SeaDawg

Brandi, I'm pretty sure Oliver used the Ventline round 12v vent on our trailers. Chances are, they still use the same one. I'd call Tuesday to verify, but I believe it's this one https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Vents-and-Fans/Ventline/VP-543SP.html?feed=npn&gclid=CjwKEAjwja_JBRD8idHpxaz0t3wSJAB4rXW5ii-OICIDxEW7I3BiMrkXCj_gsENfUfUU3xSTEuJ9phoCrVrw_wcB They also carry a replacement cap, only, for around $5. The pull down handle on ours broke a few years ago. Oliver replaced the whole unit on one of our factory visits.... Etrailer also carries a locking plastic shore power door that looks similar to ours. You'll want to check the measurements to be sure. Again, I'd check with Oliver tomorrow. They might have both pieces in stock, even though they've changed up the shore power connection to move the furnace location. Sherry

I don't know how old your trailer is. In our case, at over nine years, , no one covers anything... With the exception of camco. For anyone who might still be under manufacturer component warranty, check first. It may save you some money. We found a few systems had a two year warranty beyond factory. Best, Sherry

Our 40 year old fiberglass sailboat, and our nine year old Oliver, are exposed to the Florida sun ( or sun somewhere...) 24/7/365. Both still look great. Quality gel coat. We do clean and wax both the trailer and the boats, twice a year, with quality marine grade products. I think you could skip the retractable awning. Fwiw, I bought a cover the first year ( relatively inexpensive van cover) and it's still in the bag, unused. If you can park the trailer next to the garage, you'll get some shade part of the day, when it's in storage. Then, it's up to the wax and your maintenance schedule to protect the finish. Sherry

You bought a unique piece of fiberglass and Oliver history. Your camper was one of the earliest show models. The black one had Vegas style upholstery. Cute, but probably not great fabric. Back in the day, customers could ship any fabric they wanted, and Oliver's upholsterer would work with it. Not very economical, really. However, I suspect the first owner of your trailer wanted something to his/ her taste, even if it didn't match the trailer color. Or, had a local recover the first set, as, again, not to his/her taste. We were the first (hull #12) to ask for an upgraded more supportive foam. The first few trailers had a foam that was lower density, kind of bottomed out if you weighed more than 150 pounds. Oliver made our foam choice standard after seeing ours made up. Since you were planning to make new covers, anyway, (and you do beautiful work!), can you work with the foam, or do you need to replace it, as well? Maybe, the ugly covers got you better foam? Or not... Just curious. Btw, we leave the back dinette set up as a bed, all the time. Fwiw, I'd get a 2/3, 1/3 mattress if and when we ever replace the large dinette cushions. But, that's just us. We only use the small dinette for seating. Congrats again. I swooned over your trailer nine and a half years ago. Still do. It's so unique, and cute. Sherry

Charlie, I believe our older vent covers are Dometic. You may want to call Oliver to find out the supplier of your vent covers. If they're Dometic, call, and they'll either have them, or refer you to their parts partner. Ask for the part number so you can Google shop the parts. Dometic has bought out a number of small and large suppliers. In the good old days, suppliers would ship small items like that for free, or a very small cost. Not so much,anymore, if it's Dometic and over a few years old I often find parts for my older 2008 cheaper on eBay than through Dometic and their parts partner... However, the eyebrow board for my refrigerator was less through their parts partner. No rhyme, nor reason. Sherry

Dave, if Oliver ever does a calendar, that photo of your rig and the scenery should be in it. So beautiful! Sherry

Sad to say, my tiny fly bag, weighing less than 10 kilos, has more than 100 items. But, depends on if I count socks as pairs... Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, separately ? Or one kit. I count my hiking boots ad one pair... Hmmmm

Out of curiosity, did you check your freshwater levels? Grey and fresh in our trailer are about the same. If fresh is empty, grey is nearly full. Our trailer is older, but we always jack the front at the dump station. You won't get everything out without a bit of rise, with the flatter, rectangular tanks. Rise helps with the black, too.. though it is a more ordinary, more square style. Level side to side can also present an issue. But, you can jack the front up a lot, on the hitch, and deal with that. To eliminate drainage "spill" issues, a lot of dumpsites pitch to the drain. Quite reasonably. Sherry

Near us, grey water dumping is not acceptable. Out west is different. Many campgrounds prohibit or discourage dumping portapotties , much less, totes, in toilets, because of perceived or experienced mishaps. Im just saying, don't count on emptying your tote in a bathroom or vault toilet. They're supposed to be emptied at the dump point. Ridenfly's favorite park is more an exception, than the rule. Probably geared to a great, conscientious crowd, and , the campground has no dump point.so, they make life work. Kudos. Around here, and most places we have camped, dumping a tote in a toilet is not a usual practice. Sherry

Sometimes, you think the shade is in the perfect spot, but it isn't. Look to the left and right at the alignment. It's pretty tight on our 2008. An 1/8 or 1/16 off won't allow the blind to seat. Just slide it a little to the left or right. With the blind off, you can see the bottom clips that have to seat. A gentle pop with the hand will seat the clips, if it's properly aligned to begin with. Even so, your blind may work loose on bumpy roads. Sherry

Well, you could always call one toolbox one item... :) Like I said, it's a goal. I'll never reach it, either... S

Honestly, I'd never buy a trailer without prewire and drain tube for ac. We don't use it. But our daughter, pt other future owners, might . My two cents. S

Stan and Carol, we wish you the best in your big move. I know that is hard., After our move two years ago Wishing you our best, Sherry

Over the past few years, I've read a number of blogs on the original 100 item challenge. As in, living with 100 items.. no more. One of the things we live about camping is simplicity. (Disclaimer.. don't have to count heat , water heater, wonderful shower in the 100). At the end of every season, now ten times, I unload the camper, and anything we haven't used in the last year, does not go back in bins to be reloaded in the spring. Our load gets lighter each year. We're certainly not at the 109 item threshold , but we get closer each year. For me, camping means a lot of processes are slower. Building a fire to make dinner takes time. But, it's worth it. And, that's just a small example. Uncomplicated life actually can take more time. But, the rewards are worth it, for us. We use that time to look around, and enjoy. Especially, the stars in a non-light polluted out of the way place. Sherry

Does Oliver currently offer a solar ready package? If not, they should. My engineer husband came up with our retrofit sidemounted package, and Oliver worked with us. Like our solar powered home, we wouldn't be without it. Sherry

We saw that cutie, too, in 2008. What an adorable trailer. I hope you enjoy it for many years. Congrats. S You're not far from bugeye driver. He's out of pocket for several months, but can help you with many things on your 2008 when you catch up. A wonderful friend, and megacamper.

Tesla will make an ev pickup one day. No ice/hybrid, for them, though... GM has built one for over a decade, but not available here in Florida. Contractors loved the idea for the big battery for tools... Just never happened here... That I know of. Ford's talking about one in the next few years. Maybe... And, yes, it would be perfect for towing. And backup battery capacity, as well. Trucks sell so well as just trucks, that we can't even get a decent small and powerful diesels pickup in North America, unlike the rest of the world. Times are (slowly) changing. Eventually, we'll have all three. In the meantime, we'll maintain our 2005 and 2008 ICE tugs. They've served us well. At an event price. California was the only marketplace I saw for hybrid pickups. Sherry

So happy for you! Beautiful spot to kick back and enjoy!

A number of people use some form of this idea in long Alaska days. Thanks for the idea, and photos. You did a nice, neat job. Sometimes, the sun comes up before we're ready for it. Sherry

OMG... 35 gallons? That's over 250 lbs. Wait awhile, and discover your camping style. Most (not all ) state parks have shower facilities. You may want to use them. A pair of shower sandals is $1 to $15. Or use your flip flops. Using the shower is the biggest water consumer and tank filler. When we can use a community facility, we do. If you just don't like anything but your own trailer shower, look for full hookups, and use the Navy/ marine shower technique when you can't find full hookups. Just an FYI. I hate it when people spend a lot of money on unnecessary equipment, and don't use it later. We have a smaller tote that someone gave us. Never used. Sherry

If you're not sure you'd use the solar, ask about a price for prewire and backing plates. It won't be much, I'm sure, and then you could then add solar later. For us, solar opened a whole new dimension to camping. But, that's not true for everyone. In our older campers (2008), there was no foam insulation impeding adding wire, but it was still a tough retrofit when we added our panels six months after delivery. Solar ready would be good, IMO, if you are on the fence. Sherry

We would have been Casita owners if we hadn't found your grainy flip phone YouTube vid online. You, and printed MapQuest , drove us to hohenwald .. the rest is history. And a wonderful ride. Thank you, Larry and Betty, for all you have done.. and still do. Sherry and Paul Those were the days.

Bruce, we don't have the Atwood. We have the earlier penguin. Any ac unit is "noisy" compared to the quiet of the forest.the fan is the culprit, just like the furnace. I'd rather sleep without either. For looks, if you're ten feet tall and can actually see the ac unit, Penguin wins hands down. Very European. Atwood is more utilitarian and a bit boxy, but, how tall are you? Jk. No one has ever complimented us on our European design ac. Basically, they don't see/notice it either. Under the awning, with a cold one, you won't, either. Don't get me wrong. I care deeply about design, where it's visible. Designed my home for long range diagonal views, in and out. But I didn't choose my home ac based on design, either. I based it on function and efficiency. I'd pick the unit that works best for you. The only thing neighbors see and ask about are your solar panels. Sherry

Interesting, as your new forum topic shows up on the activity wall, but not here . I had issues for months posting using my 50/50 FiOS connection with my Android phone and tablet. Mobile data, probably slower, worked fine, but drained my data allowance. Could you please send mduncan and jwalmsley PM's with your equipment, browser, and data provider? In the meantime, you might try my work around route. Try posting on mobile data vs wifi, or vice versa. Eventually, they resolved my problem. We appreciate everyone's participation. Thanks for the heads-up. Sherry