SeaDawg

Ribs on the smoker. Last things to wrap up before Labor day cookout, listening to Michael Buble channel on Pandora. One of my favorite Andrea Bocelli duets just played: (music starts about a minute in)

More often than we care to admit....

I'd be replacing 2017 shocks, anyway. They're likely due. Much of what I see in photos is relatively light "surface rust". That can be removed with heavy duty scotchbrites, and some likely very uncomfortable time under the trailer. However, I see some pitting, possibly deep, that I'd want to explore, further. Blistered pock marks make me very nervous. The heavy coatings of even surface rust make me wonder about even minimal care and maintenance, heretofore. Give some serious thought into how much time you want to devote to correcting deferred care and maintenance. Interior systems may have been neglected, also. Some folks can't/don't know how important it is to/ clean chemicals and salt off trailers/cars/ plants.

Got an issue of Food and Wine magazine the other day. Though we've traveled into Canda through Osoyoos, we haven't spent a lot of time there. (Did laundry in Osoyoos. Got gas and groceries in Kelowna at the Costco, many years ago.) As I was looking up the wineries, I was devastated by the fire reports everywhere along 97. (We don't hear a lot about it in Florida. ) Hoping folks are OK. I know it's a beautiful region. But, I also know, it's a dangerous fire field, with many fires. We do hear about the Yellowknife evacuations. Hope to revisit, another year. They must have ordered the ad a year ago.

Bigfoot uses dealer outlets.

Oh, wow. If I were 20 years younger, I'd be applying to open a little outlet to show and sell Ollies, and hire a couple great techs to work on them, in my zone. Many years ago, I was a service manager for a computer and business machine company. (Eventually became vp of the same company.) We sent our techs to training at the motherships, Atlanta and New Jersey, anytime a new model came out. I sat on the national dealer council for one of our brands for a number of years. The brands provided training classes, and documents/manuals, and we footed the bill for transportation and hotels and meals. This is not the end of the world, imo, but a quite likely positive change, and a broader reach, which, I think will benefit many owners outside middle America, if Oliver can recruit the "right folks". Big "used car" type dealerships aren't interested in a brand like Oliver. Not enough margin. Not enough volume. But, quality folks like quality products. I think they'll find at least a few quality, smaller outlets to keep things right. If not, back to the original model, which is not going away, according to the email. Without any outlets or service centers in place, I personally think their announcements were frankly premature. Oliver has always been customer-centric, and were just trying to be transparent and honest. Full disclosure: I'm a moderator, and continuous owner of #12 since February, 2008. First I heard of this was Katjo's post.

Welcome, and I love your clever user name! Nice to see a young family enjoying an Oliver. We'll look forward to photos of your adventures.

@MAX Burner, one of my friends installed that I'm her Casita. It definitely helps with the lighting, but she doesn't care for the lens and little lights. She finds it distracting. (I agree with her.) I think your "disco light" label is quite appropriate. 🤣 in contrast, the nice, evenly lit ring on the maxxDome is lovely.

I think you'll love that overhead light and the quiet operation, @Mike and Carol. We've sure enjoyed it these past years. I hope by the time we need to replace our FanTastic 14 x 14 fan that one of the majors will be building one with a similar light.

Yeah. Ours are sitting in a bin somewhere, as well. The one on the bulldog kept tipping to the side.

We bought a white plastic paper towel holder 15 years ago. I, too, was hesitant about drilling, first year. I used industrial velcro first season to make sure I was happy with the location. Permanently installed with stainless steel bolts, washers and nuts after we decided we were indeed happy. We mounted it over the bed. I didn't care for the idea of paper towels over the cooktop.

All ok here. I don't get it either, @CRM. People need to make a plan, and stick with it. Evacuate when necessary, not after the water is high. Emergency personnel are often unable to help in these sad situations. Let's all give our thoughts and prayers to those folks with the biggest (and continuing) impact of this huge storm. Idalia is leaving a path of devastation across the southeast.

We had this intermittent issue probably 10 years ago. It was a poor ground connection.

Please put those folks in the big bend area of Florida in your thoughts and prayers. It's a very unusual path for a hurricane, and who knows how many are prepared. I don't remember a hurricane headed for them, ever before.

I suspect those quality folks will be the future partners. Those mega dealers, who partner with mega manufacturers, aren't likely candidates, from either side, imo.

It's a good idea to let wax cure at least 8 to 24 hours between coats. Good job!

@CRM, as you likely know, we'll be on the surge side of the storm, this time. Take care.

Good luck to you, too. Idalia seems to be quite indecisive in her chosen path. Be careful, folks. Floridians have grown to loathe storms beginning with the letter "I."

I'd be totally surprised if the original business model "went away", completely. I'd suspect (though I don't know) that the limited, vetted dealer network would simply amplify the great network we have today.

Two other major, respected fiberglass manufacturers have relationships with a limited dealer network of their selection-- Bigfoot and Northern Lite. I don't think their resales have been affected, either. I can certainly see the benefit of being able to order and pick up somewhat locally, and especially to get qualified service closer to home than Hohenwald. (It's a 12 to 13 hour drive for us, from Florida. ) Not everyone is able to do all the service and upgrades themselves. And, as Oliver has always tried to be on the leading edge of tech, these trailers, when fully optioned, can be a bit of a learning curve for the "ordinary" rv tech. This is, indeed, a big leap for Oliver. Let's see how it shakes out. I wish them, and future owners, all the best, as I have for the last 15 years.

John, glad to hear you are feeling good, and back out camping. Enjoy that new camper.

It's that time of year again, for those of us in Florida. No sales tax on generators, tarps, flashlights, batteries, weather radios... even a bunch of pet supplies (dollar limits apply.) Since it's also the first weekend we are under threat of a strong weather system thus year, expect these supplies to fly off the shelves quickly.

When Practical Sailor tested dozens of heavy duty marine multipurpose cleaners, they also tested pH, and wax removal. Virtually every one of the popular (and often pricey) streak and stain removers also removed wax from the test panel. Just important to re-wax after cleaning, as noted by OllieHaus. https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/marine-maintenance-multi-purpose-cleaners-test

That was nice of you, Nan. Your friend can read the thread if you forward it to them, even if not a forum member. Hope it helps. Take care of that ankle.

@theOrca, we've used Purogene (chlorine dioxide) for years to sanitize tanks and freshwater systems in the Ollie and the boat. Which activator did you use for the chlorine dioxide when you ran the sanitizing procedure, and how much?