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chamaigne

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Posts posted by chamaigne

  1. That's encouraging that the new beds are more comfortable. I read a couple of posts elsewhere that full-timers were looking for ways to make them comfortable enough.

     

    The things I'm trying to accomplish are 1. optimally comfortable bed and 2. optimally comfortable seating for working all day.

     

    As I understand it, one of the main reasons the Technomadia couple who started this thread ended up trading in their Oliver for a bus conversion was because they wanted real office chairs for working long hours at dedicated desks. The small dinette wasn't big or comfortable enough for them. After a couple years in the Oliver they wanted something bigger.

     

    I've got energy problems - I'm actually on disability for chronic fatigue syndrome - so I'm used to lounging on a bed or couch with my laptop all day, trying to start on-line businesses (or just get through the day!). I don't really have the energy to sit in an upright seat for a long time. I'm also very protective of my sleep quality!

     

    On the other hand, I don't want a bigger trailer if I can help it because our purpose in traveling is to share our music (at whatever rate I can with my energy). So we need it to be as light and cheap to tow as possible, given that we will be full-timing. So I'm just trying to figure out how I can make an Oliver work.

     

    If it's true that the new beds are more comfortable, it's possible I could lounge in the big dinette to work, and sleep there at night. I would still tend to want the King bed configuration instead of the twins because it looks like the twin arrangement has the center dresser which would prevent me from putting a regular width mattress down just in case the cushions aren't comfortable enough for me. Does that make sense?

     

    You're right about what I was visualizing - making a "couch" out of two twin beds, either oriented along the side of the trailer or along with width of it. The "desk" part isn't as important. I just use a folding bed-side table or lap-desk, and a brief case full of papers. Good point about the sizes of beds advertized being "rv" sized.

  2. I'm chemically sensitive, but want an Oliver.

     

    Can anyone tell me if the building materials have formaldehyde? Mercury? Do the glues off-gass quickly enough that if I bought a used one the fumes would be gone?

     

    Why aren't Oliver's "green certified" by TRA Green?

     

    Any thoughts appreciated.

  3. I don't have an Oliver yet but am seriously considering it for full-timing including the need to work at my computer pretty much all every every day.

     

    Here is what I imagine doing, and I wondering if anyone can give me feedback.

     

    I would buy the king size model.

    Take the table away.

    Build a support structure for one side of the dinette to hold a standard twin size bed.

    Put another twin bed against the wall.

    Use bed wedges at desired thickness to make more comfortable seating angle.

    Use another bed wedge as an arm rest / leaning post.

     

    I've actually tried this at home and it's quite comfortable. At night I'd set up that second twin bed next to mine for my husband. Hopefully two standard twins would fit, maybe with some custom cornering.

     

    I hope this would solve the problem of both the need for comfortable seating and comfortable sleeping for a full timer.

     

    Any thoughts?

  4. Hi. I'm Chamaigne. I'm very interested in the Oliver.

     

    I had been thinking that I would buy a cargo trailer, insulate it, and add low tech amenities inside. But the more I researched, the more I felt that I would like water tanks for boon-docking, and really great insulation. I am figuring I ought to leave that to the experts. I'm very impressed with the double hull idea.

     

    I'd also like to be able to camp in cold conditions because I'm a traveling musician, not just a for-fun traveler. I also like the idea of being able to relocate to help family if the need arises. So I want flexibility. I have read a lot of opinions that true four season camping is impossible in anything on wheels, because it's impossible to keep water tanks from freezing, especially if you're whizzing down the road. Plus, it's hard to fill those water tanks from hoses because the campground hoses freeze. But, as I've looked around, I get the impression that the Oliver and maybe the Big Foot are the best there is. So I won't expect the winter functionality of a park model or mobile home, but I want the best there is available.

     

    My concern is:

     

    Chemical off-gassing - I'm chemically sensitive, especially to glues. I'm impressed that some RV manufacturers have "green certification" from TRA Green and they specify their rating for indoor air quality. I wish Oliver had this. I wish I knew how a new one smelled, or if buying an old one will be safe enough for me. Any thoughts?

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