SeaDawg

A huge Kingdome gen 1 came with our 2008. It was pretty much useless. (Rarely camp with 110, didn't have dish service after a few months. And never worked well, anyway.) We had a switch to turn it off, plus it plugged into an outlet in the attic. We unplugged it. (Otherwise, as you noted, it would try to scan for signal, and make crazy noises, if we were plugged in.) We removed the old nonfunctional dome several years ago, as it was old and the dome had a few cracks. And, it was just a waste of space. Taped over the wires and flat mounting brackets with eternabond, so we could (ostensibly) get in and pull the wires through to run a TV antenna wire, someday, if we wanted to. We were pleasantly surprised that there was just a small hole for the wire run, when I downloaded the install manual... Watching TV isn't our gig, so, no urgency. If the same is true for you, and nothing is leaking, follow John's advice, and disconnect it, or just remove it, as we did, if you feel like getting on a ladder, and are in the mood. We were working on other things at the time, so seemed like a good time to clean up the roof.

Nice truck! Congratulations! Lots of great features for towing, from what I've read. Glad you found something you enjoy driving.

No worries. Ask away. Lots of folks here are happy to answer.

Just for fun, I thought I'd throw this out there. For me, the very first "independent" camping experience was army surplus, from my uncle, thrown over a clothesline wire, between two trees, on our farm. Summertime, of course. Army blanket for a ground cloth, and some kind of cotton batten sleeping bags. I think I was not quite four. Maybe just over four? Not sure. My sister and I (she's a year younger) had a grand time. Of course, I had to "watch" her. That was ok, and still is. My little bff. And, of course, mom and dad were just steps away, in the house. If we needed them.

Welcome to the forum.. The water pump is 12v dc, like pretty much every other rv made. You won't need 110 for most essential systems. A/C requires 110, however. Fwiw, we camp without hookups, most of the time. No inverter. Fine, since 2008. 12vDc is the main power system in a travel trailer.

Me? I'd just return the thing, on my dime (since it's light) with tracking and signature/receipt requested. Probably cheaper than driving 50 miles each way, unless you need to go in, anyway. And, cancel the order.

Congratulations, @connor77! @NCeagle, might be more takers in the summer heat? Mine was old (2008), but worked, so I listed parts for free. No takers in a week, so it went to recycling.

Several people have discussed increasing garage door height in the past, but I think you're the first to do so. I'll be interested in seeing your photos along the way. Is the contractor who built your garage doing the modifications? How are you underpinning that existing foundation under the load bearing wall? What will hold back the exposed soil? Has the crew shored up that "ledge" in case of rain? Quite a labor of (Ollie) love, there. Best of luck.

Glad you've made it this far without incident, and I certainly hope Dexter is quick in response. Your evening campsite photo is calendar worthy, imo. Looks so tranquil.

Thanks. I understood that at some point, solar became so popular that backing plates were in every trailer. In 2008, ours were a tough retrofit. Keep us posted on your system. It looks so very professionally done.

So, it took a month, but I got my spares kit ! Then, I found out valterra sells a kit of 8 for $6 on Amazon. Don't need the tool. We now own 4!

Not light, for sure. From renogys website, 36 pounds for 200 watt suitcase. (But less than zamp legacy) I wonder if that includes the cable? We really do have to take weight into consideration. I don't like to bother to take out my coleman panels of we won't be in the same spot for awhile. Too heavy.

Good consideration. I think the renogy 200 watt suitcase system weighs in quite a bit less than zamp, under 40 pounds. I agree. Unless you build your own, with flexible panels, these aren't flyweight. But, I can manage 40 pounds, on my own.

For our friends and neighbors, and our few Canadian Oliver owners, happy Canada Day as you celebrate your heritage.

Someone mentioned portable solar as a "try and see" if you like it. I got a notice that Renogy has a 200 watt suitcase solar on sale for the holiday for under $350, free shipping. Includes a detachable pwm controller and 10 ft cord, with alligator clips. Makes for a pretty reasonable entry ticket. And, useful many times, even with fixed solar. We break out our portable panels when parked in shade for several days.

@carnivore, your install looks great! Did Oliver install the backing plates in the roof during manufacture? Aren't we fortunate to have so many owners here willing to help others?

Those oru kayaks look amazing. Even the tandem that converts to a single weighs less than a 200 watt zamp suitcase solar kit. Even I could handle that by myself. Website shows they sell backpacks for the lighter singles, so you can walk them in to more remote areas more easily. @Kirk Peterson, which model do you have? Do you find the estimated assembly time and water rating (calm, choppy, etc.) from the website to be accurate? Of course, I realize your experience level is much higher than mine. We don't use our kayaks much, and then only in calm water /perfect weather.

I'd say good choices. Great info. We'll look forward to your updates as you continue your travels. North Dakota has so many dead zones! I'm really happy this worked for you. It's a gamechanger.

Probably wouldn't work with "big hair." (Most of us gave up that style decades ago, though.) Big hair could become a "sticky situation."

I found these on Amazon . Various colors The black would hide the bug carcasses, and we could "pretend" they're decorative.

Shades of Chevy Chase? 1980s vacation?

Wasn't it hard to focus on email, with that view? So amazing, especially before noon, from the pisgah inn.

Would the additional photos in this thread help at all?

We managed for 4 years, so far, 2 years with 200 watts fixed solar and a single 100 watt portable, and 2 years with 400 watts fixed solar and 200 watts portable. And, the Honda 1000. 2 x 105 ah agm 12v batteries. I've logged the amp hours used as 60 to 70, most days, by the fridge, as I noted several times here. It's definitely doable, with power management, and backup. 152 days, most days without power, last year. But, it's definitely something to consider, and keep in mind. The tradeoff is high reliability, just about zero maintenance, and mine cools well in cold and hot weather. Can't speak much to altitude difference, as we're rarely above 5000 feet, but I doubt that affects the danfoss compressor, either, which can affect the propane fridge. I think power consumption is rated at around 4.5 amps, 12v, but the compressor doesn't run continuously. Maybe 50 to 60 per cent of the time. I do miss the option to run on propane, as we camp without hookups most of the time, but I love my fridge. @Steph and Dud B, is the fridge in the Oliver elevated a bit off the floor? we built a small low drawer under ours. Between the added height, and the pullout drawer, I never have to get on my hands and knees anymore to find something stored in the bottom of the fridge.

@FrankC, I'll look forward to seeing your results. The silicon might be a lot easier to clean than the caulk.