herm

You shouldn't have to use headphones. How about connecting the SAT radio's headphone jack to the aux. AV input on the front of the Jensen? You'll need a cable with 1/8" stereo plugs on each end, but they're readily available (commonly used for connecting iPods too). Herm

I'm no A/V specialist, but in my experience using an FM modulator is almost a guaranteed way to get crappy-sounding audio. Does your SAT radio has some sort of hard-wired output options? If so, that would likely eliminate the fan interference as well. Hopefully we can help you get setup, without the need to hire someone. Unless I'm missing something, it shouldn't be terribly complicated. Herm

Doug, You should be able to find an unused set of cables in the overhead storage area near the A/V outlet. You may have to poke around under the rubber matting to find them. These should be wired to one of the auxilary inputs on the Jensen. You'll then need to provide RCA unions and an RCA audio cable to create an extension that reaches your source (TV or SAT receiver). If you don't find the aux. cables, you may need to pull the Jensen and attach a pair yourself. I used this method to pipe over-the-air TV broadcasts to the Jensen speakers, though it was a little annoying having to use the Jensen remote for volume and the Samsung remote for channels. I too only found this method necessary when the AC was running, requiring more volume than my TV speakers could deliver. To add to the discussion about leaks, I am happy to report that I have not seen one hint of water inside my Oliver, despite having driven through a torrential downpour in MS and enduring a thorough washing at home. I don't expect any problems having it sit outside through the winter. Herm

Sherry, next time your up visiting family, you'll have to swing by and say 'hello'. We even have a nice (but narrow) parking pad with 30 amp hookup if you need a place to overnight. We hope to move to lower latitudes as well some day... Herm

It looks great Herm. I really like the looks of the floor and the upholstery. You have done a lot of driving between Florida and Minnesota. You aren't kidding. We logged a total of 3,000 miles roundtrip, two-thirds of that was pulling the Oliver. My overall fuel economy was only 13 mpg, but I could have done a little better if I would have taken it a bit slower.

Thanks, Sherry. I basically took their "standard graphics" and tweaked it a little to make my own. We certainly would have loved to see more of Florida and other Oliver owners...maybe next time. Yes, we will definitely be back! Too bad it's such a long drive for us to get down there. Herm

Anyone know how 'visited' is typically defined? I assume it means camped/overnighted, not merely driven through? Herm

In case anyone's wondering what these new tanks look like in the Oliver... You can also see the LP quick-connect that is installed just before the regulator, though I haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. Herm

I'm finally getting around to posting a couple photos of our new Oliver. The exterior photo was shot at Henderson State Park (Destin, FL) last week, and the interior photo was taken in our driveway yesterday after cleaning things out. We are very pleased with our fabric and flooring selections, and feel that it gives a warm touch to an otherwise sterile white/black environment. Ain't she a beauty? Pictures unavailable. Please re-upload.

I've also wondered about the thermostat location, considering it could be a wet area. However, I can't really think of a better place for them. It's centrally located, not near windows or other vents, and at an appropriate height. Regarding the water heater, we have only used it on propane. Because it heats up very quickly on propane, we are able to switch it on a few minutes before there's a need for hot water. I think the reason for the electric switch being on the outside is that one would typically turn it on and leave it on, as the time to heat/reheat on electicity is much longer. That's my theory anyway. I'm with Bugeye on the AC noise...there's no such thing as a quite AC. But when it's hot, I'll take my loud AC over no AC any day. I can sleep through noise better than through hot, humid air. Herm

My AC is also very noisy, but we were able to get by with our MaxxFan most nights (which we feel was a worthy upgrade). Also, my heat strip worked fine for the brief period of time that I used it. I'm beginning to wonder if I even have the Polar Cub unit I was supposed to get. My unit reads "Duo-Therm by Dometic (Penguin)" and I haven't checked the paperwork to see if it will run on a Honda 2000i generator. As long as it's equivalent in quality and power comsumption, I'm probably not going to make an issue out of this. I'm currently in the process of getting the Oliver and TV all cleaned up, so I should have some photos to share soon. It's certainly drawing a lot of attention around my neighborhood! Herm

I have also been very pleased with the towing performance. Never felt one hint of sway in about 2000 miles of towing. Even strong crosswinds seem to have little effect on the handling. Herm

I agree this exposed opening is not ideal, so thanks for sharing your solution. Other than that, I really like the way the cover seals when closed. You can feel the o-ring fitting snuggly inside the cover. Herm

Here's a super-secret spy shot I took of the frame last week! I'm told that it will also be a little bit wider, but of course this thing is still pretty early in the design process. Personally, the 17 footer is just the right size for us; however, I'm curious to see what this thing will end up looking like. Herm

No Doug, it's not just you. I've also had a fair number of things that needed attention - some that were quickly taken care of the next morning, and some that became evident later. It's unfortunate that we're now back in Minnesota (we did not allow time in our schedule for a return trip to Hohenwald), but I have complete confidence that the company will make it right.

Along those similar lines, I've thought about putting all the exterior lights on one of the spare 12V switches, and keep the interior lights on the existing switch. At least that way I could know that all exterior lights are off without having to step outside, while still being able to use a few interior lights. I'm not sure, however, what would be involved to re-wire it this way...maybe impossible? I have to say that the amount of lighting options around the trailer are fantastic! There's almost no reason to need a flashlight outside unless maybe if you're headed behind the trailer, which is rare. Herm

Boy...bringing up the weight topic again...that's dangerous! Seriously though, I do appreciate you sharing your results, Pete. I will be picking up my trailer soon, and if I have the opportunity to stop at a scale, I'll do the same. It's not that I'm worried about exceeding the Oliver's "true" capacity or my TV's capacity, but I do want to make a reasonable effort to stay below the Oliver's GVWR (whatever that may be). Just to clarify, the total weight is indeed the combined axle and tongue weight? Did you also happen to record the tongue weight? I think it's also important to note your options, as I believe the Wonder Egg is rather well-appointed compared to most. Am I correct?

In case anyone's interested, I ended up deciding on the Samsung LN22A650. I eliminated the LG due to lack of audio outputs, and I was able to purchase the A650 for less than the similar A450. In case anyone else is worried about the "touch of color" thing (as I was), it's pretty subtle. I'll know more about how well the TV interacts with the mount next week when we pick up the Oliver.

Sherry, this is the product referenced in a post by Doug I a while back. Is that what you were looking for? I also had Oliver upgrade my tanks to these for the weight and rust reasons you mention, though perhaps the weight advantage is minimal based on what you've just reported. Since I don't expect needing to fill the tanks while on the road, the loss of the exchange capability was unimportant to me. Another thing I'm unsure about is whether the two "20 lb." tanks have the same capacity. The Lite Cylinder lists a net capacity of 19 lbs., while I believe that standard steel tanks only hold about 17 lbs. If that's true, then I might not be saving any weight; however, the lack of rust and ability to visually monitor propane level is still reason enough for me. Plus, they simply look cool!

Sherry, Wow...those fit surprisingly well on the side, more or less staying within the overall width of the trailer. Now you just need two more on the other side to balance things out! Are those fixed panels, or do you have some tilt adjustablility (which would make a second pair even more appealing)? As you may know, I'm not having solar installed on my trailer, but it's nice to know there's a retrofit solution if my camping habits change. Herm

jam49, I was talking about a bumber-mounted receiver on the Oliver, which would have allowed my to insert a bike carrier or cargo carrier. There's a post titled '2" receiver mod' if you care to know more. Anyway, I'm very happy with my choice as well, and can't wait to take delivery. Mine is slated to be completed within the next week. Herm

It sounds like this is falling under the same category as the 'under storage' idea. Sure, it can be done...but at what price? This might be one of those things we consider upgrading later, if at all, after the factory has come up with an affordable solution. This sort of reminds me of my own quest for a bumper-mounted receiver several weeks ago. And in the end, I simply had to drop the idea. The factory wasn't ready to finalize their design on this option, and it would have likely ended up being very expensive. Though it's great to suggest new ideas and keep raising the bar, we all have to admit that Oliver has already set the bar pretty high to begin with. An no other manufacturer would even entertain half the things we discuss on this forum. Herm

Bill, You may also want to consider making a visit to a Volvo dealer, and at least find out what the factory solution is. I generally prefer a factory installation (if available) vs. some sort of after-market installation. It's likely to be your most expensive option, but depending on how invasive the work is, it might be worth it. Perhaps Seadawg can offer some suggestions too, as I believe they have also towed their Oliver with an XC90 (I'm assuming that's the tow vehicle you're considering, as I know of no other class III capable Volvo). Herm

I noticed the white ones too, but never gave it much consideration. I see they also make the 22" in white. I think the TV is going to stand out regardless of the cabinet color because the display itself is black in either case. The next questions I'd have is "does anyone make a white mount". BTW, I looked into the Omnimount you mentioned, and it doesn't look to me like it would give you anywhere near the range of motion you're looking for (i.e. facing out the back window). Maybe I didn't understand how you were planning on using it? I've still got a few weeks to decide on the TV, since I'll be bringing it with me when I pick up the Oliver. But, I definitely don't want to go smaller than 22"...that's part of the reason I opted to delete the 19" Jensen (which was already an upgrade). It's really unfortunate that Sony, Panasonic and Sharp don't make a 22" TV...I guess it's not a big enough market. Herm

Yes, I also have some concerns over securing the TV during travel, but I might look into adding an optional quick-release bracket which Chief provides if it becomes a major issue. This would allow me to easily remove and store the TV in a safe place (don't know where that would be yet). Of course, that would also entail removing all A/V connections too, so it's not a perfect solution. If you decide to go with two fixed mounts, then you'll also probably want some sort of quick-release bracket to make the relocation quick and easy. I'm also a fan of Samsung products, so I will definitely look at the A650 more closely. However, I'm not crazy about the 'touch of color' thing, though it's something I could probably live with. I'm also finding a lot of spec discrepancies with regard to resolution and contrast ratio, so that's making it tough to compare on paper. Good luck with your decisions...I'd be curious to know what you end up with. Herm