tallmandan

I have the Oliver-installed solar panels on the roof. Taped a block of foam to each corner of the panels to avoid a sharp edge against the cover. It’s honestly a little too wide as it’s intended for the more standard 8 foot width but the length is just right. The included straps under the trailer pull it sung

Well after great trips in CO, UT and SD this year our Oliver is winterized at the RV storage lot. I though I would share my expeience with a generic-size cover and exteral solar set-up to maintain my batteries while the roof-top panels are covered. The 100-watt Renogy exteral solar panel with charge controller that has been discussed in other forum threads was just reduced in price on Amazon. At $189 now it's well worth it! The included battery clamp cable is long enough to reach from the battery compartment to the rear of the trailer where I have it to get morning sun. The cable can be routed to exit the battery compartment at the bottom corner and still close and lock properly. It's just long enough to reach to the back of the trailer where it can absorb morning sun. I was worred about possible theft but have added a locking cable to the very robust steel solar panel handle on the side which is rivited to the frame. The cable is locked to the frame crossbar on the underside of the trailer. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Off Grid Portable Foldable 2Pcs 50W Solar Panel Suitcase Built-in Kickstand with Waterproof 20A Charger Controller https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JVBVL3/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 I decided to try a cover that is sold by Costco Online knowing that if I wasn't satisfied I could easily take it back to the store. I've been pleasantly suprised at both the quality and fit. Just thought I would share in case others are looking for options when covered storage is just not an option. The cover has already disappeared from the Costco website but here it the link to Amazon for the same model. The 15-18 ft cover reaches to cover the propane/electric jack and the rear spare tire. Once the straps are secured, its a pretty nice fit. Classic Accessories SkyShield Travel Trailer Cover, 15'-18'FT https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Accessories-80-382-103001-EX-Travel-Trailer/dp/B01KHX27HS I've only had it set-up for a couple weeks but so far it's working well and hasn't cost me a fortune. Wanted to share in case others are considering similar options. (Photos attached) 2020 Elite II, Hull 627, 2020 Silverado 1500 3.0L Duramax

@SeaDawg Appreciate your comment about your Honda 1000 to recharge batteries. I have a 7 year old Yamaha 1000 (900w continuous) that runs great and is very quiet. It's efficient and is rated to run for 12 hours at 1/4 load on one tank of fuel. I don't want to carry extra gas and I'm not concerned about running the A/C. Can you give me some idea of how many times I could recharge my 4 AGM batteries on one tank of gas if my solar is not producing due to shade/weather? 2020 Elite II Hull 627, 2021 Silverado 1500 3.0 deisel

Ok. Love the diversity. I'll add one from my road-trip Spotify playlist... "Ohh, They say that home is where your heart is, heart is I guess that means that my heart lives on the road I wasn't made to live as usual I'm on the search for something more beautiful I know the road takes a toll But all I can say, is "I wouldn't trade it for anything No, I wouldn't trade it for anything"

I believe they cost about $425 each. Shipping is free. I do have a discount code that will save you 5%. Let me know if you need it.

I should also mention that we don't feel like the mattresses are bouncy. I believe the top two inches of the mattress is latex, and the rest is high density foam and the quilted cover. They are comfortable for side and back sleepers as well as firm enough to sit on without feeling like you're sinking in. Some of the mattress we looked at bottomed out when you sat down or felt very bouncy.

We recently purchased custom twin mattresses from MattressInsider. They have a showroom in Denver which we were able to visit to pick out the mattresses we felt would be the best fit for what we wanted. We chose the 8.5" custom luxury latex mattress which I believe are less expensive than the similar mattress from Southern Mattress. They have several mattress choices which can all be customized to fit the Oliver. Our choice was based on comfort for sleeping and sitting. We are very pleased with our decision and wouldn't hesitate to recommend MattressInsider. We worked with Jeremy. If you are interested in ordering form them, please let me know, as I believe I have a discount code I can pass along to you for a 5% savings. www.mattressInsider.com

@SeaDawg@BackofBeyond@John E Davies@FrankC@topgun2 Thanks to all of you for your information and suggestions. Appreciate it. @SeaDawg You are thinking what I'm thinking - want a small, cheap panel that will keep the batteries charged if I cover the trailer but will be no big deal if it is stolen. Unfortunately, I have to keep the trailer at an RV storage lot. My thought was to drill an extra hole in the frame if needed and lock it to the trailer bumper with a small diameter security cable and lock where it is out of view from the main drive-thru and one would have to go looking for it. It's a low-crime area but if someone wanted it bad enough to cut the cable then no huge loss. I share your concern about a cheap controller in an unattended situation. I'm dissapointed that the zamp port on the side of the trailer does not go through the onboard controller before reaching the batteries. Does anyone know if connecting the panel through the 7-pin hitch connector routs the power through the onboard zamp charge controller? If so then I would not need a potentially sketchy exteral controller...right? @SeaDawg Curious - I see your Oliver is 2008. Has it always been uncovered? I'm concerned about the brutal Colorado high-elevation sun exposure 300+ days/year wearing on the plastic, caulking, vinyl windows, seals, etc. Should I not be so worried about that? TallManDan 2020 Elite II, 2021 Silverado 1500 3.0L diesel

We have an Elite II with the Zamp solar package including the zamp port on the side of the trailer. I would like to cover our Oliver with an RV cover (possibly the CalMark) when not in use which would, of course, cover the roof-mounted solar panels. There is no electric service at the storage lot and I'm considering purchasing a small external solar panel that I could attach to the rear bumper outside the cover and keep my AGM batteries charged while in storage. Does anybody have experience with this kind of set-up? Would a small 20w panel with controler be enough? So far I can't find an adapter for a non-Zamp panel that would work with the zamp port on the Ollie. Anybody have a link to one? Should I just connect directly to the batteries with alligator clips and will the battery door still close and lock with charge cable? Considering these two options from Amazon... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RZBVTGR/ref=syn_sd_onsite_desktop_34?psc=1&uh_it=289e09821f35644186bce4efffe39f69_CT&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVjJNNDU3V1ZOM1MwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODM0Mjc3MzFXMU9DQjIzSEgxTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDU4MjQzT0U5SFBPSFEyR1pMJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c2Rfb25zaXRlX2Rlc2t0b3AmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl#customerReviews https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072B5J7CF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_9?smid=A2D22KZJD14Y8Y&psc=1 Appreciate any insights or help! Thanks! Tallmandan 2020 Elite II, 2021 Silverado 1500 3.0L diesel

@VBistro Hey thanks for sharing the places to consider on our SD trip in the Fall. I’ll do some research on those. Congrats on your Ollie on order! I think there are 3 other Olivers in CO besides us but not sure. We have been tinkering around with our LEII in the driveway at this point and still impressed every time with the build quality! Where in CO do you live?

Thanks everyone for your responses. We tried our slightly older but awesome panasonic 1750 watt toaster oven and it worked on battery without overload on the 2000 watt inverter but definitely drew considerable batt power. As for my batts not ever reaching full, turns out the norcold refrigerator was not completed off. Hoping that was the reason but had to take it to the RV storage lot (HOA regs 😑) so I haven't been able to check again.

Thanks. This does make me feel better. We haven’t yet been able to take it on a trip and won’t for a few months but just want to be sure all is working as it should. Also curious about the draw from your coffee maker... is it a regular drip unit? We are interested in a small toaster oven that would fit in the storage area since we don’t have the microwave. Anybody else do this?

Thanks for your reply. Yep. I have the 6 brightway AGM batteries that came with the solar package from Oliver

Hello, I recently purchased EII hull 627 as second owner. With winter here in Colorado, it’s been sitting in my driveway without use with solar panels in full sun with nothing that would draw power. The control panel never shows a full charge. It always shows the 75% charge as in the attached photo. Is there a problem with the system? Also, there is a slight electrical “buzz” sound coming from the Zamp solar control panel that I can hear. Is that normal? Thanks for any help with a newby question!

@Ray and Susan Huff I hear you. Our kids are in 4 different states now and no grandkids yet. We moved to Colorado in the summer of 2019 from Vancouver, WA. I used to travel most all of Oregon on business. Guessing you probably live in Medford or Grants Pass. I used to fly fish on the Rogue River. We enjoyed the PNW and it will always have a place in our hearts but we do love Colorado so far. It’s not inexpensive and it seems crowded sometimes but the weather is truly great with tons of sunshine. There is so much to do if you love outdoor adventure. We were lucky to find hull 627 for sale here in CO and we are looking forward to exploring!

@MandD Thanks. Just curious - where in CO do you live?

@Mountainman198 Hello. Appreciate that you decided not to buy #627 😊! We live in Parker. After living 27 years in Washington State raising our family, we moved here in 2019 for a new job opportunity and a new chapter -- in the sunshine of Colorado. Where do you live? Have you placed your order for a new Oliver yet?

Hello, We are Dan and Theresa from Colorado. Yesterday we brought home our new 2020 Elite II as second owners. (Hull #627). After a couple decades of camping with pop-up tent trailers, we have moved up...way up! We first learned of Oliver just a few months ago as we started researching travel trailers and finding that we were dissapointed with the quality of pretty much everything we saw. I started reading through the forums several weeks ago as we were considering this purchase. There seems to be so much great information shared and a sense of family. I'm sure I will have questions as I get some experience and start to ready the trailer for a trip and would sure appreciate the wisdom of this group! The weight and size of the Oliver meant we needed to upgrade our tow vehicle as well. So --- we pulled the Ollie home with our brand new Silverado 1500 I6 Duramax and it was fantastic. We are a little (Ha ha) lighter in the wallet now but excited for upcoming adventures as recent "empty nesters." Already have reservations at Great Sand Dunes NP in Spring, Rocky Mountain NP in June and Mount Rusmore/Custer SP in Fall. Looking to add more in-between. Again, appreciate all the great info shared here! Dan & Theresa 2020 Oliver Elite II, Hull 627, 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 3.0L I6 Duramax