SeaDawg

I feel your pain. Even as a Florida resident, it's really hard to get reservations in the most popular parks, in February and March, our most popular tourist months. I've been told that there are folks who sit up til midnight every night to get on the system, just as the dates open up, 11 months out, and I actually believe it. I won't do that, and I doubt you'd want to, either. You won't be able to make any reservations for February 2023 til next month. Then, what you can do is look by "city" instead of a specific park, for the days you want. The popular parks may indeed be booked, but it will bring up availability in many other state parks. In my example, I was really surprised to see Anastasia open, but maybe because I was only looking for a one night stay. As you can see, results may not be all that close to the city you enter, but at least it's a place to start.

I'm personally not a fan of portable gas heaters, but everyone has to make their own decisions. Some are more efficient than others. Some emit more co and h2o than others. Some like Mr buddy, some like wave. With my tiny little dog, I'm not partial to either. I just leave the furnace on lowest setting, and reach over to turn it up in the morning, from bed. That little fan is really great, though, Topgun2! Love it!

The blocks that fell off are there because the "pioneers" like us, felt they were helpful. Not original equipment in the first generation. Not essential, but they do help reduce rub. We added them, circa 2011 or 2012. . A small tube of jb weld is probably 6 or 7 dollars. It's in our kit, anyway, for trailer and boat. Even so, if you would experience the same rare failure, I'm sure Oliver would reimburse you. They've always been decent and generous. Make sure you open a ticket, and get advice, before you launch out on your own, imo. Like others, I've not heard of this failure before. Anything can happen. Block placement is important, and jb weld is pretty permanent.

I'd guess there are a couple compelling reasons. The first I can think of is certification for rv use, to keep their rvia/Canadian certification. And, get warranty reimbursement? I haven't (yet) seen a unit designed specifically for rvs. The second is where to put both the inside and outside units. The indoor units are pretty big, even the small ones. We installed a small (mr cool diy) minisplit in our garage workshop a few years back, and we really enjoy it on hot days. Very quiet and efficient. I can see why you'd want one. I thought about it, too, years ago, but gave up. There used to be a portable Canadian minisplit sold in the US that was really small. The indoor unit was about the size of a typical box fan. Originally, it was designed so that the lines could be detached at each use, and reattached. I think they had some issues with that. A few years ago, I bought one from Costco online, for my mom's Florida room, and then returned it after testing and finding the lines to be fixed, as getting it in and out with the fixed line to store out of season would be too difficult. I don't know if this could work in the bigger Ollie, or not. The only window in my trailer large enough to pass the indoor unit through would be my rear awning window, and then there would no good way to seal it, and not a really good spot for the lines and indoor air handler. There's a good video in the link below. https://www.forestair.ca/en/serie-mini-anglais Here's one of the many threads where ac alternatives have been discussed. There's a good discussion on minisplits as part of the thread. If you find a good solution, please post it here. There's been a lot if interest over the years.

One of the reasons we've always stayed with cushions. We keep the rear dinette made up as a bed, all the time. The older Elites have a tiny access port, about midway back, and just about big enough for a man's arm. Add to that the joy of pulling out all the stuff stored under the bed, finding a spot for the crates, and then lying on your stomach under the bed, trying to reach anything. Pulling up the cushion to gain full access is much easier. Or, Galway Girl's slick transfer pump that Frank C referenced above.

Isn't it wonderful to be able to slip into those smaller spaces? Looks like a very pretty spot.

The only person that I can remember installing an autoformer is @WhatDa. He hasn't been on the forum for awhile, but you could try a pm. Here's the thread where he discussed it.

It helps keep the coffee grounds together. If you're tempted to give it a try someday, here's a recipe: https://www.thespruceeats.com/egg-coffee-2952648

After you've had your Oliver a bit, I'll look forward to your comments on both heating systems. I've never had a hydronic system, like the alde, in a camper. But, I have had Radiator heat in homes in the Midwest not glycol, though. There are pluses and minuses, and I truly look forward to informed comparison. Sorry for the thread drift, jules2go, though maybe it's not? Important to compare all features.

Hi, John, and welcome to the forum! There are a number of Tundra owners here, and I'm sure you'll hear from some of them. You've been fortunate to live in some very beautiful states!

Frankly, I never said that. Your issues have zero to do with the worn Anderson hitch ball, in my opinion, if I can understand your issues, after reading this thread, at least 5 times. What I said, is, the wing mechanism to close the bulldog coupler requires some regular cleaning , lubrication, and maintenance. Like any other coupler, the bulldog requires minor but regular maintenance. The other alternative might be, as I said before, you didn't have the hitch ball truly centered under the bulldog coupler. It's very important. Centering can be done with the truck at various angles, but the ball must be centered under the Bulldog cup. You tend to confuse some basic terms, in reference to hitches, couplers, balls, "shanks" and receivers. It's all ok, but please don't get upset when we ask questions to understand what you're talking about. We know you're new as an Ollie owner. Was it difficult to release the bulldog, at your home, when you backed straight in? (Great backing skills, btw.) I don't really care which system you choose. Get a bulldog coupler. Get something else. You'll pick what you like, anyway, as we know from your comments. Pick what you like, and "get on with life." No psychological inferences. Just a phrase many of us use, time to time. You can easily replace the 2" bulldog with a 2 5/16" bulldog. You've been given at least three sets of directions. Step by step. If you find a better solution, we're all ears. Truly. With the rugged roads you seem to love, an articulating hitch, like some of the Aussie campers might just be your ticket. Idk. Take your time. You may want to research beyond our forum, as well. Google mchitch. Like John E Davies , at this point, I'm out. At least for awhile.

The way you worded your question, you got a lot of answers. All of them good, from people who have used the equipment they recommended (experience), and no one suggested it was a "must" for everyone. The photo got, including chains, a bit of comments about wdh. The bulldog coupler has been standard equipment on the Oliver, since inception. (It is not part of the Anderson system. Instead, the Anderson is the one wdh currently available that works with the Bulldog and the Oliver configuration. ) Our Bulldog coupler has been bulletproof for 14 seasons. It won't close if not properly aligned, but when it does close, it stays closed. No guesswork. It's made of forged steel, not stamped. It's heavy, and extremely sturdy, and attached to our 2008 LE aluminum tongue with two grade 8 bolts. (You'll know they're grade 8, by the markings, 6 hash marks in a pinwheel.) As John e Davies said, mechanical fasteners are required in this instance. The Bulldog MUST be completely centered over the ball to close properly. As John E Davies said, you may also have had problems because the mechanism was dirty or stiff. We check, clean, and lube ours every year, more often as necessary, with a spray lubricant that doesn't attract and hold a lot of dirt. (Take your pick). We also lightly wire brush and repaint the exterior body, as necessary. We live on a saltwater bay, so probably more often than many. If your coupler disengaged easily when you backed it into the slot, it's likely fine. But still, important to perform normal annual maintenance. Most people who upped to the 2 5/16 coupler from the 2" either had the skills and tools to do it themselves, or they upgraded from day one, at the factory. You could put in a service ticket ( complete with your model and vin) to see if Oliver will sell you one, predrilled, and ship. I don't know if they will, or not. Ask. Otherwise, my suggestion would be, find a reference for a good local welding and machine shop. Most local welding shops can drill the required holes. Order the 2 5/16. Then, get out the wrenches, remove the existing bull dog, take it, along with the new Bulldog to the shop, so they can use the old as a template, to drill the new holes. (You may need some penetrating oil to remove the bolts on the old coupler. Have some patience. ) We could do it, my nephew also, for free. My local shop would probably charge somewhere between $50 and $100. I'd take at least one bolt to the shop, too, just for reference. If you strip one bolt in removal, they'll likely be able to tell you what you need as a replacement, if you don't have measuring equipment. Good luck in your decision. Me? I'd lube and repair the existing 2" bulldog, and get on with life, for the first few trips. (My opinion. ) I'd buy a drop hitch, with a 2.5 inch drawbar, if your Airstream supplied hitch won't work, with a 2" ball, at proper level. I wouldn't use sleeves or spacers, for the drawbar. No way. Too much slop. Nothing beats the camping experience. I'm sure we can agree on that. Good luck in your decisions.

Indeed so, Dewdev. They ran sessions in many other regions from last July (when I first posted) til this month. Our friend got the impression that it has been very successful and well received, and probably will be continued next spring or summer. For anyone outside the southeast, probably best to keep an eye on their website.

One of our friends in the marine industry called me tonight. He was at the Tampa Victron training day yesterday, and had a great day. I thought Tampa was just pros, or we would have gone, too. He said there were well over half marine industry pros, but also diy rv and boat owners, and off grid home folks in attendance. Attendees were split into beginning, intermediate, and expert levels, which helped keep things at level . He also said very little hands on, but good presentations. Also, would be really better as a two day show, but well worth the day spent. He's especially interested in what the newer victron gear can do. I'm sure I'll hear more about the whole day, when he comes over for dinner, tomorrow. The traveling road show classes are free, and a good breakfast sandwich and deli sandwich lunch, too. (My husband asked that. 😄 as in, if I go, should Sherry pack a lunch???) Looks like a number of opportunities still, in February, for Florida. https://www.victronenergy.com/training-tour

Somewhere down this thread, @Trainman talks about friends towing an Elite II with a late model Tacoma. Maybe he'll chime in.

It sure is. There are at least a couple other owners here with two garage doors. Maybe look at this thread for ideas Nice backing skills there, Ray.

I think that's a wonderful name choice for your trailer, for all the reasons you listed. That is a tight fit with the garage door, but looks like it works for you!

What a delight to see these as the first posts I read this morning. Your photos are absolutely beautiful ! Thank you so much for sharing them.

Many of ours in Florida have been removed, as well, because statistics showed they were ineffective (or, maybe not profitable?) . But, we still have a bunch of them. Is the traffic camera a "speed clock " camera? Those can be a problem, as the warning signage and speed limit reduction signage isn't always great. An additional squawk from the box never hurts, as an alert...

As JED said, an Elite might be a solution for you. Our 2008, loaded for camping is just shy of 4000 lbs, with a tongue weight around 400. Similar floorplan to a Casita, but all the Oliver benefits of fiberglass molded furniture, aluminum frame, etc. A 2019 just posted for sale in classifieds. I've seen just a few sell this year.

The closest thing I've ever had to cowboy coffee was my grandmother's coffee, in a big white enamel pot on the stove top. No basket or filter. An egg and cold water settled most of the grounds, not all. She and her brother used to turn the cup upside down after afternoon coffee, and read "fortunes." I only let my gramma read my fortune. Her brother's were always too dark... Some people call it Swedish coffee. It was well known among all the Scandinavian folks (who all kept chickens, so the egg was "free")

I'd say, depends on your target market. Folks like us would rather buy and choose our own tires. My daughter was thrilled when I complained about one curb scraped tire on her late model used jeep, and got the dealer to replace the full set, at no additional cost. $1000 out of pocket to a young person, vs picky older folks like many of us, with discretionary income, are two different markets. In your case, I'd probably price it including a new set of tires, advertise it with the good but older tires, and be prepared to drop the price $1k to cover a new set.

This is just an unabashed "bump," since I can't answer your question. Good luck.

The inside of the camper, when everything exploded. Just so sorry for everyone involved, and grateful no serious human injuries

We use a budget version of the same, last ten or 12 years. We use an old stainless carafe from a dead home coffee maker, and the bigger #4 filter size pourover cone. We used the tiny #2 for a couple years, straight into the mug. Still use it (actually a collapsible silicon version which i still carry when we rent campers outside the USA) I love the coffee. So does Paul. I think he'd be happy if I replaced our more expensive home coffee maker with the carafe, cone, and tea kettle. It's the very best. But, at home, he's usually up first, and makes our coffee. Camping, he still gets up first, but takes the dog for a walk, while I get dressed and make coffee. Life is a bit different, at camp, but it's simply wonderful, for us. I'm counting the days to camping season, and camping coffee. The trailer smells so good when coffee is brewing!