SeaDawg

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.

It's great, for the right job. I personally wouldn't use it for the third tail light. And yes, always important to read all the instructions.

Way back in the day, we used a molded fiberglass class c, modified, as a demonstration vehicle for business machines. Born free is no longer in business, sadly. This could fill the gap bornfree left, for some people.

I think the single 100 ah is enough for many people. I'm sure others would disagree. 125k is probably above the price of a new Elite, plus new capable TV. Other minuses. No screen door. No ac, unless added. (Many European campers do not include ac, to stay beneath the weight limits.) IF I were travel camping alone, camp ground to campground, I think I'd find this easy to deal with.

You're very kind. More importantly, I think you're going into the process thoughtfully, and carefully. In the first few decades of our marriage, my husband was away from home for work, six or seven months a year. I worked, was basically a single mom, and kept my house running. I had help from my family, when I really needed it, but preferred to do what I could on my own. You'll get some help from your Oliver family, too. Doing what you can on your own, at the very least a clear understanding of the problem or process, is priceless. I think you've got spunk. You'll likely be fine and happy. It's a beautiful camping world, out there. Will you maintain a home base? Your present home, or a relative with storage space?

I'm really fond of that area, too. People in Banner Elk have all been great. Two of our best friends lived there for a long time, out by Hound's ear, but have moved back to Florida. We've rented cabins on Seven Devils during ski season. The only place we've ever camped nearby was Plumtree, and we'd like to try some other places.

We're planning a trip later this year to the area around Banner Elk, Boone, and Blowing Rock. We're looking at Lake Julian Price, as one. Has anyone camped there Suggested sites? Other favorites? We're not big on full service rv parks, but a friend who may be joining us doesn't have solar, so we're entertaining that option, as well. Thanks.

I think that's a very good question. As you've probably noticed, many owners here are buying their first camper. They, too, were unfamiliar with typical rv systems, much less the many optional items offered by Oliver. Most have learned what they needed to know, and are happy. In my opinion,, the people most likely to leave Hohenwald with the highest satisfaction level are those who have studied ahead of time, rented an rv or two to learn some of the basics, and stayed in Tennessee long enough to make sure everything really works in their trailer the way it should. It's much easier to get systems corrected at Hohenwald. As far as having to learn how to repair a lot of things, that's really up to you and your comfort level. I have friends who don't do much of any of the maintenance on their trailers, beyond washing it and checking everything religiously. They rely on their trusted local rv shop for repairs. Others, well, they seem to enjoy working on and tinkering with their trailers as much as they enjoy camping. We don't do everything ourselves anymore, either. We usually take the trailer to our independent mechanic for greasing the zerks, etc., as he works on trailers as well as our trucks. It's a mind numbing job, and we're happy to have him do it. We can get the oil changed, and etc., on the truck at the same time. Leaves us more time for the interesting and challenging projects.😅 My advice is to learn the basics, tackle the things you feel comfortable with, and hire the rest. And, warranty support is excellent with Oliver. We are probably part of that "insane" group Overland mentioned, so you may want to take everything I just said with several grains of salt.

I agree. We did one with Volvo, at the Daytona speedway, and it was indeed a lot of fun!

Paul and I just talked (again) tonight about sealants, and our many (20 or more) ports and hatches on our 40+ year old sailboat. Many of the original ports are still fine, probably bedded with butyl, many years ago.. The few (4) plastic (acrylic or polycarbonate) ports we replaced with metal, 14 or 15 years ago, and were bedded with good quality butyl. We've never caulked any of the butyl bedded ports, old or new, and they don't leak. This is the source of my love affair with butyl.

@DavePhelps, thanks for posting that link. It's one of the many I use. Practical Sailor doesn't accept advertising or compensation. Kind of like the consumer reports of the marine world. Much of which applies to our boats on wheels .

50 db is pretty quiet . Like quiet conersation. But pretty loud for a fan. I know you get it, but for others reading this, db ratings increase exponentially, not linear.