SeaDawg

Solar is silent, and oh so wonderful. We have thoroughly enjoyed the addition of the solar panels to our trailer that we did back in 2008. On Pete's comment, I totally agree. A few years ago we camped for three days at Greenbelt National Park (no hookups) to attend the Solar Decathlon. We chose a campsite with sun part of the day to keep our batteries charged. Unfortunately, just up the hill and across the road from us was an RV with a really loud and smelly generator, which they ran every single day from about 5 till dark. I was really glad when they moved on, as the noise and exhaust traveled our way throughout happy hour and dinner. We still carry a Honda 1000, which is very quiet and recharges the batteries if we experience rainy or cloudy days, or can't get a campsite with enough sun. We have camped as long as 60 days without ever having to break it out, however. We're usually pretty miserly when it comes to power consumption. Hope you enjoy your new Oliver, and your solar powered adventures. Sherry

And for anyone thinking of traveling to Europe this summer, Solar Decathlon Europe (third one), will being June 27 in Versailles, France, after two successful decathlons hosted by Spain. The Decathlon Europe runs till July 14. Sherry http://www.solardecathlon2014.fr/en

Pam (and others), the Solar Decathlon has moved to California, since 2013, south of Irvine, CA. Perhaps we'll see you there in 2015. I have a niece in grad school in San Diego. Could be a good combined trip... We have always wanted to take our trailer west. Everything just gets in the way of the long trips beyond the Mississippi. Sherry

I've been checking out the expanded line of these "no drilling required" products on their website, home depot and atg stores. A number of my suction cup hooks have finally given out, and I'm not finding many command hooks in chrome anymore. Two of the robe hooks might be a good solution for the heavy coats that always hang just inside the door, and in the shower to dry. Even after six years, I'm still not loving the idea of drilling into the fiberglass for a mere hook.

Our Ollie sits outside all year, whether camping or languishing in its parking spot at home while waiting to go camping. We use the same 3m ultra marine paste wax on the Ollie that we use on our boats, and we're very happy with the results. It's not cheap ($20 plus per small can), but we feel it's worth it. One of our boats is over thirty years old, the Ollie is over six years now, but all fiberglass hulls gleam with a twice a year clean and wax. I use the same wax inside, once a year, though not on the floors, for obvious slip/fall reasons. The one small can usually will make it thru a season with two boats and the Oliver trailer. Worth the few extra dollars to us to use a product formulated for fiberglass gelcoat. Sherry

Welcome to the oliver family. Hope you enjoy your new 22 as much as we have enjoyed our 17. Sherry

The new forum looks great! Thanks, guys! Sherry

That's an interesting new feature.

Anyone else thinking about Montreal in the spring? I think it would be beautiful. Sherry

Pam, our local guy says we need a new cooling unit, also. We haven't yet had the time to run thru all the diagnostics, but that sounds likely. I believe someone did have to have a refrigerator replaced (maybe Mountainborn?) early on. From what I understood, removing the wall wasn't such a big deal as expected, though it sounds daunting to me. Our local guy says they do not have to remove the refrigerator to replace the cooling unit, just pull it out of the space, and work on it in the aisle. Is that what your repairman did? We're debating, though, on whether to replace the whole refrigerator unit instead of the cooling unit if it must be repaired. We've had on again/off again problems with the Norcold for the last three years.... We had a control board replaced once already under warranty, and have had a series of issues with the codes over the last two years.

Wish we had a "like" button. That's too funny, Steve.

We found the same issue with our brakes. After the first year of use, I pumped a few shots of grease into each wheel hub grease fitting. The brake performance deteriorated, so we disassembled and found the inner seals had leaked grease past them onto the brake pads. Ever since then I've avoided the grease fittings and just disassembled the wheels to grease them.

No, it wasn't an easy fix. Actually, it's not fixed at all. The local guy (who did a great job last time) didn't even pull out the trailer for two days, then blew breakers plugging it in... and we don't know why. Everything electrical is fine. When they finally ran the refrigerator, they got an "n" code.(Norcold shorthand for not cooling.) Surprise, surprise. The tech called Norcold the next afternoon, and they suggested a thermister loose, which it was, but it still gives an "n" code and only cools the freezer. We gave up, pulled it out, and came up to NC anyway. It probably needs a new cooling unit, but Paul is going to trouble shoot it first before taking it anywhere else, as he was able to fix it last time. In the meantime, we're camping out of ice chests. The refrigerator is a very large cupboard for dry goods at this time. Oh, well. The weather has been beautiful. Sadly, we're headed home again soon. Camping with an ice chest is far better than no camping at all.... Sherry

Well, the dreaded "n" code appeared again. We're at home this time, so we took it into the local repair facility. We'll see what they find out....

We met someone recently who grew up in Montreal. Reminded me of our lovely time camping trip a few years back. So looking forward to a return to Quebec.

Frequently, I (wistfully) look for the Oliver Travel Trailers website. Tonite, I'm ecstatic to report that the website is back up. Bare bones, but back online! Wow. I am no longer an orphan! Sherry

I just checked Facebook. We now have both an owners group (closed group), and Oliver Travel Trailers company has its own fb page. I guess that's what you're talking about? Sherry

Larry, how does this work for people who are not a member? Should they search Oliver Travel Trailers and send a message to become members? Thanks Sherry

Wow, I just looked at the website for the campground. Looks beautiful. Hope all of you have a wonderful time! Sherry

Wow. Hope you have a great time, and wish we could be there too! We'd love to get a look at a 22 again. It's been a while. And, been too long since we've seen your smiling face. Sherry and Paul

Any photos to share, Doug? Hope you and Geneva are having wonderful time. Sherry

Welcome to the forum, Gilgamesh!

I've developed a work-around for several people in the last few months. Most people have contacted me thru a friend on this board, or fiberglass rv dot com. I am SherrynPaul on fiberglass rv dot com (you all know what I mean, spelled out to avoid the bots and spammers...) I'd be glad to help your friend if you'd send me a pm here with a user name he'd prefer. A facebook page for Oliver trailer owners would be a nice idea. Good thinking, Mountainborn. Sherry

Gotta love authentic BBQ!

And the FJ and the Oliver look great together, too!