jam49

Steve, Me too - sorry for being off topic. I sure will let yall know if I decide to go home through Mississippi. So many roads to travel home. Gas prices in March may determine my road home. Now apologies to all and back to the topic. I think I willl buy a spare sacrificial rod. Somehow I feel sorry for that litle ol rod. Couldn't the person who first called it a sacrificial rod come up with a better name? Sacrificial sounds so forlorn and hopeless. jam49

I'll be coming from Taylor, Texas about 25 miles northeast of Austin. If all goes as planned I will be camped at the gates to the factory bright and early Monday morning on March 16th at 8:00 a.m. unless it isn't open til later! Too bad spring break had to be a week later this year. Being with the grandkids is the only thing I look forward to more than getting REVILO. Everytime they see me they say Meme when are you getting Revilo? They are excited too because we are going to have a lot of fun as I am sure all of yall are having. Learning about sacrificial anodes, and winterizing, and batteries, and solar power! Wow, my head is spinning. All the contributions on the forum about the different topics can't help but make my Oliver adventure the best it could ever be. I look forward to meeting my further neighbors wherever further happens to be as I travel down the road of life. Until then, Jam49

Sherry, The reference to googling a sacrifial rod was for others like myself who might like to know the purpose of such a rod. It sure didn't answer why the sacrificial rod went bad so quickly. I find it much easier to communicate in person. Anyway, I love your idea of extra water jugs. I am going to take some when I pick up my Oliver. Hope yall stay warm and no long freezes come your way this winter. jam49

I was quite curious as to what is a sacrificial anode so I googled it. Well worthwhile reading at plumbingstore.com. Look for search by alphabetical listing and choose a then anode rods, water heater or just google sacrificial anode. The plumbingstore.com/sacrificial_rods explanation appears. Will a water heater last longer if distilled water is used since water softners shorten the life of the anode rode? jam49

Thanks for causing one of my most beautiful memories to be awakened. My daughter and I were leaving Henderson,Tennessee for the last time as she had graduated from FreedHardeman College. We wandered south just driving on whatever road we wanted going towards home in Texas. We came upon a road almost exactly like this that was parallel to a main highway. We travelled on it as far as we could go before darkness set in. As I looked at the map tonight to try and remember where it was I couldn't tell. All I know was that the road we travelled is forever in my memory and your photo reminded me of it. Thanks for sharing.I was not aware that a personal photo could be used as a graphic. Can the personal photo graphic be applied later? jam49

Tom, As I sit here at my computer and try to organize my vision, I keep referring to the forum. I can't imagine any better way to learn about Oliver and related topics than through the Oliver forum. It was never my intention to bypass, delete, change, etc. The forum is too much fun and I look forward to reading all the posts, enjoying the goodnatured dialog and learning so much from the educational contributions. As I looked at the forum categories earlier I got to wondering if it would be possible to organize the forum topics online alphabetically to use as a reference guide. I have to hunt through a lot of topics to find the one I want to read again (such as solar panels - portable, now or later install.) If the capability was online for the individual viewer to categorize alphabetically, this could be the answer to me having organization and finding what I want to look at again. I think it is an excellent idea that Mountainborn has about posting manufacturer websites, documents, and diagrams. Additionally I love the photo postings. I tried to key in the information in Excel, go to email and copy the text as an attachment but I didn't get anywhere so I will be glad to take you up on your offer of technical assistance and any other help. My number one purpose is organization in a way that others including myself can get to the information desired quickly. I don't have a lot of time to hunt on the computer for the information I want. I hope have explained a little better what it is that I am trying to do. As usual, thanks to all for the suggestions, thoughts, etc, Jam49

Tom and Meanderthal, Thanks for the thoughts! Yes I do have sharing in mind. I love the idea of an online manual but that is way over my head. I know it will take a while to put this paper manual together. Maybe after I get it organized the way I envision, somebody who is tech savy can help me post an online manual so those persons reading it can print only what is of interest to him/her. I hope this manual will become useful to anybody who reads it. When I started on my journey of exploring Oliver Travel Trailers, I had so many questions (still have some). I think a manual such as this could help all of us looking for discussions on a particular topic. I love using the computer to explore. It has been very useful and I can get answers a whole lot faster. I don't even know how to have the text move over so that I can retype something! What I want to say is that me putting the manual online is way over my head. I have already started putting the manual together. Even though my Oliver hasn't been born yet its name is REVILO 5. Thanks and I welcome any comments, suggestions, criticism, etc. JAM49

I just have to have a manual in my hands. I would like permission to compile a manual of all the fabulous discussions concerning the different topics - suction cups, batteries, solar panels, windows, etc. There are so many helpful contributions that I envision printing the discussion for each topic and alphabetizing the manual so that when a person wants to know about something all the person has to do is turn to the keyword. Because it would be looseleaf, updates could always be made. There are just many wonderful, helpful discussions that I want to be able to turn to wherever instead of hunting online. All discussion, contributions, etc to this topic is appreciated. jam49 Still waiting! Spring break hurry up! Maybe the understorage will be available before the Oliver construction crew begins mine. jam49

Hello to All, I just want yall to know that every time I read the posts it costs me about $100. Such good ideas are presented that I have to go get whatever is suggested so that when I finally get to pick up my Oliver I can be ready! In all seriousness, thanks for the dialog. The discussions on the various topics are tremendously helpful. I was planning on getting my Oliver during the Xmas holidays (the first time I have any holidays) but Robert asked if I could wait since the factory is upgrading or somethin' I told him that was fine. Hopefully it will be good weather in March when I travel to Tennessee. Agony!!! Doug - you and Geneva are just up the road. How bout if I borrow yalls for a while? Just kidding! In all seriousness, thanks again for all the discussion. Jam49

Hey Mountainborn, I know you asked Sherry but I can give you first hand knowledge about what to do! I was in the pasture about 30 feet away from the skunk who happened to be strolling thru. Unfortunately for me - I was downwind from this little critter. Guess what! Wind carries skunk spray and I unwillingly tried the skunk perfume. I immediately went and took a tomato soup, ketchup bath. It helped somewhat. Actually, this was the second one I had to take. The first one happened after a little one got in to the elementary school. I had fun catching baby skunks, armadillos, rabbits, etc. when I was younger so I was not afraid to see if I could catch this little one. Nobody at the elementary knew what to do. Even the poor policeman. I asked for a broomstick and a box. The skunk was behind the door so I used the broomstick to make it move and then put the box on top. When I got back to my office, my fellow workers wouldn't let me stay. They said I smelled like a SKUNK! Gee thanks I told them. I didn't get sprayed. The whole elementary school had to close for the rest of the day because the skunk had sprayed while inside. Anyway, long story short - that was my first experience with a tomato bath. I can vouch that it does work somewhat. jam49 I also have a kodak picture of me holding a baby skunk I caught when I was a camp counselor and a bunch of kids were around. We had to remove the skunk from the presence of the kids so guess who did this! This was long before digital so I have no way of uploading the picture. J

Sherry, I really appreciate your input. When I spoke to Robert he said some had been located in Australia (maybe the same one you referred to). Like you say maybe it was an idea already tested that didn't work out. The idea seemed good at the time but now you have caused me to think even more by sharing about these telescoping legs that used to be the rage. I sure don't want to compromise any quality. I sure have gotten other good ideas from the conversation - clamps in particular. I know I am going to very happy when I finally get to pick my Oliver up. At this point I can only imagine how I am going to help it get its "own personality". Not that all that have been so lovingly created at the factory don't already have a unique personality since we get to choose so many options. Hope yall are having fun! Someday soon I hope I get to say "I'm retired!" and then get to enjoy traveling. Thanks again for everybody's input. At this point I think the answer for me is no telescoping leg. jam49

Robert said they would still look. Maybe something more reasonable will show up before they start building my Oliver. After I saw a picture of an Oliver for the first time in the magazine, I immediately researched it online, fell in love, and the rest is history. I have mine on order now. I feel the Oliver is top quality and I will be so excited when I get to pick it up and start enjoying it. I have the standard tow package on my truck. What is the advantage of a bumper receiver?

Update on telescoping table leg - Yes, my idea is to keep the leg attached but lowered when wanting to use the table for the center of the bed. Possibly a track could be on the wall side of the table where the table is attached. Then, the table could slide up and down as needed on the telescoping table leg that folds up and clamps under the table. This could also be used on the side table. I talked to Robert today. He said a possible choice for the t. leg was found in Australia but that it was very expensive. Back to the drawing board!

Herm, Your suggestion is also a possiblity. I have shared my thoughts with Robert but have not had a chance to follow up. I feel the very best of anything comes from many persons contributions and I sure have learned a lot from this forum. Thanks

Hi Veda, This is what I had in mind. I think it must depend on materials (chrome) used in the Oliver if it could be adapted to telescope or fold up (that is even better). Use the leg down if you want and if not, fold it up against the table so that there is more storage area. I am going to pass this on to the Oliver factory. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Mountainborn. I am constantly thinking about how the inside space can be used most efficiently when I finally get to claim Oliver for my own. (not soon enough) The area under the table could still be used for storage using skinnier storage bins on either side of the pedestal when lowered. I suggested the trailer hitch pin because that is a system I am most familiar with and I know it is sturdy. Also, the pin is easy to put in and take out. Maybe a pin that doesn't stick out too far and is covered with a cap so nobody gets scratched when the table is up is a solution. If the telescoping pedestal legs could be incorporated, should the hole be in the front as you look at the table or should the hole be from seat side to seat side so the pin isn't seen? I don't know. That is why I went to the forum. Constructive criticism / suggestions are most helpful to me on whether my thoughts are worth pursuing or not. I have already contacted Robert at the factory to see if this option could be installed in my Oliver. The factory guys may have a real good reason why it can't be done. It's worth a try. If it happens, then I don't have to store the table legs anywhere else and use up precious storage space. I would still want the option of being able to remove the table legs though,just in case I dreamed up a different use for that space and needed the legs gone. As always, thanks to all for the many helpful thoughts, suggestions, etc. I feel that I am going to get to enjoy my Oliver to the ultimate because of the knowledge I gained from the forum. Anxiously waiting to follow that road that never ends! jam49

Cherie, Exactly what is so inconvenient about this pole?

I refuse to play dominoes inside or out! But I challenge anybody to a game of rook!

Mountainborn, I thought of a receiver hitch pin because I felt that it would be sturdy. Now that I hear how much abuse your poor table gets I know I want sturdy anchor! I know that pin holds a loaded cattle trailer and now, not soon enough, will hold our Oliver securely. Sounds like you and your buddies really give that table a workout! I have refused to play dominoes for 40 years because I have no hope of winning. My husband has no mercy to let me win! Anyway, if anybody has more suggestions that we can share with the wonderful Oliver crew, please share.

Cherie, Can you share how your telescoping pedestal worked? Using a hitch pin was just a possible solution to anchor the two parts. Thanks, jam49

Correction - That should be a receiver hitch pin. And I even proffed what I read! Oops -proofed!

Telescoping table pedestals - What if the table pedestals were cut in two pieces and the top part holding the table could slide down into the bottom part? The two pieces could be held together by a receiver hitch (easily removed) when wanting to lower the table to make a bed.The metal pole could be extra support for the bed but just as important, the pole wouldn't have to be moved anywhere. It would already be stored yet functional at the same time. Is this idea crazy or what? Only 127 days til pickup! I can hardly sleep!

Thanks for the checklist. I only have 143 days or 1144 hours left to pickup.

Anybody up for desert travel? Check out http://www.tiretracks.org/mogforsale. I have searched for years for which travel trailer, camper, rv, tent!!! etc. would be the best, even wondered about the MOG. Oliver won hands down from the moment I saw it online. I knew I finally found what I was searching for. I have not had the good fortune of even seeing a real Oliver but through the wonderful help of Robert I got my Oliver just the way I wanted it. I sent my order to Robert today for delivery in December. I can't get off work before then to go to Tennessee to pick it up. Anyway, back to the MOG - students used the tiretracks.org website and followed the owners with their MOG while they traveled across Africa. Now if the students would just log in the the Oliver forums - what an education they would receive about this great nation of ours through the many educational posts. P.S. I am counting hours til December!

Hi Mountainborn, I thoroughly enjoy reading the posts. They have extremely helpful. The more posts there are the harder it has been for me to find that piece of information that I just have to read again. Suggestion - Is it possible to post messages by alphabetical topics? Is a search by keyword possible? ex. boondocking, generators, chargers, fans, solar, helpful hints, trips, free sites, etc. just to name a few. Thanks again to all for the discussion on the different topics even the fun dialog such as Oliver and bathtubs! It has been very educational and fun as I try to decide what choices are best for my husband and myself to order an Oliver.