SeaDawg

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

I seemed to remember an early fiberglass Airstream, but couldn't find any record of it yesterday. Then, Carol H on the fiberglass rv forum reminded everyone of the early Airstream prototype... the Wally Bee (named after himeself, Wally Byam...) A little further research into the Airstream forum brought this link: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f492/the-wally-bee-48042.html The original sixty year old fiberglass prototype was uncovered over a decade ago, and is being restored by a craftsman in Colorado. It looks rather like a Casita or a Scamp, with a little of the British Willerby thrown in, I think... Sherry

I went to the website for the first time in a long time. Someone is doing a great job updating the website. Looks the best it's ever looked, and more great info than ever, too. Sherry

Gregg, Awesome video. Brought back wonderful memories of a sailing trip to Tobago Cays,(about 100 miles, I think, from Bonaire) many years ago. The waters and wildlife were amazing. Paul and I chose the Oliver for many reasons, but one of the most important was its all fiberglass construction. Our almost 40 year old sailboat still looks and works great, and we expect the Oliver will last just as long with proper care and maintenance. My husband and I believe experiences are so much more important than possessions, but sometimes it's the possession that gets you to the experiences and memories. I believe that's the case with both the Oliver and our boat. Looking forward to photos of your camper with your turtle graphics design. Sherry

Great to hear they've decided to add the instantaneous water heater to the options list. We had one installed last fall, but haven't done much camping since to report back on its efficiency. Our Oliver is languishing on the side of the house, waiting for spring.... I will say that the Oliver install was, as expected, clean and neat. The heaters are designed as a direct replacement for the cavity occupied by the larger tank heaters. Dustin and his crew did a great job on the retrofit on our 2008 Legacy. Sherry

You'll love driving and camping the Blue Ridge. We've camped the entire stretch of the Blue Ridge, plus the Skyline, and certain intervals we've repeated. It's a wonderful, magical drive. Sherry

Welcome to the forum. Love your avatar! Sherry

Very nice, and very pro looking. Nice addition to the fridge.

That's an interesting idea. Actually, after camping in NZ and Australia in camper vans, Paul and I have discussed the idea of converting a 4 x 4 diesel van to a (very basic) camper van, towing our beloved Oliver, and taking the van only to more remote places where we might only overnight, but have some minimal creature comforts. The camper van tow vehicle could allow us to take additional people on camping trips, as more than two and a very small child isn't really practical in our 17. I think at least some of the 3500 series vans have tow capacities in excess of 7000 pounds. Perhaps you'd want to look at those? We've not moved past the "wouldn't it be nice" and chatting stage, as the Dodge 4 x 4 truck does all we need, and then some as a tow vehicle, and at only 8 years old, we're not thinking about replacing it any time soon.... We don't often have riders, and they tent if we do. Last year's five+ weeks in a basic camper van in southern Australia was amazing. One of our best camping trips ever. The rented Toyota HiAce camper van was an intrepid vehicle when skillfully and carefully driven on the left hand side by my husband, and it's definitely not in the class of the Mercedes sprinter you're thinking about. Throughout the trip, we kept thinking about what we could tow with an American van conversion, and how we could easily accommodate our adult daughter with the van and trailer combo. Certainly a worthwhile exploration. Good luck, and let us know what you decide. Sherry

I'm with Pete. The shower floor is great. Only the caulk can require maintenance here in Florida... well, everything requires extra work here. Cotton bath mat during the day and night. Remove when showering. Bath mats clean easily in the washer. Wipe down the shower floor with your choice of mild spray cleanser and a rag, and all looks new.... 8 years ago and change, still looks new. Sherry

Charlie, I think the panel in your trailer is a replacement, not oem. I've not seen one like it in any Oliver. Boats have "blower" and "mast light" swtiches (which may themselves contain additional breakers), but Oliver trailers do not have blowers or mast lights. Unless, of course, someone has modded one, for some arcane and unkown reason. Sherry

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new Oliver! Wishing you many miles of smiles. Happy Camping! Sherry

Very nice looking. Let us know how it works out for you. What thickness plywood did you use? 1/2 inch? I just use a cotton bath mat on the floor, which I can remove and wash. I've seen other use the interlocking foam blocks, which , at least in theory, can be left in place while showering. Neither reduce the head clearance in the bath, which may not be much of a problem in the newer trailers. Ours is at least six foot in the older 17s, I think. Very professional look. Sherry

I've not seen this either, and I'm a little confused. Where is the sliding panel over the latch on the screen door, and what is the little clear circular object over the previous latch.? I like the bar. The little latch is tough to work with two full hands. Is there a roller that replaces the latch? Sherry

Sweet!

So, if you're camping in the UK, here's another one worth considering. Very cute. http://www.go-barefoot.co.uk/ Sherry

jrbirdman, We've been using the magic red line gizmos, including towel hooks for at least five years. They're great. Easy to adjust with the red line showing. Hope you did ok in the crazy weather this week. Meant to call you, but a lot of visitors this week. Sherry

We've used cassettes in rentals in other countries. Not very glam. I'd prefer the "stinky slinky," in most circumstances. Macerators are great, until they're not. (when they are plugged, and need rebuilding.) We're on our second macerator. When it dies, we'll decide if we replace it, or just revert to the slinky stinky and call it done. FWIW, We don't usually have to "pump uphill." Sherry "

That's going to look great! Can'[t wait to see the photos. Sherry

Hi, folks, We've had a few glitches in the registration process lately, but I do believe they have been resolved. I did a test case myself yesterday, and was able to complete the registration process smoothly. Our board, as many others, uses a couple of safeguards to insure that only real people with an interest in the forum register. The last safeguard is a link that will be sent to you, at the email address that you used in the registration form, that must be used to log in for the first time. After completing the registration form, check the inbox for the email address you used in setting up your account. It may take a few minutes (took five minutes or so for me yesterday), but a no reply email from oliver forums should appear in that inbox. Click on the link, and log in. You should be all set. If you do not receive the email in your inbox, check your junk mail, as your spam filter may have directed this important email to your junk mail. If the link does not work for you, go to the login box, and click on "resend account activation email." A new activation link will be sent to you. If none of this works, give Mountainborn a call or text at 479.243.5450, and one of us will try to figure out what went wrong with your registration. We want your participation, and welcome your participation here at Oliver Forums! Sherry One more item: You are allowed to use the same email account ONLY ONCE. You cannot have two user names with one email address. If you try to register a second user name (eg, husband and wife would like separate user names on the forum...), you must use a second (different) email address to register. Failing to do so may throw both accounts into the inactive hopper... Thanks again for your interest in Oliver Forums. Happy Camping! Sherry

Congrats, and welcome to the forum! Wishing you many miles of smiles with your new Oliver. Sherry