SeaDawg

I don't know if Oliver still uses the same graphics company, but I'm really happy with ours, 12+ years out. A few snags from tree branches (black graphics, one color), no noticeable fading. When in doubt, better to add later than delete later. Imo Sherry

John & Nancy, congratulations! We'll all be looking forward to your photos. Sherry

Mossey, I'm not opposed to spending the $ either, if there's a clear advantage. Like you, we're more likely to reuse scrap lumber or on hand materials if it suits the purpose. If there's a true advantage long term, well, then, I can open the wallet and let the moths go free. 😁 When Paul and his friend wanted Starboard for a couple projects on our boat, I remember being shocked at the prices I found, even buying cutoffs. I don't remember the exact price, as it was 4 years ago. But, for what we were working on, it was the best available material. We needed the uv protection and the inherent waterproofing, plus the ability to use normal woodworking tools was great. No adhesives involved. I was wondering, honestly, what was the advantage, in this particular case, given the expense, and other considerations, when John wanted a material he could mount with epoxy, which isn't exactly the case with Starboard. There is indeed a lot of carryover in marine materials and fixtures from our boat to the Oliver. Honestly, our long term experience with a fiberglass hull is one of the reasons we bought the trailer in the first place. Sherry

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I'm curious, though, why all of you want to use a plastic material like Starboard, in an interior area. Starboard is really expensive, twice the weight of plywood, and requires special (read expensive, not found normally in our garage, often two part heat fusing plastic welds) adhesives, usually backed up by mechanical fasteners . Like any other plastic, it expands a bit with heat. Which might make me a bit nervous about screws in some applications. Starboard's big claim to fame is uv resistance in a marine environment. And, that in can be worked easily with woodworking tools. We've used it in a number of places on our boat in exposed areas for mounting replacement gauges and lights. Places where in our younger days we might have used solid teak. We don't want the teak maintenance any more than we already have, and teak is pretty much unavailable or equally expensive, so starboard fits that bill. As a matter of fact, it's simply wonderful. In unexposed areas in the trailer, however, we've used plywood and wood blocks epoxied to the fiberglass to mount our 12v danfoss/ secop fridge, and fasten drawer glides, and a few places in creating my microwave replacement storage cabinet. I know Oliver doesn't like to use (ply)wood, but I don't have any problem with it in interior spaces that aren't exposed to water. It's lighter, cheaper, holds fasteners well, easily bonded with epoxy as mounting blocks, etc. Sherry

Take heart, though. Even though you didn't go back to Hohenwald, I'm sure Truma stands behind its product, like most of the notable TV accessory and appliance manufacturers. Most local businesses here have extended returns, and warranties, if they were unable to respond due to the covid 19 shutdowns. I'd advise you to continue to communicate with Truma. Were it me, I'd use email, so that I had a paper(less) trail. I'm assuming you are still under Truma warranty? Sherry

Mossey, I've purchased some smaller (though not that small) cutoff pieces of King starboard at Farco on 19 and 118th in Clearwater. There's probably a supplier in Tampa as well. I think the thickest guage is about 1.5 inches. Btw, King Plastics is a Florida company. (NorthPort) Sherry

Several members have converted their original configuration. Andrew K talks about changing his out to a modified twin in this thread, with many photos. A 2019 post, with links to several older posts: Brief how to discussion, here: Sherry

How did mice get into the basement of a van? Was there a hole somewhere? That's usually an issue I hear about in Elkhart built fabric bottom/ thin sheathed bottom rvs . In our 2008, the power cord is on a reel, and there's an opening that a mouse could possibly fit in, if the cord is out . (Mice can theoretically squeeze thru a dime sized hole.) Everyone I know of, with this setup , stuffs the hole with a rag or foam. Not an issue for us, as we almost never have power hookup, but, if I do, you can bet I stuff the hole. One friend made a special wooden plug. Not a big deal for you, as the new Ollies have a marine cord setup. No hole. Sherry

I'd have to agree with John. I think we used 4000 the last time we did the light. It's not an easy product to use for people unaccustomed to sealing. And, it's expensive in the small tubes. But in sealants, you often get what you pay for. It's uv resistant, remains flexible for a long time (our hulls do have flex as they travel, just like boats), and is mildew resistant. Whatever you choose, make sure old caulk and residue is removed mechanically (scraping, peeling), then chemically (I'd probably do mineral spirits or goo gone first, then denatured alcohol or acetone as a cleaner) so the pores are clean. Sealants are only as good as the prep. Though we used a 3m product last time, I may look at a Sika product next time. I've used a lot of sika products building and maintaining our home, and I really like them. Unfortunately, they're not available in small tubes like 3m. 🤔 Another note, don't expect opened tubes of sealant to be good six months later, even if you cap them. That's why the little tubes are popular. Exposure to air degrades effectiveness for most sealants. They start to "cure" in the tube. Buy the size you need, or be prepared to discard the remainder. And, check whatever you buy for expiry date. I'm not a big silicon fan, but it's generally a much easier product to work with and remove later for renewal than the 3m adhesive sealants . My husband is a fan of silicon products, so, we have this discussion from time to time.😁 Anyway, here's some info from Practical Sailor, one of my most trusted sources for all things fiberglass. Enjoy. https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/caulks-versus-mildew Sherry PS thank goodness you have a grandson who is willing and able to help you. That is so sweet. God bless him. S

5200 is great if you know you will never, ever have to remove it. It can't be removed mechanically without ruining something ( not just your day). One or both parts will break, bend, or deform . Chemical removal is possible, and tedious. There used to be a joke in the marine world that you could pick up your boat by any part fastened and sealed with 5200, as long as the part was strong enough. 3m 4200 is easier to remove, but not simple, either. I don't know what sealant is under what your grandson applied, but if it's silicone, it needs to be removed, (his and the original), and cleaned, to allow a new sealant to adhere. As wonderful as silicone is, it doesn't like to adhere to itself . Sherry

Nan, 5200 is more of a very powerful adhesive than sealant, and extremely difficult to remove if you ever need to. (We've had to remove several items on our boat bonded with 5200, and it's a very difficult and time consuming process.) What are you trying to do? If you're looking for a sealant, (caulk) you need to be looking at another choice.

Yes, it's deep enough for most shoes and slippers, but not boots. I've thought about lining the drawer with a small thin boot tray with a rim. As of yet, it only holds a small broom and dustpan, and a swiffer type duster.

Nan, do you watch a lot of tv? Do you camp often without hookups? A 110 tv is really inexpensive at most big box stores, if you usually have power.

Are you going to Australia? We had to postpone our plans for third trip because of Covid restrictions. If you're going there, let me know. Our favorite camping outside the US and the Yukon. Sherry

You could drive it with just the tow vehicle ahead of time, without the trailer, to allay concerns. I think the camp host said next year was the year for repairs to the approach road. I know we'd do it. But we have the shorter Elite I, a 4x 4 truck, and some experience with crappy upward roads. And, we have patience. Sherry

That's too funny. I was just in the spoonflower site looking for it. 😄

Nancy K., I love the fabric you chose for the pillow. Reminds me of a vintage barkcloth. Would you mind sharing your source? Sherry

In a pinch, if the bubble level is out of whack, and you don't have another level nearby, a half full water bottle (clear or translucent, not stainless), can work as a crude level, laid on its side. If you can get the tongue "close", you can fix it with boards under the tires and the Jacks. Most of us feel uncomfortable inside the trailer if it is out of level by more than a few degrees. If you're comfortable, it's likely that your fridge is ok, too. Sherry

I think you're talking about the same campground, Mossey.

The normal Ouray to Silverton, Million Dollar highway is at times narrow and very curvy, but paved, and well marked . Local trucks use the highway. We did that with a delivery motorhome, with Oliver friends towing their Elite. It was very beautiful, with a lot of pullouts to enjoy the scenery. Not for the faint of heart, but definitely easier than unpaved mountain roads. Sherry

I've seen comments on just about every brand forum about the noisy ac units dometic and others sell for US units. And, every RV I've ever used or delivered with a rooftop ac since the 70s had a noisy ac. I'm wondering when Dometic will offer certain other more efficient, quieter inverter compressor units like the Australian Harrier and European Freshjet 3000 in North America? Australia sells probably ten or 15 per cent of the rvs sold in the US, but they seem to get all the best gear first. 😒 The inverter technology seems to be like that of some minisplits. Run longer, but run at only the speed required to maintain the requested temperature, nice and even. Not that constant cycling on and off of our single speed compressors. I saw a test on a Harrier on a youtube from Australia. With inverter compressor and fan both running on highest setting, it drew 48 amps from the lithium battery, and no startup issues, as the inverter/variable speed compressor tech is a "built in" soft start. I think ramping up from 2.6 or something like that. It ramped up slowly. If low setting amp use is say, half of high, you might possibly enjoy ac through the entire night on a lithium set up like Overland's, on battery. And, one of these had a dc upgrade kit, can't remember which, but I think Freshjet. Wouldn't that be nice? The new for 2020 European dometic freshjet 3000 looks suspiciously like the Harrier. The photos attached to the Dometic press release even showed Harriers, when I clicked over to the next page. Either they made a mistake in photos, or it's rebadged for Europe and the UK. I feel like sending Dometic USA an email. I know there are a number of us who are willing to spend a little more for a quiet night's sleep and the ability to run on lithium or a 2000 watt generator. Probably not of interest to a lot of Elkhart manufacturers, who want to cut costs at every turn, but I think it would be of interest to a lot of people, here. Sherry

I've never been there, but it sounds absolutely beautiful. Google reviews seem to be mostly from tent campers. I found this from the campground host, written a month ago. a month ago I'm Waylon, and have lived and operated this place for almost 2 years. I stay year round up here and I'm completely in love with this place. Being prior service, I was searching for something and didn't know what it was. This place gave me what I was looking for. I came here to camp at site # 18 with my cat for 3 days, and it became much more. I would like to correct a few things I've have seen in reviews on this site and many others. The road coming up here is 2.8 miles. If your odometer says more than you need to slow down. Your tires are spinning and giving a false reading. Speed limit after getting to the top is 10 MPH. Don't be angry if I ask/tell you to slow down for others safety. No potable water, electricity hookups, or any of those other fancy things that the parks have. This place is open year round, but not ever free. Only $11 per site or $5.50 with the America the beautiful pass. The place is operated by the B.L.M. This is not part of the forest service or national parks service. We do not sell firewood up here, or anything else. It's not allowed. Although I'm trying to incorporate a few new programs to get drinking water and firewood for my campers, I'm one man fighting for this and will take a while. The road is horrible, but can be negotiated, with care, with any vehicle. It will be repaired, starting next year around April 1st. The mountain will be the mountain whether your here or not, please prepare accordingly. Waylon Martin 19 The road does sound pretty bad, when the camp host himself describes it as horrible. Sherry

We'll look forward to your update! 😃

Wow!