SeaDawg

I know that at one time there was a thread about recommended rv repair sites for warranty work.. I think Jason may have started it, but I can't find it. It was quite awhile ago.. Sherry

Very sad news. We used to see their trailer model from I26 every trip to Asheville. Last time, in November, noticed it was not visible, but thought they might have taken it indide for the winter. Both their facebook page and website are taken down. I worry for their customers with deposits down.

(Sigh) sometimes, I just think it's a result of a perfect storm. Just the right angle of the trailer, the slits all the windows have, and the type of rainstorm. I like the rv gutter to keep the heavy runoff out of the path of the weeps. If you decide to use it, get the bright white, not colonial. The bright white is an almost perfect match. Sherry

Overland, I have to admit, I'm not to worried about transporting a $100 panel. We experimented with it a bit last fall, but had to use a multimeter to get any readings, as it wasn't yet wired onto the trailer's controller. We just used the little cheap 8.5 that came with it on the Costco sale. I just wrap it in a packing blanket and lay it over crates in the pickup bed. It only weighs about 15 pounds. Easy for me to handle. I think i will try to make an adjustable frame from spare pvc pipe, rather than prop it against milk crates this spring. I'm surprised at how well it works for the sale price. John, love the blanket solar, but I just picked up 5 100 watt panels (flexible sun power) on a closeout deal for around $2 a watt. These will go on the boat. Even the hard korr is too pricey for me, at $7 plus per watt. Suaoki has some 60 watt blankets on amazon, quite reasonable, but I question the quality. Suaoki used to have a decent rep in the boating community. The amazon reviews were quite mixed. As we've been shopping for solar for the boat, I am surprised at how much more reasonable pricing has become. But, i still think we're better off with sun power panels in a marine environment. Even if i had to pay twice as much, their rep in flexible panels is pretty strong in the boating forums and reviews... we'll see. Sherry PS, John, if it makes you feel any better, we've had rain, and the high tomorrow is only in the 60s. Have to dig out the long pants..

Brings a new dimension to the phrase " cool cat." Hang in there, John. Spring is around the corner...

Back in the early fall, 2008, we had 200 watts solar installed on our Elite. Last year, we installed a 12v refrigerator, which adds to our electricity appetite. We also picked up an inexpensive Coleman 100 watt panel, to use as a "suitcase" solar, though it doesn't fold. Last fall, Oliver installed a Furrion port for us. Paul recently wired it to our solar controller. Today, we had a nice clear day, and I tried some tests on the Coleman panel, just to see what we could expect. Yesterday, Paul covered our existing fixed panels with dark moving blankets, so I could record readings only from the portable panel. Yesterday, feeling really decadent, I purposely ran down the batteries so I could get to bulk stage charging. Not essy to do, with all led lighting. Ran the front jack up and down a few times. Tried running the power hog furnace fan awhile. But in 78 degree weather, I had to turn it off after awhile. Finally, started today with 20 hours down, leaving both exhaust fans on overnight. Our $100 /100 watt panel recharged the battery in less than four hours of full sun. But, when I covered some cells with another blanket, I saw a huge loss of power coming in. Even two cells covered lost 50 per cent. 12 cells covered obliterated any gain. The good news is, I think I can manage between the cheap portable panel, if i can keep it out of the shade, and our much better quality fixed panels, and not have to run the generator most days. We honestly didn't expect a lot out of the Coleman, but in full sun, I was getting 5 amps in. It will definitely require attention, though, to keep the batteries up. Sherry

There's a newer website for listing and renting rvs and trailer direct from their owners, rvshare.com. My sister and her husband thought they wanted a tab, but after renting one for a weekend, and camping on our NC property, they decided they wanted something a little bigger. They ultimately bought an rpod. They both still work, and really love our oliver, but don't want to invest in one, yet. That's in the future. The good news is, you can find a variety of trailers to try, and some of the owners will deliver and pick up. So, you don't always have to borrow a tow vehicle. But, you can discover some of the joy of trailer camping, and learn about rv systems. Here's a link to st Louis area offering: Rv share st louis

Our Oliver was in a hailstorm in North Carolina a few years ago. We were visiting friends in Waynesville when the storm passed through, so I was a bit nervous about what we'd find when we got back to camp. I found hail the size of steely marbles still on the ground around the trailer, but neither the Oliver nor the solar panels sustained any damage. Sherry

Is this it, Skalywag? Thanks for the info. Sherry

Nbd. It's really "Howard " on the home depot review who deserves the toast. I went on the app to try to give his comment a thumbs up, but couldn't get it to work. Glad you get to spend your time on the beach, instead of chasing wires... Have you visited the remains of the fort yet? It's kind of fun. Enjoy your visit. The weathermsn ordered exceptional temps for our February visitors this year. I haven't had the heat on since a year ago, but the ac is kicking in a few hours a day, and that's unusual. Sherry

I looked at your profile, thinking mountain oliver might be a clue. The gas absorption fridges sometimes have problems at higher elevations, but I don't think that's likely in your area. Mountains of Colorado, maybe. Since the fridge has already been replaced, i would be zeroing in on the gas, and the burner unit, if that wasn't replaced.

Pretty sure that I never got a check light when the on button lost contact. The whole board went blank. Darn. That would be too easy. With the bad mastic/ sealing situation, our fridge worked great when we were traveling, or cold weather. As temps warmed up, it would run for awhile, and then quit. I assume that was a lack of exhausting the heat from the cooling unit. Sherry

This link wouldn't load for me earlier. https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/122125/new-gfci-outlet-green-light-is-on-but-no-power Chances are, you saw all this online before you posted. Sorry if it's repetitive. Hope you find the issue.

I looked up your new gfci. A couple reviews noted that the load and line are reversed from the original gfci the users were replacing. Could that possibly be your case? We don't have any of your particular type in our home or in the trailer. Also comments about removing the yellow tape from the load side. I'm not the engineer in our family, that's my husband. But, he's taught me to always look for the simplest solution first. And, look for what has changed. I'm sure you have checked the power at the pedestal? With a tester? You've probably already investigated all this, but maybe it will help someone else? Good luck. If all else fails, plug the Keurig in on the picnic table, enjoy your stay at beautiful desoto, and make an as appointment with camping world in port richey. They're much better, imo, than lazy days or most of the local shops in Hillsborough and pinellas, especially if they are on your route. Good luck. And keep us posted. Sherry

When we had similar problems with our 2454, it was relatively the same. Camping world discovered that the cooling unit had not been properly sealed with mastic. Could you be so (un)lucky as to have it happen twice? We checked all kinds of other things along the way... as did camping world. Loaded properly? Yes. We could always see the majority of the fins. Thermister? Easy to change, and essy to adjust buy sliding the slug up and down. Our last big problem with the 2454 was the on button on the eyebrow board. Which, i actually suspect could be your issue. Our button would simply disengage from time yo time, and the fridge would cut out. After running fine for days or hours, the switch no longer made contact, and I'd find a warm fridge. When your fridge cuts out, does the little yellow light go out?

We, too, have had issues with getting campsites at the popular places, in busy season. With or without a reservation. Depends entirely on the season. Another reason we like shoulder season camping. One leaf season, we stood in line for sites at Acadia. All that was left were random sites. We left Acadia, and luckily found beautiful sites at a state park a few miles away. Much nicer sites and services. ReserveAmerica, and the consessionnaires, have taken some of the fun out of camping in National Parks. I've had Canadian campers tell me about how they sit up at night, finger on the reserve button, waiting for sites at our beautiful county park, Fort DeSoto. Six months ahead... That said, we've also had some good luck. A few years ago, I managed to get two cancelled sites at Denali NP, just a day ahead of arrival. So, some of it is luck. Some is timing, as we almost never reserve sites. We like to wing it. Sherry

new style battery pack and cooling? https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/rivian-r1t-r1s-electric-truck-suv-battery-pack/

That's pretty much what Tesla did. Started the fringe disruptor chain. I suspect it will make Elon Musk happy when more disruptors enter the market.

In 2016, a Canadian couple traveled trans Canada in their new model x towing an Alto Safari. They rarely could use a supercharger. Usually charged at campsites. That went so well (with some days of range anxiety), that they continued on to Florida, across the US, and back to BC. Trip time was about 10 months. https://teslaxcanada.com/ It can be done, but takes some planning. And, probably not John's kind of off trail adventures.. Sherry

I think Rivian is smart to go after the two hottest markets from the get go. Though their largest issue will be the charging on the go issue, just as John pointed out. That's why Tesla built their supercharger network--to make using their vehicles realistic. But, many pickups never leave a small geographic area. I hardly ever drive my Silverado more than 100 miles in any given day. Most contractors and repairmen could easily stay within one charge in a day's driving, at least around here. And, many of the SUVs I see are also driven locally, to and from school, work, and stores. And, as Overland pointed out, the ev would be great for fulltimers, many of whom tend to stay in one place for months at a time. I wonder how Rivian will deal with the lack of a charging network for those who do need it. Public chargers are becoming more commonplace, but usually fairly slow, and designed for use while at work or shopping. Sherry

I rather like the front end. As a totally new vehicle, it should look different... https://electrek.co/2019/02/15/rivian-electric-pickup-truck-amazon-investment/ https://electrek.co/2018/11/26/rivian-r1t-all-electric-pickup-specs/ Looks like they will have a whopping 11,000 pound towing capacity. I have been waiting for the tesla pickup, but. .. Rt1 is available ( maybe) next year. Sherry

Those loungers are great for napping, but too big for me for comfortable seating. Camping world has a bunch of loungers on sale right now. The tan fern loungers we have had for 8 years are about half price. If you are near a camping world, you can try them out for comfort and size... Sherry

We've accumulated a small collection of chairs over the years. My favorites have been purchased at Aldi. Only available once or twice a year, in their special purchases section, they're director style chairs with an attached folding side table. Under $30 each, but way better quality than similar chairs in the big box store. One pair is 8 or 9 years old, now. I like the legs, as they're less prone to dig into wer soil than the umbrella chairs. This year's Aldi model folds in half, so takes much less space in the truck bed. Sherry

Congratulations! I'm sure you are looking forward to spring! Just around the corner...

Our original water pump lasted 10 years. And, we have never used the city water connection. Just our experience. Sherry