SeaDawg

I agree. We use our manual awning a lot. It's easy and simple. I personally would not want a power awning. A choice would be good.

Starshine, I don't know if you follow allelectricfamily, but they put up a YouTube today comparing drives with a Tesla X and a Ford explorer. Thought you might find it interesting. https://youtu.be/3OnEyVjo7t4

As far as gas stations, I really recommend Costco and Sam's, if you have the memberships. The lanes are clearly marked, one way in and out, and kind of a cattle chute entry, but easy and wide exits, for the most part. Not to mention good prices. No diesel, though.

We got (yet another) spam/phishng email from someone claiming to be Amazon just today. Probably the 3rd this month. The phone scams are really dangerous with the elderly. I finally got my mom to quit answering the phone unless she knew the caller, but now she can't see the info on her cell phone. So, a few months ago, I installed a magic jack phone on her internet connection, and an att phone system that voice announces callers by name. I loaded all her contacts into the system, and if a name she knows isn't announced, she doesn't answer. She lets me look through unknown numbers and calls each day when I visit. The system also has callblock. The holidays are rife with scammers, sadly. Most don't leave messages, and if they do, they're pretty easily recognized as scamners.

And, thanks, John. That's an excellent price.

3m Vhb has a recommended shelf life of 24 months after manufacturing date, but it's actually good a lot longer if properly stored. (Date code is Julian date, like many adhesives. Last three digits of 4 or 5 is day of the year, first 1 or 2 is year) Paul keeps ours in bags, a drawer, out of uv, in the workshop. According to 3m, best place would be in the house, +/-72 degrees, 50 per cent humidity, but the workshop rarely gets above the 80s. 3m says ok up to 100, but ... No kidding about tough to remove. Paul discovered that our original pv panel clips were attached to the brackets with both 3m tape and mechanical fasteners. Removing them, and cleaning up, took 5 times longer than installing the new. We keep rolls of butyl tape, and several other adhesive/sealants, in a fridge in the workshop, for best shelf life. Not the vhb. Too cold.

Great looking truck!

I did some reading and youtube viewing on the separret today. I doubt that's it's a great alternative to the nature's head in the Oliver (the big vent, particularly), but I think it could work well in a tiny house on our camping property. Has anyone here used one in a cabin or tiny home? Or, in an rv? https://sustainable-solutions.info/separett/

Back in the day, before led lights, it was possible to buy a replacement lens, and be done. We also replaced the bulb with an led equivalent in our 2008 , after changing the lens. The amber film in the new led one should do the trick, as. ?mark did. We did find fewer bugs attracted to the amber lens. The mosquitoes, not so much. They seem to be attracted more to a campfire that puts out more co2 than we do.

Hi, and welcome! We'll be excited to see your photos, too! Glad to see another Florida Ollie. Which model are you getting?

So, back to sealant testing. I found a few articles on various forums, and more importantly, testing by Practical Sailor, on a (relatively) inexpensive adhesive sealant, Loctite pl Marine fast cure. We had to order it, from our local Lowe's. Not on the shelf. It has a 12 month shelf life from date of manufacture, unopened, so important to read the date code. Opened, a few months, maybe, if sealed and refrigerated. I'll let you know. It's double sealed, in the workshop fridge, now. Like 3m 4000 uv , it's polyether, not silicone. Cleanup is alcohol, uncured, or mechanical, cured. We'll see how it works out. It's supposed to be non yellowing, and we used it next to butyl with a bead around the new maxxair bath vent, among other places. If it does yellow, we should see it earlier, on the roof, is my guess. I think it's a good place for a test, as appearances aren't much of a concern. Workability was ok, according to Paul. No worse than 3m 4000 uv. https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/mildew-resistant-caulks-for-boats https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/marine-sealant-adhesion-tests I can't recommend at this point, but we'll see what it looks like in a year or two

Starshine, since we own one of the very first Oliver Elites, solar wasn't a published option when we bought ours. We towed ours 6 months and probably 10k miles before my husband came up with a sidemount design for two 100 watt fixed panels. Oliver kindly accommodated us, and built some beautiful saddle brackets that hug the curve of the hull. And did our initial install, 6 months after we picked up the trailer. It opened up new worlds for us. We noticed only a negligible difference in mpg with our truck. On the sailboat, we didn't have a real choice. There's not room for framed fixed panels between the hardtop bimini and the boom. But, so far, we're very happy with the Sunpower flexible panels. Looking at the Oliver trolley roof, there isn't a lot of space for flexible panels anyway. As far as the rpods, they're definitely lighter, but I personally doubt they are as aerodynamic as an Oliver, Airstream or Casita, because of the big/wide frontal area, and squared off sides. My guess. No wind tunnel tests, at least that I've ever seen. 🤔 This winter break, we're upgrading the 2 x 100 panels to 2 x 200. While I've spent the last few days working on repair projects for my mom at her condo, Paul has modified the mountings to accomodate the longer and slightly wider panels, and dryfitted everything. We're pretty excited to put them to work, but there is still wiring and install of an additional controller to be done. Though most of the Tesla superchargers are located along the interstate, I've noted that they're often not far from the secondary roads. (Sometimes, the old highway parallels the interstate. ) With Tesla's map planner, and patience, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Til we both get our Cybertrucks.

Nice idea. I installed shower antislip strips when our trailer was new (13 years ago.) Our panels don't have screws to secure them. The antislip keeps them in place, and it's very thin.

I'm curious about a few things, with an x as tow vehicle. (Which I'm sure is doable, within range limits.) I've read about issues with Tesla 7 pin connector wiring, as it's not the same as typical? Could be older models. The hitch receiver is way low. Photos I've seen show safety chains almost at highway level . I'd be looking at cables,, with velcro wraps to keep them off the roadways , maybe? Are you looking at solar panels? Fixed or suitcase, or both? To achieve best aerodynamic performance, I'd be tempted to explore flexible fixed panels, like the sunpower panels we used on our sailboat hardtop Bimini. Negligible drag, and though more real estate per watt, they work very well . Keep the rooftop as clean as possible. Plus a portable pv system. Maybe, two controllers, piggyback wired. Actually, I'm really looking forward to seeing your towing reports, with an Elite I. 👍

Audrey, which battery size do you have in your x? https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1122487_towing-a-camper-with-a-tesla-model-x-thank-elon-for-superchargers

Welcome to the forum! Friends of ours used to live in your area. It's so beautiful! Sherry

Starshine, allelectricfamily recently did some youtubes and a blog post about their experience towing a rented airstream bambi with their x. The interesting part is their comparisons with towing their own travel trailer, an Apex sticky with comparable weights and stats. They found a significant increase in range with the more aerodynamic form of the airstream. They did get over 150 mile range at times. (Flatter land. They towed from Kansas City to Fairland, Oklahoma. ) They found a significant increase in range with the more aerodynamic shape of the rented airstream. The tongue weight and base weight of the bambi aren't much different from an Oliver elite 1. My guess is that an Oliver is at least as aerodynamic as an Airstream.

Back a few years ago, I followed the adventure of this Canadian couple that towed an Alto Safari (very light teardrop) with their new Tesla X. This was before there was much of a Tesla charging network across Canada. They made it. Had a great time. https://teslaxcanada.com/ I wouldn't really expect very good range, towing an Oliver, with an x. However, I am still looking forward to towing with my Tesla Cybertruck someday. #250,000 something in the reservations. 😁

Probably true.. Not for us. We pretty much live on solar everywhere--home, Ollie, boat. But, we've learned to manage power and water. Second nature, now. We don't have lithium yet. That would really expand our parameters. I keep studying. We probably have another 3 to 4 years on our Agm batteries.

JED, it gets really interesting if you read all the articles in the series, and the comments. If you really want the Aussie version, it's attainable. I'm really sad that our Aussie camping trip was not possible this year. Our friends in Tasmania only got out a few months ago. First year they'd spent the winter in Tassie in almost 20 years. 2020, is what it is.

I suspect it's a bit more complicated to do b2b/ dc to dc, as it requires modification to the tow vehicle as well? Oliver can warrant their own production, but modifying your truck, with current electronics, is another story. (My costco store won't even install batteries, anymore. Just sells them in the automotive store. Probably for the same reason.) In a van conversion, it's all in one. Short distance, one vehicle involved? Just for more reading material, I found this great article about adding dc to dc/ b2b capability to a 2016 Ford f150, employing an aussie version of the redarc uniy John Davies discovered. Comes with this warning: Disclaimer: Mistakes in the electrical system can cause fire, injury or even death. If you have any doubts about working with electricity in your RV, consult with a professional electrician. https://www.adventurousway.com/blog/rv-electrical-upgrade-part-3-dc-charger-truck-12v-socket Since I understand about 85 per cent of it on the first read, I'll let you guys poke holes. Especially in light of newer vehicles. 😁😁😁

Reminds me of one campground we stayed at in the Yukon. They had an electrified bear fence around the tent camping area... (Congdon creek, yt. Free firewood. $12 a night, Canadian. Beautiful spot, but keep your campsite clean and clear.)

I'm really sorry to read your list of troubles. Most items should have been sorted out before or at delivery . The single axle should not make noises. Ours doesn't, even after 100,000 miles. I'm sure Jason and his crew will get it all sorted out, but it's disheartening, I'm sure.

Hey, and welcome, from Florida. So very happy that everything worked out for you!

I'm about number 250,000. Might get a bump as Tesla owners. We'll see. I'm waiting to see the final size. Make sure it fits in the garage. It will be much bigger than my 2005 Silverado, I'm sure.