Ray and Susan Huff

Our BMW X5d (x-drive) lists a 600# tongue capacity, but with a tow capacity of 6,600# (a bit shy of towing the Elite II). Perhaps that's the 10% US standard and the Land Rover is rated at the German 5%. We don't plan to tow with the BMW - if we did, we'd opt for the Elite I. I don't want to wear out my everyday vehicle, especially since BMW no longer sells the diesel model, at least not in the US; they do, however have a hybrid. I think we will pass on the Land Rover and keep our F-350 SD 4wd crew cab with tow package, including integrated brake controller, which has the capability of towing 2 Elite II's!

Yes, for 2021. I will be talking with my sales rep today or tomorrow; I will get more details. Update: Both the powered standard awning and powered pro awning are made by Girard. The standard has vinyl fabric (grey), LED lights, manual override with crank and power switch inside the trailer. The the Pro upgrade is canvas fabric, has LED lights, manual override with crank wind sensor, and manual override with crank. I asked, since they are legless awnings, if there was a way to tilt them slightly so moisture can run off. No adjustment needed; they are designed to be installed slightly lower on one side so they naturally shed water, though not intended for heaving rain or snow. I also asked if either could be used entirely with manual crank. The answer was that the crank/manual operation is only for emergency use, when power is not available, or in the case of motor failure. I asked if the pro awning, with remote, could also be powered from a switch in the trailer (in the even the remote fails or gets lost). I did not get a for certain answer, but since we are opting for the standard non-remote awning, I didn't request that info. Forgot to ask the model numbers.

Thanks for the great article. We knew about the level requirements for proper fridge operation, but were unaware of some of the other points made: Absorption refrigerators are very inefficient in very warm ambient temperatures, but I've not known that cold temperature is harmful. Not a problem, since we don't generally camp in below freezing weather, but good to know. Did not realize that 12v power is needed for the fridge to operate, even under shore power. That being said, as long as the batteries are connected to 120ac, is the 12v power requirement satisfied, regardless of the health of the batteries? We also discovered, during our RV infancy years ago, that when running on LP the fridge still needs 12v power to fire the burner. Batteries that fall below a SOC threshold will alarm - 10v perhaps? We knew the importance of keeping the LP burner clean; the photos in the article are a big help Our experience with RV absorption refrigerators has been mixed. Our first RV, a 2014 5th-wheel, had a large 7 cu ft Dometic absorption fridge. It was one of the "better ones" that did not have electronic controls; you regulated the temperature by a slide attached to the cooling fins; it also had the standard plastic coated wire shelves. It always kept a safe temperature, even in warmer temps, never requiring a maximum cool setting. Then we traded for a small motor home, also a Dometic. It has a slightly smaller 6.3 cu ft capacity, but refuses to keep below 40 deg temps unless turned to the coolest setting. We always assure the van is level and try to park with the fridge side out of direct sun (or use the awning to shade). Occasionally, at night, it will cool well on setting "4" (out of "5"). I don't know if it is the installation, the plastic shelving that doesn't allow air to circulate, or just a poorly designed appliance. I have seen this particular model referred to as the "Demonic" fridge. I'm looking forward to the Oliver fridge, I expect it to provide a much better experience than what we have. I'm glad it has wire shelves and although it is a bit smaller, I think the refrigerator portion will hold just as much food as our 7 cu ft "Demonic" is a 2-door model (assuming the 7 cu ft includes the freezer portion). I wonder if having the freezer inside the fridge, rather than a separate compartment, provide better cooling. If we find we need more cold storage we plan to carry a cooler for less sensitive foods, such as drinks and produce - providing we aren't in "extreme bear country" 😖 Sorry . . . . I think I've gone off-subject with my comment. Admin: please move my post to another thread, if appropriate.

I had a call from Rodney Lomax yesterday asking if we'd like to bump up our build date a couple of months . . . . Of course I said yes! Consequently, we need to decide on our options and submit our order by the end of the month. I told him we had a 2021 build sheet, but it didn't reflect the awning changes and he sent a new one. I asked the differences in the standard powered awning and the powered pro awning (upgrade). Standard - vinyl fabric; LED light strip; power switch inside (no remote). Pro - canvas fabric; LED light strip; remote control (I didn't ask if it also had a hard wired switch); wind sensor. Maybe from this info, you can tell which Girard models they are; there aren't many listed on their site.

Maybe there's an emoji for that!

No pictures, yet . . . . but exciting news. I received a call from Rodney Lomax yesterday. My heart just about stopped when he announced who he was - the sales manager calling use???? I was sure the plant had burnt down and we weren't going to get our Oliver! But, not to worry. He called to say they had a build slot open up and wanted to know if we would like to take delivery the first part of December. Of course, I said yes. After requesting a Feb 3 delivery, because we were hesitant to travel cross country in the dead of Winter, I was getting nervous about making the trip in February. The beginning of December we'll be less likely to run into Wintery weather; we might even be able to take the most direct route, on I-40. Now I have to decide on our options and complete the order . . . . . 60 days cut off our wait time . . . . . yahoo!

I wish there was an easy way, in the forums, to save a topic. I know, you can bookmark it, but then it gets lost in the layers of folders in the bookmark black hole.

Did you stay in Dodge City? When I was researching a trip itinerary from Colorado to Dodge City, then south to Weatherford, OK, I found very few campgrounds/RV parks in Kansas.

We find, with the Progressive Industries built in surge protector, that with an error code, once you get the problem isolated, you have to unplug power, whatever the source, and plug back in. It seems to reset the error code on the surge protector so it can function normally. You know, the old stand by REBOOT 😖 If there is a reset or clear code button, I don't see a reference to it in the manual.

Turn water heater to LP and you can still have hot water

Sorry, I just noticed your question. AB LIfestyles makes custom fitted bottom sheets for the Oliver Twin Bed mattresses pair of Oliver twin fitted bottom sheets. You pay a bit more for the custom fit, but worth it to have someone else make them. I made fitted sheets for our motor home twin beds that also have a rounded corner. It's not a perfect fit, but works fine. Made them from flat twin sheets, but it was quite a job measuring, cutting, sewing, fitting, adding elastic. Worth it to pay for ready made. They also make a custom fitted mattress pad. You could make do with the 30 x 75 bunk pad and it would probably work; this is what I did for our MH. With the custom fitted sheet over the mattress pad, fit isn't quite as crucial. And there's a bit more of a price difference between the bunk and the Oliver Twin. I purchased individual top sheets. I will use these in the Oliver, but cut them down a bit so they aren't too bulky when tucked. It was hard to find individual sheets, not sets, and I really like these Threshold flat sheets from Target. I chose Aqua and Red Orange (not as bright as it looks - more of a dark coral).

And there's only one Metallic silver grey to choose from. I don't have to decide - grey, middle grey, or dark grey. I appreciate the recommendation. That's one decision I don't have to make. . . . . . . Narrowing down the details 😖

Our once RV, a 5th-wheel, had a rear kitchen with a huge window. I really miss that feature. Our current RV, Leisure Travel Van Unity TB, has what looks like a huge rear tinted window, but it's just the end cap painted black!

We would like to do this too . . . . unfortunately, our RV carport isn't at the house, but "at the ranch" - 1/4 mile down a private road. Not sure if the electric set up there will support this. We might consider building a new RV carport at the house as we can always use the other for equipment storage. It's a bit large for the Oliver, since it was built for a 30'l x 13'h fifth wheel with room for a slide. We have timber, a sawmill (photo of sawmill shed attached) etc. My husband is always looking for things to build 😊

Thanks for the graphics pic. The new Oliver Legacy Elite II will be fine, If I can't get the old style.

Thanks for the tips. One of our first trips will be north to eastern WA, Montana, Idaho. Island Bar BLM on the Salmon River sounds like a place we would love.

I totally agree. It was hard, while waiting for our motor home delivery, to not buy a lot of accessories. I am sure a lot of the things we already have will transfer to the Oliver and some will be repurposed. Storage accessories and convenience items will wait until we've spent some time getting acquainted with our new trailer. The items we buy now are things we know we will need. I'm already filling a tote (or two) with essentials we will need for the long trek home from Hohenwald; Yes, it takes some time and experimentation to fine tune storage needs; I am an organization freak and love that sort of thing!

Orchard (Mason) Bee, perhaps? Inspect your gas appliances RV Life, March 2019 Bees are attracted to the smell of propane, and your RV’s gas appliances can emit just enough of the odor to draw the bugs in. Regularly inspect all of the gas appliances in your RV, including the furnace, water heater, and fridge. I thought the propane quick-connect had a green cap to cover the outlet. Does yours not have one?

TV -new model folded up should hide light? Zamp Panel - I asked an owner and they say it turns off when the sun goes down. Stereo Display - our motor home has Jensen and the display can be turned off. USB ports - do the new ones have covers? Microwave - we are deleting. WiFi Booster - not ordering. What about the cell booster? Up front switches - there is a panel on the wall to the left when you come in the door. Are there others? What about the fridge? The Dometic in our motor home has blue lit control panel that shows through the crack between the fridge and freezer; it bothers my husband from his bed. I know, the Norcold doesn't have two doors, but it looks like the control panel is on the outside. Is it lit? Thanks for the info on the dimming stickers; we use black electrical tape. Interesting thoughts. We also don't have our Ollie yet, but do have twin beds in our small motor home. We sleep with our heads to the rear mainly because at the foot of the beds are two hanging wardrobes, one of which has the TV mounted to the side, rear facing, making it impossible to sleep head forward. There is also a nightstand between the beds, but it is not elevated, but even with the mattresses. I am leaning toward head to the front as I see more advantages to that orientation. I sleep on my side, and even in our 34" wide beds I put a pillow up to keep from hitting shelving on the wall above the nightstand. (no rear window - I am so looking forward to a rear window!) I'm 5'6, so can easily get used to getting my legs around the nightstand when getting out of bed. Husband, 6'2", might have trouble. Although he sleeps on his back, I can see him being more comfortable with his head to the rear. My only hesitation with him sleeping to the rear is that his snoring might reverberate off the nightstand! It will be easy for me to switch ends, as I sleep with just a down throw or sleeping bag, in colder weather. I can't sleep with my feet confined in the tucked in bedding. One advantage I can see to each sleeping at opposite ends is that you are facing each other, making it easier to communicate, especially when lounging. And I love John Davies' rear view idea, though I will need to make some sort of screen to keep the bugs out. I'm allergic to mosquitoes and have an obsessive fear of bats. Maybe a mosquito netting cover to attach to the inside or outside. . I'm sure I can make something like that. What is the bracket John has the rope attached to? Rear view camera? We aren't ordering the rear camera, so will there still be a bracket there?

That's a great reason!

Don't know yet . . . . still waiting for our Ollie. I will wait to see which bed my husband chooses (I got to choose on our last twin RV). Then it will depend on which direction puts the sleeping bag zipper on the aisle side; and if the nightstand is in my way. Another thought: are there lighted controls that disturb you at night? This could also be a factor.

That's a good point - two Oliver Twins = one Queen. We sleep on a Queen at home. One disadvantage to the twins over the Queen is, I can't poke my husband when he snores . . . . . . 😀 But, he doesn't seem to snore as much when we are camping.

Thanks . . . . that is what I thought. We are ordering just the pinstriped swoosh - no front logo; not spare tire logo. I would like to have the old style "Oliver Elite II" - the one liner. I haven't asked Oliver yet if they can do this. Our Pickup is silver, but if we should every change that, silver goes with anything 😊

We like ours on the van, but it's not a necessity. Our plan with the Oliver is to keep the number of electric powered options at a minimum. If we every decide we just have to have the macerator, we can have one installed. But, I don't think we will. I do like the idea of it being mounted in the bumper. On our van it hangs down, below the frame. I believe it is the lowest component underneath, making it very vulnerable. For this reason, we had skid wheels installed on the rear of the van - also to save our bike rack.

If you use a food scale on the road, you need one of these. If you're like me and weigh your coffee beans or weigh your food for dietary needs, this little scale is awesome! I just might have to get another. When I ordered mine, I had to settle for Pea Green. The white will look much better in the Oliver Galley. I can always give the green model to one of my daughters-in-law. I'm kidding 😁