jam49

When I finally get around to getting the rain guards I definitely will use the screws so they won't come flying off the windows! Thanks Steve.

Hi Steve, I have thought about using that ultra strong bond tape so I don't have to drill holes. Has anybody used the tape for the vents? I thought about the tape since others have mounted solar panels to the roof that have stayed secure. How can the tape not hold the vents? Wanting to install them is as far as I have gotten. J

Hi Sherry, The louvered vents were the first mod I made to the motor home I bought from my parents. I loved them because I could open the windows just a bit when it was raining and have fresh air at any time. It has been a few years so I don't remember all the details of installation. Another story for another day but I gave that rv to our daughter for the deer lease. I just haven't gotten around to installing them yet on Revilo. Ask Pete for the tip about the cap. One of these days I will get around to getting the vents.

Hi Steve, I am looking forward to seeing the pictures. Have you heard if the hepvo valve rubber diaphragm???? will eventually wear out so that it would have to be replaced? I have seen the picture of the valve and that is the question that came to mind. Hope good health is with you and Tali. Take care, Jennifer

Don't keep us in suspense!! What new accessories will you be adding? Something else I have thought about are outside window coverings. I have seen them on trailers from long ago. Wonder if they worked as intended. Let us know about your latest travels. It is so interesting hearing about and seeing the photos. J

Hi Sherry, I don't use the pathway lights much either. It does look like the whole light fixture would need to be replaced if the light goes out and why spend 30 bucks for a replacement to sit in a drawer. I think I have turned goofy about my travel trailer. I want to know every detail possible so that I can take the very best care of it that I can. It is such a joy. Every morning on my way to work I peek in the door to think about what I am going to fix up next and also dream I was taking Revilo somewhere. I am fortunate to be able to park Revilo out the garage door since we live in the country. I would love to come east and north someday - especially now that I would have somebody to visit. I just hope the possibility exists in the future with the price of gas continuing to rise. Anybody seen an electric tow vehicle??? Jennifer Take care, Jennifer

I had an intriguing thought. Has every topic been discussed concerning the Oliver travel trailers??? Tires and solar and LEDs and high lift axle!! I started an alphabetical list in a binder for myself to keep up with all the wonderful information shared on this forum and the other fiberglass trailer forums. Now I have another thought: How would anybody KNOW if everything has been discussed??? If anybody has an answer to this PLEEAAAASE let me know so that I can continue adding to my binder! Take care. Jam49

Hello to all, I checked the path of the handle cable. It seems to be in a rather rigid tube that bends back towards at about 10 degrees towards the apparatus that opens and closes the drain??? With this rigid tube it seems impossible to kink but then I am not a plumber to know the difference. I used some squirts of WD40 to oil the handle because that is what I had available. I guess it worked ok. I intend to add a little bit more. Maybe I don't need the hepvo mod for now since I also use the campground shower. Question for another topic? Is there anything related to our travel trailers that hasn't been discussed somewhere on the forum????? Guess I will start a new topic

I looked at the lights to see what type of bulb I should buy to have a spare. (I am taking inventory and listing every bulb, location, and type I can find in Revilo so I can have spares on hand.) I did not figure out how to take off the cover on these lights. Also, when the electrician was at our house he said that the enclosed globe I had above the kitchen sink keeps the heat in and burns out the light way quicker than if the lightbulb wasn't covered. (I took the globe off.) I accidentally touched the halogen lightbulb - OUCH! Does the enclosed halogen bulb burn out quicker because of the heat? Just wonderin

I wouldn't have known to think about a crimped cable. I will investigate tomorrow when it is light outside. Hopefully, this latest challenge will have a happy ending. Now on to the next topic ------

Hi Meanderthal, What did you use to lubricate the handle? That would be too much fun if we could get the 4 Oliver owners that I know of that live in Texas to show up again when yall are here. Jam49

Hi Sherry, Even though for now I have removed all the stuff from the bathroom that I think I have to have to go camping, I also use the campground shower facilities, but when I give the bathroom (walls, floor, etc.) a good cleaning, I let the water go down the drain. I have wondered about lubricating the handle but am not sure whether to use graphite or wd40. Maybe I should try something simple like lubricating the handle. What I am understanding so far is with the hepvo valve there is no standing water like in the u-shaped pipe. Somewhere I read that winterization wouldn't be necessary if there was no water trapped. I am in the beginning stages of research for this mod to see if it is right for Revilo. Hope all is well with you and your family. Maybe someday our paths will cross. My greatest joy of all in owning a small, fiberglass travel trailer has been meeting and sharing with my neighbors just a little further apart. Mod outcome to be determined. Hi Jam49, The suggestion Sherry made - lubricate - the handle mechanism - helped a lot for us. Ours was very difficult to pull. Without Karen challenging my manhood, I couldn't pull it. Now it is much better, Karen can pull it ok. Not sure if I can or not. By the way, our current plans are to be at the Miller Creek campground about a week starting around April 14. There's a dance we want to go to at Anhalt Hall on the 16th. We'll be on our way back to the Bob Wills festival in Turkey, TX again. We were too late to get into the state parks in the area. Bluebonnets I guess. Tom

Andrew, I have the electric reel for the power cord under the seat by the shower. I appreciate the suggestion about possibly removing the shower pan temporarily. Even though this looks like a good mod to get rid of the pull handle and not have the u shaped fitting, how long would the soft material inside the hepvo valve itself last before needing to be replaced? The hepvo valve seems like a good idea but now I am undecided because it looks like it may take big bucks to make this mod since I couldn't do this one myself. As always, thanks for the comments, info, etc. Jam49

Phil, The other people were David and Helen and Pete said the gentleman camping at Blanco park. I did not get his name. J

Andrew, I have a very hard time pushing or pulling the handle. If installing the hepvo valve means no more handle I want to install it yesterday My limited understanding of the use of the hepa valve is that with this valve the water flows freely to the gray water tank and no more water being trapped in the u shaped valve. With the way the Oliver rvs are constructed is it possible to make this modification? Where would a person find a hepvo valve for rv's and are all hepo valves the same size?

Good morning to all. Is it possible/advisable to replace the p trap with the Hepvo waterless trap part 89-8151 in the Oliver? The instructions/information was posted on the Casita forum and it sounds like a good idea. Any and all pros/cons/etc. are appreciated. jam49

Greetings to All, I have BCTJK 42 ST225/75/R15 Radial Tubeless Load E original tires with 6 lugs. So far so good but I haven't been able to travel much yet to experience any trouble. The only identification on the axle is a partial American flag tag that is still attached. Might this be a Freedom axle? The circumference is 9.5 " so I divided this by 3.14" to get a 3" diameter. I placed a yardstick on the top of the axle. Both ends of the yardstick were raised about 1/4" or a little more off the axle. Does this indicate a slightly bent axle? It seems so but it could be just my imagination because of the discussion about tires and axles. Any thoughts of wisdom?

Hello to all, I am so sorry to read about all the tire troubles others have had. I don't recall reading that anybody has gotten hurt as a result of a blownout tire. I sure hope not. Even though I am not getting to travel much right now, I have learned so much about things to watch out for. I don't know the person who posted the following on the Casita forum but I thought it was worth reading and that the person wouldn't mind me sharing it. I give "Larry" full credit. After reading complaints about Goodyear Marathons, I confidently said to myself: don't overload, don't under inflate; don't over speed; and you can't get into trouble. Wrong! On a recent trip from PA to CO and back (around 5000 mi), I faithfully checked pressure regularly; felt tow vehicle and trailer tires for temperature at every gas fill-up (usually 200 miles, but never more than 300), kept the water tank low and the gray and black water tanks empty. When we got home, my mechanic called me and asked if I knew that I had huge bubbles in the tread. Nope. They are only visible when the tire is rotating; about 1/8" high, but nearly the full tread width and several inches long. The right one was much worse than the left one. That would be expected, since the SD is so much heavier on the right side. Today, I was reading online, and I found this on the discount tire web site: Speed * All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. * As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken. * The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases. Time * Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire. * In approximately three years, roughly one-third of the tire's strength is gone. * Three to five years is the projected life of a normal trailer tire. * It is suggested that trailer tires be replaced after three to four years of service regardless of tread depth or tire appearance. Mileage * Trailer tires are not designed to wear out. * The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycles. * The mileage expectation of a trailer tire is 5,000 to 12,000 miles. So...What I learned from this is that 65 mph is all there is on ST tires. I don't exceed 65 anyway when towing, but I'll be extra careful. A 3 year old tire probably has less load rating than we need, since the Marathons are marginal when new. Tread depth is no indication of the remaining life of an ST tire. The life expectancy of an ST tire is 5000 to 12000 miles, and I'm right in that range. -------------------- Jacquee, Larry, and Muffin the Belgian WonderDog Vermont 2007 17' SD (un-named) 2006 GMC 1500

Welcome. We all wish yall as much fun and enjoyment as all of us have or have had with our Olivers. Keep us posted on yall's travels as it is so much fun hearing about "where in the world is Oliver and its family" and seeing photos - videos posted for all to enjoy. jam49

Hi, Recently I found something that reverses the sulphating, destroyer of integrity. Connected to the bank, it'll regenerate the sulphates into active electrolite. Battery life can be extended up to 3X's. A 4 year battery can be rejuvenated so it lasts up to 12 years. 1. Use with brand new batteries or ok for 2 year old or older batteries? 2.Would battery store know how to install? 3.What brand and higher power desulfator is best? 4. Will the store?? installing know that leads between battery terminals and PC Board is most effective if less than 12 inches? 5. I have a Solargizer. What brand works for you and where did you get it? Delsuphators are the 21'st century, few know of them and exactly how effective they are. Sounds like this is a very useful product. How much does it cost to replace the trailer power and how many others do we own? I wasn't sure what you meant by this. What kinds of parasite draws are there other than the lighted stereo? Can a on/off switch be installed to turn off only the stereo so there is no power (blue lights???) photos???? Thanks for sharing. I can't say enough how much I personally appreciate the time everybody takes to post such useful replies and information! Onward to all of our enjoyment when we are able to search for and enjoy the NEXT most beautiful spot we ever visited.

I am still trying to learn from all the discussion and the excellent battery website shared by Eric. I think I get it - sorta . The batteries that came with my Oliver are Autocraft RV/Marine Deep Cycle. Are these Autocraft true Deep Cycle batteries? How does a person KNOW if a battery is a true deep cycle battery? If they are true deep cycle 12 volt batteries, is there a benefit to switching to 6 volt deep cycle when I need to replace my batteries? I think they are lighter and smaller??? I also like the idea of the AGM batteries for the convenience of not having to fill the batteries with water. I hope I won't have the expense of new batteries for a long time. Because getting new batteries for my RV isn't inexpensive I want to be able to make a wise decision when the time comes. The original battery in my truck just died after 6 years. I feel good about the choice of the replacement battery I made (even though it was for my truck) because of what I have learned about batteries on the forum. Many thanks. Maybe I can word my question now to ask what I still don't totally understand and haven't picked up on yet. If both a 6 volt and 12 volt are true deep cycle, what is the advantage of choosing the 6 volt?

Thanks Eric. I added this site to my favorites so I can look at it often to learn everything I ever wanted to know about batteries.

Thanks Steve. I am very glad I put the silver bubble material in the cabinets but the tape doesn't stick to well and it sags. I was trying to think of something sturdy and bendable. I think this flashing is exactly what I need. Maybe the lights will stay stuck also. Hope all is well with you and Tali. It sure would be fun if someday ALL the Oliver owners could have a get together. Here's to dreamin! Until the next question!

I would like to put some bendable aluminum or other material if it would work, in the cabinets to keep the silver bubble material better secured that I put there to help with moisture control (which sure has helped). Any suggestions about where to find something like this? Thanks,Jam49

Eric, I understand the deep discharge part better. A fellow Oliver owner has 6 volt batteries and is perfectly happy. He explained why he uses 6 volt but I don't exactly get it because that was the first explantion I heard. It made perfect sense when he was telling me but to intelligently discuss with why I want one or the other is not yet within my understanding. If 6 volt deep discharge is more efficient??? then why are 12 volt batteries used? whether AMG or flooded cell?