SeaDawg

A smaller can, or a true compressor, would have been easier to work with. But, as we're camping, I worked with what we had... From what I've read on the uk forums (SMEV primarily used in Europe and Australia, it seems), the cap corrodes and rusts underneath, causing an uneven surface, and rust and soot build up on the little alloy spreaders. All the air used in combustion seems to come from the spreaders, so they have to stay clean and open to burn, properly. When we get home this fall, and empty the trailer, we may have to drill out the screws, clean everything properly, and replace with stainless screws. I really like the cooktop, and want to keep it working properly. It was an expensive, marine quality unit, and should last another 15 or 20 years, I'd guess. The new Dometic/smev cooktops don't have thermocouples, and the caps, though stainless, just rest on the burner, from what I can see, so easier to clean. And, the one piece iron grates on the newer cooktop are really nice, too, compared to my skinny wire spiders.

@AriesBarb, I was reminded of your thread today, when poliver posted the almost all electric 2009 link in classifieds. As scubarx said, if you always camp with electric hookups, it will never be an issue, no matter the brand you choose. Enough electricity, you're golden. Just don't ever fill the tanks, get an induction burner, run the standard water heater on electric, only. Swap out the three way fridge, maybe, someday, for a more efficient dc secop/danfoss fridge. Or, not, if you will always have 110. Definitely. Get a small electric heater, or get a heat pump ac, or both. If you primarily, or accidentally, camp without electrical hookup, you'll need sufficient battery and solar to make it through. And/or, a small generator. Which means carrying fuel. Some/most people design their trailers for ideal and optimum conditions. Others for the worst. (We're in the latter category, as it often happens to us ) Living without propane is certainly possible. But, it will require planning.

My SMEV cooktop gave me fits for a bit. The front bigger burner started throwing a yellow flame, sooting the bottom of thectea kettle, and made a funny smell and hissing noise. I turned it off. Tried the small back burner. Which gave the customary clean blue flame, but takes forever to boil water. So, likely not bad gas, since the other burner worked fine. Probably not the regulator either,, since that would affect both burners. Probably was not the proper air to gas mix, so emitting soot and yellow inefficient flame, and Carbon monoxide, as well. Searched all over the net for a few days, looking for a service manual or a youtube from someone with a similar problem. Came up mostly empty-handed. Searched forums, and finally found a few suggestions. Remove the cap and clean the jet and orifices. (Cap screws are stripped, and immovable ) Or, adjust the air slide, to improve gas to air ratio. (Smev doesn't have one.) I was about to give up, and spend $90 on a new burner, which, surprisingly, is still available, for my old unit. Tired of waiting forever for the tea kettle to boil on the small burner, I got out an old toothbrush and ran it around. Got a bit of carbon, but still a yellow flame. Turned off the propane,, and burned it off. Got out a can of compressed air with the straw, and went around the whole ring. Took a long time to clean up the carbon mess, but got my lovely blue flame back.

We'd like to try that one, too, another trip. We really enjoy the Tennessee state park system.

We're looking into those, for another trip. Thanks.

No offense intended, but I'm perfectly happy with my analog 2008 thermostat. I really don't need or want bluetooth. I just want a thermostat that works . I hope mine lasts another 14 years...

We've been through a few hail storms, up to steely marble size. Not with the wind described above, though we did have shredded leaves all around, like chopped salad. Zero damage. Not to our 2008 solar panels, either.

Try this when your tank is empty, so it actually gets down to the valves.

North Carolina and Tennessee have so many beautiful places to choose from. Thank you all for your recommendations.

We took a long and beautiful drive today, from Asheville, up to Linville falls, over to Julian Price, down to Banner Elk. Enjoyed lunch at one of our old favorite in Banner Elk. Continued on to Roan Mountain. It was a great day for exploring. All three campgrounds have great sites. We settled on Linville, because of the open sites and sun, in the early fall. It gets cold at elevation in October, and, Roan Mountain's lower (and more open) campground is nice, but pretty booked for the weekend we're looking at. Upper campground would be fine for us, and our friends with little Elites, but we don't love running the generator. We may drop in to Roan mountain on a few weekdays. It's a beautiful park. We saw a number of deer today. So much to see and do around and within the park. Lake Julian price is lovely, especially on the lake . The upper campground, across the road, would be great in the summer heat. In the fall, with all the trees, I think I would be stretched for solar, and be looking for something at lower elevation. Ps. Construction on i40 near Black Mountain, exit 64, affects traffic both directions. Worse eastbound. But, the views are great, both ways. Makes the slowdown just another chance to appreciate the engineering of the road, and amazing vistas.

It's been a really long time, but I have great memories of Cades cove . It's a beautiful spot.

Thanks! They both look great. Also looking at Linville falls campground (the one one the blue ridge, not the private rv park. ) It's only about a half hour from Banner Elk. I kind if remember stopping there for a short hike over a decade ago, but I don't think we ever camped there. We camped at Rock Creek Recreation, near Unicoi, TN, about ten years ago. It was quite lovely. Bath houses were old and drafty, but the forest was beautiful!

Or, Roan Mountain State Park, near Johnson City, TN?

The weephole cover i have looks much smaller than yours. I wouldn't order the ones bcnhb and I posted without measuring yours. Probably about the time Lippert bought Hehr. .. Another industry giant, becoming too big. I'm so sorry. The duct tape was a good idea. I often use that to figure out where a leak is actually coming from. And, applied properly, it's a decent temporary fix. Sherry

Maybe a little harsh, but BoB pretty much tells the story. They've bought up so many great companies, with formerly great customer service. Smev. Norcold. Atwood.. Fantastic vents. Becoming the worldwide standard... in marine, as well as rv. For example, Fantastic used to send you a small part for free, if yours broke. One time, they sent me two knobs, in two slightly different whites, because I wasn't sure of the original color. Free. Not even the $2 postage it cost to send me the knobs. Enter Dometic as new owner. You can order your Fantastic parts from their website, maybe, if they have them. Usually faster and cheaper qto go through one of the big rv outfits, like Panther. I can see why Oliver chose to move to some non dometic suppliers. But, honestly, I don't know where else you can buy (in America) a reliable supply of ac or cooktop or fridge equipment. Dometic has bought most of the companies

So, has anyone drug their trailer up Blue Bear Mountain outside Boone? We may take a run up there tomorrow and check it out. The sunblock 5th wheels complain about the road, if course, but most people talk about tranquility and the amazing stars. https://www.bluebearmountain.com/

@Mike and Carol do you remember if you were looking at the coe campgrounds near Boomer and Wilkesboro? Looks beautiful! An hour from Banner Elk, but could be a fun trip, on its own. https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=W. Kerr Scott Dam %26 Reservoir&entity_id=461&entity_type=recarea&inventory_type=camping&inventory_type=dayuse&parent_asset_id=461

Welcome to the forum, Bucket Traveler. We have several former a/s owners on the forum. And, a number of folks who have downsized from larger trailers and motorhomes to enjoy the spaces they can get to in an Oliver.

Back in the day, those Hehr covers were probably only a dollar or so. I was surprised at the increase. I need to replace one on my 2008 trailer. They weren't original equipment, at least not then. @DCKiefer found them, and shared the idea with the early owners. I do think they help with runoff, and to help minimize collection of debris in the weeps. They are pretty sturdy. And, removeable for cleaning. Mine are over 10 years old.

Starlink is $500 for fixed equipment. $99 a month. Today, anyway. Not sure of the rate when it becomes mobile . Nor what rooftop equipment will cost. Worth its weight (and gold), if you really need signal in Timbuktu. Otherwise, Verizon does us pretty well, usa, and tmobile in most pf Canada, Europe, and Australia.

And, besides the chips, the hardtop is a problem. I really would like to see/touch/drive one of these. https://www.gearpatrol.com/cars/a36593681/ford-bronco-delay/

I'm going to revive this very old thread. What are your favorite camping recipes, and cooking methods? We usually cook on the campfire, when we can, but rainy nights make that difficult. Rainy night, indoor speed scratch, is sometimes jambalaya. Recently, I've used a microwave pouch of Knorr Spanish rice (I don't have a microwave ), instead of boiling rice. A few chopped mini peppers, half a diced onion, a little leftover zucchini, and some fresh spinach, sautéed with a half a kielbasa. Add the rice pouch, and a small can of diced tomatoes with chiles, and precooked shrimp or some canned chicken. Tasty , filling, and with a salad, a very complete meal. Oh, and add a good hot sauce. Dinner in 12 minutes.

Hi, Garageboy, and welcome! Be alert, and maybe you'll find the trailer of your dreams, sooner than you think. Be prepared. They do go fast.

Pennie, have you seen an Oliver yet? Especially our smaller Elite? We looked at literally a hundred trailers before we saw the Ollie, back in 2007 and 8. It's really important, imo, before you commit, to see, touch, and imagine yourself in the space. Living in a travel trailer is life in miniature. We're very happy, but you need to make sure it's good for you, especially if you go full time. To me, its perfect. Compact. Everything we need. Not a lot more. We add what we need, but thoughtfully consider any big changes If you haven't seen one yet, Anita can get you in touch with an Elite owner somewhere near you.