Mattnan
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Posts posted by Mattnan
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We are going to Sunset View campground Monday - Thursday next week. We are looking forward to it. I haven't been that far up the coast in a very long time!
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Oliver set us up nicely with the Andersen hitch at delivery and helped us with some dialetric grease to help with come corrosion on our 7 pin plug. They were very helpful. 2 items to consider. Make sure you have an electric brake controller in your tow vehicle. Also some stainless steel wire to secure the shackles on the whale tail of the Andersen hitch. I totally missed that and found ours were pretty loose at the recent Maine rally. One of the other Oliver owners noticed it and we tightened them up. Thanks Billy!!!!!
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Absolutely beautiful. What a nice custom upgrade.
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I had to run a few errands so took the truck and looked at the original sticker, reviewed the owners manual, and the recommended services at each service interval. I had not done this in years. A good exercise.
Our tow package contains the following: 10,300 lbs towing capacity, 1580 payload capacity, supplemental transmission cooler, tow/haul mode with 430 rear differential with 10.5 ring gear, 150 amp alternator, transmission temp gauge, and pre wire for the brake controller. Our truck has a 6 speed transmission and is very basic, the lowest trim level with just a few options. I reviewed the owners manual for towing. There were no specific instructions about towing in lower gear at higher revs for normal use. We have never experienced any over heating issues. The gauges all work including the transmission temp gauge. We have relatively low miles at 97,000 for a 2008 model. We always have a full service done before we head out. The same will happen in late November for our 5 months on the road. We are getting new tires at that time too. I will have the transmission fluid checked at that time. If it warrants replacement I will use Toyota fluid as our manual was very specific about this. I reviewed all of the required service and the manual indicates to only change the fluid when necessary. It indicates "special use" as a reason to change the transmission fluid. Special use is indicated as significant off road use and/or lots of towing and very dusty conditions. We have about 12,000 towing miles. I will have our mechanic change the transmission and both differentials if needed before we head out. Our truck does receive regular scheduled maintenance. I'll leave it (transmission fluid change if needed ect) to our trusted mechanic. I am not interested in snapping any bolts in my driveway!!!! We are taking our Ollie back to Oliver for them to go through it at the beginning of our trip. We are already scheduled for the first few days of December.
This truck maybe one of the better vehicle purchases we made. I got a huge discount as we bought it during the financial crisis and gas prices were very high. The salesman was my son's football coach so on top of the huge Toyota incentives we got a bunch more off. They wanted to move the truck as it had been on the lot and model year was changing. I had someone looking for a used truck offer me better than 75% of what I paid! I can't replace the truck economically at this time. I think if I continue to maintain it the truck may out live me!!!!
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Not sure on the gears on my 2008 5.7 with tow package. The tow haul allows me to reach top gear. If I think of it I'll take a look at the original window sticker for axel ratio and re check the manual when we head out next time. We tow in the tow haul mode without issues. I also tow boat and trailer package of about 5000 lbs. Never had any issues of anything over heating. I did indicate on the flat. It will automatically down shift a gear going up a long small grade. I don't feel it is over shifting. I have power when need to pass or go up a grade and am not running higher rpms when not needed. Tactics in the mountains will be different.
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We had been looking at Airstream Globetrotter 23 ft twin. We were very serious about Airstream. Our barn was constructed to be able to hold an Airstream up to 28ft. We chose the Oliver Elite II twin for a number of reasons. There were areas and some features where we felt the Ollie was superior. We are very happy with the Ollie we purchased new. There were a few items where we feel we compromised: wet bath, true oven, and some light through the windows. We are also boaters so the fiberglass interior and the ease of care were big plusses. We were new to camping in a travel trailer. For me the thought of denting (by any means) the $107k asking price Airstream was too much. I didn't see too many used Airstreams without some sort of exterior damage. I was willing to pay for the new Airstream. We looked at a couple of Ollies in person before making our decision. We also toured the factory. We like our Ollie very much. For us it was the right decision. The items I thought were going to be a compromise haven't turned out to be big issues. Definitely go see an Ollie before you make a decision. Good luck!
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We are also right lane or middle lane at 60-65 with our Tundra. We get about 12mpg at those speeds running at 2000 rpm or less on flat. I prefer the middle lane if possible to avoid merging and exiting traffic. We drop mileage to 10 mpg going faster. I may be over cautious but prefer to feel that I have the most possible control. I guess I am going to have to learn to increase my speed on our planned trip across west Texas in late January 2022!
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Hi to the Olliver owners I saw heading north on Route 1 in Waldoboro, Maine just south of Moody's Diner around 12:50 today. Hope you have a great time in Maine.
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Happy with my Michelins in snow in Maine. Works just fine. I use my truck for more than towing my Ollie. I also towed several boats this year longer distance. Some turnaround NYC, those highways are dug up and terrible. If the roads are that bad here in snow 4wd seems to solve the problem. I am not going over mountain passes in the winter. I would have no problem going to ski areas around here or NH either. It never has been about going in snow! It is really about stopping and some Jack ass driving like a idiot. Way too fast weaving in and out. I have watched these geniuses fly by me on the highway to witness them slide off into the ditch in snow storms or heavy rain. Sometimes I see them further down the road in the ditch. Some in high priced SUVs or awd cars or even 4wd trucks. The Michelins I have on my Tundra work fine. I also had Michelin on my E350 4Matic. Never an issue. That said I did put 4 snows on my VW rabbit every winter. If I lived in the mountains out west I might think differently or as some states require carry chains. The Michelin worked fine towing the Elite II and cargo in the bed up to weight limits. I seldom exceed 65mph. Frankly I am more concerned with how others drive or how they are towing with marginal or worse tow vehicles. This really boils down to your preference.
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We have Michelin on our 2008 Tundra. We have 50,000 miles on them. We live in Maine. Works fine in the winter. I have done numerous trips to NY, PA, NJ etc. The truck rides very nicely with those tires. I will need to replace them this fall before we head out for 5 month camping trip starting in late November. We have been very satisfied with the Michelin they were much quieter than what came on the truck. Good Luck!!!
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On 6/8/2021 at 10:34 PM, PMG said:
We camped in our pop up pre Ollie last August in mid coast Maine and lived every minute of it. Searsport Shores campground is a wonderful campground - right on the ocean- their gardens, art / pottery facilities are fabulous. Wel worth the higher $ for the experience. Rented kayaks from them and sea kayaked 3 Mikes down the coast for a lobster lunch at a lobster shack - so good ! This site was a great base for Belfast Maine and we actually daytripows 2x to Acadia but would stay closer next time. We also moved further south as stayed out by Pemaquid. The lighthouse out there is one of my all time favorites. Pemaquid Point campground - very simple, very clean facilities and great price point. Sites are level , great shade and adequate size.
We live right near Pemaquid Point Lighthouse in New Harbor. This is a terrific area. Lots to see and do. There is a fisherman's co-op. BYOB and very fresh sea food and Lobsters with a terrific view from the picnic tables. The lighthouse is one of the more photographed lighthouses. You can go up the lighthouse to the top and there is a small museum. Also an art gallery is on site. Hopefully the Seagull Shop, adjacent to the light house will be open. They had to rebuild after a fire last fall. Great spot and terrific breakfast and chowder!!!!
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We went with Southern Mattress. Little less expensive plus we have the original cushions. We are happy with our choice. We also got mattress covers and sheets from AB lifestyles. The bottom sheets and mattress covers are cut with the radius to accommodate the curves in the hull of the Oliver. We have a twin bed model but both Southern Mattress and AB have the patterns for all Oliver floor plans. Very good service from both companies.
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We have a cpap as well, and run it on 12 volt with an adapter when we don't have electric hook up. We run it of the inverter when we do have the electric hook up. We have a twin bed model an we place it on the night stand. Works fine.
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From our some what limited experience internet service at campgrounds is spotty. Sometimes it is distance but often it is the number of users trying to access the internet at the same time. Slow, poor access, and constantly crashing. We finally gave up and used 1 phone a a hot spot and then migrated to a hot spot device that will support a handful of devices. Just my 2 cents. We have the Oliver Wi-Fi booster on our 2019 Ollie. Knowing what I know now I am not sure that was $600 well spent. We have the cell booster too.
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We are right on the coast near Pemaquid lighthouse and Beach. Your more than welcome. We can set you up with water and 15 amp electric in a sunny spot. There is a private inside bathroom in the barn with a shower and an outside shower too with a pool. We are about 1.5 hours north of Portland. Mcb is about 15 miles from us. Stop and stay. We have a sailboat and a power boat. We camp in the winter down south because we hate missing out on summer here. We would park you in the driveway in front of the barn. View of the beach and ocean from the pool and picture of the pool. Lots to do and the lobsters are right here. Seriously stop and stay a few days or a week. There is good kayaking here too.
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We started getting organized today for the Maine not rally. We de-winterized today. The Ollie seems to be in good shape. Just needs a wipe down and we should be ready to go. I will start the fridge the day before. We are only an hour from the campground. We will load up next Monday morning and head to the campground. We are looking forward to seeing some Ollie folks we know and meeting some new folks too. Hopefully we get great weather and the black flys and mosquitoes stay away. Ticks too!! See ya next Monday.
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I just de winterized and sanitised my tank today. The fresh water tank drains very slowly. It did the same last year too. Last year was the first time I did the sanitizing and draining the fresh water tank.
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If you don't mind sharing, how was your factory tune up experience? We are scheduled for the factory tune up the first week in December before we head to Florida and then west to AZ and UT.
We picked up our 2019 in October of 2019 drove it back to Maine and winterized it until the first week of February 2020. We got to the FL Keys and were heading west when Covid kicked in. We were out for 45 days. We returned home like many folks did at that time. We have not been out since. We are going out for a few days in June. We will then put the Ollie up until we head South for our tune up and a 5 month trip. It is so nice here, we hate leaving coastal Maine in the summer and fall.
Feedback on the tune up would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Interesting. While I am confident in this instance the intentions are not nefarious, will Oliver allow photography on a factory tour? I may be incorrect, I thought I understand Oliver is no longer publishing wiring diagrams for competitive reasons. I may be totally off base here. Asking Oliver in advance may be wise before taking photos. I do know some YouTubers were given permission, I am guessing with supervision by Oliver? Ok I am ready for the onslaught of opinions from those who know better than I.
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We did the side mount Lagun table in mahogany with 2 folding leaves. I like your option. It looks really nice. Plus it appears to completely stow out of the way easily. The Lagun provides additional flexibility in positioning but more effort to stow away. Very nice modification!!
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I think we solved temporary storage issues with a boat and rv storage place in Naples. Thanks for all of the feedback. MCB Safe travels home. We look forward to hearing about your trip.
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Hi, I am looking for help and feedback on a few items.
In very early December we will plan to leave our home in Maine and head south and then west returning to Maine in mid to late April2022. We plan to go as far south as Naples Florida and through the southwest perhaps as far as Palm Springs CA.
So here are my questions.
---We have our Elite II scheduled for the "annual service" at Oliver. We are scheduled on December 6&7. This is at the very beginning of our trip and the items that will be checked over the almost 2 days in the shop seem extensive and complete. I am looking for feedback from others that have had this service. Please, if you are willing, share your feedback on this. The service is not inexpensive but about what I thought it might cost.
---We have rented a house in Marco Island that will accommodate our entire family over Christmas. Travel trailers and RVs are not allowed to be parked anywhere on the Island. We have looked into this. We are looking for a reference for a safe place in Naples to park our Ollie for a week while we visit with the rest if the family. We want to stay in the house we rented with everyone for the week. We just need a safe place where we can park the Ollie and lock it up for a week. I checked with Collier Seminole State Park where we stayed last year and they don't have a parking area. I don't want to rent a spot in a campground and just leave the Ollie.
---We are going to join Harvest Host before we go. In the past when we needed to cover long distance in a day we would drive 8-12 hours and park at Cracker Barrel grab dinner, sleep, grab breakfast in the morning and be on our way. We will do this again on our way to Honnenwald this year. After we get the trailer back from service my plan is to take a more leisurely approach and try to limit driving to 4 hours per day for most of the rest of our trip. My questions are regarding Harvest Host-- if you like an area can you stay an extra day (owner permitting) is this common? If needed, do some HH allow hookup for basic 15 amp service. We do have solar and do not anticipate any issues. We know we should patronize these businesses. I can see us stopping many a brewery, winery or distillery. Some have pubs with food so this could be fun. I am looking for feedback on the occasional extra night and electric. Also overall HH experience. I do not see us going for the golf course option.
Thanks for your feedback on these items, particularly if you have used these services!!
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I would consider it for the Ollie. We also have an induction range at home for daily use. It took a little practice, but we really like it. It cools down so fast. It also boils water very fast. I know induction is becoming more common in the marine industry including sail boats. One of the sailing YouTube channels, SV Delos changed to induction and run it mostly from solar and lithium batteries. They do have a back up generator.
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We have the adapters FrankC described. We also carry a 30 amp extension cord and an extension for our waste tank hose. These are packed away in the bed of our truck. We didn't start out with these extensions but after having a spot in the FL Keys where we had to position our Ollie perfectly to have both reach we thought it would be a good idea just in case. The site in Florida had the electric at the back of the site and sewer way at the front of a pull through site that would accommodate a class A or very large trailer. We did end up needing the sewer hose at a different site. Good luck.
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Maine Camping
in Campgrounds & Parks
Posted
We are at Sunset View Campground in Harrington, Maine. This is our last of 3 nights here. I would highly recommend this place. Clean, beautiful scenery on the water, terrific owner on site, friendly campers and quite. The pace of life up here is so much slower than along the coast from Bar Harbor south. We took a day trip up to Lubec. Just fabulous, I had been as far as Cutler before but never to the most eastern point in the USA, Lubec. As Mcb said the tides are dramatic. I would like to take that trip to Mannan sometime. The bridge to Campabello Island Canada is due to open on August 9. We talked to a reporter from the Bangor Fox station doing filming a report for the tv news. She was new to Maine from Los Angeles and was blown away by the beauty of the place.
We head home in the morning. We saw another Ollie in Ellsworth on our way north. The Ollie was "Sailors Ashore". Kind of cool to see another Ollie in the wild. Safe and fun traveling to everyone!!