SeaDawg
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Posts posted by SeaDawg
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There are many types of vhb tape.
Anyone know which type AM Solar uses?
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I'm wondering how your fridge works at all, on gas.
I don't have a photo of mine before we converted to a dc fridge, but I don't see how the exhaust heat can evacuate with all that insulation in place.
If someone doesn't answer with a properly vented fridge, send in a ticket. I'm sure Jason or someone can tell you what it looked like before that retrofit...
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We replaced the entire unit, and never looked back. The seal was broken on the old fan. It wasn't a huge job, and could have been done from a scaffold or ladder, on the outside, with longer arms than mine.
The release mechanism, and bezel, on the inside are different, so my answer would be, I don't think so. Get the new fan, enjoy the overhead light, and don't look back.
I think, personally, this should be an upgrade offered by Oliver. It's not a huge price difference, but I do so love an overhead light, and a fuse that can be replaced without tearing the fan apart.
I was concerned several years ago, when we changed it out, that fan noise would increase over time. It hasn't, at least for us.
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We still haven't installed an accumulator tank in rhe trailer. My solution to th night time racket is to just turn off the pump, through the night. "If it's yelliw, let it mellow." Hand sanitizer. Bottle of water.
We had a huge rattle after the (properly sized) accumulator tank in the cabin. (We run off a tank and pump there, too, sometimes. ) We installed a longer line section, with an upward loop in a flexible section, and pretty much solved the problem. Peace and quiet at night.
We chased the noise for a month. It's not fun, and every situation is different.
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Make sure you read the date code.
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We went with a polyether product, loctite marine fast cure, several years ago, for boats and the Ollie. So far, so good. I think we're 4 years in. Stays white. Decent flex. If you buy from Lowe's or Depot, make sure you read the date code. And, use it all up. It doesn't last long. Not cheap, either, but longevity vs initial price is important to us. The Loctite bonds to everything in our usual realm... teak, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, etc., as it's polyether based.
Is this the Loctite product you're using?
Yes, it is.
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Looks like you have two bolts on each panel, so it would be a tough change up to allow you any way to lift one side of the panel.
Our earlier mounts were from am solar. You could send them a pic in an email, and discuss other options. Great folks. Always helpful.
We have one bolt (on a threaded knob) on each short side of our panels. If it's any comfort to you, we rarely adjust the panels. Too much ladder work, unless we're in a spot for a very long time.
Adding in some portable solar is a much easier, and safer/ground level, alternative. That's our solution, anyway.
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10 hours ago, rich.dev said:
Sikaflex products, have used 221 on our Airstream with good results. Has anybody used some of these on their Ollie?
I used a number of sika products, building our house.
I don't think I'd try 221 on an Oliver, as I "think" it's greatest use is metal to metal.
I'm sure sika has an appropriate product in their lineup. It's a great company. 291 would probably work, but it's an adhesive/sealant, possibly close to 3m 4200. Requires extensive mechanical removal. Polyurethane , elastic. So good for movement. But, replacement, if and when necessary, could be a lot of work.
We went with a polyether product, loctite marine fast cure, several years ago, for boats and the Ollie. So far, so good. I think we're 4 years in. Stays white. Decent flex. If you buy from Lowe's or Depot, make sure you read the date code. And, use it all up. It doesn't last long. Not cheap, either, but longevity vs initial price is important to us. The Loctite bonds to everything in our usual realm... teak, aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, etc., as it's polyether based.
Whatever you choose, I'd choose something that says "marine" or "for use above and below waterline". I know we don't drive our Ollies on the water, but some of the gulley washers we've experienced make me appreciate marine sealant quality.
We use synthetic butyl tape as bedding, whenever possible. Old school, tried and true, eternally flexible. Windows, fans, boat ports, etc. Rooftop appertanences take a beating in Florida sun. After a few days of allowing butyl to set up, we (I should say,usually Paul) trim the edge with a fine bead of loctite, to block uv. Maybe unnecessary, but, it looks good, especially when Paul does it,instead of me. I'm not bad, but he's better. (Give credit where due, right?)
Butyl is ONLY a sealant, not an adhesive, so requires mechanical fasteners to keep everything in place.
As far as removing silicon residue, I'm not your person. I don't think it has a place in the fiberglass world. We don't use silicon. It seeps into the pores, and is very difficult to remove.
Sika makes many fine products. If you find one appropriate for the Ollie (fiberglass, plastic, and metal compatible, decent elasticity/flex, uv resistant), I'd love to hear about it. They're not inexpensive, either, but we've had great experience with some of their products in our home.
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13 hours ago, HDRider said:
made the mistake thinking that I could call and ask questions when I struggled with something. That process is broken.
Edited 13 hours ago by HDRider
I don't believe that is a true statement.
Though Jason may be training, I believe other qualified team members will step up.
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I think, personally, we all need to take a step back, and breathe.
Yeah, I know, I have a 16 year old trailer.
So, I can say, unequivocally, Oliver has never failed me. My belief is, they won't ever on the future, either.
Right now. The amazing service staff at Oliver hq is charged with training outposts, which we have all longed for, over the years.
That takes time.
Obviously, I have been in for the long run, and will continue to be so.
I can only think that service will continue to get better, with outposts around the country, closer to many owners, with the great support of Oliver central awesome staff.
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13 hours ago, MichaelE said:
This took the wind out of my sails. My pickup date is April 11th. I purchased thinking I had access to factory service and repair. Here’s hoping the nightmare dealer stories aren’t true!
I don't blame you for questioning.
But, Oliver has hand picked a group of smaller, family dealers, that have great reputations for setvice.
Jason and crew will be training. My guess is, service hiatus after July is to allow training from best if the best.
Let's give it a chance.
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We've been using a loctite marine product, with good results, for a number of years.
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With all new changes, and methods, there is definitely a risk.
My experience with the Oliver family is that those risks are weighed carefully, and thoroughly.
I was not excited, initially, about the new dealer plan, but I see it as a way forward for growth, and extended service, throughout the US, for them, and all of us.
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Oliver cental is going to be open for pickup, from my understanding.
I worked in a dealership network, in a different industry. To gain extended support (service in wide flung locations), some things must change. Heart doesn't.
As #12, our factory pickup was actually within the factory. We had no factory service department til years later. But, we always had support.
I'm counting on that.
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14 minutes ago, Gliddenwoods said:
I was mislead by Oliver Inc when I was considering a purchase. I thought Oliver Inc was different than the other trailer venders; I was wrong.
When we bought our 2008, there was no Oliver Setvice department. We took a fly, anyway, after literally looking at hundreds of trailers, dozens of brands, for our "last" trailet.
It has grown to be the best of the best.
Jason and crew aren't going anywhere, they're instead expanding the knowledge base to the hand-picked, quality, small dealers. And,expanding the radius, for now, so people can get quality service much closer to home than Hohenwald. Imo. That training takes time, and face to face.
Support will always be there.
Even during the hiatus, we always got support. This is not your average company. Heart is there.
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Split this, at thread starters request, to keep on topic.
More great photos and comments welcome, here.
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Congratulations!
Nothing like a baby, as my mother in law always said. Enjoy your new family miracle!
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Your profile shows a 2017. Even so, I'd open a service ticket.
Those cracks look like the door was let go in wind, and stressed, to me.
White duct tape will seal it for now. I'd guess a new door is in order. Imo.
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22 hours ago, jd1923 said:
I'm going to keep reading, learning and likely will put off an LI upgrade for a couple of years. Just ask @SeaDawg, as she has been babying her AGMs for years. At the same time, would love to have 600AH of Epoch LI batteries ready for your next trip. All in time...
We'll see. With our minimalist style, I'm still unsure if our plans will include lithium. We're installing it on the boat, but unsure about the trailer. Because, we're not sure we need it.
We'll see.
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We drilled smaller diameter pilot holes, as we always do. You can try the blue tape thing, I guess, though we've never done it.
Pilot, followed by bigger hole. If you use butyl, all the holes will self seal. (We sealed old holes with epoxy)
I know it's intimidating at first. But, it's not that bad.
I'd guess total install time was two hours, or less. One on roof, one inside.
We did "build up" a bit with butyl tape, if I remember correctly, for the slight incline, front to back of the hull..
Love the light. Also, make sure you read instructions for drainage hole placement.
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12 hours ago, Boudicca908 said:
There are some lovely camping spots in the panhandle north of Tallahassee. Enjoy the warmth of Florida!
Not a very warm winter here, but better than some regions.
No snow, anyway! 😅
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I think it's, the same, or a little better. The pull handle is inset further than our original ventline.
That said, our ventline was a 2008. And, our Maxx dome install was probably 4 years ago .
We do so love the overhead light. My husband is just under 6'. For reference. It's been all good.
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It's not a big deal. We did this years ago. It's a terrific upgrade. Just do it. You'll be very happy. So nice to have an overhead light in the bath.
We used butyl tape. Drilled small pilot holes. Once you've drilled a few, not so scary.
Read the whole thread. Lots of great advice, from a number of installs.
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2 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:
I’ve done it twice. It took the better part of an afternoon to do all the windows. Mike
I think it took us about three hours, to do all the windows, back over a decade ago.
Fastest on a warm day.
We've replaced a couple over the years. 20 minutes for one.
Well worth the time.
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Unhitching
in General Discussion
Posted
Chasing an unchocked, or improperly chocked trailer, can be very scary.
Did that one time, dramatically. (Someone else's trailer, about to run backwards down a slight slope, through bushes, to a ten foot drop.) Fortunately, a lightweight, small trailer, and three of us from neighboring sites got it stopped.
Good chocks, well placed, follow instructions above. No issues.