings chairman for the Houston Fly Fishing Club. I sure wish we could get together and do some fishing. We are in our late 60's and try to maximize the use of our seniors discount card for national campgrounds, like BLM campgrounds, Corps of Engineer campgrounds, National Forest campgrounds, and National Park campgrounds. I have never seen the National Parks in California (other than Death Valley), nor any of the National Forest, but very much want to do so. I love the coastal redwoods and can't see them too many times. I've never seen the Giant Sequoia's, nor have I seen Crater Lake NP in Oregon, but hope to do so. It would be great if we could do some camping and fishing together before or after the Senior Olympics but before we leave the West Coast area. An ideal time, in order to have smaller crowds, might be after school starts, in late August to mid September. We would be open to any suggestions you may have. We don't like to rush ourselves, by trying to see too much in a short period of time. I like to camp in one place for a minimum of a few days and prefer to say longer if the area has interesting things to see and do. I don't like to be making and breaking camp all the time while I am RVing. I like to make time to relax and not be rushed. When we are towing, I like to be able to drive at about 50-55 MPH and not drive for more than four or five hours per day, unless we will end up at home that day. If you think we might get together to do some fly fishing, I will bring my waders, my wading shoes, and a fly rod. Would a 9 foot, 6 weight, graphite rod be a good all around choice? I haven't fly fished in many years, but I would love to do so. Thanks, Doug

Sherry, in Texas and several other states we can park overnight in roadside rest areas or picnic areas. This site tells me if the roadside picnic area is suitable for overnight RV parking or not, by letting me know if it is a level site, far enough off the road to not be overly noisy from road traffic, if it has lighting or not, if security appears to be an issue or not, how much room there is for RV's to park, and facilities such as picnic tables, trash barrels, rest rooms, and free internet service. If certain areas have no free overnight RV parking other than Wal-Mart or other retail stores, those stores are listed. However, it gives a lot of additional information as to their suitability for overnight RV parking, just as it does for the roadside parks, making the information much more useful to RVers than just a simple listing of addresses and GPS coordinates. It also tells which Wal-Marts don't allow overnight RV parking.

Hi Steve, My wife, Geneva, and I will be traveling to California from Central Texas beginning in early July. I doubt we will get to the rally in Oregon later that month because we have already traveled that area, in 2007, and have not seen much in the remainder of Oregon or California. Our only definite plan is to be in San Jose, California for the Senior Olympics during the period from August 7th through the 14th. Otherwise, our time is free and we will not have to be home at any specific time, but usually like to return by mid October. If the opportunity to meet you materializes, we would enjoy doing so. If you wish, PM us sometime during this period and we will see how things work out. We haven't stayed in our Oliver for more than a few days at a time and it remains to be seen how we adapt to such a small trailer after using a 30 foot 5th wheel for four years. We know it will be more convenient to tow and to find suitable camping accommodations, but are unsure how we will acclimate to such a small living space for an extended period of time. We have purchased a screen shelter so we can spend more time outside. Geneva is a real draw for mosquitoes and other biting insects. We enjoy National Forest and other public campgrounds and are well prepared for dry camping for at least 3-4 days at a time, more if we can dump and get fresh water nearby. The lack of electricity is never a problem for us. Fresh water supply is the primary limiting factor for us. If you have any must sees or must do's while we are in California and nearby areas, please let us know. Doug