SeaDawg

FWIW, and maybe not the same in the new bigger trailers, our tank will read accurate till 6 per cent, and not suck air. Also, our bubble has never been adjusted. Don't really care. If the trailer is comfortable for us, it's comfortable and ok for the refrigerator, according to Dometic, and so it goes. If we can't level completely because of a weird campsite, we hope to leave the headboard side of the trailer high for better sleeping, and level enough so the doors swing properly (not too much twist on the trailer.) Most of the time, we're within an inch or so of level, if I just walk into the trailer , feel the level, and walk out and readjust the jacks. The bubble always lies. Not a huge deal. (BTW, you can use a partial water bottle on its side as a level, if you think your level isn't correct. Old school carpenter trick.) We also have a small pencil level we carry with us. To get that last few gallons, just as any other trailer, it can be necessary to jack one side and front a smidge to fill the inlet. We don't usually get to that point. As we normally wild camp, and carry fresh water in five gallon containers to supplement the trailer tank, I do the following to conserve water on most trips: 1. All drinking water is from the five gallon jugs, run into glasses or bottles. Coffee water is run into the tea kettle too. 2 I wash dishes with water heated in the tea kettle, from the jugs, in a dishpan. I can do dishes in a less than one quart tea kettle, by being careful. I also do dishes outside, most of the time, because I like it, and hate being inside when everyone else is having fun outside. I wipe food residue from dishes and silverware with the old napkins and paper plates after meals, save the dishes up, and do dishes once a day. Why waste the water, or the social time? 3. Rinsing glasses, brushing teeth, etc., is also usually done outside, with, you guessed it, the five gallon jugs carried in the truck. And the dog's water is from the jug, too. So, basically, the trailer water is toilet flushing (minimal water), navy shower (if no other facility available), and handwashing. Not much. 32 gallons goes a long, long way if you're careful. With extra jugs, we can go weeks without having to go into town for extra water. We do have a soft bladder that we've used to refill the tanks. It's not a big deal, but an extra trip and time, and I'd rather go hiking. Or go to the farmers' market, cheese factory, or whatever... Every time we come home from a camping trip, I have several thoughts (beyond, geez... all that laundry to do...) Our home is huge (it isn't), we waste a lot of water (we don't but certainly use more than we do when camping) and omg, we use a lot of energy... and we do, but we're careful about that at home, too, but still use so much more than when camping. If we all lived at home as we do when we camp (or as I did as a kid on the farm...)....well, it might be a better world. Camping has helped me reconnect with what is really important. Both our trailer (since 2008) and our home (since 2013) are solar powered. We conserve and collect water camping and at home. Precious resources. Precious world. Love the camping lifestyle, and love our Oliver, which makes it all easier. Sherry

Larry, I still have the little geocache button you sent me years ago, and I'll treasure it always. You and Betty have done so much for all of us here. We wouldn't have our Oliver if it weren't for your cellphone vid we found on youtube, when we were looking at other fiberglass trailers in early 2008. Sorry to hijack the thread, but your friendship, and help, over the years have meant so much to us, and many, many others. Sherry

We've stayed in many Corps campgrounds, and have had great experiences. Don't remember ever having power available, but some beautiful campsites, and of course, water views. Have you seen/purchsed the book, "Camping with the Corps"? And gee, Ridenfly, those photos are just awesome! Look like they were professionally staged. Love the campsite, views, and of course, your Ollie. Sherry

Thanks for the post, Bill. I remember making a solar box contraption in grade school, but I really don't remember the eclipse. Another opportunity... Keep safe. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html We only get one set of eyes. Sherry

Not surprising that Oliver is looking at the Nature's Head. Nature's Head seems to be the leader in rv and tiny house blogs and sites, for a number of reasons (size, durability, ease of use, reliability, customer service, cleanability, minimal water use). I could possibly see replacing our system with a Nature's Head someday. I think one of the biggest advantages of the composting toilets is the minimal water consumption. I've also looked at incinerating toilets for our (someday/hope to build) self-sustaining cabin in the woods. I've never used one, but a friend of mine from Sweden has used them in remote sites where the usual septic and sewer systems are impossible to build, and she is a big believer. The ones that I've seen so far, however, look too large for a compact RV bathroom. The thought of emptying only a small tray of ash once in awhile from the incinerating toilet, instead of deploying the stinky slinky hose in our system, or emptying compost bin and liquid waste bottle in the case of a Nature's Head, is pretty appealing, though. For an RV, probably have to wait for a newer, smaller incinerator. Sherry

Looks like it's working go me. Thanks, Matt.

Mountain air. Last week in NC. Trying images from my Verizon phone. Android/chrome

Chrome

I just tried loading some samples, and had no issues. I'm on Windows 10. Sherry

Thanks, Matt, that's very helpful.

We have camped with Pete a number of times, and he is a true master of singlehanded backing. I need to find a photo of one of his sites... Threaded the trailer between palms, with inches on each side. He and my husband are unusually gifted backers.(another photo somewhere of Paul with two inches on each side of pines in Canada in our assigned spot...) Technology is great. When it fails, the rock is awesome. And knowing what to do without a camera, Sherry

Solar is silent, and reliable. We carry a little Honda 1000 for backup, but have probably had electricity at campsites less than a dozen days in 8 years and 70,000 miles of Ollie camping. We have no power connection at our Nc camping proprty, by choice. It's available, but we don't want or need it. We manage just fine with solar, a single battery, and faithful power management. I charge tablets and phones while the sun is high, for example. Do take a look at the smaller Legacy. It has served us well for 8 years. Can't honestly think of owning a different trailer. Sherry

The ducted hvac should reduce head bump issues indoors. We find our oliver lives very large on the outside... indoors, We mostly sleep and make coffee, or work on the computer, seated. I know of one friend in Virginia with a 2008 Elite. He is fairly tall. Maybe you could ask Oliver for a referral near you? I don't honestly know if the interior height overall has changed on the oeiginal and new Elites. Sherry

There is a company in Tampa that rents vintage Airstreams, delivered to the site. Since you live in a camping destination area, thought you might want to see what they offer and do. Sherry

I received an email today from Florida State Parks about the annual Florida Folk Festival, Memorial Day weekend. We've not attended, but may look at next year. Lots of camping nearby, and summer hasn't hit full on het at the end of May. Arlo Guthrie will be performing again this year. http://www.floridarambler.com/florida-camping/florida-folk-festival/

Fwiw, aren't flat spots on new technology radial tires kind of a thing of the past? I've read and heard that temporary flat spots disappear in twenty miles at low speed. Plenty of time for us....thirty minutes or more to speeds below 40 when we leave the house. Over 40k on this set of maxxis. We leave some weight on the tires when parked. Just level it up with the jacks. Then again, the best thing for most vehicles is just use it? Yup, go camp. Sherry

And, truth of the matter is, our trailer is now past 8 years old. Everything changes, except the initial build quality. My Ollie still looks new, started each day of the last week of camping at 96 or 97 per cent power, so lots of room to charge phones and tablets on solar. I'm in for the long haul. Sherry

I love the cleanbility of the Oliver. Left NC this morning. Ten minutes with windex, a rag, and0 the walls and floor are clean. My allergies make camping an adventure. Thecleanability of the Oliver interiot really helps. Sherry

Interesting, as the few times in 8 years that we have camped in high temps with power, we used our dometic penguin 13.5 btu. Certainly cooled the trailer quickly. Noisy. Yes. But I am sensitive to noise, so not the best judge. And our older trailers aren't ducted, like the new ones. Are the new trailers ac ducted too? Sherry

The look of the new forum is more flash, and modern. I'm finding it a little slowgoing at first, but most processes are fairly intuitive. I created a new account today and found it quite easy. The IT folks have obviously been hard at work. Now, back to having some fun sharing camping stories and info. Sherry

Eggpiper, I just read your signature line. Your Oliver is a sweet addition to your collection of American classics. Happy travels! Sherry

I've used kitchen windows in rented rvs, and I wouldn't want one in my Oliver. The fan to my back set on exhaust does a great job of exhausting fumes. The window, if open, in rentals messed with the gas flames. I used that big expanse of white behind the cooktop for a variety of hooks and shelves to store spices, cooking accessories, and dishes. It's all in the eye of the beholder, though. Sherry

Welcome to the forum, Hans and Kathleen. This is often the first place you'll find a notice about a pre-loved Oliver, so you're in the right spot. Take a look around, and ask any questions you'd like. We'll try our best to answer. Sherry

Have not camped at Ash Grove, so can't help you there. Brevard is such a lovely little town... but we have mostly done day trips to visit. As to the Boone area, there is a Blue Ridge campground at Linville Falls, not that far from Boone. Boone is the regional center, the University, and very busy for its size. (Very hospitable, and often very crowded, if anything is going on at the U.) We have stopped at the Linville Falls cg for a walk, but not stayed in the cg. The sites are pretty much the same at all the Blue Ridge government campgrounds. The Viaduct, the last part of the Parkway to be built, is very close by, and certainly scenic. Lots to do and see and eat in Banner Elk, which is just a beautiful little town. I love the Lowes grocery store there. Good wine selection, too. Quite a few years ago, several of us camped together at Vance Toe River Lodge, at Plumtree, some thirty or forty miles from Boone, and maybe 15 or 20 to Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain, another favorite. It's family owned, has a restaurant, and like many in the area, kind of built on the side of a hill. The employees were great. The cg itself was quite nice, lots of trees, but some of the sites were really small. The six of us camping together didn't mind being side by side by side, by side... as that's why we gathered there. Other larger sites were a little bigger. Haven't been there in five or six years. The bathrooms were very clean, but older, then. And unheated, in October, which was a bit chilly that year. The owners and staff pretty much bent over backwards to make sure everyone had a good time, and for that reason, I'd recommend them, not necessarily for the smallish sites. At that time they had Sunday brunch at the restaurant at the lodge, and it was awesome. Check out their recent reviews. They used to have a zip line, and it was fun to watch the kids flying from tree platform to tree platform, above our heads. Sherry

Welcome to the forums! If you have any questions, post away. We're all here to help, if we can. Sherry